Move over, Joel Embiid. Malcolm Brogdon is your 2017 NBA Rookie of the Year.
The Milwaukee Bucks rookie took home the award beating out other big-name contenders like Embiid and Dario Saric, both of the Philadelphia 76ers. Brogdon took home 64 first place votes, with Embiid grabbing 23 and Saric with 13. Brogdon totaled 414 points, beating Saric’s 266.
The win for Brogdon makes it a historic night for Bucks fans. Milwaukee didn’t take him until the 36th in the second round, making Brogdon the first player to win ROY after being drafted outside of the first round in 60 years.
Brogdon averaged 10.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.8 rebounds rebounds per game while shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range.
Speaking to the crowd on stage after accepting his award, Brogdon said,"This is a testament to guys that are underestimated, guys that are second round picks, guys that are undrafted every year.”
Shout out to all the @NBA moms out there. #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/cOojEQhxu6
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 27, 2017
Brogdon beat out both Sixers rookies, likely because of his impact over the course of the season for Milwaukee and because Embiid did not play the full season.
It is an impressive feat for any player, so a big congratulations to Brogdon to Bucks fans.
