50 Most Shocking Rookie Seasons in NBA History

The most sensational rookie seasons in NBA history have delivered electricity to the league.

Blake Griffin took professional basketball by storm last season when he debuted for the Los Angeles Clippers, and as good as he was, he hasn't come close to the achievements of some players before him.

With all of the historical figures that have delivered from the onset of their careers, it's amazing to glance through all of the talent that the NBA has had to offer over the last several decades.

Let's take l look at ballers who threw it down from day one.

50. Jason Kidd

11.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 7.7 apg, 1.9 stl, 0.3 blk

Kidd finally won his first NBA championship in the 2010-11 season, but he was a productive member of his teams since the first season he entered pro basketball.

Although he has never been a huge scorer at any point in his career, Kidd’s ability to rebound the basketball and dish the rock with ease have been critical in his ascension to the top of the point guard rankings.

49. Emeka Okafor

15.1 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.8 stl, 1.7 blk

When Okafor came into the league, many thought he had the potential to blossom into a 20 & 10 center for a very long time.

Despite his offensive shortcomings, Okafor is a solid center in the league and is part of a dying breed that puts the emphasis on the defensive end of the floor.

48. Buck Williams

15.5 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 stl, 1.0 blk

Williams wasn’t just a double-double machine when he first came into the league, but he contributed all over the score sheet.

Starting in all 82 games for the Nets as the third overall pick, he was anything but a disappointment.

47. Pau Gasol

17.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 0.5 stl, 2.1 blk

Gasol’s contributions in Memphis may have been long forgotten by most after his trade out of town, but he was the best thing that the Grizzlies had to offer for a long time.

He came in fairly polished and ready to roll from the onset, and his presence down low was instrumental in the (limited) success of the team during his time there.

46. Mark Jackson

13.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 10.6 apg, 2.5 stl, 0.1 blk

Jax doesn’t get a lot of love for his first season in the league, but he came in and averaged a double-double right off the bat.

In addition to having the most memorable tear drop runner in the lane of all-time, he remains one of the more underrated point guards of his generation as he delivered the consistency that most strive to achieve throughout his career.

45. Brandon Roy

16.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.2 stl, 0.2 blk

Roy’s reputation has really taken a hit recently, but his rookie season made everyone take a closer examination of his skill set.

His versatility and ability to contribute across the board was something that was noticed from the onset and was essential in Roy securing his monster contract that he’s currently playing under.

44. Dwyane Wade

16.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.4 stl, 0.6 blk

Wade had a solid first go-around with the Heat, and it was easy to see he would be special from the first season he spent in the NBA.

With his ability to help his club in any facet of the game that was asked of him, Wade truly illuminated the fact that he was a team player.

43. Derrick Rose

16.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.3 apg, 0.8 stl, 0.2 blk

Rose has really come a long way since his rookie campaign in the evolution of his game, but there was no doubting this kid’s talent from the very beginning.

He entered the NBA and flashed his impressive speed, using it as an asset in his arsenal to torch the competition down the court.

42. Chris Paul

16.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 7.8 apg, 2.2 stl, 0.1 blk

CP3 was a coveted asset from day one despite being overlooked by the point guard needy Hawks and being drafted behind Marvin Williams.

Paul has really found his niche in the league as an elite point guard, and he has blossomed into something extremely special for the Hornets.

41. Bob McAdoo

18.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.7 apg

McAdoo might’ve had some pressure on him as the second overall pick. But he delivered immediately in his storied career.

He had the ability to be a monster at both ends of the floor, and he flashed his potential regularly with elite numbers on the glass and swatting shots around the rim.

40. Adrian Dantley

20.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.2 stl, 0.2 blk

Dantley was a supreme scorer as soon as he came into the league, but he really took off after his first season.

That’s not easy to do considering that he posted an impressive 52 percent from the floor and 20 points per night, but it speaks to the success Dantley enjoyed in his career.

