2012 NBA All-Rookie Team Has Local Roots

Added by Gregg Snyder on May 23, 2012.

Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks was voted to the 2011-12 NBA All-Rookie Team.

The NBA officially announced it’s 2012 NBA All-Rookie Team this week. While there were no major surprises, the NY/NJ area can be proud of the local roots present.

The team is led by New Jersey native Kyrie Irving, who also won Rookie of the Year. The first year point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers averaged 18.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game this season. He became one of only six rookies in league history to average at least 18.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.0 steal while shooting at least 45% from the field. The others on that list are Alvan Adams, Grant Hill, Tyreke Evans, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. Not bad company.

Irving was the only player unanimously selected to the All-Rookie Team this year.

Joining Irving is Newark, NJ native Kenneth Faried. Faried quickly became a threat to produce a double-double on any night. He averaged 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and one block for the Denver Nuggets. The 7.7 boards led all rookies, as did his 57% field goal percentage.

The third and final local name on the 2012 All-Rookie Team is Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks. Shumpert became known around the league as a defensive stud. Knicks fans will enjoy watching Shumpert guard the oppositions star player for years to come. The first year guard averaged 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 steals this season.

Shumpert was actually tied with Kawhi Leonard and Brandon Knight for the fifth spot on the All-Rookie Team. Ricky Rubio and Klay Thompson are also on the first team.

MarShon Brooks, of the New Jersey Nets, was voted to the 2012 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.