Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year on Saturday.
Barnes is the third player in Raptors history to earn the honor following Damon Stoudamire (1995-96) and Vince Carter (1998-99).
The 20-year-old averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists during the 2021-22 season after he was drafted fourth overall by the Raptors out of Florida State in July.
Both Carter and Stoudamire congratulated Barnes as part of a video tribute and trophy presentation that was held on court before the start of Game 4 of Toronto’s playoff series against Philadelphia.
The 2021-22 #KiaROY is… Scottie Barnes! #NBAAwards #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/c2kojuWnCY
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2022
Barnes received 48 first place votes and 378 points from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley finished second with 43 first-place votes and 363 points. The 15 point difference between first and second marks the smallest margin of victory in the award’s history since the current format began in 2002-03.
The 15-point difference between the NBA Rookie of the Year winner (Scottie Barnes) and the second-place finisher (Evan Mobley) is the smallest margin since the current voting format began 19 years ago.
Full voting results
pic.twitter.com/LWhlYARDcX
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 23, 2022
“What you see on the court is exactly who Scottie is: enthusiastic. Joyful. Athletic. Skilled, and a winner. We – and our fans – loved seeing his development of him through this season, and we ca n’t wait to see what the future brings, ”said Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri in a statement.