Spurs' Victor Wembanyama named Rookie of the Month in the West, Hornets' Brandon Miller in the East
Victor Wembanyama has finally wrestled the Western Conference Rookie of the Month honor from Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren.
The NBA announced Thursday that Wembanyama was the recipient for the month of January after being topped in November and December. The San Antonio Spurs center/forward averaged 24 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in the month.
In the Eastern Conference, Brandon Miller was named Rookie of the Month after recording 16 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists. The Charlotte Hornets wing dethroned the Miami Heat's Jaime Jaquez Jr., who received the honor for both November and December.
The Kia NBA Rookies of the Month for January! #KiaROTM
West: Victor Wembanyama (@spurs)
East: Brandon Miller (@hornets) pic.twitter.com/HrWwOD6PbE— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2024
Wembanyama was the top pick in June's draft, and Miller was taken second overall. San Antonio has not had a Rookie of the Month recipient in nearly two decades, since Beno Udrih won for December 2004. LaMelo Ball was the last winner of the award for Charlotte in March 2021.
Against the New York Knicks on Jan. 29, Miller put on a show, scoring a career-high 29 points and adding seven rebounds and three assists in a 113-92 loss. In 40 games (34 starts), Miller is averaging 15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Wembanyama posted his second-highest scoring total (33) while going up against the Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid in a battle of the big men on Jan. 22. In 42 starts, Wembanyama is recording 20.6 points per game, 10.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.2 blocks.
The 2024 #PaniniRisingStars Player Pool!
NBA Rookies and Sophomores will be drafted onto three teams on Tuesday, Feb. 6 (4:00pm/et, NBA App), with NBA G League Players to comprise the fourth team. The four seven-player teams will compete in the mini tournament on Friday, Feb. 16… pic.twitter.com/Ji0NT3vkUq— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2024
Both Wembanyama and Miller have been selected for the 2024 Rising Stars Game that will be played Feb. 16 during All-Star Weekend.