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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25 Nov 2000: Hakeem Olajuwon #34 of the Houston Rockets moves between Brian Brant #44 and Anthony Carter #25 of the Miami Heat during the game at the American Airlines Area in Miami, Florida. The Rockets defeated the Heat 91-80. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Eliot J. Schechter /Allsport
25 Nov 2000: Hakeem Olajuwon #34 of the Houston Rockets moves between Brian Brant #44 and Anthony Carter #25 of the Miami Heat during the game at the American Airlines Area in Miami, Florida. The Rockets defeated the Heat 91-80. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Eliot J. Schechter /Allsport /

15. Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon entered the 1984-85 season as the number one overall pick for the Houston Rockets. As expected of the top pick in the NBA draft, Olajuwon put together an impressive stat line as a rookie. He averaged 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks, which earned him a selection to the All-Rookie First Team and the All-Star game. His contribution also helped the Rockets go from a losing team to a 48-34 record. Nevertheless, this impressive rookie campaign was not enough to secure the Rookie of the Year award. Michael Jordan took the honor, but Olajuwon was the only other player to receive any votes at all.

There is no shame in losing the Rookie of the Year award to someone who is still widely regarded as the GOAT of basketball and despite missing out on the award, Olajuwon became one of the greatest centers of all time. Over his career, he won two championships, two Finals MVPs, the 1994 league MVP, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was selected for 12 All-Star games, 6 All-NBA First Teams, and 5 All-Defensive First Teams, leading the league in rebounds twice and three times in blocks.