Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The NBA All-Rookie First Team honors the five best rookies from each NBA season. Since the award was introduced in 1962–63, it has recognized many of the league’s future superstars, Hall of Famers, MVPs, and NBA champions during their very first professional season.
Being named to the All-Rookie First Team is often the first major milestone in an NBA player’s career and has become one of the league’s most prestigious rookie honors.
What Is the NBA All-Rookie First Team?
At the conclusion of each NBA regular season, a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters votes on the league’s top rookies.
The ten players receiving the most votes are selected to:
- NBA All-Rookie First Team
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team
Since the 1988–89 season, the award has consisted of two five-player teams regardless of position.
NBA All-Rookie First Team Players by Season
| Season | Notable First Team Players |
|---|---|
| 1962–63 | Terry Dischinger, Dave DeBusschere, John Havlicek, Chet Walker, Bill McGill |
| 1963–64 | Jerry Lucas, Gus Johnson, Art Heyman, Rod Thorn, Nate Thurmond |
| 1964–65 | Willis Reed, Walt Hazzard, Jim Barnes, Happy Hairston, Howard Komives |
| 1965–66 | Rick Barry, Billy Cunningham, Gail Goodrich, Jerry Sloan, Adrian Smith |
| 1966–67 | Dave Bing, Lou Hudson, Bob Rule, Don Chaney, Bob Weiss |
| 1967–68 | Earl Monroe, Walt Frazier, Phil Jackson, Mel Counts, Don May |
| 1968–69 | Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld, Bob Kaufmann, Don Kojis, Mike Davis |
| 1969–70 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jo Jo White, Bob Dandridge, Dick Garrett, Sonny Dove |
| 1970–71 | Pete Maravich, Geoff Petrie, Dave Cowens, John Johnson, Charlie Scott |
| 1971–72 | Sidney Wicks, Austin Carr, Elmore Smith, Curtis Rowe, Phil Chenier |
| 1972–73 | Bob McAdoo, Paul Westphal, Jim Price, Dwight Davis, Mike Bantom |
| 1973–74 | Ernie DiGregorio, Mike Bantom, Doug Collins, George McGinnis, Caldwell Jones |
| 1974–75 | Jamaal Wilkes, Bill Walton, Brian Winters, Scott Wedman, Tom Burleson |
| 1975–76 | Alvan Adams, Lionel Hollins, Gus Williams, John Shumate, Mitch Kupchak |
| 1976–77 | Adrian Dantley, John Lucas II, Robert Parish, Scott May, Mitch Kupchak |
| 1977–78 | Walter Davis, Marques Johnson, Bernard King, Jack Sikma, Otis Birdsong |
| 1978–79 | Larry Bird, Micheal Ray Richardson, Maurice Cheeks, Reggie Theus, Freeman Williams |
| 1979–80 | Magic Johnson, Bill Cartwright, David Greenwood, Larry Drew, Calvin Natt |
| 1980–81 | Darrell Griffith, Kevin McHale, Andrew Toney, Jeff Ruland, Larry Smith |
| 1981–82 | Isiah Thomas, Kelly Tripucka, Buck Williams, Tom Chambers, Herb Williams |
| 1982–83 | Terry Cummings, Dominique Wilkins, Ricky Pierce, Sleepy Floyd, Clark Kellogg |
| 1983–84 | Ralph Sampson, Clyde Drexler, Thurl Bailey, Steve Stipanovich, Jeff Malone |
| 1984–85 | Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Sam Perkins, Otis Thorpe |
| 1985–86 | Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Joe Dumars, Xavier McDaniel, Charles Oakley |
| 1986–87 | Chuck Person, Ron Harper, Brad Daugherty, Arvydas Sabonis*, Johnny Newman |
| 1987–88 | David Robinson*, Kevin Johnson, Reggie Miller, Horace Grant, Mark Jackson |
| 1988–89 | Mitch Richmond, Kevin Johnson, Hersey Hawkins, Willie Anderson, Sherman Douglas |
| 1989–90 | David Robinson, Vlade Divac, Sean Elliott, Mookie Blaylock, Sherman Douglas |
| 1990–91 | Derrick Coleman, Gary Payton, Dennis Scott, Felton Spencer, Dennis Hopson |
| 1991–92 | Larry Johnson, Dikembe Mutombo, Steve Smith, Billy Owens, Stacey Augmon |
| 1992–93 | Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Christian Laettner, Tom Gugliotta, Clarence Weatherspoon |
| 1993–94 | Chris Webber, Penny Hardaway, Vin Baker, Isaiah Rider, Anfernee Hardaway |
| 1994–95 | Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Juwan Howard, Eddie Jones, Brian Grant |
| 1995–96 | Damon Stoudamire, Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess, Michael Finley |
| 1996–97 | Allen Iverson, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Marcus Camby, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen |
| 1997–98 | Tim Duncan, Keith Van Horn, Tim Thomas, Brevin Knight, Bobby Jackson |
