Talented rookie class is prepared to make impact

76ers, Celtics, Mavs, Lakers all selected high draft picks.

If there was one takeaway from Lonzo Ball’s first training camp and preseason, it was this: He doesn’t sound like his dad.

There’s no humility in Ball’s game. The confidence of the Los Angeles Lakers’ rookie point guard is through the roof when he’s on the floor and with a ball in his hand. But when he speaks, when microphones are thrust near his face and the lights of cameras shine in his eyes and reporters pepper him with questions, there’s no bluster or bravado emanating.

Yes, even the most ballyhooed player in this highly regarded NBA rookie class knows that a learning process awaits over the next few months.

“The grind of the season, 82 games, I’ve never played that before,” Ball said. “It is my first year, so I don’t know what really to expect. But I’m going in there with an open mind, ready to learn, ready to get better and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

His dad, LaVar Ball, has made plenty of headlines with his sometimes overthe-top thoughts, plus has faced tons of criticism for things like slapping a $495 price tag on the infamous Big Baller Brand shoe that was released months before his son made his NBA debut. But Lonzo Ball speaks with humility, a calmness that helped convince the Lakers that he indeed was the right pick to be the rebuilding team’s point guard of the present and future.

“I’d like to just play,” Lonzo Ball said.

No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz will be part of Philadelphia’s young core that the 76ers hope get them back in the Eastern Conference playoff mix, No. 3 pick Jayson Tatum should be a big part of a Boston team that believes it can compete for a title, and No. 9 pick Dennis Smith Jr. is already being mentioned as a star of the future in Dallas and a legitimate rookie of the year candidate this season.

Here’s some of what to know from the rookie perspective going into the season, which tips off tonight:

All-star chances: Don’t expect to see many freshmen on the floor in Los Angeles for the All-Star Game in February. The last three rookies to make an All-Star team were Blake Griffin in 2011 (which was his second year in the NBA), Yao Ming in 2002 (after he was a pro in China before coming to the NBA) and Tim Duncan in 1998.

Scoring comes later: Since 2000, only seven rookies have averaged 20 points per game. They were Griffin (22.5), Carmelo Anthony (21.0), LeBron James (20.9), Kevin Durant (20.3), Joel Embiid (20.2 last year, after he missed his first two seasons), Elton Brand (20.1) and Tyreke Evans (20.1).

Then again: Milwaukee’s Malcolm Brogdon showed last year that scoring isn’t a prerequisite for rookie awards. He averaged 10.2 points per game last season, the lowest for any NBA rookie of the year in the 68-year history of the award. Brogdon started only 28 games, by far the lowest for a ROY winner since the NBA started charting that statistic.

Teen time? No. 1 pick Fultz said he is setting high personal goals. Rookie of the year is on the list. He doesn’t turn 20 until May, but could be the third teenager to win the award — potentially joining LeBron James and Durant. Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins were 19 in their ROY seasons, but turned 20 before those campaigns ended.

Around the league

Spurs: San Antonio reportedly reached an agreement with LaMarcus Aldridge on an extension that will keep him under contract for an additional three years.

Aldridge will exercise the $22 million player option on his contract for the 2018-19 season. Aldridge will also get another two years and $50 million tacked on. Aldridge averaged 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds a game last season.

RINGO H.W. CHIU / AP Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball is concerned about the 82-game schedule. “I’ve never played that before,” said Ball, who left UCLA after his freshman season.