[NBA.com] Scola, Horford named Rookies of the Month

http://www.nba.com/news/rookies_080303.html

NEW YORK, March 3, 2008 – The Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford and the Houston Rockets’ Luis Scola today were named the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in February.

For every point scored by the players named the T-Mobile Rookie of the Month, T-Mobile will donate $20 to the New Orleans Recovery School District. This month T-Mobile will donate $3,040 on behalf of Horford and $3,040 on behalf of Scola. This philanthropic component is new to the T-Mobile Rookie Program and builds on T-Mobile’s strong appeal to the nation’s youth as the official wireless partner of the NBA. Other highlights of T-Mobile’s partnership with the NBA include the T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, T-Mobile Rookie of the Month Awards, and the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, an All-Star competition between NBA rookies and second-year players. During NBA All-Star 2008, T-Mobile Huddle Up and NBA Cares will host more than 5,000 local students in the lower bowl of the arena to watch this year’s Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam.

Among rookies, Horford is ranked first in rebounds with 10.6 rpg and double-doubles with 16. He set career highs of 20 rebounds on Feb. 6, vs. Lakers, and 20 points on Feb. 29, vs. New York. In addition, Horford recorded seven double-doubles, including three straight to finish the month. He also became the first Hawk to grab 20 rebounds in a game since Alan Henderson did it on Nov. 26, 2002.

While helping lead his team to a 13-0 record for the month, Scola led all rookies in field goal percentage with .629 percent. He is ranked 15th overall in the NBA this season in field goal percentage with .530. In addition, Scola was ranked third among West rookies in scoring with 11.7 ppg and recorded a career-high five steals vs. Memphis on Feb. 29, 2008, setting the most by a Rockets player in a game this season.

Here is a recap of the month for both Horford and Scola:

Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Feb. 6 vs. LA Lakers: Registered 15 points, and a career-high 20 rebounds in a 98-95 victory over the Lakers.
Feb. 13 @ Charlotte: Recorded a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds in a 100-98 overtime loss to the Bobcats.
Feb. 25 @ San Antonio: Posted a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds in a 89-74 loss to the Spurs.
Feb. 29 vs. New York: Tallied a career-high 20 points, along with 11 rebounds in a 99-93 victory over the Knicks.

Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Feb. 7 vs. Cleveland: Tallied 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in a 92-77 victory over the Cavaliers.
Feb. 9 vs. Atlanta: Recorded 14 points and nine rebounds in a 109-89 win against the Hawks.
Feb. 21 vs. Miami: Registered a double- double with 11 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three assists in a 112-100 victory over the Heat.
Feb. 29 vs. Memphis: Posted 15 points and five rebounds to go along with a career-high five steals in a 116-95 victory against the Grizzlies.