Andrew Wiggins is the first player in Minnesota Timberwolves history to win the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Wiggins was presented the award during a press conference at Target Center on Thursday. He said winning the award was a major goal of his and that it meant a lot to him.
“Not a lot of people have done it, especially being the first Canadian and the first Timberwolf to do it,” said Wiggins.
And it's official… Andrew Wiggins poses with the NBA Rookie of the Year trophy. pic.twitter.com/0XdFj31AvD
— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) April 30, 2015
News that Wiggins would win the award broke on Wednesday.
He led all rookies in scoring, minutes, field goals and free throws. He was the only Timberwolves player to play in and start all 82 games during the season and he won the award in a landslide.
Wiggins received 110 first-place votes in ROY voting, Mirotic was next with 14, Noel and Payton got 3 each
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) April 30, 2015
He was joined on stage by both Timberwolves coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders and general manager Milt Newton.
Saunders said that Wiggins’ play showed he has what it takes to be the cornerstone of the franchise.
Flip: "The no 1 thing we had to do to build a franchise was get a game-changing type player." That's Wiggins, he said.
— Phil (@PhilErvin) April 30, 2015
Wiggins averaged 16.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the Wolves this season. Newton credited Wiggins ability to step up in big games.
But the 20-year-old isn’t done yet. He told reporters that he still has some pretty big goals for himself and the team next season.
Wiggins wants to make the playoffs next year and play in the ASG in Toronto, he said.
— Phil (@PhilErvin) April 30, 2015
