Malcolm Brogdon wins the 2017 NBA Rookie of the Year award

Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon was named and won the 2017 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year at the inaugural NBA Awards show in New York City that was hosted by Drake.

Brogdon became the second player in Bucks franchise history to win the honor, joining Kareen Abdul-Jabbar (1969-1970), beating out fellow finalists Joel Embiid and Dario Saric of the Philadelphia 76ers.

In the 2016-17 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year voting results, Brogdon got a total of 414 points compared to Saric that has 266 points and Embiid’s 177 points.

The 24-year-old guard from Virginia was selected as the 36^th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA draft and his head coach Jason Kidd was among those who believed that Brogdon deserved the Rookie of the Year award.

As a rookie, Brogdon averaged 10.2 points, 4.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 26.4 minutes per game this season. He also shot 45.7 percent from the field, 40.4 percent from three-point range and 86.5 percent from the free-throw line, making 75 appearances and 28 starts for the Bucks.

“This is a testament to guys that are underestimated, guys that are second-round picks. Guys that are undrafted every year that get looked over regardless of the work they put in, regardless of what they do. You can always achieve your dreams if you have faith, if you sacrifice for what you want.” Brogdon said

Going back, Brogdon helped lead the Bucks back to playoffs, where they lost in the first round to the Toronto Raptors.

In addition, Brogdon’s teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo won the Most Improved Player award for the Bucks.

Meanwhile, Embiid was an excellent game-changer for the 76ers averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.1 assist in 25.4 minutes per game with just 31 games and 786 total minutes due to his season-ending injury.

While Saric is averaging 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26.3 minutes per game in Philadelphia.

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Photo Credit: nbatwitter