Sacramento guard Tyreke Evans has been named NBA Rookie of the Year. Golden State’s Stephen Curry placed second in the voting, and Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings was third.
A combo guard who stepped up to become the focus of Sacramento’s offense when Kevin Martin was injured, Evans became just the fourth rookie in NBA history to average more than 20 points, five rebounds and five assists; Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James are the others. His emergence allowed the Kings to trade Martin for cap relief; Sacramento now plans to rebuild the franchise around him.
Evans is the second straight one-and-done John Calipari guard to win Rookie of the Year honors. Last year’s top rookie, Chicago’s Derrick Rose, also played for Coach Cal at Memphis. Kentucky’s John Wall – the prohibitive favorite to go first overall in the 2010 draft – has a chance to make it three straight for Cal next season.
Image: Tyreke Evans on the Drive
Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images
Evans Named Top Rookie originally appeared on About.com Basketball on Friday, April 30th, 2010 at 13:00:35.
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