39. Damon Stoudamire

19.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 9.3 apg, 1.4 stl, 0.3 blk

Stoudamire really sent a message to the league when he delivered his emphatic rookie campaign, and he looked like he was on the path to something special.

Mighty Mouse was one of the more promising young point guards in the league before some off-court distractions tripped him up on the way to the top.

38. Grant Hill

19.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.8 stl, 0.9 blk

When Hill entered the league, he looked like a superstar in the making and an integral member of the Pistons for years to come.

With his ability to do almost anything on the basketball court paired with his team-first mentality, Hill was the definition of a professional from the onset of his career.

37. Steve Francis

19.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.6 apg, 1.5 stl, 0.4 blk

There’s a reason that Francis was nicknamed “Franchise”, as he really looked like he was going to blossom into a special player.

Unfortunately, Francis’ career took a rather sour turn after his departure from the Rockets, and he remains one of the best “what if” cases around.

36. Vince Carter

18.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.1 stl, 1.5 blk

Carter defied gravity as soon as he came into the NBA, but his defensive contributions were often overlooked.

His impressive athleticism was unlike anything that the league had seen in a long time, and his ability to make an instant impact was essential in his success.

35. Kevin Durant

20.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.0 stl, 0.9 blk

Durant has been so good over the last couple of seasons that many tend to forget how great he was when he first came into the league.

Despite being too “scrawny” to succeed on the wing, KD came in and instantly averaged 20-plus from the very beginning of what should be a very prolific career.

34. Allen Iverson

23.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 7.5 apg, 2.1 stl, 0.3 blk

Iverson’s extraordinary career has been trivialized by a series of poor off-court decisions, but there’s no doubting how good he was when he was at his peak.

“The Answer” had a way to figure out every single member of the opposition that he faced, and he was able to do things that someone of his size shouldn’t be able to.

33. Tyreke Evans

20.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.5 stl, 0.4 blk

When Evans came into the league, not too many knew how his game would transition to the NBA level.

It’s safe to say that he exceeded all expectations, as he won the Rookie of the Year Award and proved how versatile his game really can be.

32. Larry Johnson

19.2 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.0 stl, 0.6 blk

Johnson’s on-court contributions may have been masked slightly, but there’s no doubting his prominence.

He was a force to be reckoned with when he came into the league with Charlotte, and he remains one of the most recognized NBA players to ever come out of UNLV.

31. Elton Brand

20.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.8 stl, 1.6 blk

Brand looked like a lock to be a dominant power forward after an electrifying rookie campaign.

Posting a double double in his first season with the Bulls, it’s amazing to think how Brand’s legacy could’ve been directed in another direction had he not suffered a devastating Achilles injury.

30. Mitch Richmond

22.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.0 stl, 0.2 blk

Many people don’t remember just how good Mitch Richmond was when he first entered the league.

An extremely versatile player capable of doing multiple thinks for his club, Richmond’s inclination to score in bunches while lighting it up from beyond the arc isn’t exactly a combination that comes regularly.

29. John Wall

16.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 8.3 apg, 1.8 stl, 0.5 blk

Wall’s dynamic rookie season doesn’t really get proper attention because it was dwarfed by Blake Griffin, but it was extraordinarily impressive.

The standout point guard is on his way to an amazing NBA career, and his attention to detail and desire to be among the elite will aid him in his journey along the way.

28. LeBron James

20.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.9 apg, 1.6 stl, 0.7 blk

James may be the only player currently in the NBA capable of averaging a triple-double for the length of a full season, but he’s got a lot of work to do.

Despite the fact that he’s not quite there, LeBron showed off his impressive versatility delivering better numbers in his first campaign than most are able to do in their best year.

27. Patrick Ewing

20.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.1 stl, 2.1 blk

Ewing was one of the best centers that the NBA has ever seen, and his impact on the game was evident as soon as he stepped on the floor.

A menace at both ends of the court, Ewing didn’t back down from anyone that chose to challenge him in the lane.

