Former Arizona Wildcats standout Lauri Markkanen has been named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, it was announced Tuesday (which was also Markkanen’s 21st birthday).
The 7-footer averaged 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in his first season with the Chicago Bulls, shooting 36 percent from 3.
Here’s what the All-Rookie teams look like in their entirety:
First Team
Kyle Kuzma, L.A. Lakers
Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Second Team
Lonzo Ball, L.A. Lakers
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento Kings
John Collins, Atlanta Hawks
Josh Jackson, Phoenix Suns
Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks
Markkanen set the Bulls rookie record for 3-pointers made with 145, became the fourth Bulls rookie to score 1,000 points and grab 500 rebounds in a season — joining the likes of Michael Jordan, Elton Brand and Dave Greenwood — and set an NBA rookie record with 10 games in a row of at least two 3-pointers to begin his career.
Markkanen also got to participate in All-Star weekend, where he represented Chicago in the Rising Stars Challenge and Skills Challenge.
Markkanen becomes the first Arizona product to make the All-Rookie Team since Derrick Williams made the All-Rookie Second Team back in 2011-12. Channing Frye made the All-Rookie First Team in 2005-06.
The rebuilding Bulls had a tough season, going 27-55, but it’s a young team that should continue to improve and Markkanen is their cornerstone. And a good one at that.
Follow Ryan Kelapire on Twitter at @RKelapire