Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) Award is presented annually to the league’s most outstanding first-year player. Introduced in the 1952–53 season, the award has recognized many of the greatest players in basketball history, including Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama.
Winning Rookie of the Year is often the first major milestone in a player’s NBA career and frequently signals the arrival of a future superstar.
What Is the NBA Rookie of the Year Award?
The NBA Rookie of the Year Award honors the best first-year player based on regular-season performance.
A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters votes on the award after considering:
- Individual statistics
- Overall impact
- Team contribution
- Consistency
- Efficiency
The award recognizes performance during a player’s rookie season only.
NBA Rookie of the Year Winners by Season
| Season | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1952–53 | Don Meineke | Fort Wayne Pistons |
| 1953–54 | Ray Felix | Baltimore Bullets |
| 1954–55 | Bob Pettit | Milwaukee Hawks |
| 1955–56 | Maurice Stokes | Rochester Royals |
| 1956–57 | Tom Heinsohn | Boston Celtics |
| 1957–58 | Woody Sauldsberry | Philadelphia Warriors |
| 1958–59 | Elgin Baylor | Minneapolis Lakers |
| 1959–60 | Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia Warriors |
| 1960–61 | Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati Royals |
| 1961–62 | Walt Bellamy | Chicago Packers |
| 1962–63 | Terry Dischinger | Chicago Zephyrs |
| 1963–64 | Jerry Lucas | Cincinnati Royals |
| 1964–65 | Willis Reed | New York Knicks |
| 1965–66 | Rick Barry | San Francisco Warriors |
| 1966–67 | Dave Bing | Detroit Pistons |
| 1967–68 | Earl Monroe | Baltimore Bullets |
| 1968–69 | Wes Unseld | Baltimore Bullets |
| 1969–70 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1970–71 | Dave Cowens | Boston Celtics |
| 1971–72 | Sidney Wicks | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1972–73 | Bob McAdoo | Buffalo Braves |
| 1973–74 | Ernie DiGregorio | Buffalo Braves |
| 1974–75 | Jamaal Wilkes | Golden State Warriors |
| 1975–76 | Alvan Adams | Phoenix Suns |
| 1976–77 | Adrian Dantley | Buffalo Braves |
| 1977–78 | Walter Davis | Phoenix Suns |
| 1978–79 | Phil Ford | Kansas City Kings |
| 1979–80 | Larry Bird | Boston Celtics |
| 1980–81 | Darrell Griffith | Utah Jazz |
| 1981–82 | Buck Williams | New Jersey Nets |
| 1982–83 | Terry Cummings | San Diego Clippers |
| 1983–84 | Ralph Sampson | Houston Rockets |
| 1984–85 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls |
| 1985–86 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks |
| 1986–87 | Chuck Person | Indiana Pacers |
| 1987–88 | Mark Jackson | New York Knicks |
| 1988–89 | Mitch Richmond | Golden State Warriors |
| 1989–90 | David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1990–91 | Derrick Coleman | New Jersey Nets |
| 1991–92 | Larry Johnson | Charlotte Hornets |
| 1992–93 | Shaquille O’Neal | Orlando Magic |
| 1993–94 | Chris Webber | Golden State Warriors |
| 1994–95 | Grant Hill | Detroit Pistons (co-winner) |
| 1994–95 | Jason Kidd | Dallas Mavericks (co-winner) |
| 1995–96 | Damon Stoudamire | Toronto Raptors |
| 1996–97 | Allen Iverson | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1997–98 | Tim Duncan | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1998–99 | Vince Carter | Toronto Raptors |
| 1999–00 | Elton Brand | Chicago Bulls (co-winner) |
| 1999–00 | Steve Francis | Houston Rockets (co-winner) |
| 2000–01 | Mike Miller | Orlando Magic |
| 2001–02 | Pau Gasol | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2002–03 | Amar’e Stoudemire | Phoenix Suns |
| 2003–04 | LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2004–05 | Emeka Okafor | Charlotte Bobcats |
| 2005–06 | Chris Paul | New Orleans Hornets |
| 2006–07 | Brandon Roy | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2007–08 | Kevin Durant | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 2008–09 | Derrick Rose | Chicago Bulls |
| 2009–10 | Tyreke Evans | Sacramento Kings |
| 2010–11 | Blake Griffin | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2011–12 | Kyrie Irving | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2012–13 | Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2013–14 | Michael Carter-Williams | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2014–15 | Andrew Wiggins | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2015–16 | Karl-Anthony Towns | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2016–17 | Malcolm Brogdon | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2017–18 | Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2018–19 | Luka Dončić | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2019–20 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2020–21 | LaMelo Ball | Charlotte Hornets |
| 2021–22 | Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors |
| 2022–23 | Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic |
| 2023–24 | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2024–25 | Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs |
Players Who Became NBA MVPs
Many Rookie of the Year winners later captured the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, including:
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Oscar Robertson
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Larry Bird
- Michael Jordan
- David Robinson
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Tim Duncan
- LeBron James
- Derrick Rose
- Kevin Durant
Winning Rookie of the Year is often an early indicator of future greatness, although many MVPs never won the award.
Rookie of the Year Winners Who Became Hall of Famers
The award has been won by numerous Hall of Fame players, including:
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Oscar Robertson
- Elgin Baylor
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Rick Barry
- Willis Reed
- Bob McAdoo
- Larry Bird
- Michael Jordan
- Patrick Ewing
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Allen Iverson
- Tim Duncan
- Pau Gasol
Many recent winners are expected to become Hall of Famers based on their accomplishments.
Interesting Facts
- The award has been presented every season since 1952–53.
- Grant Hill and Jason Kidd shared the award in 1994–95.
- Elton Brand and Steve Francis shared the award in 1999–00.
- Wes Unseld remains the only rookie to win both Rookie of the Year and the NBA MVP Award in the same season (1968–69).
- Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal all won Rookie of the Year before becoming NBA champions and MVPs.
Why the Award Matters
The NBA Rookie of the Year Award celebrates the league’s brightest new talent and often marks the beginning of legendary careers. While not every winner becomes a superstar, the list includes many of the greatest players in NBA history.
For fans, analysts, and historians, Rookie of the Year winners provide a fascinating timeline of each generation’s emerging stars and the future faces of the NBA.
Related NBA Lists
- NBA All-Rookie First Team Players
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team Players
- NBA Most Improved Player Winners
- NBA MVP Winners
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year Winners
- NBA All-Star Players
- NBA Hall of Fame Players
- NBA No. 1 Overall Draft Picks