体坛英语新闻：Seattle guard Durant named Rookie of the Year

WASHINGTON, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Kevin Durant of the Seattle Super Sonics became the runaway winner of the NBA Rookie of the Year award on Tuesday.

    The 2.06-metre guard received 90 first-place votes (545 points)from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters in the United States and Canada, the NBA said.

    Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford was second on 390 points and Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola finished third with 146.

    Durant, 19, was the number two overall selection in June's draft out of the University of Texas.

Seattle Supersonics Kevin Durant (R) shoots while being guarded by Phoenix Suns Raja Bell during fourth quarter NBA basketball action in Phoenix, Arizona, January 3, 2008.

He averaged 20.3 points per game including a 42-point outburst in a season-ending win over Golden State.

    Durant won five of six Western Conference rookie of the month honors during the season.

    Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, selected ahead of Durant in the draft, missed the entire season due to knee surgery.