| 1998–99 | Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Jason Williams, Mike Bibby, Michael Dickerson |
| 1999–00 | Elton Brand, Steve Francis, Lamar Odom, Andre Miller, Jason Terry |
| 2000–01 | Mike Miller, Kenyon Martin, Darius Miles, Morris Peterson, Hedo Türkoğlu |
| 2001–02 | Pau Gasol, Shane Battier, Jason Richardson, Tony Parker, Jamaal Tinsley |
| 2002–03 | Amar’e Stoudemire, Yao Ming, Caron Butler, Drew Gooden, Nene |
| 2003–04 | LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kirk Hinrich |
| 2004–05 | Emeka Okafor, Dwight Howard, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Jameer Nelson |
| 2005–06 | Chris Paul, Andrew Bogut, Danny Granger, Channing Frye, Raymond Felton |
| 2006–07 | Brandon Roy, Andrea Bargnani, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo |
| 2007–08 | Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Luis Scola, Jeff Green, Jamario Moon |
| 2008–09 | Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo, Brook Lopez, Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon |
| 2009–10 | Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings, Darren Collison, Taj Gibson |
| 2010–11 | Blake Griffin, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Gary Neal, Landry Fields |
| 2011–12 | Kyrie Irving, Ricky Rubio, Kenneth Faried, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard |
| 2012–13 | Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal, Dion Waiters, Harrison Barnes |
| 2013–14 | Michael Carter-Williams, Victor Oladipo, Trey Burke, Mason Plumlee, Tim Hardaway Jr. |
| 2014–15 | Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Mirotić, Elfrid Payton, Jordan Clarkson, Nerlens Noel |
| 2015–16 | Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porziņģis, Devin Booker, Nikola Jokić, Jahlil Okafor |
| 2016–17 | Malcolm Brogdon, Joel Embiid, Dario Šarić, Buddy Hield, Willy Hernangómez |
| 2017–18 | Ben Simmons, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Kyle Kuzma, Lauri Markkanen |
| 2018–19 | Luka Dončić, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Marvin Bagley III |
| 2019–20 | Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Kendrick Nunn, Brandon Clarke, Eric Paschall |
| 2020–21 | LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Saddiq Bey, Jae’Sean Tate |
| 2021–22 | Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Franz Wagner, Jalen Green |
| 2022–23 | Paolo Banchero, Walker Kessler, Bennedict Mathurin, Keegan Murray, Jalen Williams |
| 2023–24 | Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Brandin Podziemski |
| 2024–25 | Stephon Castle, Zaccharie Risacher, Jaylen Wells, Alex Sarr, Zach Edey |
*Selected in their official rookie season after delayed NBA debut.
NBA Rookie of the Year Winners on the First Team
Most NBA Rookie of the Year winners were also named to the All-Rookie First Team, including:
- Michael Jordan
- Larry Bird
- Magic Johnson
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Tim Duncan
- LeBron James
- Chris Paul
- Kevin Durant
- Derrick Rose
- Blake Griffin
- Damian Lillard
- Luka Dončić
- Ja Morant
- Scottie Barnes
- Victor Wembanyama
Winning Rookie of the Year almost always guarantees a place on the First Team.
Future Hall of Famers
Many First Team selections later became Hall of Famers, including:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Larry Bird
- Magic Johnson
- Michael Jordan
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- Charles Barkley
- Patrick Ewing
- Karl Malone
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Tim Duncan
- Allen Iverson
- LeBron James
- Dwyane Wade
- Chris Paul
- Stephen Curry
- Kawhi Leonard
Why the Award Matters
The NBA All-Rookie First Team recognizes players who make an immediate impact during their first NBA season. While not every First Team selection develops into a superstar, the list includes many of the greatest players in basketball history and serves as an early indicator of future success.
For NBA fans, historians, and draft enthusiasts, the All-Rookie First Team offers a valuable snapshot of each rookie class and how it shaped the league for years to come.
Related Player Lists
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team Players
- NBA Rookie of the Year Winners
- NBA No. 1 Overall Draft Picks
- NBA Draft Steals
- NBA Draft Busts
- NBA Hall of Fame Players
- NBA All-Stars by Year
- NBA MVP Winners