CLEVELAND -- In his upcoming rookie season, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Collin Sexton will look to earn the respect of the rest of the NBA.
When it comes to his peers, however, the Alabama product already appears to be highly thought of.
On Tuesday, the NBA released its annual rookie survey, in which the league's first-year players vote on various superlatives. And when it came to the top question-- "Who will be the 2018-19 KIA Rookie of the Year?" -- Sexton tied for the top spot, earning 18 percent of the vote alongside the draft's No. 1 overall pick, Phoenix Suns center DeAndre Ayton.
The full results of the question ran as follows:
1. DeAndre Ayton, Phoenix -- 18%
Collin Sexton, Cleveland -- 18%
3. Luka Doncic, Dallas -- 9%
Kevin Knox, New York -- 9%
5. Mohamed Bamba, Orlando -- 6%
Devonte' Graham, Charlotte -- 6%
Michael Porter Jr., Denver -- 6%
Trae Young, Atlanta -- 6%
Others receiving votes: Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento; Troy Brown Jr., Washington; Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago; Hamidou Diallo, Oklahoma City; Harry Giles, Sacramento; Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis; Lonnie Walker IV, San Antonio
Although Sexton's survey showing could be perceived as a sign of respect, it doesn't bode well for his actual Rookie of the Year odds. Since the rookie survey began in 2007, only once have the newcomers correctly identified the future award winner, which occurred when Kevin Durant was named Rookie of the Year in 2007.
In addition to his first-place Rookie of the Year placement, the 19-year-old Sexton made appearances on the survey tied for third-place on "best career," tied for fifth on "best defender" and tied for third on "best playmaker." Former Cavs star LeBron James, meanwhile, was voted the rookies' favorite player for the second straight survey.
In his lone season at Alabama, Sexton averaged 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists. The Cavs selected the reigning SEC Newcomer of the Year with the No. 8 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.