Evans Named Western Conference Rookie of the Month

SACRAMENTO, CA, December 1, 2009 ---- Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games played from the start of the season (Oct. 27) through November. Evans is averaging 18.8 points (44.6 FG%, 32.3 3pt%, 79.0 FT%), 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.33 steals, and 36.1 minutes per game in starting all 15 games he has played in this season. He leads the Kings in assists and is second in scoring. Evans becomes only the third Kings player to be named Rookie of the Month, joining Brian Grant (January 1995) and Lionel Simmons (December 1990 and February 1991).

Evans matched Lionel Simmons for the Sacramento-era rookie record of scoring 20 or more points in seven consecutive games, beginning the streak with a 32-point effort in the Kings first road win of the season at Utah (November 7). In that same game against the Jazz, he also set a Sacramento-era single-game rookie mark with 19 free throws attempted. Evans and Cleveland’s LeBron James are the only two players averaging 18.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game this season. The 6-6 Evans, drafted fourth overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, leads all rookies in free throws made (64) and attempted (81) and minutes per game. Among rookies, he ranks second in scoring and steals per game, third in assists per game, and fourth in rebounds per game. He also leads all rookies with nine 20-point scoring performances.

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