Kings guard Tyreke Evans is one of three unanimous selections to the 2009-10 All-Rookie Team. Golden State's Stephen Curry and Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings were the other players to receive 29 first-team votes from NBA head coaches.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.
Joining them on the first team were Chicago's Taj Gibson and New Orleans' Darren Collison.
The second team consists of New Orleans' Marcus Thornton, San Antonio's DeJuan Blair, Minnesota's Jonny Flynn, Oklahoma City's James Harden and Detroit's Jonas Jerebko.
Omri Casspi received 13 votes for the second team, but none for the first team.
Back in January it looked as if the Kings would have two rookies on the first team. But Casspi's production tailed off in the second half of the season.
With his play so up-and-down in the second half of the season it's not surprising Casspi didn't make the first team. I was initially surprised he didn't make the second team, but I couldn't tell you who I'd take off for him. That's how I decide who doesn't belong on a team like this.
The coaching staff felt Casspi wore down physically and could benefit from some time in the weight room and improved conditioning next season.
Casspi sounded eager to put the last three months of the season behind him when I spoke to him before the season finale. He said he'd have time to get plenty of rest and then get back to work.
Casspi has plenty of motivation to come back next season stronger. He and Donte' Greene figure to be the leading candidates to start at small forward (assuming the Kings can trade Andres Nocioni).
And I'm sure not even receiving a first-team vote after finishing seventh in rookie scoring won't sit well with Casspi. He's as competitive as any King and should come back ready to fight for playing time.
Below are the voting results:
2009-10 T-MOBILE NBA ALL-ROOKIE FIRST TEAM
Player Team First (2 pt) Second (1 Pt) Total
Tyreke Evans Sacramento 29 - 58
Brandon Jennings Milwaukee 29 - 58
Stephen Curry Golden State 29 - 58
Darren Collison New Orleans 20 6 46
Taj Gibson Chicago 15 11 41
2009-10 T-MOBILE NBA ALL-ROOKIE SECOND TEAM
Player Team First (2 pt) Second (1 Pt) Total
Marcus Thornton New Orleans 6 19 31
DeJuan Blair San Antonio 6 18 30
James Harden Oklahoma City 4 14 22
Jonny Flynn Minnesota 4 14 22
Jonas Jerebko Detroit 2 18 22
Other players receiving votes, with point totals (first place votes in parentheses):
Wesley Matthews, Utah, 16 (3); Omri Casspi, Sacramento, 13; Chase Budinger, Houston, 8; Ty Lawson, Denver, 7; Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia, 7 (1); Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City, 6 (1); Toney Douglas, New York, 2 (1); Rodrigue Beaubois, Dallas, 1; Sam Young, Memphis, 1; DeMar, DeRozan, 1.
--Jason Jones
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