Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero have been named the NBA Rookies of the Month for February.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in February. pic.twitter.com/VlKe6iJuOb
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 2, 2023
Check out highlights from their standout play in February.
Walker Kessler | Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz's Walker Kessler is the Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month.
Kessler was the only rookie to average a double-double for the month of February, averaging 10.6 points and 11.4 rebounds. His 3.2 blocks per game ranked second among all NBA players during the month.
> Season stats | Video box scores
Maaaan, congrats 🤠
Walker Kessler is your 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡! #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/TiII2n6Lq9
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 2, 2023
Pablo Bachero | Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero is the Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.
Banchero joins Shaquille O’Neal as the only players in Magic franchise history to be named Rookie of the Month in three consecutive months. The No. 1 overall pick scored 20+ points three times and recorded three double-doubles during February, leading to averages of 16.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
> Season stats | Video box scores
rook of tha month³ ⭐️
Paolo Banchero joins @SHAQ as the only players in franchise history to be named the @NBA's Rookie of the Month in three consecutive months
O’Neal did it four straight times from Nov. 1992-Feb. 1993 pic.twitter.com/NXhJ73mR3g
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 2, 2023
Other Nominees
West: Malaki Branham (San Antonio Spurs), Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets), Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings) and Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
East: Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons) and Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana Pacers)
