Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The NBA All-Rookie Second Team recognizes the league’s best first-year players who narrowly missed First Team honors. Since the award debuted in the 1988–89 season, it has highlighted future All-Stars, Hall of Famers, franchise cornerstones, and hidden gems who made an immediate impact during their rookie campaigns.
While Second Team selections may not receive as much attention as First Team honorees, many have gone on to enjoy outstanding NBA careers. Players such as Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Draymond Green, and Jalen Brunson all began their NBA award journeys as All-Rookie Second Team selections.
What Is the NBA All-Rookie Second Team?
At the end of every NBA regular season, a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters votes for the NBA All-Rookie Team.
Two five-player teams are selected:
- NBA All-Rookie First Team
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team
The teams recognize the top ten rookies in the league regardless of position.
NBA All-Rookie Second Team Players by Season
| Season | Notable Second Team Players |
|---|---|
| 1988–89 | Mitch Richmond, Hersey Hawkins, Willie Anderson, Kevin Edwards, Sherman Douglas |
| 1989–90 | Vlade Divac, Mookie Blaylock, Sean Elliott, Pooh Richardson, Blue Edwards |
| 1990–91 | Toni Kukoč (international rights era excluded), Dennis Scott, Felton Spencer, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Tyrone Hill |
| 1991–92 | Dikembe Mutombo, Steve Smith, Billy Owens, Brian Williams (Bison Dele), Doug Smith |
| 1992–93 | Tom Gugliotta, Clarence Weatherspoon, LaPhonso Ellis, Walt Williams, Christian Laettner |
| 1993–94 | Vin Baker, Nick Van Exel, Brian Grant, Isaiah Rider, Lindsey Hunter |
| 1994–95 | Eddie Jones, Juwan Howard, Wesley Person, Eric Piatkowski, Brian Grant |
| 1995–96 | Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse, Antonio McDyess, Brent Barry, Michael Finley |
| 1996–97 | Kobe Bryant, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Derek Fisher, Othella Harrington, Matt Maloney |
| 1997–98 | Tim Thomas, Bobby Jackson, Brevin Knight, Anthony Parker, Cedric Henderson |
| 1998–99 | Rashard Lewis, Michael Dickerson, Al Harrington, Jason Williams, Vladimir Stepania |
| 1999–00 | Jason Terry, Lamar Odom, James Posey, Andre Miller, Corey Maggette |
| 2000–01 | Hedo Türkoğlu, Morris Peterson, Desmond Mason, Mark Madsen, Courtney Alexander |
| 2001–02 | Tony Parker, Joe Johnson, Jason Richardson, Jamaal Tinsley, Mehmet Okur |
| 2002–03 | Carlos Boozer, Drew Gooden, Nene, Tayshaun Prince, Gordan Giriček |
| 2003–04 | Chris Andersen, Luke Walton, Marquis Daniels, Josh Howard, Steve Blake |
| 2004–05 | Ben Gordon, Anderson Varejão, Josh Smith, Jameer Nelson, Delonte West |
| 2005–06 | Andrew Bogut, Danny Granger, Channing Frye, Luther Head, Raymond Felton |
| 2006–07 | Paul Millsap, Randy Foye, Jorge Garbajosa, Ronnie Brewer, Jordan Farmar |
| 2007–08 | Al Horford, Luis Scola, Jamario Moon, Thaddeus Young, Rodney Stuckey |
| 2008–09 | Brook Lopez, O.J. Mayo, Michael Beasley, Eric Gordon, Rudy Fernandez |
| 2009–10 | James Harden, Taj Gibson, Jonas Jerebko, Marcus Thornton, DeJuan Blair |
| 2010–11 | Greg Monroe, Landry Fields, Eric Bledsoe, Gary Neal, John Wall* |
| 2011–12 | Isaiah Thomas, Chandler Parsons, Tristan Thompson, Brandon Knight, MarShon Brooks |
| 2012–13 | Draymond Green, Dion Waiters, Andre Drummond, Harrison Barnes, Jonas Valančiūnas |
| 2013–14 | Steven Adams, Mason Plumlee, Tim Hardaway Jr., Kelly Olynyk, Gorgui Dieng |
| 2014–15 | Nikola Mirotić, Elfrid Payton, Bojan Bogdanović, Zach LaVine, Jusuf Nurkić |
| 2015–16 | Devin Booker, Kristaps Porziņģis, Nikola Jokić, D’Angelo Russell, T.J. McConnell |
| 2016–17 | Malcolm Brogdon*, Buddy Hield, Jamal Murray, Willy Hernangómez, Yogi Ferrell |
| 2017–18 | Lonzo Ball, John Collins, Dennis Smith Jr., Bogdan Bogdanović, Josh Jackson |
| 2018–19 | Collin Sexton, Kevin Huerter, Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
| 2019–20 | Rui Hachimura, Coby White, Terence Davis, P.J. Washington, Tyler Herro |
| 2020–21 | Saddiq Bey, Immanuel Quickley, Isaiah Stewart, Desmond Bane, Jae’Sean Tate |
| 2021–22 | Herbert Jones, Ayo Dosunmu, Bones Hyland, Chris Duarte, Jonathan Kuminga |
| 2022–23 | Jalen Williams, Jalen Duren, Tari Eason, Andrew Nembhard, Jeremy Sochan |
| 2023–24 | GG Jackson II, Keyonte George, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Brandin Podziemski, Amen Thompson |
| 2024–25 | Kel’el Ware, Bub Carrington, Zach Edey, Yves Missi, Matas Buzelis |
*Won NBA Rookie of the Year despite being named to the Second Team.
Players Who Became NBA Stars
Several All-Rookie Second Team selections developed into elite NBA players, including:
- Kobe Bryant
- Steve Nash
- James Harden
- Draymond Green
- Nikola Jokić
- Devin Booker
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Tony Parker
- Paul Millsap
- Ben Wallace (undrafted rookie recognition era)
- Jalen Brunson
Their selections demonstrate that rookie voting is only a snapshot of one season rather than a prediction of an entire career.
Multiple Future All-Stars
Many future All-Stars first appeared on the Second Team, including:
- Kobe Bryant
- James Harden
- Tony Parker
- Nikola Jokić
- Devin Booker
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Al Horford
- Brook Lopez
- Rasheed Wallace
- Juwan Howard
- Vin Baker
- Andre Drummond
Why the Award Matters
The All-Rookie Second Team is often one of the earliest indicators of future NBA success. Although these players were not voted among the top five rookies in their debut seasons, many continued developing into franchise players, All-NBA selections, NBA champions, and Hall of Fame candidates.
For fans researching player development, draft history, or rookie classes, the Second Team provides valuable insight into how NBA careers evolve beyond first impressions.
Related Player Lists
- NBA All-Rookie First 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 Champions (Players)
- NBA All-Stars by Year