The NBA is one of the most competitive leagues in professional sports, offering only approximately 540 roster spots per season across its 30 teams. Only the best of the best basketballers in the world get blessed with a contract in the Association.
While 60 newcomers are drafted into the league every year, only a select few of these rookies are actually good at this level when they hit the hardwood in their first season, but this season we have been spoiled with a pair of stellar rookie campaigns from Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. Which got us thinking… What are the best rookie seasons ever in the NBA?
From the first full decade of the NBA in the 1950s to the end of the 2010s, we will take a look at the most impactful rookie campaigns, decade by decade, assessing their significance not just through stats but through the lasting influence these players have had on the league and the game of basketball.
1950s
Entering the NBA on the back of two stellar college seasons at Seattle, Elgin Baylor had high expectations. Taken as the first pick of the 1958 draft by the Minneapolis Lakers, Baylor had no worries in adjusting to the professional environment in the 1958-59 season.
Scoring 25 points and collecting 13 rebounds in his first game, he set the tone for what would be a spectacular rookie season. It took him just 61 games for him to notch his first 50-point game, pouring in 55 points in a 116-96 demolition of the Cincinnati Royals, before leading the Lakers all the way to the NBA Finals before being swept by Boston.
Finishing the season with per-game averages of 24.9 points, 15 rebounds and 4.1 assists, it was a dominant rookie campaign from Baylor which saw him win Rookie of the Year, as well as be named an All-Star, gain All-NBA First Team selection and finish third in MVP voting.
Honourable Mentions:
Bob Pettit (1954-55): 20.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star, All-NBA First Team
Frank Selvy (1954-55): 19 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists. All-Star
Ray Felix (1953-54): 17.6 points, 13.3 rebounds, 1.1 assist. Rookie of the Year, All-Star
Tom Heinsohn (1956-57): 16.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star
Bob Cousy (1950-51): 15.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists. All-Star
Maurice Stokes (1955-56): 16.8 points, 16.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star, All-NBA Second Team
1960s
The 1960s marked an iconic era for the NBA, with some legends of the game entering the league in that decade. A chaotic, fast-paced style of play was prominent in the Association at this time, which saw some huge numbers posted across the board, but nobody excelled more in this environment, at least statistically, than Wilt Chamberlain. Joining the NBA after two incredible seasons at Kansas, Wilt the Stilt dominated the professional ranks from day one, in what is arguably the best rookie season of all-time.
Starting his life in the NBA with the Philadelphia Warriors, Chamberlain debuted with a 43-point, 28-rebound showing in a nine-point victory over the Knicks, asserting his dominance from the get-go as a 23-year-old.
Leading his team to a 49-26 record, while earning an All-Star selection, All-NBA First Team selection, Rookie of the Year and MVP honours – the first player to win the NBA’s most prestigious award in their rookie season – The Big Dipper’s team would go on to lose to the Celtics in the Eastern Division Finals, 2-4, but Chamberlain’s rookie season would go down as one to be remembered for the rest of time. He finished the year with per-game averages of 37.6 points, 27 rebounds and 2.3 assists, dominating the league at his first attempt.
While his statline isn’t as impressive, Wes Unseld also deserves a mention in this section. The rookie for the Baltimore Bullets in the 1968-69 season became just the second rookie, and last, to this point, to win MVP. The 6’7” centre posted perhaps his best season in his first year, averaging 13.8 points, 18.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists to help his Bullets team to a league-best 57-25 record, only to be swept by the Knicks in the first round of the Playoffs.
We would be remiss not to mention Oscar Robertson’s rookie year, too. The Big O joined the Cincinnati Royals in the 1960-61 season and posted absurd numbers from the get-go. Almost averaging a triple-double per game, finishing the season with averages of 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists, while winning Rookie of the Year, an All-Star selection and All-NBA First Team selection, Robertson laid the foundations to become the first player ever to average a triple-double the following season.
