Rookie of the Year not a Sixer

Embiid, Saric miss out on top honor as Bucks’ Brogdon takes home trophy

Though two of the three finalists were 76ers, the NBA Rookie of the Year award went Monday to Malcolm Brogdon of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Dario Saric and Joel Embiid were the other two candidates.

Saric played in 81 games, starting 36, and averaged 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He led all qualifying rookies in scoring average. While demonstrating a strong competitive streak and superior court vision, the forward scored 20 or more points 14 times. From Feb. 6 through March 24, he had a 22game streak of scoring in double figures.

Saric emerged as the leading Sixers’ candidate for the award only after a knee injury ended Embiid’s season after 31 games. Though limited by the Sixers’ sports scientists to no more than 28 minutes per game, Embiid averaged 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds.

The Rookie of the Year is chosen through a vote of a panel of sports writers and broadcasters.

Earlier Monday, both Saric and Embiid were chosen for the NBA All-Rookie first team. They were joined by Brogdon, the Kings’ Buddy Hield and Knicks center Willy Hernangomez.

Denver guard Jamal Murray, Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, Phoenix forward Marquese Chriss, Lakers forward Brandon Ingram and Mavericks guard Yogi Ferrell were on the second team.

Brogdon was announced as the Rookie of the Year during the first NBA Awards show, televised from New York on TNT. The second-round pick — No. 36 overall — from Virginia averaged 10.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists and helped the Bucks reach the playoffs.

“This is a testament to guys that are underestimated,” Brogdon said on TNT, “guys that are second-round picks, guys that are undrafted every year.”

PHOTO BY EVAN AGOSTINI — INVISION VIA AP NBA Rookie of the Year winner Malcom Brogdon poses in the press room at the 2017 NBA Awards Monday in New York.