Becomes third Trail Blazer in franchise history to garner award
Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy was named the 2006-07 NBA T-Mobile Rookie of the Year by a vote of national media, it was announced today by the NBA.
The sixth selection overall in the 2006 NBA Draft, Roy averaged NBA rookie highs of 16.8 points, 4.0 assists and 35.4 minutes, while ranking in the top-10 among rookie leaders with 4.4 rebounds, 1.18 steals and four double-doubles.
“This is a proud day for the city, the franchise, and Brandon, whose performance this past season speaks volumes to the direction we’re headed as a franchise,” said Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard. “Both on and off the court, Brandon has demonstrated the maturity and poise of a veteran, and we couldn’t be more pleased that he’s a member of the Portland Trail Blazers.”
“It’s rare to see a rookie step in, assume a leadership role and become a go-to guy as Brandon did this past season,” said Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan. “Brandon is a phenomenal young talent and has a chance to become a very special player in this league.”
A key component to Portland’s 11-game improvement from a season ago, Roy shot .456 from the floor, .377 from 3-point range and .838 from the foul line in 57 games (55 starts). He scored 20-plus points 16 times, including a career-high 29 points April 4 vs. Utah.
Roy earned 127 of 128 possible first-place votes, matching the 99.2 percent vote total that Chris Paul received last season. That number stands as the highest percentage of votes since David Robinson won the award unanimously in 1989-90.
Roy, who won Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors in January, February and March, becomes the third Trail Blazer in franchise history to take home the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, joining Geoff Petrie (1970-71) and Sidney Wicks (1971-72).
>>Video: Watch Brandon's first interview as NBA Rookie of the Year.
>>Congratulate Brandon, write him a message on
iamatrailblazersfan.com.
>>Visit the My Roy for R.O.Y. page for articles, photos and video of the NBA Rookie of the Year.
