NEW YORK – The Philadelphia 76ers’ Michael Carter-Williams and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Gorgui Dieng today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in March.

Carter-Williams led rookies in scoring (14.9 ppg), rebounds (8.4 rpg), assists (6.5 apg) and steals (1.75 spg) in March. He posted a double-digit scoring effort in 13-of-16 games, tallied four double-doubles, and collected a triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists on March 10, during a 123-110 loss to the New York Knicks. Carter-Williams recorded eight games with two or more steals on the month, and ranks fourth in the league for the season with 1.97 thefts per contest.

Dieng ranked fifth among Western Conference rookies in scoring (8.6 ppg) and second among all rookies in both rebounding (8.3 rpg) and field goal percentage (.613). He recorded a perfect field goal percentage in three different contests (March 19, 28 and 31). Dieng collected five point-rebound double-doubles during March, including a 22-point, 21-rebound effort on March 20, during a 129-106 loss to the Houston Rockets.

Here is a recap of the month for Carter-Williams and Dieng:

Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers

March 10 @ New York: Posted a triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a 123-110 loss to the Knicks.

March 21 vs. New York: Scored 22 points and added 13 rebounds and nine assists during a 93-92 loss to the Knicks.

March 29 vs. Detroit: Tallied 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in a 123-98 win over the Pistons.

Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves

March 16 vs. Sacramento: Collected 12 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks in a 104-102 victory over the Kings.

March 20 @ Houston: Posted 22 points, 21 rebounds and four assists in a 129-106 loss to the Rockets.  

March 26 vs. Atlanta: Notched his fifth double-double in a six-game span with 15 points and 15 rebounds during a 107-83 win over the Hawks.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Brooklyn’s Mason Plumlee, New York’s Tim Hardaway Jr., Sacramento’s Ben McLemore and Utah’s Trey Burke.

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 seventh 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: Kia Most Valuable Player Award, Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Kia Sixth Man Award, Kia Most Improved Player Award, and Kia 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.