As expected Memphis forward Pau Gasol was named the NBA?s Rookie of the Year yesterday, becoming the first European player to claim the award.

"One of the things I'm proud of is the consistency I had the whole season," said Gasol.

Gasol never looked a doubt to take the award, receiving 117 of a possible 126 votes. New Jersey guard Richard Jefferson was second with three votes, while Golden State guard Jason Richardson, Indiana guard Jamaal Tinsley and Utah forward Andrei Kirilenko received two votes each.

"It's just a matter of time before he takes his place among the top power forwards in the league," said fellow rookie and Grizzlies teammate Shane Battier of Gasol. "I don't think there's too many people that would say we got the raw end of that deal."

Gasol, drafted by the Atlanta Hawks and traded to Memphis for forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, averaged 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.1 blocked shots and 36.7 minutes. He played in all 82 games and started in 79.