MINNEAPOLIS -- The first of what the Timberwolves hope are many awards for Andrew Wiggins has rolled in.
The NBA announced Wednesday that Minnesota's prized swingman is the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for November. Wiggins, the 2014 draft's top overall pick and key return piece in the Kevin Love trade, led all rookies in scoring last month.
Starting all 13 of Minnesota's November games, the 19-year-old Kansas product averaged 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and one steal per game.
Wiggins' best game to date came Nov. 22 against Sacramento. Playing a season-high 41 minutes, 11 seconds, he scored 29 points and added five rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block. He scored in double figures eight times, including a 20-point performance Nov. 14 at New Orleans.
Wiggins' opportunities have come in part because of injury, especially to starters Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic. That's moved Wiggins up the scoring hierarchy, forcing him to take more shots and become more involved in the offense.
Heading into Wednesday night's game, he's shooting just 39.9 percent from the field.
But the defensive side of Wiggins' game is already above average. All season, he's been charged with guarding opponents' top scorers and, at times, been able to limit them.
To date, Wiggins averages 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.1 assists per game.
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