Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking the 20 greatest rookie seasons in NBA history

By Elaine Blum

Jul 7, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Sports Spectacular)
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Sports Spectacular) /

4. Elgin Baylor

After selecting Elgin Baylor with the first pick of the 1958 NBA Draft, the Lakers went from being the worst team in the league to a finals appearance. The forward averaged 24.9 points, 15 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, which ranked fourth, third, and eighth respectively in the entire NBA.

Baylor also scored 55 points in a game as a rookie, which was the third-highest scoring output ever at the time. Since then, the 55-point mark has been broken multiple times but at that time, and especially for a rookie, Baylor’s performance was incredibly special. Baylor won Rookie of the Year without much competition and was named an All-Star in the same season, securing the All-Star Game MVP trophy as well.

The Hall of Famer never won a championship in the NBA, but he made 11 All-Star teams and 10 All-NBA First Teams and is still one of the league’s all-time greatest players. He was named to all three NBA anniversary teams and even won the 2006 Executive of the Year Award after serving as the Los Angeles Clippers general manager for around 20 years.