Ricky Rubio Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team
Derrick Williams Named to Second Team
Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio has been named to the 2011-12 NBA All-Rookie Team and forward Derrick Williams has been named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, the National Basketball Association announced earlier today.
The voting panel consisted of the NBAs 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.
In 41 games, 31 starts, Rubio averaged 10.6 points, 8.2 assists (5th in the NBA), 4.2 rebounds and 2.22 steals (3rd in the NBA) in 34.2 minutes per game. Rubio led all NBA rookies in assists, minutes and steals while recording 12 point-assist double-doubles, ranking him third in the NBA. Rubio was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for January.
Williams averaged 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in 66 games -- he was the only Wolves player to appear in all 66 games this past season.
Rubio joins Pooh Richardson, Christian Laettner, Isaiah Rider, Stephon Marbury, Wally Szczerbiak, and Randy Foye as Timberwolves rookies to earn first team honors during their rookie seasons in Minnesota. Williams joins Felton Spencer, Kevin Garnett, Craig Smith, Kevin Love, Jonny Flynn and Wes Johnson as Timberwolves rookies to earn second team honors.
Below are the 2011-12 NBA All-Rookie First and Second Teams:
2011-12 NBA ALL-ROOKIE FIRST TEAM
Player Team First (2 pt) Second (1 Pt) Total
Kyrie Irving Cleveland 29 - 58
Ricky Rubio Minnesota 21 7 49
Kenneth Faried Denver 19 8 46
Klay Thompson Golden State 16 11 43
Iman Shumpert New York 15 10 40
Kawhi Leonard San Antonio 14 12 40
Brandon Knight Detroit 13 14 40
2011-12 NBA ALL-ROOKIE SECOND TEAM
Player Team First (2 pt) Second (1 Pt) Total
Chandler Parsons Houston 10 13 33
Isaiah Thomas Sacramento 5 17 27
MarShon Brooks New Jersey 3 12 18
Derrick Williams Minnesota 2 12 16
Tristan Thompson Cleveland 2 12 16
Other players receiving votes, with point totals (first place votes in parentheses): Markieff Morris, Phoenix, 7 (1); Kemba Walker, Charlotte 7; Alec Burks, Utah 2; Norris Cole, Miami 2; Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte 2; Enes Kanter, Utah 1; Greg Stiemsma, Boston 1; Gustavo Ayon, New Orleans 1; Nikola Vucevic, Philadelphia 1.
Contact information:
Mike Cristaldi, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-8405, cristaldi@timberwolves.com
Aaron Seehusen, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-1602, seehusen@timberwolves.com
Dan Bell, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-1603, bell@timberwolves.com
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