Honourable Mentions:
Oscar Robertson (1960-61): 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star, All-NBA First Team
Elvin Hayes (1968-69): 28.4 points, 17.1 rebounds, 1,4 assists. All-Star, Rookie of the Year runner-up
Walt Bellamy (1961-62): 31.6 points, 19 rebounds, 2,7 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star
Rick Barry (1965-66): 25.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star, All-NBA First Team
Willis Reed (1964-65): 19.5 points, 14.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star
Jerry Lucas (1963-64): 17.7 points, 17.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star, All-NBA Second Team
1970s
One of the biggest moments in NBA history happened in the ‘70s when the NBA and its competitor league, the ABA, merged in 1976. As well as bringing financial stability, it brought new and exciting talent to the NBA, with the likes of Julius Erving, George Gervin, Artis Gilmore, and David Thompson all joining from the ABA. Additional to these players were the respective rookies across the ‘70s, but one name stands out.
Entering the league in the 1969-70 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who was known as Lew Alcindor until legally changing his name in 1971) was a force to be reckoned with. Averaging 28.8 points, 14.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his rookie year, Abdul-Jabbar had no issues adapting to pro ball after being selected as the first overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Finishing the season prior with a dismal 27-55 record, Kareem helped turn the Bucks’ fortunes around, lifting them to a 56-26 finish and a trip to the Eastern Division Finals, before losing 1-4 to the Knicks. But despite falling short in his Playoffs push, Abdul-Jabbar had one of the best rookie seasons of all-time, winning Rookie of the Year, as well as All-Star, All-NBA Second Team, All-Defensive Second Team, and finishing third in MVP voting.
Honourable Mentions:
Sidney Wicks (1971-72): 24.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star
Geoff Petrie (1970-71): 24.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star
Walter Davis (1977-78): 24.2 points, 6 rebounds, 3.4 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star, All-NBA Second Team
Marques Johnson (1977-78): 19.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Alvan Adams (1975-76): 19.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star
1980s
The NBA was able to carry the momentum of the 1970s into the 80s, as the league became globally popular, largely thanks to the emergence of superstars that turned into household names. With Larry Bird and Magic Johnson joining the league in the 1979-80 season, their college rivalry was carried over to the NBA, as the two met in the Finals three times in the 80s. And while that pair had spectacular rookie seasons, the standout of the decade belongs to the one and only Michael Jordan.
MJ entered the league with considerable hype among a stacked 1984 draft that included Jordan, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, and John Stockton, to name a few. Despite this star-studded class, it was Jordan that rose above the rest, winning Rookie of the Year and propelling the Bulls to their first Playoffs appearance since 1981. Averaging 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.4 steals, MJ’s all-round game was evident as a 21-year-old.
His Airness had seven games of 40+ points in his rookie campaign and stuffed the stat sheet regularly, with 17 double-doubles and three triple-doubles, including a 35-point, 14-rebound, 15-assist effort in a nine-point victory over Denver in just his 38th game as a pro. Come season’s end, Jordan had solidified his place as a genuine superstar of the league, being named an All-Star in his first season, as well as All-NBA Second Team selection and finishing sixth in MVP voting.
Honourable Mentions:
Larry Bird (1979-80): 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star, All-NBA First Team
Magic Johnson (1979-80): 18 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 2.4 steals. All-Star
Hakeem Olajuwon (1984-85): 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.7 blocks. All-Star, All-Defensive Second Team
Bill Cartwright (1979-80): 21.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.2 blocks. All-Star
Buck Williams (1981-82): 15.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists. Rookie of the Year, All-Star
Isiah Thomas (1981-82): 17 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 2.1 steals. All-Star
1990s
When you think of the NBA of the 1990s, you will almost certainly think of the aforementioned Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’ dominance. Winning six titles in the ‘90s, the decade belonged to the Bulls, but also important was the slew of quality big-men that entered the league.
From David Robinson and Tim Duncan at the Spurs, to Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning, future champion bigs were aplenty in the final decade of the 1900s, but none was more impressive in their debut year than Robinson.
