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The 16 Best Rookie Seasons in NBA History

The top performing players in their first year in the NBA

(Via Hannah Scherwatzky / Getty Images))

Published Jul 11, 2023

Throughout the course of its history, there have been some incredible draft picks who came flying out of the gates... but who had the best best rookie seasons in NBA history? Let's talk about it!

The NBA may tip-off their regular season in October, but the real mark of a new league year is the annual draft in June. Tanking franchises look to recover from a dismal season by adding a potentially generational talent. We have seen teams add a single player in the draft and turn into championship contenders almost overnight.

Here are the 16 best rookies seasons in NBA history.

16. Tim Duncan 1997-98

Rookie Year Stats: 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 2.7 assists

The "Big Fundamental" made his legacy in San Antonio, winning multiple NBA championships and league MVPs. It was a very quick start for the future hall of famer, who immediately made an impact his rookie year. Despite playing next to the already established David Robinson, Duncan averaged an astonishing 20 points and 12 rebounds, enough to earn him Rookie of the Year honors. Just a season later, Duncan lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy, helping the Spurs win their first title in franchise history.

15.) Blake Griffin 2010-11

Rookie Year Stats: 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists

The hype that surrounded Blake Griffin entering the NBA draft out of Oklahoma was generational, and it was no surprise he went 1st overall in 2009. However, a knee injury sidelined him the entire year, making 2010-11 his rookie season. He was fantastic, averaging a 20 point, 12 rebound double-double. This also set in motion one of the best inside-jokes in NBA history. He won rookie of the year in his second season because he had sat out the previous year, making it an annual joke to throw Griffin's name in the ROY voting every year.

14.) Elvin Hayes 1968-69

Rookie Year Stats: 28.4 points, 17.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists

After finishing their first season in the NBA with a lowly 15-67 record, the San Diego Rockets were looking to establish themselves and selected Elvin Hayes out of the University of Houston to help make that happen.

Hayes was sensational his rookie year leading the league in scoring. He helped the Rockets win 22 more games than the previous year and secured their first ever playoff spot. Hayes was runner-up for Rookie of the Year and the Rockets ultimately lost in the conference semi-finals.

13.) Wes Unseld 1968-69

Rookie Year Stats: 13.8 points, 18.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists

Yes, another rookie from the 1968-69 season made this list. Elvin Hayes was runner-up for rookie of the year in 69' because Washington Bullets center Wes Unseld took home the honors, along with the league MVP.

He is only the second rookie to ever win MVP, and no player has done it since. Unseld helped take the Bullets from 6th in the East to 1st in just a single season. He claimed his single NBA championship in 1978 with the Bullets.

12.) Luka Doncic 2018-19

Rookie Year Stats: 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists

The Dallas Mavericks were in a tough spot in 2018. Their franchise's greatest player, Dirk Nowitzki, was getting ready to retire and the team needed to rebuild. They got everything they needed and more with the boy-wonder, Luka Doncic.

Doncic became the youngest Euro League MVP at 18 years and helped Madrid win a championship. He was eccentric his rookie year in the NBA, routinely hitting nasty step-backs and game winners. Doncic went on to win rookie of the year in 2019 and is still currently playing with the Dallas Mavericks.

11.) Shaquille O'Neal 1992-93

Rookie Year Stats: 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, 3.5 blocks

There may be no personality in NBA history bigger than the great Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq was one of the highest ranked prospects ever coming out of LSU. It was a no-brainer for the Magic to take him first overall. He won rookie of the year easily, dominating the paint night-in and night-out. Shaq would eventually leave Orlando and play for five teams across his career en-route to five NBA championships.

10.) David Robinson 1989-90

Rookie Year Stats: 24.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.9 blocks

The origins of David Robinsons 'The Admiral' nickname is amazing. Robinson was playing for the Naval Academy in college and was required to serve before he could enter the NBA. He helped add 35 wins to the Spurs season total and unanimously take home Rookie of the Year honors. Robinson played his whole career with the Spurs and helped them win two NBA championships.

