Leonard played 64 of 66 games, including 39 starts for the 50-16 Spurs. Leonard averaged 7.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 49.3 percent shooting in 24 minutes per game.

Leonard’s successful rookie season is especially surprising considering Gregg Popovich is incredibly tough on incoming rookies as the 19-year-old Tony Parker would attest to vehemently.

Leonard was lauded for his athleticism, intangibles and work ethic. His detractors cited his deficient shooting as a legitimate threat to his development as a player. Yet, Leonard improved his 29.1 3-point percentage to 37.6 percent in the NBA even though the NBA line is about three feet farther from the hoop.

Apr 22, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (top) puts up a shot against San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair (45) during the second half at the AT

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving will be named the 2011-12 Rookie of the Year, according to sources familiar with the voting results.

Irving, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 Draft, joins the likes of LeBron James and Derrick Rose as No. 1 overall picks who also claimed the Rookie of the Year award.

Irving only appeared in 11 games with the Duke Blue Devils due to a sprained right toe that sidelined him for the majority of the year. Still, he put together one of the most impressive rookie seasons in recent memory. Irving averaged 18.5 points, 5.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 30.5 minutes per game for the 21-45 Cavaliers.

He also exhibited surprising efficiency in his first year, shooting 46.6 from the field, 39.9 percent from behind the arc and 87.2 percent from the line. His 73 3-pointers put him fourth among rookies, only Klay Thompson, Brandon Knight and Isaiah Thomas knocked down more perimeter shots.

Irving’s 21.42 PER, according to HoopData.com, is 20th in the entire league and his true shooting percentage (56.6%) is eigth among point guards with +40 games played and +25 minutes.