March 9, 2010
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year, the conference office announced Tuesday. Favors becomes the 11th Yellow Jacket player to earn the honor.
The Yellow Jackets’ 6-10 freshman, who averaged 11.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game during the regular season, follows, most recently, Chris Bosh in 2003 and Ed Nelson in 2002. Other Tech players to have won the award were Mark Price in 1983, Bruce Dalrymple in 1984, Duane Ferrell in 1985, Tom Hammonds in 1986, Dennis Scott in 1987, Kenny Anderson in 1990, Martice Moore in 1993 and Stephon Marbury in 1996.
All of those honorees, with the exception of Dalrymple, Moore and Nelson, went on to achieve success in the NBA.
“I’m happy to be in that company,” said Favors. “I’ve just tried to come in and work hard and get stronger, and not pay any attention to the pressure. I’ve had to learn how to bounce back from a bad game, stay out of foul trouble, when to take good shots, and how to fight through fatigue.”
“I’m very happy that Derrick has been recognized in this way as Rookie of the Year in the ACC,” said head coach Paul Hewitt. “He has shown steady growth and progress this year, and this award is very much deserved.”
Favors leads all Atlantic Coast Conference freshmen in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage (60.4), blocked shots (2.0) and double-doubles (8). Among all ACC players, he ranks 19th in scoring, fourth in rebounding, second in blocked shots and fourth in double-doubles.
He leads Tech in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage (62.5 percent) in conference games. Over the last five Tech regular-season games, Favors has averaged 16.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
“I think I’m doing better than I thought I would,” Favors added. “I knew coming in I’d have to get a lot strong than I was in high school. I’ve gotten better at picking the right times to block a shot, not trying to go for everything. I just try to make smart plays and not pick up silly fouls.”
ACC ROOKIES OF THE YEAR FROM GEORGIA TECH
1983 Mark Price, G
1984 Bruce Dalrymple, G
1985 Duane Ferrell, F
1986 Tom Hammonds, F
1988 Dennis Scott, G
1990 Kenny Anderson, G
1993 Martice Moore, G-F
1996 Stephon Marbury, G
2002 Ed Nelson, F
2003 Chris Bosh, F
2010 Derrick Favors, F
