Suns' Ulis, Knicks' Hernangomez named Rookies of the Month

Neither the Phoenix Suns nor the New York Knicks had anything to play for in April, but a pair of second-round draft picks made the most of their increased opportunities and distinguished themselves down the stretch.

Knicks forward Willy Hernangomez and Suns point guard Tyler Ulis were named Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month on Friday for the abbreviated April slate. It's the first award of its kind for either player.

Hernangomez, who was picked 35th overall in 2015 and spent a year overseas before joining the Knicks, averaged 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, three assists, and 1.2 steals in six games this month. He led the Knicks to a solid finish, featuring a victory over the Chicago Bulls and a near-upset of the Washington Wizards. He also produced perhaps the best game of his career against the Toronto Raptors, racking up 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and three steals on April 9.

Ulis, the 5-foot-10 guard who went 34th overall last summer, received a full-time starting role in April. He responded with 20.7 points, four rebounds, and 6.8 assists, with a .485/.370/.783 shooting line. That run also helped produce a relatively strong Suns finish, including a thrashing of Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ulis poured in a career-best 34 points in a loss to the Houston Rockets on April 2, the highest-scoring game by a rookie this season.