Top 10 Rookie Seasons Ever
Wilt
Wilt Chamberlain wasted no time making an impact in the NBA. He was drafted as the third overall pick out of Kansas by the Philadelphia Warriors who were previously 30-42. In his first year in the 1959-1960 season, they improved to 49-26 with Wilt leading the charge. He won MVP averaging 37.6 points and 27 rebounds.
2. Oscar
Oscar Robertson is known for his triple doubles and it didn’t take long for him to figure out how to get them in the NBA. He was drafted first overall by the Cincinnati Royals and helped them go from a 19-56 record to 33-46. Robertson was also named to the all NBA first team while averaging 30.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 9.7 assists.
3. Unseld
Wes Unseld is the only other rookie to win MVP. He was drafted second overall by the Baltimore Bullets in 1968. The team went from 6th to 1st in the East after drafting him but got swept in the first round of the playoffs. He averaged 13.8 points and 18.2 rebounds.
4. Kareem
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one of the most hyped up players ever out of college and was drafted first overall by the Bucks in 1969. The team went from winning 27 games to winning 56 after adding him. He made the all NBA second team while averaging 28.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
5. Magic
Magic Johnson is the only player on this list who didn’t win rookie of the year. Larry Bird edged him out to win from the ‘79 draft class but in the playoffs was where Johnson took off. He stepped up in the finals winning the championship and finals MVP while Kareem missed the last game due to injury. In the regular season he averaged 18.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.
6. Bird
Larry Bird was drafted 6th overall by the Celtics and turned around their franchise in one season. They went from winning 29 games the year before to winning 61 earning the one seed in the East but lost in the second round. He averaged 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.
7. Jordan
Michael Jordan was drafted third overall by the Bulls and led them to their first playoff appearance in four years, quickly winning over Chicago. He made the all star team and averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists.
8. Robinson
David Robinson was drafted first overall after coming back from serving two years in the military. He was taken by a 21-61 Spurs team and helped them turn it around as they went 56-26 in his rookie year. He averaged 24.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks.
9. Bellamy
Walt Bellamy was drafted first overall by the Chicago Packers (franchise now known as the Washington Wizards) in 1960 and became an all star in his first season. He averaged an insane 31.6 points and 19 rebounds although the team still only won 18 games.
10. Shaq
Shaq is one of the few modern NBA rookies to make an all star team. He was drafted first overall by the Magic in 1992 and nearly led them to their first playoff appearance in franchise history. Shaq averaged a dominant 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks.
