Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference rookies of the month for games played in January, the league announced on Thursday.
The two players each won the award in December.
Banchero is the third player in team history to win the award in consecutive months, joining Shaquille O’Neal and Mike Miller. He averaged 20.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 14 games, and he led the rookie class in scoring and minutes during the month.
Murray averaged 14 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 49.5% shooting from 3-point range in 15 games. His 48 3-pointers were the most by a rookie in the month of January, and ninth-most among all players this season.
He is the fourth rookie in team history to win in back-to-back months.
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in January. pic.twitter.com/uA0Yd94bMr
— Cody Taylor (@CodyTaylorNBA) February 2, 2023
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin and Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey were also nominated for the award from the Eastern Conference. In the West, Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston), Walker Kessler (Utah), Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio) and Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City) were also nominated.
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