Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin hangs on the rim while competing in the slam dunk contest during the NBA All-Star dunk contest in Los Angeles, in this February 19, 2011 file photograph. Griffin, whose soaring dunks became staples of nightly highlight shows, was named NBA Rookie of the Year on Wednesday as the first unanimous choice in 21 years. Picture taken February 19, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

NEW YORK - Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, whose soaring dunks became staples of nightly highlight shows, was named NBA Rookie of the Year on Wednesday as the first unanimous choice in 21 years.

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Griffin, selected first overall in the 2009 NBA Draft but absent the entire 2009-10 season due to a stress fracture in his left knee, averaged 22.5 points a game, 12.1 rebounds, and registered a massive 63 double-doubles.

The high-jumping forward was the only NBA player this season to average at least 20 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, and swept 118 first-place votes cast by sportswriters and broadcasters in the United States and Canada.

Washington's John Wall finished a distant second while Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins was third in the voting.