15 NBA legends who never won Rookie of the Year

11) Ray Allen

As a rookie, Ray Allen quickly demonstrated his ability to score off the dribble, shoot from long range, and effectively contribute at the NBA level. It didn’t take long for Allen to establish himself as one of the better young talents in the league. He played in all 82 games as a rookie, starting in every game except one. With averages of 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game coupled with shooting splits of .430/.393/.823, his scoring and shooting efficiency quickly made him a key player for the Milwaukee Bucks. 

While renowned for his shooting ability, Allen had some bounce before Father Time knocked at his door. One of the more memorable moments from Allen's rookie season was his performance in the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend, where he displayed his athleticism and dunking skills despite finishing in fourth place. 

Although Allen finished outside the top five in ROY voting, his play earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Allen's skills and work ethic would later propel him to become one of the greatest shooters in league history winning championships with the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, and earning multiple All-Star selections.