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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 20
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 20: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 20, 2008 in Los Angeles, Lakers. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 20: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 20, 2008 in Los Angeles, Lakers. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /

14. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony entered the NBA as a part of a strong draft class, featuring LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. The third overall pick averaged 21 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals. He led all rookies in scoring that season, which is quite the accomplishment considering his competition. He quickly became the second youngest player in history to score 30 or more points in a game. In light of his accomplishments, Anthony won every single Western Conference Rookie of the Month honor and was named NBA Player of the Week twice.

He also became the first rookie since David Robinson to lead a playoff team in scoring after helping the Denver Nuggets recover from being one of the worst teams in the league in the previous season. All that was, however, not enough to win Rookie of the Year over the Cleveland Cavaliers’ sensation LeBron James.

Anthony just recently retired from the NBA as a 10-time All-Star, the 2013 scoring champion, an Olympic Gold Medalist, and one of the most prolific scorers the league has ever seen.