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Don't be afraid of the superstars: Franz Wagner from the Orlando Magic, here in a duel with LeBron James (left, archive)
Photo: JAVIER ROJAS / imago images / ZUMA Wire
The German basketball player Franz Wagner has been named Rookie of the Month in the Eastern Conference in the NBA. The league announced on Tuesday (local time). The small forward, selected eighth by Orlando Magic in the previous draft, is only the eighth player in franchise history to receive this award. Wagner's predecessors included Dennis Scott and Shaqille O'Neal. O'Neal even four times.
The 20-year-old scored an average of 19.5 points in December, more than any other newcomer to the league. In addition, Wagner had not only set a personal best with 38 points in a 110: 127 defeat against champions Milwaukee Bucks at the end of December, but also among all this year's newcomers to the league. The native of Berlin also surpassed the record held by Dirk Nowitzki for German NBA rookies.
Wagner had also convinced on Monday night;
in the 98-102 defeat at the Chicago Bulls, Wagner scored the most of his team with 22 points.
For the 20th consecutive year, Wagner scored double-digit points for Orlando, the second-longest series in franchise history.
In all 38 games this season, Wagner was on the floor, unusual for a rookie who often gets breaks or is slowly introduced.
But things are not going well for Wagner's team at the moment.
Due to the defeat at the Bulls, the Magic fell to 15th and last place in the Eastern Conference, meanwhile the Magic have seven wins and 31 losses.
hba / dpa / sid / Reuters