Isaiah Thomas, who left the University of Washington a year early amid skepticism that he would not make it in the NBA, was named Tuesday to the all-rookie second team.
A former college rival, Klay Thompson of Washington State, was named to the first team.
Thomas, taken with the 60th and final pick of the second round by Sacramento, averaged in 65 games 11.5 points and 4.1 assists and shot 44.7 percent from the field. He earned 27 points in balloting by NBA coaches, ninth on the rookie list.
Voting was led by Cleveland’s rookie of the year award winner, Kyrie Irving (58 points), followed by Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio (49), Denvers Kenneth Faried (46), Golden States Thompson (43), New Yorks Iman Shumpert (40), San Antonios Kawhi Leonard (40) and Detroits Brandon Knight (40 points).
After injuries struck the Kings’ backcourt, Thomas, from Tacoma, excelled as a starter for 37 games, averaging 14.8 points, 5.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds and a steal. He won back-to-back Rookie of the Month awards in February and March.
Thompson averaged 12.5 points while shooting a rookie-best .414 from three-point range, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
