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Here’s something that won’t surprise you. Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss has been named Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month. Here’s something that might surprise you. He’s just the fourth Sun ever to win the award, and the first in fourteen years.
Suns forward Marquese Chriss is the Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month. He averaged 8.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 1.36 steals. Shot 45.9%
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) February 2, 2017
The award has been given out to a Phoenix player five times. Twice to Amar’e Stoudemire, and once each to Kevin Johnson and Armon Gilliam. The award was first introduced during the 1981-82 season.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers won the award in the Eastern Conference. Chriss and Embiid will join Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge to be played the Friday before the 2017 NBA All-Star game in New Orleans.