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

LeBron James

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

1000pts

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

Damian Lillard

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

744pts

4

Michael Jordan

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1985 with the Chicago Bulls, launching a career that redefined the sport.

663pts

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

Kevin Durant

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2008 with the Seattle SuperSonics before becoming one of the greatest scorers ever.

609pts

7

Luka Doncic

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2019 with the Dallas Mavericks after an already-decorated European career.

546pts

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

Blake Griffin

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

473pts

10

Elgin Baylor

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1959 with the Minneapolis Lakers, pioneering an acrobatic style of play.

473pts

11

Tim Duncan

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1998 with the San Antonio Spurs, anchoring five championship teams.

473pts

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

Karl-Anthony Towns

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2016 with the Minnesota Timberwolves as a versatile scoring big man.

473pts

14

David Robinson

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1990 with the San Antonio Spurs after a decorated Naval Academy career.

473pts

15

Vince Carter

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

387pts

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

Wilt Chamberlain

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1960 with the Philadelphia Warriors, also earning MVP the same season.

387pts

18

Larry Bird

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1980 with the Boston Celtics, sparking a legendary rivalry with Magic Johnson.

387pts

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

Bob McAdoo

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1973 with the Buffalo Braves before becoming a prolific scoring champion.

387pts

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

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

Allen Iverson

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1997 with the Philadelphia 76ers and became an MVP and cultural icon.

284pts

24

Ja Morant

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 with the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming known for explosive highlight dunks.

284pts

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

Alvan Adams

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1976 with the Phoenix Suns as a skilled passing center.

284pts

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

Wes Unseld

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1969 with the Baltimore Bullets, also claiming MVP the same season.

158pts

29

Patrick Ewing

Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1986 with the New York Knicks after a celebrated Georgetown career.

158pts

30

Chris Webber

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

158pts