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 February.

Wall led all Eastern Conference rookies in scoring (16.5 ppg) and assists (7.9 apg), and was fifth in rebounding (4.9 rpg).  He eclipsed the 20-point mark on four occasions, tops among Eastern Conference rookies, and dished out 10 or more assists five times. He currently ranks sixth in the NBA in assists (9.0 apg) and is on pace to become the first rookie to average at least 9.0 assists since Damon Stoudamire in 1995-96.

Griffin led all rookies in scoring (23.1 ppg) and rebounding (11.6 rpg), and tied for second in assists (3.6 apg). He scored at least 20 points 11 times and finished with 12 double-doubles in 14 games. He also led all rookies in minutes (39.2 mpg). Griffin is on pace to become the first rookie to average better than 20 points and 10 rebounds since Elton Brand in 1999-2000.

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

John Wall, Washington Wizards

Feb. 13 @ Cleveland: Scored 19 points, dished out 14 assists and pulled down five rebounds in a 115-100 victory over the Cavaliers.

Feb. 23 @ Philadelphia: Tallied 21 points, 12 assists and five rebounds in a 117-94 loss to Philadelphia.

Feb. 25 @ Miami: Registered 24 points, 12 assists and three rebounds in a 121-113 loss to Miami.

Feb. 26 vs. Dallas: Scored 24 points to go with five rebounds and five assists in a 105-99 loss to Dallas.

Blake Griffin, LA Clippers

Feb. 2 vs. Chicago: Had 32 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in a 106-88 loss to Chicago.

Feb. 11 @ Cleveland: Tallied 32 points, 13 rebounds and two steals in a 126-119 loss to Cleveland.

Feb. 16 @ Minnesota: Had 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 98-90 win over the Timberwolves.

Feb. 22 @ Oklahoma City: Tallied 28 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in a 111-88 loss to Oklahoma City.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month were Detroit’s Greg Monroe, New York’s Landry Fields and Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins.

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.