May 18--After finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting, Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic earned first-team All-Rookie status, the NBA announced Monday.
Mirotic drew first-team votes on 128 of 130 ballots, joining unanimous selection and Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins of the Timberwolves, the 76ers' Nerlens Noel, the Magic's Elfrid Payton and the Lakers' Jordan Clarkson.
Mirotic, signed last summer after playing professionally for Real Madrid overseas, played in all 82 games and averaged 10.2 points in 20.2 minutes. He earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors for December and March. In the latter month, he led the NBA in fourth-quarter points and fourth-quarter scoring average.
Mirotic is the sixth Bull to earn first-team All-Rookie honors in the John Paxson and Gar Forman regime. He joins Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson. Tyrus Thomas earned second-team All-Rookie honors in 2007.
