Portland Trail Blazers rookie guard Brandon Roy was named the NBA’s Western Conference Rookie of the Month for January, it was announced today.

Roy, who was named to the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam at All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas yesterday, averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 steals in 16 games (16 starts) during the month. The 6-6 guard from the University of Washington shot .445 percent from the field and .915 percent from the free throw line.

In the past eight games, Roy averaged 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals; Portland is 5-3 during that span. The month included a career-high 28 points (10-for-15 from the field) in a 99-95 win over Milwaukee on Jan. 21. He also recorded his second career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in a 94-76 win over Cleveland on Jan. 17. Roy picked up six steals in that game, the most by a Portland player this season.

The sixth overall selection in the 2006 NBA Draft, Roy leads all rookies with 14.9 points; he is ranked No. 5 with 4.3 rebounds; tied for first alongside teammate Sergio Rodriguez with 3.3 assists and listed first with 1.30 steals and 32.6 minutes. He has played in 27 games, 25 of those as a starter.