MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol won the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award on Wednesday as a near unanimous pick. Gasol, a native of Spain, is the first European to win top rookie honors. He received 117 of a possible 126 votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters. Richard Jefferson of New Jersey had three votes. Jason Richardson of Golden State, Jamaal Tinsley of Indiana and Andrei Kirilenko of Utah each received two votes. Gasol led the Grizzlies and all rookies in scoring with a 17.6 point average. He also averaged 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.1 blocks and 36.7 minutes. He played in all 82 games and started 79 for the Grizzlies. He finished the season ranked fourth in the NBA in field goal percentage, shooting 51 percent. He was sixth in total blocks (169) and 10th in double-doubles with 35. He led all rookies in total points, shooting percentage, rebounds and blocks. He ranked second in minutes played behind Grizzlies teammate Shane Battier. The 21-year-old Gasol was drafted by Atlanta as the third overall pick in last year's draft before being traded to Memphis. The Grizzlies got Gasol, along with Lorenzen Wright and Brevin Knight, in exchange for Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
Tony Parker got hurt and went through a long slump. Gasol was a pretty consistent producer the entire season. I'm surprised anybody else got votes. I guess guys in large media markets or on winning teams DO have an advantage.
