NEW YORK – The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dion Waiters and the Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in February.

Waiters ranked second among Eastern Conference rookies in scoring (15.8 ppg) and assists (3.1 apg), second in steals (1.1 spg) and field goal percentage (.514) and third in minutes (28.2 mpg).  In 12 games played in February, Waiters scored in double figures 10 times, including four games of 20 points or more. He helped lead the Cavaliers to a 7-5 record in February, the team’s first winning month since March 2010.

Lillard, winner of his fourth consecutive Kia Rookie of the Month award, led all rookies in scoring (18.4 ppg) and assists (6.4 apg). He became the first NBA player to record 1,000 points and 300 assists in his first 55 career games since LeBron James did it (2003-04).  Lillard was also the winner of the 2013 Taco Bell Skills Challenge at All-Star Weekend in Houston.

Here is a recap of the month for Waiters and Lillard:

Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers

 Feb.  2 vs. Oklahoma City: Posted 12 points, a career-high six rebounds, six assists and two steals in a 115-110 win over the Thunder.

Feb. 13 vs. San Antonio: Recorded 20 points, four assists and tied a career-high with six rebounds in a 96-95 loss to the Spurs.

Feb. 24 @ Miami: Tallied 26 points, three assists and two rebounds in a 109-105 loss to the Heat.

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

 Feb. 2 vs. Utah: Had 23 points, eight assists and three rebounds in a 105-99 victory over the Jazz.

Feb. 4 @ Minnesota: Posted 21 points, four rebounds and six assists during a 100-98 win over the Timberwolves.

Feb. 12 @ Miami: Posted 33 points and three assists in a 117-104 loss to the Heat.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Golden State’s Harrison Barnes, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Orlando’s Maurice Harkless and Washington’s Bradley Beal.

Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month
For the first time, the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month are part of a series of on-court performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its sixth season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and includes five of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Most Valuable Player Award, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man Award, Most Improved Player Award, and Rookie of the Year.  It also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month during the regular season.  Kia Motors is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA and the Kia Optima is the league’s Official Vehicle.  For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards” visit www.NBA.com/awards.