Blazers’ Damian Lillard Named 2013 NBA Rookie Of The Year [PHANTOM VIDEO: The Best of Lillard]

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First Posted: May 01, 2013 10:58 PM EDT

Portland Trail Blazers' guard Damian Lillard has been named the NBA's top rookie this season, making him only the fourth player to be unanimously voted for the prestigious individual award.

Drafted sixth overall by the Blazers last year, Lillard instantly made an impact for the Blazers as he led all rookies in points (19.0 points) and averaged 6.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds without missing a single regular-season game.

During his phenomenal rookie year, the former Weber State standout reached several milestones: setting a record for three-point field goal made in a season (185) and becoming the third rookie to rack up at least 1,500 points and 500 assists after Allen Iverson and Oscar Robertson.

With this achievement, Lillard easily caught the attention of a number of NBA stars, including Lakers' star Kobe Bryant.

"He's fantastic, really fantastic," Kobe Bryant told ESPN following the Lakers-Blazers ball game last April. "A lot of players get hot, but he's got the moves, the patience, intelligence, the balance on his jumpers. He's the real deal."

Lillard followed the footsteps of Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin, San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson, and Houston Rockets stalwart Ralph Sampson to be voted unanimously for the Rookie of the Year Award. He's just the fourth Blazer to bag the hardware after Brandon Roy (2007), Sidney Wicks (1972) and Geoff Petrie (1971).

Blazers general manager Neil Oshley, who also drafted Griffin in 2009, was ecstatic about Lillard's accomplishment and believes good years are still ahead of the crafty 6-foot-3 point guard.

"I know that Damian's best days are ahead of him," Olshey told ESPN on Wednesday. "This is the first step in a bright future."

Despite the award, Lillard remains hungry for more as he plans to spend the offseason to further improve his game.

"I think the best thing for me is to take it all in," Lillard told ESPN. "Then tomorrow I've got to let it go. I've got my whole career in front of me."