Wizards’ John Wall, Clippers’ Blake Griffin named T-Mobile Rookies of the Month

NEW YORK – The Washington Wizards’ John Wall and the Los Angels Clippers’ Blake Griffin today were named the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in March.

Wall ranked third among all rookies in scoring (18.1 ppg), first in assists (7.3 apg) and first in steals (1.67 spg).  He became the first Washington rookie to record at least 32 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a game since Earl Monroe in 1968.

Griffin led all rookies in scoring (20.5 ppg), rebounding (10.4 rpg) and tied for second in assists (4.3 apg). He is the only player in the league averaging at least 20 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.

Here is a recap of the month for both Wall and Griffin:

John Wall, Washington Wizards

March 5 vs. Minnesota: Scored 18 points, dished out eight assists and pulled down 11 rebounds in a 103-96 victory over the Timberwolves.

March 20 @ New Jersey: Tallied 26 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals in a 98-92 win over the Nets.

March 23 @ LA Clippers: Scored a career and season high 32 points to go with 10 assists and five rebounds in a 127-119 loss to Clippers.

March 26 @ Utah: Scored 28 points to go with six rebounds and seven assists in a 100-95 victory over the Jazz.

Blake Griffin, LA Clippers

March 7 @ Charlotte: Had 17 points, 15 rebounds and three assists in a 92-87 victory over the Bobcats.

March 19 vs. Cleveland: Tallied 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a 100-92 win over the Cavaliers.

March 23 vs. Washington: Posted a triple-double with 33 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in a 127-119 victory over the Wizards.

March 26 vs. Toronto: Tallied 22 points, 16 rebounds and five assists in a 94-90 win over the Raptors.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month were Detroit’s Greg Monroe, Houston’s Patrick Patterson, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and Washington’s Jordan Crawford.

Building upon its already strong appeal to the nation’s youth and as Official Partner of the NBA, T-Mobile is showcasing the NBA’s youngest players — the Rookies — through the T-Mobile Rookie Program.  Highlights include rookie awards presentations such as the T-Mobile Rookies of the Month and T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, and the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, an All-Star competition between NBA rookies and second-year players.  During NBA All-Star 2011, T-Mobile and the NBA will host more than 3,500 students from the Los Angeles Unified School District to watch the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam from the best seats in the house at STAPLES Center on Friday, February 18.