NEW YORK, May 3 -- Chris Webber of the Golden State Warriors Tuesday was named the NBA's Rookie of the Year for 1993-1994.
Webber, who led all rookies in rebounding and field goal percentage, edged Orlando's Anfernee Hardaway for the award.
Webber received 53 of a possible 101 votes from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the NBA. Hardaway received 47 votes and Jamal Mashburn of Dallas received the one other vote.
The finish was the closest since 1981, when Darrell Griffith of Utah edged Kelvin Ransey of Portland by one vote.
The 6-foot-10 Webber, the first overall pick of the draft after starring at Michigan, averaged 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.16 blocked shots per game. He helped the Warriors improve from 34- 48 last season to 50-32 this season, the biggest improvement in the league this year.
He also became the first rookie in NBA history to total over 1,000 points (1,333), 500 rebounds (694), 250 assists (272), 150 blocks (164) and 75 steals (93) in one season. Over the past 15 years, only three players, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson twice and Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, have accomplished the feat.
'He has the mental and physical desire to be a great player and the desire is there,' said Warriors coach Don Nelson. 'He just has to be the best. It's driven in him. I don't know where it came from, but I love it. He can't miss.It's going to take some time, but he ain't bad now.'
