As the 2023-2024 NBA season winds down. San Antonio Spurs rookie center Victor Wembanyama has become the obvious choice for Rookie of the Year.
In Wembanyama’s last game an overtime victory against the New York Knicks he scored 40 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, dished out seven assists, recorded two steals, and a block. For the season he is averaging 21 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals. Also, he has recorded two triple-doubles.
With his stellar play, there are those on social media who believe Wembanyama has the best rookie season in NBA history. Yet does he really? The answer is no. Yet here is where he ranks in that regard.
No.10: Victor Wembanyama, Center, San Antonio Spurs, 2023-2024
Already mention what he is currently averaging for the Spurs. Highs include the aforementioned 40 points and 20 rebounds, 10 assists against the Detroit Pistons, six steals against the Denver Nuggets, and 10 blocks against the Toronto Raptors.
No.9: Rick Barry, Small Forward, San Francisco Warriors, 1965-1966
Barry averaged 25.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He shot 43.9 percent from the field and 86.2 percent from the free throw line. His highs for that season were 57 points against the New York Knicks, 25 rebounds against the Philadelphia 76ers, and six assists in which he accomplished that feat three times and all those came against the Los Angeles Lakers.
No.8: Sidney Wicks, Power Forward, Portland Trail Blazers 1971-1972
Taken as the second overall pick in 1971 NBA Draft, Wicks did not disappoint for the Trail Blazers. He averaged 24.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Highs included 34 points twice one came against the Cincinnati Royals and the other against the Buffalo Braves. Grabbed 25 rebounds against the Golden State Warriors and dished out 10 assists against the 76ers.
No.7: Shaquille O’Neal, Center, Orlando Magic 1992-1993
O’Neal missed one game in his rookie season. He averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 3.5 blocks. Highs for the season included 46 points against the Pistons, 25 rebounds against the Washington Bullets now Wizards, he recorded six assists twice which happened in the same game he recorded 25 rebounds and once against the Los Angeles Clippers, recorded five steals twice once against the New Jersey now Brooklyn Nets, and nine blocks against the Knicks.
No.6: David Robinson, Center, San Antonio Spurs, 1989-1990
After fulfilling his duty to the Navy, Robinson nicknamed “The Admiral” was outstanding in his rookie season. He played in all 82 games averaging 24.3 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 3.9 blocks.
Highs included 41 points against the Warriors, 21 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls, seven assists against the Phoenix Suns, five steals accomplished three times once against the Bulls, Sacramento Kings, and Dallas Mavericks.
No.5: Elgin Baylor, Small Forward, Los Angeles Lakers 1958-1959
Baylor averaged 24.9 points, 15 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Also, he recorded a triple-double. Highs included 55 points against the Royals, 31 rebounds against the Philadelphia Warriors, and 10 assists against the Syracuse Nationals.
No.4: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Center, Milwaukee Bucks 1969-1970
With his patented “sky hook” Abdul-Jabbar averaged 28.8 points as a rookie, he also averaged 14.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Highs included 51 points against the Seattle SuperSonics, 27 rebounds against the Knicks, and nine assists against the 76ers.
No.3: Walt Bellamy, Center, Chicago Packers, 1961-1962
Bellamy’s rookie season hardly ever gets talked about. Yet it is one of the most impressive ones. He averaged 31.6 points, 19 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Highs included 48 points against the Lakers, 30 rebounds twice once against the Lakers and the other against the Boston Celtics, and six assists against the Philadelphia Warriors.
No.2: Oscar Robertson, Point Guard, Cincinnati Royals 1960-1961
Essentially Robertson averaged a triple-double in his rookie season. He averaged 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 9.7 assists. Highs included 45 points which he accomplished twice once against the Nationals and the other the Lakers, 19 rebounds against the Philadelphia Warriors, and 20 assists against the Lakers.
No.1: Wilt Chamberlain, Center, Philadelphia Warriors 1959-1960
Not only did the Warriors center win Rookie of the Year, he won Most Valuable Player. He averaged 37.6 points, 27 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Highs included 58 points twice once against the Pistons and the other against the Knicks, 45 rebounds against the Nationals, and seven assists against the Knicks.