9.) LeBron James 2003-04

Rookie Year Stats: 20.9 points, 5.5 assists, 5.9 rebounds

There is and may never be a prospect more touted than LeBron James. The lottery to land the kid from Akron was going to change one franchise forever, and the hometown Cleveland Cavaliers secured the lucky ping pong ball.

King James took home Rookie of the Year honors after more than doubling the Cavs win total. He eventually departed Cleveland for Miami, but later returned and helped them win their first NBA championship.

8.) Magic Johnson 1979-80

Rookie Year Stats: 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists

The NBA was at a low-point in the late 70's. Ratings were declining, attendance was abysmal, and the league was in jeopardy of falling. Magic Johnson would turn that around in just one season.

With a smile the size of the sun, Johnson helped turn the Lakers into 'showtime'. After leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was sidelined with a injury in the 1980 NBA finals, Johnson stepped in at center and dropped an insane 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. He won finals MVP, the first and only rookie to ever be given the honors.

7.) Larry Bird 1979-80

Rookie Year Stats: 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists

Yes, Magic saved the NBA in the 80's, but he wouldn't have been able to do it without Larry Bird. Together Larry and Magic cultivated the greatest rivalry the NBA has ever seen. Both rookies in 1980, Larry edged out Magic for Rookie of the Year after leading the Celtics to a league best 61-21 record. Larry Legend played out his entire career for the Celtics and won three championships.

6.) Elgin Baylor 1958-59

Rookie Year Stats: 24.9 points, 15.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists

When talking about the greatest scorers in NBA history, it's criminal to leave out the great Elgin Baylor. As a rookie for the Minneapolis Lakers, Baylor averaged nearly 25 points, good enough for 4th amongst all players that season. He played his entire 13 year career with the Lakers, but retired right before they won a championship in 1972.

5.) Michael Jordan 1984-85

Rookie Year Stats: 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists

There are few, if any basketball players who carried themselves with such a level of ferocity and heart on the court as Michael Jordan. He hit the ground running, leading the league in total points scored his rookie year. MJ won Rookie of the Year over Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets, and went on to win 6 championships with the Bulls.

4.) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1969-70

Rookie Year Stats: 28.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists

The great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest figures in NBA history. From leading the Lakers to championships, to staring on the big-screen, and most importantly fighting for fundamental human rights, Kareem was unapologetically himself. In his rookie year for the Milwaukee Bucks, he added 29 wins to their record. He also helped them win their franchise's first NBA championship.

3.) Walt Bellamy 1961-62

Rookie Year Stats: 31.6 points, 19.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists

Most NBA fans may not know the name 'Walt Bellamy', but his importance in the grand scheme of the game is crucial. He holds the third highest points-per-game mark for any rookie in NBA history, and was a key reason the Washington Bullets were able to turn their organization around. Bellamy also led the league in field goal percentage his rookie year, knocking down 51.9% of his attempts.

2.) Oscar Robertson 1960-61

Rookie Year Stats: 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 9.7 assists

The Big 'O' is one of the top all-around talents to ever take an NBA floor. His rookie season displayed just that, nearly averaging a 30-point triple double. Robertson helped add 14 wins to the Royals win total and secured himself Rookie of the Year honors. He ended his career in Milwaukee where he won his sole championship.

1.) Wilt Chamberlain 1959-60

Rookie Year Stats: 37.6 points, 27.0 rebounds, 2,3 assists

The NBA's record book of absurd stats could honestly have Wilt Chamberlain named as the author. No player has ever scored as many points or grabbed as many rebounds as Wilt did his rookie year. He was so unstoppable that he was awarded the league MVP on top of his Rookie of the Year honors. Wilt went on to win two NBA championships and will be remembered as the greatest stat-stuffer ever.

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