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(February 1, 2008) -- The National Basketball Association announced Friday that Toronto Raptors forward Jamario Moon was named NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for January, 2008.

Moon is the seventh Raptors player to win the award, joining current teammates Andrea Bargnani (January and February, 2007) and Jorge Garbajosa (December 2006), and former Raptors Charlie Villanueva (December 2005), Vince Carter (March and April 1999), Marcus Camby (March 1997) and Damon Stoudamire (November 1995 and January 1996) on the list of franchise honourees.

Moon helped the Raptors to an 8-5 record, posting averages of 8.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.54 steals and 30.0 minutes in 13 games. He shot .480 (48-100) from the field during the month and led the team in blocked shots five times.

The native of Goodwater, Alabama had a career-high five steals, to go with nine points, five rebounds and three blocked shots in Toronto’s 89-78 victory January 18 versus Atlanta. The next night he registered a career-high 17 points and nine rebounds at Philadelphia.

Moon, who signed with the Raptors in July, is averaging 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 28.8 minutes in 41 games this season. He currently ranks first among rookies in steals (1.05), second in rebounds (6.2) and blocked shots (1.49) and third in minutes (28.8). Moon has also been selected to serve on the Rookie squad at the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam and as a participant in the 2008 Sprite Slam Dunk at All-Star Weekend.

Toronto continues its season at home tonight with a game versus the Los Angeles Lakers. At 25-20 this season, Toronto is second in the Atlantic Division and currently occupies the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

NEW YORK (TICKER) -- Seattle SuperSonics swingman Kevin Durant and Toronto Raptors forward Jamario Moon on Friday were named the NBA's Rookies of the Month for January.

The second overall pick in June's draft, the much-hyped Durant won the Western Conference honor for the third straight month. He leads all first-year players, averaging 19.4 points.

The 19-year-old Durant highlighted his third month by scoring 28 points in a 104-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns Bucks on January 3.

Moon set a career high with 17 points in a 99-95 loss at Philadelphia on January 19. He is averaging 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds in 29 minutes this season, ranking first among rookies in steals, second in rebounds and third in minutes.

Toronto Raptors rookie forward Jamario Moon will participate in the slam dunk contest during all-star weekend.

Moon, 27, was one of fours players named Monday to compete in the annual event, scheduled for Feb. 16 in New Orleans.

The former Harlem Globetrotter will be joined by defending champion Gerald Green of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Moon has emerged from virtual anonymity to become a key performer for the Raptors, averaging 8.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocked shots and 28.7 minutes in 30 games, including 28 starts.

He is the first Raptor selected to take part in the contest since 2000, when Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady finished first and third, respectively.