Philadelphia 76ers’ Michael Carter-Williams smiles during a news conference where he received the NBA Rookie of the Year award at the team’s practice facility, Monday, May 5, 2014, in Philadelphia. AP
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania—Michael Carter-Williams received the National Basketball Association rookie of the year award on Monday, something to show in a dismal season for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Carter-Williams was only the third player since 1950-51 to lead all rookies in scoring (16.7), rebounding (6.3) and assists (6.2), joining Oscar Robertson (1960-61) and Alvan Adams (1975-76).
Despite the performance of their dynamic guard, the Sixers were awful this season. They went 19-63 and tied an NBA record by losing 26 straight games.
Carter-Williams received 104 of a possible 124 first-place votes. Victor Oladipo of the Orlando Magic finished second and Trey Burke of the Utah Jazz was third.
Allen Iverson is the only other player in Sixers history to win the award. The 11th overall pick in last year’s draft, Carter-Williams is the first player picked 10th or lower to win since Mark Jackson did it in 1987 for New York.
Carter-Williams had a spectacular debut, posting 22 points, 12 assists and nine steals to lead the Sixers to a stunning 114-110 victory over the two-time defending champion Miami Heat. He was the second rookie after Shaquille O’Neill to be the Eastern Conference player of the week in his first week in the NBA.
“By opening night, it was clear to us that Michael belonged,” Sixers President Sam Hinkie said. “We congratulate him on this unique achievement and look forward to helping him put in the work necessary to garner even greater success in the future.”
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