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Yao Nabs Rookie Honor

Yao Ming today was named the Western Conference got milk? Rookie of the Month for games played for the month of February. Yao led all rookies for the month in scoring (16.5 per game), was second in rebounding (8.8 per game) and first in blocks (1.46 per game). Here is a breakdown of his award-winning month:


Category Average for Month
Rockets: 5-8 13 starts
Total Points: 215 16.5 points per game - First among rookies
Rebounds: 114 8.8 rebounds per game - Second among rookies
Assists: 31 2.4 assists per game - Seventh among rookies
Blocks: 19 1.46 blocks per game - First among rookies
Minutes: 461 35.5 minutes per game - Second among rookies
Field Goals: 75-for-149 Field goal percentage of .503 - Fifth among rookies
Free Throws: 65-for-70 Free throw percentage of .929 - First among rookies



Yao averaged 16.5 points during the month of February.
Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
FEBRUARY 2003

  • Led all rookies in points per game, blocks per game and free throw percentage in the month of February.

  • Also ranked second in rebounds per game and minutes per game among rookies in February. Finished fifth in field goal percentage and seventh in assists per game among rookies. No rookie finished ahead of him in more than one of these statistical categories.

  • Led all NBA newcomers with seven double-doubles in February.

  • In 13 February games, led the Rockets in points once, rebounds seven times, assists once and blocks eight times.

  • Scored in double figures in 12 of 13 February games, reaching 20 points on three occasions.

  • Set a career high with six assists in Houston’s win vs. Sacramento on Feb. 2.

  • Set a career high with 11 free throws made on Feb. 11 vs. Utah.


    THIS SEASON

  • Among NBA leaders, ranks fourth in field goal percentage (.519), 20th in rebounds per game (8.2) and 17th in blocked shots per game (1.83).

  • Among NBA rookies, ranks first in blocked shots per game (1.83), efficiency rating (18.24) and field goal percentage (.519); second in points per game (13.7), rebounds per game (8.2) and double-doubles (21); and third in minutes per game (29.2) and free throw percentage (.808).

  • Leads the Rockets in double-doubles (21), rebounds per game (8.2) and blocked shots per game (1.83).