March 3, 2008

MEDIA ADVISORY

ATLANTA’S AL HORFORD NAMED T-MOBILE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH

The Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford today was named the Eastern Conference T-Mobile Rookie of the Month 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.

Here is a recap of the month for Horford:

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.