# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published August 12, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/top-30-nba-rookie-of-the-year-winners-of-all-time*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **LeBron James** — 66.67% (2 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2004 with the Cleveland Cavaliers before becoming a four-time MVP and champion.
2. **Grant Hill** — 0% (0 votes · score 752/1000)
   Won a shared NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1995 with the Detroit Pistons as an all-around forward.
3. **Damian Lillard** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 744/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013 with the Portland Trail Blazers, later becoming a clutch-shooting superstar.
4. **Michael Jordan** — 0% (0 votes · score 663/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1985 with the Chicago Bulls, launching a career that redefined the sport.
5. **Shaquille O'Neal** — 0% (0 votes · score 663/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1993 with the Orlando Magic before becoming one of the most dominant centers ever.
6. **Kevin Durant** — 0% (0 votes · score 609/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2008 with the Seattle SuperSonics before becoming one of the greatest scorers ever.
7. **Luka Doncic** — 0% (0 votes · score 546/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2019 with the Dallas Mavericks after an already-decorated European career.
8. **Derrick Rose** — 0% (0 votes · score 546/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009 with the Chicago Bulls and later became the youngest MVP in league history.
9. **Blake Griffin** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2011 with the Los Angeles Clippers after missing his first season to injury.
10. **Elgin Baylor** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1959 with the Minneapolis Lakers, pioneering an acrobatic style of play.
11. **Tim Duncan** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1998 with the San Antonio Spurs, anchoring five championship teams.
12. **Chris Paul** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006 with the New Orleans Hornets, establishing himself as an elite floor general.
13. **Karl-Anthony Towns** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2016 with the Minnesota Timberwolves as a versatile scoring big man.
14. **David Robinson** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1990 with the San Antonio Spurs after a decorated Naval Academy career.
15. **Vince Carter** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1999 with the Toronto Raptors, later becoming known for gravity-defying dunks.
16. **Paolo Banchero** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2023 with the Orlando Magic as the top pick of the 2022 draft.
17. **Wilt Chamberlain** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1960 with the Philadelphia Warriors, also earning MVP the same season.
18. **Larry Bird** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1980 with the Boston Celtics, sparking a legendary rivalry with Magic Johnson.
19. **Victor Wembanyama** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2024 with the San Antonio Spurs as one of the most hyped international prospects ever.
20. **Bob McAdoo** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1973 with the Buffalo Braves before becoming a prolific scoring champion.
21. **Oscar Robertson** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1961 with the Cincinnati Royals on his way to becoming a triple-double pioneer.
22. **Kareem Abdul-Jabbar** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1970 with the Milwaukee Bucks, starting a career as the league's all-time scoring leader.
23. **Allen Iverson** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1997 with the Philadelphia 76ers and became an MVP and cultural icon.
24. **Ja Morant** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 with the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming known for explosive highlight dunks.
25. **Willis Reed** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1965 with the New York Knicks, later famous for his iconic Game 7 return.
26. **Alvan Adams** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1976 with the Phoenix Suns as a skilled passing center.
27. **Terry Cummings** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1983 with the San Diego Clippers, later becoming a durable All-Star forward.
28. **Wes Unseld** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1969 with the Baltimore Bullets, also claiming MVP the same season.
29. **Patrick Ewing** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1986 with the New York Knicks after a celebrated Georgetown career.
30. **Chris Webber** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   Won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1994 with the Golden State Warriors after a standout Michigan college career.

Tags: sports, basketball, players, nba