Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference rookies of the month for games played in March and April by the league on Tuesday.
Banchero joined Shaquille O’Neal as the only two players in franchise history to win the award in four consecutive months. He averaged 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 38.7% shooting from 3-point range in 17 games played.
He had a rookie-best 10 20-point games over that time period.
Williams was honored for the second time this season after averaging 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 18 games on 45.1% shooting from beyond the arc. He became the third Thunder player to win the award multiple times (Russell Westbrook, Josh Giddey).
Oklahoma City Thunder guard-forward Jalen Williams and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in March and April.
— Cody Taylor (@CodyTaylorNBA) April 11, 2023
Indiana Pacers guards Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard and Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey were also nominated for the award. In the West: Jaden Hardy (Dallas), Keegan Murray (Sacramento), Shaedon Sharpe (Portland) and Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston) were nominated.
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