The NBA today announced that Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was named the Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in January. Morant, who last month became the first rookie in franchise history to win the award in consecutive months, now has tied Pau Gasol (2001-02) for the franchise record with his third monthly accolade.
Morant (6-3, 175) guided the Grizzlies to an 11-4 record in January, tied for the best record in the Western Conference. He led all rookies with 17.5 points and 8.3 assists while shooting 54.2 percent from the field, becoming the first rookie this century to record a month with at least 17 points and eight assists per game while shooting at least 50 percent from the field.