Top 30 NBA Rookie of the Year Winners of All Time

From logo-era legends who redefined the game as teenagers to unsung debut-season stars fans still argue about decades later, this countdown spans seven decades of first-year brilliance. Who tops your list?

1. 1
   LeBron James

   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2004 with the Cleveland Cavaliers before becoming a four-time MVP and champion.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Grant Hill

   Won a shared NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1995 with the Detroit Pistons as an all-around forward.
   752pts
3. 3
   Damian Lillard

   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013 with the Portland Trail Blazers, later becoming a clutch-shooting superstar.
   744pts
4. 4
   Michael Jordan

   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1985 with the Chicago Bulls, launching a career that redefined the sport.
   663pts
5. 5
   Shaquille O'Neal

   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1993 with the Orlando Magic before becoming one of the most dominant centers ever.
   663pts
6. 6
   Kevin Durant

   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2008 with the Seattle SuperSonics before becoming one of the greatest scorers ever.
   609pts
7. 7
   Luka Doncic

   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2019 with the Dallas Mavericks after an already-decorated European career.
   546pts
8. 8
   Derrick Rose

   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009 with the Chicago Bulls and later became the youngest MVP in league history.
   546pts
9. 9
   Blake Griffin

   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2011 with the Los Angeles Clippers after missing his first season to injury.
   473pts
10. 10
    Elgin Baylor

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1959 with the Minneapolis Lakers, pioneering an acrobatic style of play.
    473pts
11. 11
    Tim Duncan

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1998 with the San Antonio Spurs, anchoring five championship teams.
    473pts
12. 12
    Chris Paul

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006 with the New Orleans Hornets, establishing himself as an elite floor general.
    473pts
13. 13
    Karl-Anthony Towns

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2016 with the Minnesota Timberwolves as a versatile scoring big man.
    473pts
14. 14
    David Robinson

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1990 with the San Antonio Spurs after a decorated Naval Academy career.
    473pts
15. 15
    Vince Carter

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1999 with the Toronto Raptors, later becoming known for gravity-defying dunks.
    387pts
16. 16
    Paolo Banchero

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2023 with the Orlando Magic as the top pick of the 2022 draft.
    387pts
17. 17
    Wilt Chamberlain

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1960 with the Philadelphia Warriors, also earning MVP the same season.
    387pts
18. 18
    Larry Bird

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1980 with the Boston Celtics, sparking a legendary rivalry with Magic Johnson.
    387pts
19. 19
    Victor Wembanyama

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2024 with the San Antonio Spurs as one of the most hyped international prospects ever.
    387pts
20. 20
    Bob McAdoo

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1973 with the Buffalo Braves before becoming a prolific scoring champion.
    387pts
21. 21
    Oscar Robertson

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1961 with the Cincinnati Royals on his way to becoming a triple-double pioneer.
    284pts
22. 22
    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1970 with the Milwaukee Bucks, starting a career as the league's all-time scoring leader.
    284pts
23. 23
    Allen Iverson

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1997 with the Philadelphia 76ers and became an MVP and cultural icon.
    284pts
24. 24
    Ja Morant

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 with the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming known for explosive highlight dunks.
    284pts
25. 25
    Willis Reed

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1965 with the New York Knicks, later famous for his iconic Game 7 return.
    284pts
26. 26
    Alvan Adams

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1976 with the Phoenix Suns as a skilled passing center.
    284pts
27. 27
    Terry Cummings

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1983 with the San Diego Clippers, later becoming a durable All-Star forward.
    284pts
28. 28
    Wes Unseld

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1969 with the Baltimore Bullets, also claiming MVP the same season.
    0pts
29. 29
    Patrick Ewing

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1986 with the New York Knicks after a celebrated Georgetown career.
    0pts
30. 30
    Chris Webber

    Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1994 with the Golden State Warriors after a standout Michigan college career.
    0pts

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