Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Thornton Named To NBA All-Rookie Team


Los Angeles Clippers rookie forward Al Thornton was named to the T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie First Team, the league announced today. Thornton garnered at total of 48 points in the final voting with 20 First Team points.

The 6’8” high-flyer from Florida State turned in a break-through rookie season, averaging 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 27.3 minutes in 79 games played (31 starts). He also connected on 374-871 FG (.429), 43-130 3FG (.331) and 214-288 FT (.743) on the year.

Thornton finished his first NBA campaign ranked second among rookies in scoring (12.7 ppg), fifth in minutes (27.3 mpg), eighth in rebounds (4.5 rpg), fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.331 3FG) and fourth in double-doubles (7). Thornton also poured in a 2007-08 NBA Rookie and Clippers’ season high 39 points vs. Memphis on March 29, 2008. The 39-point outburst also tied the Clipper rookie mark for points scored in a game (Terry Cummings – 3/9/83 and Tom Chambers – 4/15/82).

In addition, Thornton tallied 15.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in his 31 starts while scoring 20+ points on 20 occasions and 30+ points three times on the year. He led the Clippers in scoring 16 times, rebounding eight times, blocks 12 times and steals 10 times.

Rounding out the T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie First Team are Atlanta’s Al Horford (58 points), Seattle’s Kevin Durant (57 points), Houston’s Luis Scola (53 points) and Seattle’s Jeff Green (43 points).

The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select five players for the first team and five players for the second team, regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team. Two points were awarded for first team votes and one for second team votes.

Building upon its already strong appeal to the nation's youth and as the Official Wireless Services Partner of the NBA, T-Mobile is showcasing the NBA's youngest players -- the Rookies -- through the NBA's Rookie program. Highlights include rookie awards presentations including the T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, T-Mobile Rookie of the Month Awards, and the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, an All-Star competition between NBA rookies and second-year players. During NBA All-Star 2008, T-Mobile Huddle Up and NBA Cares hosted more than 5,000 local students in the lower bowl of the arena to watch this year’s Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. This is a part of T-Mobile's continued efforts to connect kids to positive people, places and programs.

2007-08 T-MOBILE NBA ALL-ROOKIE FIRST TEAM

Al Horford Atlanta
Kevin Durant Seattle
Luis Scola Houston
Al Thornton LA Clippers
Jeff Green Seattle

2007-08 T-MOBILE NBA ALL-ROOKIE SECOND TEAM

Jamario Moon Toronto
Juan Carlos Navarro Memphis
Thaddeus Young Philadelphia
Rodney Stuckey Detroit
Carl Landry Houston

Other players receiving votes, with point totals (first place votes): Joakim Noah, Chicago, 17 (1); Yi Jianlian, Milwaukee, 13; Nick Young, Washington, 10 (2); Mike Conley, Memphis, 8 (1); Corey Brewer, Minnesota, 3 (1); Sean Williams, New Jersey, 3; Glen Davis, Boston, 3; Julian Right, New Orleans, 2; Jared Dudley, Charlotte, 2; Acie Law, Atlanta, 1; Javaris Crittenton, Memphis, 1; Aaron Brooks, Houston, 1; Wilson Chandler, New York, 1; Daequan Cook, Miami, 1.

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