Isaiah Thomas Named NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month For February

SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Mar. 1, 2012 -- Kings guard Isaiah Thomas was named NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in February. Thomas becomes the first Kings rookie to earn Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors since Tyreke Evans was named the conference Rookie of the Month in December 2009. Thomas is the fourth Kings rookie to receive the monthly honor – Lionel Simmons (December 1990, February 1991), Brian Grant (January 1995), Evans (October/November 2009, December 2009).

Thomas led Western Conference rookies in February in scoring (12.2 ppg) and was second in assists (4.4 apg). Starting the last five games, Thomas has scored 96 points in his first five career starts, tying him with Otis Birdsong (Nov./Dec. 1977) for the most points scored in the first five career starts as a Kings rookie since games started was first noted on official box scores in 1970-71, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. On February 21 at Miami, Thomas scored 20 of his career-high 24 points in the fourth quarter, the most points a Kings rookie has scored in a quarter since the 2000-01 season. His five three-pointers in the fourth quarter tied Jason Williams (third quarter, April 23, 1999, at Minnesota) for the most three-pointers made in a quarter in Kings franchise history.

Drafted by the Kings in the second round (60th overall), Thomas is averaging 9.0 points (.417 FG%, .356 3pt%, .845 FT%), 2.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 20.2 minutes per game in 33 contests this season. He is fourth on the team in scoring and second in assists.

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