Philadelphia 76ers forward Joel Embiid was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after missing his first two seasons because of injuries.
Embiid, the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, required surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot suffered in a pre-draft workout. He bounced back in 2016, averaging 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, leading the 76ers in both categories.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Joel Embiid named to All-Rookie First Team
Embiid was limited to 31 games because of a torn meniscus. He didn’t play in any back-to-back games last season. The Sixers purposely held him as a precaution.
Embiid was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for the months of October/November, December, and January before his season-ending injury.
Joining Embiid on the NBA All-Rookie First Team was teammate Dario Saric.
Saric, the 12th overall pick in the 2014 draft, was originally selected by the Orlando Magic and came to the Sixers via a draft day trade. He elected to play for Anadolu Efes, a Turkish professional team, to gain experience before joining the 76ers.
Saric appeared in 81 games with 36 starts. averaging 12.8 points (second among rookies in scoring) and 6.3 rebounds per game, third on the Sixers in both categories.
Both Embiid and Saric are finalists for the NBA Rookie of the Year award. The recipient will be announced Monday night at the first-ever NBA Awards Show at Basketball City at Pier 36 in New York City.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon, Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield, and New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez round out the All-Rookie First Team.
Main Photo: 24 August 2014: Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid prior to a game between the Philadelphia Union and the San Jose Earthquakes at PPL Park in Philadelphia, PA. The Union won 4-2. (Photo by Derik Hamilton/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
