Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for March on Tuesday.
Richardson had a great month to help Miami seal a playoff spot. The rookie made multiple clutch baskets and produced more than many may have expected. Richardson finished the month of March playing in over 29 minutes per game while averaging 12 points a contest.
The 22-year old shined when he was needed most as Miami tried to work around various injuries at the guard spot. After spending time this season in the NBA Developmental League and idling on the bench, Richardson was thrown into heavy use in the rotation and he answered the call.
After the award was announced, the Heat shared a highlight video on Twitter with just some of Richardson's work in March.
Congrats, @J_Rich1!!! #Rook2 pic.twitter.com/HW0eUHM83p — Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 5, 2016
Going forward, the Heat will likely continue to rely on the services of Richardson heavily. The Heat will also continue to look for production from fellow rookie, Justise Winslow. Not only are the duo a big part of Miami's future, but they are key in the present. The pair has become known as "Rook 1" and "Rook 2" with Richardson holding the "Rook 2" moniker.
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Thus far in April, Richardson is keeping up his solid play with numbers that come close to his March stats. Miami will hope that continues when it hosts the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday evening.
