NEW YORK – The Toronto Raptors’ Norman Powell and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.

Powell helped the Raptors to a 6-2 record behind averages of 15.3 points (tops in the Eastern Conference), 4.4 rebounds (seventh), 2.5 assists (tied-fifth) and 1.4 steals (third).  He scored in double figures in six of eight games and shot 54.8 percent from the field.  In Toronto’s regular-season finale, Powell scored a career-high 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting (including 5-of-6 from three-point range) and added nine rebounds and five assists during the Raptors’ 103-96 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Towns becomes the first player to sweep a season of Kia NBA Rookie of the Month awards since the Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard in 2012-13.  In April, Towns helped the Timberwolves to a 4-3 mark as he led all rookies in scoring (18.9 ppg), rebounding ( 11.7 rpg), blocks (1.7 bpg) and minutes (35.6 mpg).  Towns capped his first NBA season with his 51^st double-double (third most in the NBA) when he tallied 28 points and 14 rebounds during Minnesota’s 144-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on April 13.

Here is a closer look at March for Powell and Towns:

Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors

April 1 @ Memphis: Scored 14 points and added five assists and four rebounds during a 99-95 win over the Grizzlies.

April 8 vs. Indiana: Posted 27 points, six rebounds and four assists in a 111-98 win over the Pacers.
April 13 @ Brooklyn: Recorded a career-high 30 points and added nine rebounds and five assists in a 103-96 win over the Nets.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

April 5 @ Golden State: Scored 20 points and added 12 rebounds and four assists in a 124-117 overtime win against the Warriors.

April 9 @ Portland: Posted 27 points, nine rebounds and two blocks during a 106-105 win over the Trail Blazers.

April 13 vs. New Orleans: Scored 28 points and added 14 rebounds and three assists during a 144-109 win against the Pelicans.

Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Denver’s Emmanuel Mudiay, New York’s Jerian Grant, Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Utah’s Trey Lyles.

Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month

The Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month are part of a series of oncourt performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its ninth 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 serves as the Official Automotive Partner and Official Luxury Vehicle of the NBA.  For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards,” visit NBA.com/awards.