Ex-Gator Horford unanimous pick for NBA All-Rookie team

The Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 9:25 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 9:25 p.m.

NEW YORK — Al Horford and Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant headlined the NBA All-Rookie team announced Tuesday.

Al Horford

Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford dunks against the Boston Celtics in Boston on May 4.

Atlanta’s Horford was the only unanimous choice with 58 votes, followed by Seattle’s Durant with 57 in balloting by the league’s head coaches.

Houston’s Luis Scola (53), Los Angeles Clippers forward Al Thornton (48) and Seattle’s Jeff Green (43) also made the first team.

Horford ranked first among rookies in double-doubles (25) and rebounds (9.7), helping the Hawks end the league’s longest postseason drought with their first playoff berth since 1999.

The 6-foot-9 Durant led the SuperSonics with 20.3 points per game, 7.6 more than any other rookie. He was the only first-year player to lead his team in five categories — points, blocks, steals, free throws made and free throw percentage. Durant blocked more shots than any other guard in the league (75).

The All-Rookie second team was Toronto’s Jamario Moon, Memphis’ Juan Carlos Navarro, Philadelphia’s Thaddeus Young, Detroit’s Rodney Stuckey and Houston’s Carl Landry.