26. Blake Griffin

22.5 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 0.8 stl, 0.6 blk

Griffin electrified the NBA with his dynamic rookie season that included a variety of highlight-reel, rim-rattling jams that left his opponents without words.

The big man definitely has improvements to make to his game, but there’s no questioning the bright direction of his career is headed as the leader of the Los Angeles Clippers.

25. Magic Johnson

18.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 7.3 apg, 2.4 stl, 0.5 blk

Johnson was known for his ability to go absolutely bonkers on the court and contribute in a multitude of ways, but his seamless transition between roles was really amazing to watch.

Not only did he control the flow of the offense regardless of where he played on the court, but also simultaneously poured in anything that his team needed from him in the effort to win.

24. Chris Webber

17.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 stl, 2.2 blk

C-Webb won the Rookie of the Year Award and it’s pretty easy to see why when looking at his numbers from the 1993-94 season.

Webber delivered the best field goal percentage of his tenure, as well as a career-high in average blocks per game while maintaining a strong hand at the offensive end of the floor.

23. Larry Bird

21.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.7 stl, 0.6 blk

When people reflect on Larry Legend’s career, not enough give him the proper due that he deserves.

Despite all of the accolades and praise heaped upon him, Bird’s ability to contribute in every category is often masked by other more notable accomplishments.

22. Sidney Wicks

24.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 4.3 apg

Wicks may have tailed off at the end of his career, but he made his presence known in the first half of his playing days.

He contributed in a multitude of areas and played a massive role for Portland upon his arrival.

21. Dave Cowens

17.0 ppg, 15.0 rpg, 2.8 apg

Cowens is more remembered in Celtics history than in general NBA circles, but his impressive numbers dictate that he belongs firmly in the conversation of impressive rookie seasons.

A supreme source of both points and rebounds throughout his career, Cowens never shied away from a battle beneath the rim.

20. Terry Cummings

23.7 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.8 stl, 0.9 blk

Cummings didn’t mess around once he got his chance to shine in the show, and he entered the league with a rather big bang.

Establishing himself as an integral contributor from the onset, Cummings was a dynamic player in his first season as evidenced by his versatile contributions in the score sheet.

19. Wes Unseld

13.8 ppg, 18.2 rpg, 2.6 apg

The great Unseld was one valuable contributor when it came to production from underneath the rim.

With his ability to board like a beast and score when he secured them, Unseld was a valuable asset from the onset of his career.

18. Rick Barry

25.7 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.2 apg

Best remembered for his “granny shot” from the free throw line, Barry did much more than simply drain ‘em from the charity stripe.

He used his unbelievably awesome rookie campaign to propel himself to two straight seasons of averaging 30-plus points and never shot lower than 86 percent from the foul line in any season throughout his career.

17. Ralph Sampson

21.0 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.9 stl, 2.4 blk

It’s not often that a big man can come in and dominate the competition from the onset, but Sampson did exactly that.

Averaging a double double, Sampson’s presence in the middle for the Rockets was integral in the team’s success during his tenure.

16. Bob Pettit

20.4 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 3.2 apg

It’s pretty astounding that Pettit isn’t more talked about when comparing impressive rookie seasons, but he certainly belongs in the mix.

A dynamic player, prolific scorer and very sound contributor on the glass, Pettit’s stats would’ve been even more impressive had they tracked his peripherals as well

15. Tim Duncan

21.1 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 0.7 stl, 2.5 blk

Duncan is a first-ballot Hall of Famer just about anyway you slice it, but his dominance from day one highlights just how good he is.

He wasted no time making the most of playing alongside David Robinson, proving to be a significant contributor at both ends of the floor.

14. Michael Jordan

28.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.9 apg, 2.4 stl, 0.8 blk

Jordan is remembered as one of the best scorers of all-time, but he was obviously much more than that.

The greatest player to ever play the game, Jordan’s rookie campaign lit the league on fire when he put everyone on notice and sent a message to anyone that doubted him.

