Damian Lillard Named NBA Rookie of the Year
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NBA/Portland Trail Blazers(PORTLAND, Ore.) — Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard was unanimously selected as the NBA’s Rookie of the Year Wednesday. Lillard, the No. 6 pick out of Weber State in the 2012 NBA Draft, dominated all season. He averaged 19 points and 6.5 assists per game, leading all rookies in both categories. Lillard also broke Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s rookie 3-point record, making 185, led the NBA in minutes played (first rookie to do that since Elvin Hayes 1968-69) and he joins Allen Iverson and Oscar Robertson as the only players to score 1,500 points and dish out 500 assists in their rookie season.
Lillard also won the NBA’s Rookie of the Month award every month this season.
“I am very proud of what Damian accomplished this season,” Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts said. “It is a testament to his talent, character and work ethic that he played at a very high and consistent level throughout his rookie season. Along the way, his name was mentioned along with some of the greats to have ever played in the NBA.”
Lillard joins Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990) and Ralph Sampson (1984) as the only players to be unanimously selected for the award.
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