Vince Carter, a spectacular dunker who helped the Toronto Raptors improve from 16 wins to 23 in the lockout-shortened season, was the overwhelming choice Wednesday for NBA Rookie of the Year.
Carter, a 6-foot-7-inch forward from North Carolina, led all rookies in scoring with an 18.3 average. He received 113 of a possible 118 votes, running away from Sacramento’s Jason Williams (three votes) and Boston’s Paul Pierce (two).
Carter, the fifth pick in the 1998 draft, also averaged 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in helping the Raptors improve from a 16-66 record to a 23-27 mark.
“I can’t say I’m surprised,” he said. “But I’m overjoyed.”
Carter is the second Toronto player to win the award, joining since-traded Damon Stoudamire, who won in 1996.
“He has brought respect back to a franchise that people thought was on the brink of no return,” Toronto coach Butch Carter said. “He has been outstanding as an individual, and has shown great character under a very stressful situation.”