13. Maurice Stokes

16.8 ppg, 16.3 rpg, 4.9 apg

Stokes is another candidate that doesn’t get a lot of love for his impressive showing during his rookie season, but Stokes certainly deserves to be recognized.

He doesn’t get a lot of attention in the history books, but he certainly deserves a shout out in the middle of this list.

12. Jerry Lucas

17.7 ppg, 17.4 rpg, 2.6 apg

Lucas’ name might not get tossed into the ring too often, but a 17 & 17 average in your first year is beyond impressive.

Lucas also once pulled down an extraordinary 40 rebounds in a single contest, and that puts him in some pretty exclusive company.

11. Bill Russell

14.7 ppg, 19.6 rpg, 1.8 apg

This is one guy that really defined how to play in the middle of the paint with his ability to patrol it with emphasis.

Russell’s rookie record for average rebounds per contest is absolutely untouchable, and it’d be scary to think how much more impressive his efforts would be measured if blocks were tracked during his best days.

10. Elgin Baylor

24.9 ppg, 15.0 rpg, 4.1 apg

Baylor’s tenure in the front office may not have worked out well, but he had no trouble making an instant impact as a player.

It’s hard to find a guy so capable of doing a variety of things on the floor, especially when it’s his first season in the league.

9. Elvin Hayes

28.4 ppg, 17.1 rpg, 1.4 apg

Hayes’ numbers were downright jaw-dropping in his first season as a pro, as that type of dominance simply doesn’t surface very often.

He really knew how to control the pace at both ends of the court and was a player to contend with on a nightly basis every minute he spent on the court.

8. Lew Alcindor

28.8 ppg, 14.5 rpg, 4.1 apg

He might be better known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but his first campaign of dominance came under his original nomenclature.

There have been some impressive big men since he played, but it’s very questionable as to whether or not we’ll ever enjoy another quite like Kareem.

7. Hakeem Olajuwon

20.6 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 stl, 2.7 blk

“The Dream” was living firmly in reality when he put the smack down on the rest of the league as a fresh face.

Olajuwon is one of the best centers of all-time, and from the minute he entered the NBA he asserted himself as one of the most dominant forces in the game.

6. Alonzo Mourning

21.0 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.4 stl, 3.5 blk

Mourning’s rookie campaign was downright insane when looking at his statistical output across the board.

A beast at both ends of the floor, Mourning’s contributions on the court during his inaugural campaign remain largely under appreciated as one of the best of all-time.

5. David Robinson

24.3 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.7 stl, 3.9 blk

“The Admiral” is undoubtedly one of the most under appreciated players of his generation when looking at his career production.

He could do almost anything that one would typically ask of a big man, and Robinson’s ability to do it all is very rare for someone of his size.

4. Shaquille O'Neal

23.4 ppg, 13.9 rpg, 1.9 ast, 0.7 stl, 3.5 blk

There is a reason that “The Diesel” is often referred to as the most physically dominating player to ever play the game.

When a player is able to come in and completely destroy the opposition from the onset that he enters the league, it’s a very appropriate title.

3. Walt Bellamy

31.6 ppg, 19.0 rpg, 2.7 apg

Where has all of the love for Walt Bellamy dissipated? This man was a downright baller in every definition of the word.

We will never see another rookie put up the numbers that he did, as his rookie performance truly transcends any description that could be provided through text alone.

2. Oscar Robertson

30.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 9.7 apg

Robertson remains the only player to have ever averaged a triple-double over the course of a full season, but many don’t realize how many times he sniffed the mark.

Robertson’s rookie season was among the most impressive on this list, as the era of first-year players to make an impact on the game like he did has very much passed.

1. Wilt Chamberlain

Rookie stats: 37.6 ppg, 27.0 rpg, 2.3 apg

There really are no adequate words that I could possibly use to describe Wilt’s greatness throughout his career, but his rookie numbers are simply off of the charts.

Nobody will ever approach those numbers in their first, second or 15th year in the NBA, and Chamberlain’s place in the record books is clearly very well earned.