Who is the best NBA Rookie of the Year award winner of all time?

Every season the NBA crowns a rookie who changes the league's future — but who was the greatest Rookie of the Year of all time? Vote for the player who made the biggest first impression.

1

Wilt Chamberlain

The 1960 ROY winner — and the award's namesake — averaged 37.6 points and 27 rebounds in one of the greatest rookie seasons ever played.

2

Michael Jordan

The 1985 ROY winner launched one of the most celebrated careers in sports history, electrifying Chicago with his gravity-defying athleticism from day one.

3

LeBron James

The 2004 ROY winner arrived as a generational phenomenon straight out of high school and lived up to every ounce of hype placed on him.

4

Shaquille O'Neal

The 1993 ROY winner entered the league as a physical force unlike anything seen before, immediately redefining what a dominant big man could be.

5

Tim Duncan

The 1998 ROY winner arrived quietly in San Antonio and immediately showed the fundamentals and two-way excellence that would anchor a dynasty.

6

Allen Iverson

The 1997 ROY winner burst onto the scene in Philadelphia as a crossover king whose fearless style changed the culture of the entire NBA.

7

Kevin Durant

The 2008 ROY winner showed off an impossibly long and versatile scoring arsenal that would eventually make him one of the purest scorers the game has seen.

8

Luka Doncic

The 2019 ROY winner stunned the league with a playmaking IQ and skill set far beyond his years, looking like a veteran from his very first game.

9

Victor Wembanyama

The 2024 ROY winner brought a once-in-a-generation combination of 7-foot-4 length and perimeter shot-making that left coaches and scouts searching for comparisons.

10

Blake Griffin

The 2011 ROY winner turned the Los Angeles Clippers into must-see television with an explosion of high-flying dunks that made highlight reels nightly.

11

Vince Carter

The 1999 ROY winner dazzled Toronto — and the world — with acrobatic athleticism that earned him the nickname 'Half-Man, Half-Amazing.'

12

Derrick Rose

The 2009 ROY winner lit up Chicago with blistering speed and a magnetic quality that would later see him become the youngest MVP in league history.

13

Damian Lillard

The 2013 ROY winner announced himself with game-winning clutch moments that foreshadowed a career-long reputation for delivering under the ultimate pressure.

14

Ja Morant

The 2020 ROY winner brought jaw-dropping athleticism and highlight-reel plays to Memphis, immediately establishing himself as one of the league's most exciting players.

15

LaMelo Ball

The 2021 ROY winner dazzled with no-look passes, pinpoint vision, and a magnetic presence that made Charlotte Hornets games essential viewing.

16

Cooper Flagg

The 2026 ROY winner electrified the league with two-way excellence and veteran poise straight out of college, immediately drawing comparisons to all-time greats.