Carter-Williams and McLemore Named Rookies of the Month

The Philadelphia 76ers’ Michael Carter-Williams and the Sacramento Kings’ Ben McLemore today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November.

Carter-Williams, the 11^th overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, ranked first among rookies in scoring (17.2 ppg), assists (7.3 apg), steals (2.92 spg) and minutes (36.2 mpg). Additionally, among first-year-players, Carter-Williams ranked second in rebounding (5.3). Carter-Williams earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for games played Oct. 29-Nov. 3, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1992) as the only rookies to win the award in the first week of their NBA careers. In his NBA debut on Oct. 30, a 114-110 home win over the Heat, Carter-Williams recorded 22 points, 12 assists, nine steals and seven rebounds. The nine steals were the most by a rookie in his NBA debut.

McLemore, the seventh pick in June’s Draft, topped the rookie class in the West in scoring (9.1 ppg) and minutes (22.8 mpg). Among all first-year players, he tied for first in three-pointers made (21), and ranked second in three-point field goal percentage (.350) and third in free throw percentage (.810). McLemore recorded double-digit scoring in six games. In his second career game (Nov. 2), he came off the bench and contributed a team-high 19 points and four rebounds in a 98-87 loss at Golden State.

Here is a recap of the month for Carter-Williams and McLemore:

Michael Carter-Williams

Oct. 30 vs. Miami: Posted 22 points, 12 assists, nine steals and seven rebounds in a 114-110 win over Miami.

Nov. 2 vs. Chicago: Recorded a double-double with 26 points and 10 assists in a 107-104 win over the Bulls. 

Nov. 23 @ Indiana: Tallied 29 points, six rebounds and seven steals in a 106-98 loss to the Pacers.

Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings

Nov. 2 @ Golden State: Contributed 19 points (8-of-17) and four rebounds in a 98-87 loss to the Warriors.

Nov. 5 vs. Atlanta: Tallied 15 points, six rebounds and two steals in a 105-100 loss against the Hawks.

Nov. 19 vs. Phoenix: Recorded 19 points and five rebounds in a 107-104 win over the Suns.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Boston’s Kelly Olynyk, Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams and Orlando’s Victor Oladipo.

-NBA Press Release