Wizards guard Bradley Beal named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month

If Washington fans were looking for a silver lining to the Wizards' three-win December, they got just that on Wednesday when the league announced that guard Bradley Beal had been named the Eastern Conference rookie of the month.

Beal appeared in 12 games in December, averaging 13.4 points, 3.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds.

The rookie's play was highlighted by five consecutive double-figure scoring games to start the month. In a Dec. 12 loss to the Rockets, Beal scored 20 points and dished out five assists.

Following a 17-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks on Dec. 18, Beal was forced to sit out two games with a back injury. Washington lost both of those games.

The 19-year-old has been a key part of the Wizards' lineup all year long. Beal came into January averaging right around 30 minutes per contest and is third on the team in scoring average (12.5 points per game). He also started 2013 on a high note by dropping 22 points on Dallas on New Year's Day.

Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers was named rookie of the month in the Western Conference.