clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Kyrie Irving To Be Named Rookie Of The Year, According To Report

As expected, Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving will be named the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year this week.

Mar 14, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA;  Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center.  The Bucks defeated the Cavaliers  115-101.  Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE
Mar 14, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. The Bucks defeated the Cavaliers 115-101. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving will be named the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year, according to a report from Tom Reed of the Plain Dealer. It was only a matter of time before the news leaked out, and according to Reed, Irving will be officially honored and receive the trophy on Tuesday. Minnesota point guard Ricky Rubio was the only competition for the award, which became foregone conclusion when the Spaniard's season ended in March with a torn ACL.

Irving averaged 18.5 points in just over 30 minutes per game. He instantly became a leader for a Cavaliers team coming off its most tumultuous season, keeping the Cavs in the playoff race until mid-March and providing hope for the future. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor and nearly 40 percent from behind the arc. The voting is expected to be almost unanimous.

He becomes the second Cavalier to win the award, with LeBron James the league's top rookie in 2003-2004.

For more on Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers, visit Fear the Sword. For all your NBA awards and offseason news, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.