MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns has been named the Western Conference rookie of the month for the fourth straight month to open the season.

The NBA announced the award Thursday. Towns led all rookies with 21.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game for the Timberwolves in February to separate himself from the pack in what has been a very strong rookie class.

Towns' teammate Andrew Wiggins won four rookie of the month awards last season. That makes the Timberwolves the first team to have rookies accomplish that feat in back-to-back seasons in league history.

Towns says he has been pleased that his coaches have given him an ever-expanding role as the season has gone on. He also wants a fifth award to give him an edge on Wiggins.

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