Stoudemire Is Top Rookie

Amare Stoudemire won the NBA rookie-of-the-year award Thursday, the first player to do so after coming to the league directly from high school.

The Phoenix Sun forward -- quick, powerful and barely out of his teens -- beat out Houston Rocket center Yao Ming, last year’s No. 1 draft pick.

Stoudemire received 458 points, including 59 of a possible 117 first-place votes, in balloting by sportswriters and broadcasters. Yao finished with 405 points. Caron Butler of the Miami Heat was third with 179.

Stoudemire averaged 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds.

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Chris Webber skipped the Sacramento Kings’ practice for the second straight day to rest his sore lower back.

Webber is receiving daily treatment and therapy, but the Kings still don’t know whether he’ll play in Game 3 Saturday night at Utah.

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LeBron James is expected to end months of speculation by announcing today he will make himself available for the NBA draft. The 6-foot-8 James, of Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary High, is considered by many to be the top pick in the June 26 draft.

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Portland rookie Qyntel Woods pleaded not guilty to marijuana and traffic charges. Woods was cited March 29 when he was stopped for allegedly speeding and offered only his trading card and two credit cards as identification.