Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers made history by becoming just the fourth NBA player to ever unanimously win the Rookie of the Year award.
Portland selected Lillard as the sixth overall pick in last year's NBA draft. The rookie out of Weber State exploded onto the scene. He averaged 19 points, 6.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. He also proved to be a dependable starter and played in all 82 games this season, according to the Associated Press.
Not only did Lillard lead all rookies in scoring, but he also broke Stephen Curry's rookie record for three-pointers in a season. Lillard is just the third rookie to have at least 1,500 points and 500 assists, trailing Oscar Robertson and Allen Iverson.
"I can't stop smiling," Lillard told reporters on Wednesday.
Given that Lillard won all six of the NBA's Rookie of the Month awards this season, it's not a surprise the panel of sportswriters and broadcasters unanimously selected him.
Wednesday marked only the fourth time in NBA history that the rookie award was unanimously won. Lillard joins the ranks of Ralph Sampson, David Robinson and Blake Griffin as the only players ever to unanimously win Rookie of the Year.
"He was never satisfied," Portland coach Terry Scotts said of his rookie. "He had well-deserved accolades throughout the season. He had milestones throughout the season. He was never satisfied."
Even Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant had high praise for him.
"He's fantastic, really fantastic," Bryant said of Lillard after their teams played in April. "A lot of players get hot, but he's got the moves, the patience, intelligence, the balance on his jumpers. He's the real deal."
Lillard is ready to move onto next season and improve upon the Blazer's 33-49 record from this season.
"I think the best thing for me is to take it all in," Lillard said. "Then tomorrow I've got to let it go. I've got my whole career in front of me."
