MINNEAPOLIS (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Canada's Andrew Wiggins has capped a strong first season in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves by being named as the league's Rookie of the Year.

The 20-year-old, a player that international basketball fans want to see at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship in Monterrez, Mexico (25 August-6 September), won the award after receiving 110 of 130 first-place votes and 604 total points from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada.

The Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Mirotic, a possible Spain national team player, finished second with 335 points. He received 14 first-place votes.

I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the media for this award. - Wiggins

"I'd like to thank our coaches and my teammates for all they have done to help me and support me this season," Wiggins said.

"I'm looking forward to taking my game to an even higher level next year and helping our team make a significant improvement."

Minnesota finished with a league-low 16 wins.

The Rookie of the Year award has reconfirmed what everyone already knew - that Wiggins is one of the most exciting talents in basketball.

The 2.03m small forward averaged 16.9 points and 4.6 rebounds and played in all 82 games for the T-Wolves this season.

He provided plenty of highlight reel plays, too.

Canada Basketball would love to see him with the team in Mexico for the FIBA Americas Championship.

Jay Triano will coach the squad and attempt to steer it into the Final, which would clinch a spot in the Olympics.

Canada will take on Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba and Puerto Rico in Group B.

Steve Nash, the two-time NBA MVP who now serves as the general manager of the men's national team, said in April that Wiggins wants to play.

"I don't want to make any proclamations now but Andrew wants to play and I think is excited to play," Nash said.

"As with all of our NBA players, they have a career to be careful of, a club that for the most part owns their rights and needs to protect its investment.

"But all of our guys want to play and I would expect most of them, if not all of them, to be there. ... I think we'll see [Wiggins] in red and white this summer."

Wiggins is the first Canadian to be named the NBA's Rookie of the Year.

"As a nation, we are very proud of what Andrew has accomplished," Canada Basketball President and CEO, Michele O'Keefe, said.

"Andrew's play on the court speaks volumes to his hard work and dedication to the game of basketball.

"As the game continues to grow in Canada, we hope that he'll continue to be the one of the ambassadors of Canadian basketball for years to come."

Nash heaped praise on Wiggins.

Andrew had a remarkable rookie season in the NBA. - Nash

"It is exciting for Canada to have a player like Andrew with such high potential and bright talent," Nash said.

"With his skill and determination we look forward to seeing him continue to develop as a NBA star and key contributor to Team Canada.”

Rowan Barrett, who played for the national team from 1998 through 2008 and now serves as assistant general manager and executive vice president of men's high performance at Canada Basketball, said: "It has been a privilege to see Andrew's development from a youth-aged player on Team Canada to an NBA professional.

"We're extremely proud of his accomplishments on the court, as well as his ability to maintain the integrity and quiet confidence his teammates, coaches and family have always known him for."

FIBA