Carrying a unique story of serving two years in the Navy after getting drafted in 1987, Robinson eventually entered the NBA in the 1989-90 season, and it didn’t take long for him to stand out. The then-24-year-old was an absolute force in his rookie year, taking home the Rookie of the Year award, as well as All-Star, All-NBA Third Team, All-Defensive Second Team honours, while finishing sixth in MVP voting.
Finishing the regular season with a 56-26 record, after being 21-61 the year prior, Robinson’s impact on the Spurs was evident. The big man posted averages of 24.3 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.7 steals and 3.9 blocks to be a dominant force in the paint and round out one of the most dominant rookie seasons of all-time.
Honourable Mentions:
Tim Duncan (1997-98): 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.5 blocks. Rookie of the Year, All-Star, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team
Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93): 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 3.5 blocks. Rookie of the Year, All-Star
Alonzo Mourning (1992-93): 21.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1 assists, 3.5 blocks. Rookie of the Year runner-up
Chris Webber (1993-94): 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.2 blocks. Rookie of the Year
Allen Iverson (1996-97): 23.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.1 steals. Rookie of the Year
2000s
The turn of the century welcomed a run of dominance for the Lakers, who won three-straight championships from 2000-2002, shortly before arguably the best draft of the century to date, which welcomed LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade to the league in 2003. And it’s that draft that carries the best rookie season of the 2000s, belonging to King James.
Being drafted as the number one pick of the 2003 NBA draft directly out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School with some of the biggest hype ever as a rookie, LeBron made an immediate impact. Despite missing out on All-Star selection – the only season in his illustrious career where he’s not been named an All-Star – he closed out the season with averages of 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals to win the Rookie of the Year and come in at ninth in MVP voting.
His NBA debut gave a very accurate taste of things to come, with the 18-year-old recording 25 points, six rebounds, nine assists and four steals in a losing effort against Sacramento. While it would take a few seasons for LeBron to guide the Cavs to the Playoffs, the foundations were laid in his standout rookie season, being the first chapter of his prestigious NBA career.
Honourable Mentions:
Carmelo Anthony (2003-04): 21 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists. Rookie of the Year runner-up
Elton Brand (1999-2000): 20.1 points, 10 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 blocks. Rookie of the Year
Kevin Durant (2007-08): 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists. Rookie of the Year
Chris Paul (2005-06): 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 2.2 steals. Rookie of the Year
Pau Gasol (2001-02): 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.1 blocks. Rookie of the Year
2010s
After becoming a defensive-focused league in the 1990s and 2000s, the NBA encountered somewhat of a revolution in the mid-2010s, as Steph Curry led the charge to a three-point-heavy style of play, which exists to this day. The adapting game opened the door for a number of youngsters to make their splash, and no rookie was more exciting or spectacular than Blake Griffin.
Missing what would have been his rookie season in 2009-10 due to a knee injury sustained that pre-season, but Griffin ensured he came back firing. Joining a LA Clippers team that finished the 2009-10 season with a dismal 29-53 record, there were few more reasons to celebrate in Griffin’s rookie season, at least results-wise, but his on-court production produced plenty of reasons for optimism.
The power forward flexed his muscle from the first tip-off of his career, putting up 20 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in his NBA debut. He only improved as the season went on, scoring 40+ on two occasions, including a 44-point, 15-rebound, 7-assist game less than a month into the season, firmly putting him on the map as a legitimate stud in the NBA despite being just 21 years old.
At the end of his 82 games, Griffin notched averages of 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists to win Rookie of the Year while being that last player to earn an All-Star selection in their rookie year, solidifying his status as the best rookie of the 2010s.
Honourable Mentions:
Luka Dončić (2018-19): 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.1 steals. Rookie of the Year
Trae Young (2018-19): 19.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 8.1 assists. Rookie of the Year runner-up
Ben Simmons (2017-18): 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.7 steals. Rookie of the Year
Karl-Anthony Towns (2015-16): 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.7 blocks. Rookie of the Year
Damian Lillard (2012-13): 19 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists. Rookie of the Year
Kyrie Irving (2011-12): 18.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.1 steals. Rookie of the Year