Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving named NBA Rookie of the Year
Receives 117 out of 120 first place votes
Posted: 05/15/2012
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - A Tuesday morning press conference at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence made it official that Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving is the NBA's top rookie.
In what was the worst kept secret in sports, Irving received 117 out of a possible 120 first place votes to win the award.
With Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, Kyrie's father Drederick and Coach Byron Scott looking on, Irving thanked his coaches, family and teammates for helping him in his first NBA season.
Two years ago, Irving was still in high school. Now 20 years old, he is looking forward to being even better in his second season.
Irving averaged 18.5 points per game and shot 47 percent in his first season in the league and is the centerpiece of a Cavaliers rebuilding project that aims to make the team into a championship contender.
Irving was particularly clutch at the end of games, finishing fifth overall among NBA players in fourth quarter scoring.
The point guard becomes the second player in franchise history to win the award. LeBron James was the 2003-04 Rookie of the Year as a member of the Cavs.
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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