Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors were unanimous selections to the 2009-10 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie First Team, the NBA announced today.
Rounding out the T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie First Team are New Orleans’ Darren Collison (46 points) and Chicago Bulls’ Taj Gibson (41 points).
The 2009-10 T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, Evans averaged a rookie- and team-leading 20.1 points, as well as a team-high 5.8 assists (2nd among rookies) and 5.3 rebounds. Evans joined Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in their rookie seasons. Among rookies, Evans also was first in minutes (37.2 mpg) and second in steals (1.51 spg), while leading in free throws made (348) and attempted (465).
Jennings, a four time T-Mobile Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month selection (October/November, December, January, March) ranked third among rookies in scoring (15.5 ppg), assists (5.7 apg) and steals 1.28. Jennings announced his presence as a top rookie early on, rattling off a 55-point game on Nov. 14 vs. Golden State.
Curry, a three time T-Mobile Western Conference Rookie of the Month selection (January, March, April) ranked second among rookies in scoring (17.5 ppg) and finished first in assists (5.9 apg), steals (1.9 spg), minutes (37.2), free throw percentage (.885) and three-point percentage (.437). Curry’s 166 three-pointers made led all rookies.
Collison provided steady point guard play for the Hornets in place of injured incumbent Chris Paul, ranking among the top 10 for rookies in scoring (sixth – 12.4 ppg), assists (T-third – 5.7 apg) and steals (sixth – 1.03 spg). Collison was named the T-Mobile Western Conference Rookie of the Month for February.
Gibson gave the Bulls a frontcourt boost, leading all rookies in rebounding (7.5 rpg) and field goal percentage (.494), while placing second in blocks (1.27 bpg). The durable Gibson, who averaged 9.0 points in his first season, appeared in all 82 games for the Bulls, making 70 starts.
The T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie Second Team consists of New Orleans’ Marcus Thornton (31 points), San Antonio’s DeJuan Blair (30 points), Oklahoma City’s James Harden (22 points), Minnesota’s Jonny Flynn (22 points) and Detroit’s Jonas Jerebko (22 points).
The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select five players for the first team and five players for the second team, regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team. Two points were awarded for first team votes and one for second team votes.