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Former Arizona Wildcat Lauri Markkanen became just the fourth Chicago Bulls rookie to record 1,000 points and 500 rebounds Monday, joining the likes of Michael Jordan, Elton Brand and Dave Greenwood.
It’s official: @MarkkanenLauri is the first Bulls rookie to post at least 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in a single season since Elton Brand!
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 10, 2018
Only three other rookies in #Bulls history have accomplished that feat: Brand, Jordan, and Dave Greenwood. pic.twitter.com/krbXliUWMD
Brand did it in the 1999-2000 season, making Markkanen the first in 18 years.
Markkanen reached his milestone by scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds in a 114-105 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
“I’m not satisfied. I’m going to go for more. I don’t play for stats. But if you play the right way, those will follow,” Markkanen said, according to Chicago Tribune reporter K.C. Johnson.
Lauri Markkanen on becoming 1st Bulls rookie since Elton Brand in 1999-2000 to post 1,000 points/500 rebounds: "I'm not satisfied. I'm going to go for more. I don’t play for stats. But if you play the right way, those will follow."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 10, 2018
The record comes as yet another accomplishment for the big man from Arizona who’s averaging 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in his rookie season with the Bulls.
Markkanen made 100 three-pointers in his first 41 NBA games, becoming the fastest player to reach that mark in NBA history. He also participated in the Rising Stars Challenge at the NBA All-Star game and took second place in the Skills Challenge.
The Bulls, who sit at 13th place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 27-54, will play the last game of the season Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons.
Follow Nate Airulla on Twitter @nateairulla.
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