NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The NBA Rookie of the Year race is just starting to heat up and out of the new crowd of names making their case a new frontrunner has emerged.
Pelicans center Yves Missi, who has steadily risen weekly, has been named Western Conference Rookie of the Year for December.
In December, Missi played and started in 13 games. In that time, he led all rookies in points (146), total rebounds (130), offensive rebounds (63), field goals made (60), and blocks (21). He also averaged a double-double with 11.2 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Missi’s 277 rebounds through his first 33 games are the most by a rookie in franchise history, surpassing Anthony Davis’s record of 251. Missi’s 125 offensive boards through his first 33 career games are the most in the NBA since Blake Griffin’s 127 in 2010.
Zion Williamson was the last Pelican to receive a Rookie of the Month honor in February 2020.
In addition to the league honor, Missi moved up from No. 2 to No. 1 on the NBA Rookie Ladder, the league’s system for tracking a candidate’s Rookie of the Year odds.
Missi’s quest to win Rookie of the Year continues Friday (Jan. 3) night as the Pelicans (5-29) host the Washington Wizards (6-25) Missi will be matched up against another Rookie of the Year Candidate, Alex Sarr. Sarr was named December’s Rookie of the Month for the Eastern Conference.
The Pelicans and Wizards tipoff at 7 p.m. on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. Viewers in the New Orleans area can find the broadcast on antenna Ch. 7 and Ch. 10 on Cox Cable. Those outside of the area can check their local listings. Streaming is also available on fubo.
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