Chicago Bulls forward and former Arizona Wildcat Lauri Markkanen was named to the 2018 NBA All-Rookie Team on Tuesday, becoming the first Bulls rookie to accomplish a feat since Taj Gibson in 2010.
Markkanen also becomes the first UA player since Mike Bibby during the 1999 season to be listed on the first team. Derrick Williams was named to the second team after his rookie season with the Timberwolves in 2012.
The 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie First Team! @spidadmitchell @BenSimmons25 @jaytatum0 @kylekuzma @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/9Sk3KGHlOI
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2018
This season, Markkanen averaged 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 68 games. He also became the fastest player in NBA history to make 100 3-pointers, which was in 41 games. He also participated in All-Star weekend, playing in the Rising Stars Challenge as well as the Skills Challenge where he took second place.
Markkanen joined Donovan Mitchell (Jazz), Ben Simmons (76ers), Jayson Tatum (Celtics) and Kyle Kuzma (Lakers) on the first team. Lonzo Ball (Lakers), Dennis Smith Jr. (Mavericks), John Collins (Hawks), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Pacers) and Josh Jackson (Suns) rounded out the second team.
Markkanen also created a rookie diary, which is a three-episode series on his YouTube channel. Below is the first episode:
