Paolo Banchero, Walker Kessler NBA All-Rookie First Team
Orlando magic front Paolo BancheroNBA Rookie of the Year and Utah Jazz center Kessler’s Pedestrian And Oklahoma City Thunder front Jalen Williams — two other finalists for the award — were both named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Team of the Year Monday afternoon, as the league continued to roll out the award post-season.
Indiana Pacers protect Benedict Mathurin And King Sacramento front Keegan Murray joined them in the All-Rookie First Team, with Detroit pistons protect Jaden Iveyteammate Jalen Duren, San Antonio Spurs front Jeremy Sochan And Houston rocket forward Jabari Smith Jr.. And Tari Eason including the all-rookie Second Team.
Banchero, the #1 overall pick in last year’s NBA draft, averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season. Williams, pick 12 in last year’s draft, averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Thunder, while Kessler averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game for Utah.
Mathurin, sixth overall pick last June, averaged 16.7 points per game, while Murray averaged 12.2 points and shot 41% from three-pointers to the surprising Kings, helping they reached the knockout round for the first time since 2006.
Ivey – the only player outside of the five first-team picks to receive at least one vote for Rookie of the Year – led the second-team picks after averaging 16.3 points for the Pistons.
Monday’s All-Rookie Team announcements will be followed by All-Defense Teams on Tuesday and all-NBA teams on Wednesday, before the tournament awards the Twyman-Stokes Team of the Year on Thursday.