NEW YORK, March 2, 2017 – The Philadelphia 76ers’ Dario Saric and the Dallas Mavericks’ Yogi Ferrell today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in February.
Saric, the 12th pick in NBA Draft 2014 presented by State Farm, led all rookies in scoring (17.0 ppg) and ranked second in rebounding (7.9 rpg) for the month. Among Eastern Conference rookies, he was first in minutes (30.1 mpg), tied for second in steals (1.0 spg) and third in assists (2.8 apg). The 22-year-old forward from Croatia scored in double figures in 11 of 12 games during February, including five appearances with at least 20 points. Saric recorded four straight point-rebound double-doubles from Feb. 13-25, capped by a 19-point, 15-rebound, five-assist performance in a 110-109 loss to the New York Knicks on Feb. 25.
Ferrell, who was not selected in NBA Draft 2016 presented by State Farm, paced all Western Conference rookies in scoring (12.0 ppg), assists (4.7 apg) and minutes (31.5 mpg) in February. He led all rookies in three-pointers made (21). The 23-year-old guard was playing on a 10-day contract when he equaled an NBA rookie record with nine three-pointers on his way to scoring 32 points in Dallas’ 108-104 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 3. Four days later, the Mavericks signed him to a multiyear contract. Before joining Dallas, Ferrell played 10 games with the Brooklyn Nets and 18 games with the NBA Development League’s Long Island Nets.
Here is a recap of February for Saric and Ferrell:
Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers
Feb. 9 @ Orlando: Scored a career-high 26 points and added eight rebounds and three steals in a 112-111 win over the Magic.
Feb. 13 @ Charlotte: Posted 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in a 105-99 win over the Hornets.
Feb. 24 vs. Washington: Registered 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in a 120-112 victory against the Wizards.
Yogi Ferrell, Dallas Mavericks
Feb. 3 @ Portland: Made 9-of-11 three-point attempts en route to 32 points and added five assists in a 108-104 victory against the Trail Blazers.
Feb. 9 vs. Utah: Contributed nine points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals in a 112-105 overtime win over the Jazz.
Feb. 13 vs. Boston: Scored 20 points and handed out five assists in a 111-98 loss to the Celtics.
Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Boston’s Jaylen Brown, Denver’s Jamal Murray, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram, Miami’s Rodney McGruder, Milwaukee’s Malcolm Brogdon, New York’s Willy Hernangomez and Phoenix’s Marquese Chriss.
