NEW YORK, July 6, 2015 – Natalie Achonwa of the Indiana Fever was named the WNBA’s Rookie of the Month presented by Samsung for games played in June.
The Eastern and Western Conference Player of the Month awards, as well as the WNBA Rookie of the Month, are presented by Samsung and are part of the larger WNBA Performance Awards presented by Samsung program. This marks the second consecutive season that Samsung, an official WNBA marketing partner, will present the WNBA’s highest individual honors, including the WNBA Most Valuable Player, WNBA Most Improved Player, WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, and WNBA Rookie of the Year.
For the month of June, Achonwa led all rookies in points (10.2 ppg) and placed second in field goal percentage (.526), fourth in rebounds (4.6 rpg), and fifth in minutes played (21.5 mpg). Overall, she ranked sixth among all WNBA players in field goal percentage. Achonwa had career highs in points (14) and minutes (32) to go with five rebounds in a 78-69 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on June 6.
The ninth overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, Achonwa was sidelined all of last season due to an ACL injury sustained during the NCAA Tournament in 2014. The Notre Dame alum has started in all but one game for the Fever and posted double digits in scoring in seven of her first 10 games this season. She ranks second on the team in rebounds and fourth in points.
Highlights of Achonwa’s month included:
• June 5 vs. Chicago: Finished with 10 points and six rebounds, including a career-high five defensive rebounds, in a 95-72 loss.
• June 6 vs. Minnesota: Scored a career-high 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field in a 78-69 loss.
• June 12 vs. Phoenix: Grabbed a career-high seven rebounds, including a career-high four offensive rebounds, in a 77-74 win.
For more information on this year’s WNBA Performance Awards presented by Samsung, visit www.wnba.com/awards.