Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Reports: Rose named NBA's top rookie
ESPN.com news services

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose has been named the NBA's Rookie of the Year, according to published reports.

Two people familiar with the award confirmed to The Associated Press that Rose was the winner. Both requested anonymity as the announcement was to be made later Wednesday.

The Chicago Tribune first reported Rose had earned the honor.

The team is holding a news conference at 3 p.m. ET, at which it's expected the point guard, a Chicago native, officially will receive the award.

Rose, the No. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA draft, averaged 16.8 points per game, second to the Memphis Grizzlies' O.J. Mayo among rookies. Rose led all rookies in assists with 6.3 per game and was second in minutes played with 37 per game.

Rose joins Michael Jordan and Elton Brand among Bulls named rookie of the year. Brand shared the 1999-2000 award with Steve Francis; Jordan was rookie of the year in 1984-85.

Rose is the fourth player since 1990 to be named the league's top rookie and lead his team to the playoffs. The others are Tim Duncan in 1997-98 with the San Antonio Spurs; Chris Webber in 1993-94 with the Golden State Warriors; and David Robinson in 1989-90 with the Spurs.

He was the Eastern Conference rookie of the month in November and December, and again in March, helping the Bulls go 41-41 and reach the postseason for the fourth time in five years. In last Saturday's playoff opener against defending champion Boston, Rose matched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record for a debuting rookie with 36 points and 11 assists in a 105-103 overtime victory.

Game 3 of the series is Thursday night in Chicago.