Saric among record 4 global NBA All-Rookie picks

NEW YORK, USA – Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric was a unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie team announced Monday, June 26 (Tuesday in Manila), which featured a record 4 players from outside the United States.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon, also a unanimous pick for the top newcomers lineup, was the only American on the first team selected by a 100-member global media panel, a record in 54 years of such teams.

Also on the first team were Cameroon center Joel Embiid of the 76ers with 82 first-team votes, Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield of the Bahamas with 63 first team votes and New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez of Spain with 44 first team votes.

Saric and Embiid made the 76ers the first team since 2008 with multiple players on the All-Rookie squad. 

Embiid averaged rookie bests of 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.45 blocked shots over 31 games while Saric had 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds a game.

Brogdon, who was already named 2017 KIA NBA Rookie of the Year, led rookies with 4.2 assists a game and 1.12 steals a game and was fourth among newcomers in scoring with 10.2 points a game.

Hield topped all rookies with 148 3-pointers and averaged 10.6 points a game, boosting his averages to 15.1 points and 4.1 rebounds a contest after a February trade from New Orleans to Sacramento.

Hernangomez topped first-year players by shooting 52.9 percent, averaging 8.2 points and 7.0 rebounds.

The NBA All-Rookie Second Team included Denver guard Jamal Murray of Canada and 4 americans – Boston forward Jaylen Brown, Phoenix forward Marquese Chriss, Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram and Dallas guard Yogi Ferrell. – Rappler.com