Carter-Williams Named NBA’s Player of Week

The Philadelphia 76ers announced Monday that rookie Michael Carter-Williams has been named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from Oct. 29 through Nov. 3.  Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) is the only other rookie in the history of the award to be named Player of the Week to start his career.

Carter-Williams (6-6, 185) was the 11th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2013 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at Syracuse.  So far this season, he is averaging 21 points, nine assists, five rebounds and over four steals while helping the Sixers to their first 3-0 start since the 2006-07 season.

In his NBA debut against the two-time defending NBA Champion Miami Heat on Oct. 30, Carter-Williams had 22 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and nine steals.  The nine steals tied the franchise record and was the most by any player in an NBA debut.  Only two other players tallied at least 22 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and nine steals in a single game (Rickey Green in 1982-83 and Johnny Moore in 1984-85).  The 12 assists was the second-most by a player in an NBA debut, trailing only Ernie DiGregorio’s 14 assists in 1973-74.  The last player to have at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in an NBA debut was LeBron James in 2003-04.

Carter-Williams becomes first NBA rookie to take home Player of Week honors in first set of games since Shaq in 1992-93

Carter-Williams’ 22 points were the most by a Sixer in an NBA debut since Allen Iverson had 30 vs. Milwaukee on Nov. 1, 1996.  Through the first three games of his career, Carter-Williams has scored 62 points which is the highest total by a Sixer rookie since Iverson’s 69 points in 1996-97.  Carter-Williams also became the first Sixer to start his NBA career with a double-double since Maurice Cheeks in 1978-79.