(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-04-22 10:13

NEW YORK - San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili has won the Sixth Man Award given to the best player in a reserve role, the NBA said on Monday.

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) motions to referee Courtney Kirkland that he thinks he is fouled during a layup attempt against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half of their NBA game in the Target Center in Minneapolis, February 21, 2008. [Agencies]

The 30-year-old Argentine received 615 out of a possible 620 points, including 123 of 124 first-place votes, from a panel of journalists.

A sixth man in 51 out of 74 games played this season, Ginobili led the Spurs in scoring with a career-high average of 19.5 points.

The six-year NBA veteran also averaged 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.47 steals.

Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa finished a distant second on 283 points followed by Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks with 44.

Players had to have come off the bench in more games than they started to be eligible for the award.