Paolo Banchero won the NBA rookie of the year title on Tuesday, a race where Quebecer Bennedict Mathurin finished in fourth place.
Banchero, of the Orlando Magic, earned the honor with 98 out of 100 first-place votes.
He had 494 points, well ahead of Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.
Williams had 241 points and Kessler 114, including two first-place votes.
Mathurin, of the Indiana Pacers, followed with 27 points.
The Montreal North player got four second-place votes and 15 third-place votes.
PHOTO KEN BLAZE, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Montrealer Bennedict Mathurin
For the third year in a row, a player from an Eastern team earned the distinction.
In the previous two years, voting crowned LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets and Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors.
Banchero was drafted first overall last year, five spots ahead of Mathurin.
Williams was the 12e choice and Kessler on the 22nde.
Banchero averaged 20 points, helping the Magic go from 22 to 34 wins compared to the previous season.
Banchero has signed 15 games of at least 25 points. He collected the Rookie of the Month award on four occasions.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley was impressed with Banchero’s maturity on the pitch and his ability to play the right way.
“He was able to adjust during the games to put in place what was asked of him in order to help the team win,” said Mosley.