By Lewis Gould
Stop the presses. The Sixers’ point guard Michael Carter-Williams will be named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
That, according to a report on NJ.com, according to a league source with knowledge of the voting.
The award is expected to be announced next week.
Carter-Williams averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds this season, compiling one of the best rookie seasons in Sixers’ history.
The Syracuse product won Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four out of the six months it was awarded this season, a strong sign that the Rookie of the Year Award was going to be his. Carter-Williams was the 11th overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft.
He is the first Sixers’ player to be considered for the award since Allen Iverson was named Rookie of the Year in 1996.
If recent winners of the award are any indication of the career Carter-Williams could have, the Sixers have a real star on their hands. The past five winners? Damian Lillard for the Portland Trailblazers, Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, and Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.
During his rookie season, Carter-Williams was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise long year for the Sixers. At 6-foot-6, 186 pounds, Carter-Williams not only proved to be a solid point guard, but also showed he has the ability to create his own shot and get to the line. He also showed the ability to play tough defense.
The award speaks to general manager Sam Hinkie’s ability to find gems in the draft.
With center Nerlens Noel returning and the Sixers possibly having two lottery picks in a loaded 2014 draft class and $30 million in cap space, the Sixers seem to have the tools to craft a bright future.
