Victor Wembanyama received the 2023-24 Rookie of the Yr award on Monday after having one of many best rookie seasons in NBA historical past.
The San Antonio Spurs heart averaged 21.4 factors, 10.6 rebounds and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per recreation.
In February, he grew to become the primary rookie since David Robinson in 1990 to report a 10-block triple-double, in line with ESPN Stats & Data. Eleven days later, Wembanyama recorded a 5×5 recreation (at the least 5 factors, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks), turning into the second rookie to ever accomplish that since blocks/steals grew to become an official stat in 1973-74. He additionally had a 40-point, 20-rebound recreation in late March, being solely the fifth rookie to report these numbers.
Wembanyama’s numbers and performances as a rookie are staggering, which prompted a glance again at a number of the greatest rookie seasons of all time throughout varied sports activities.
NBA
Tim Duncan, C, San Antonio Spurs (1997-98)
Stats: 21.1 factors, 11.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 54.9% FG
Awards: Rookie of the Yr, All-NBA first group, All-Star
From one Spurs phenom to a different, Duncan is the North Star for rookies in San Antonio. He led the group in rebounds and was second in factors and blocks per recreation behind David Robinson.
At 21 years outdated, Duncan completed fifth in MVP voting and tied for the youngest in the whole pool (Antoine Walker positioned twelfth). Duncan helped the Spurs win 36 extra video games than the earlier season, although they fell quick to the Utah Jazz within the Western Convention semifinals.
On This Day, April 27, 1998: Tim Duncan received the NBA Rookie of the Yr Award 🏆 #tbt
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 27, 2023
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, C, Milwaukee Bucks (1969-70)
Stats: 28.8 factors, 14.5 rebounds, 51.8% FG
Awards: Rookie of the Yr, All-NBA second group, All-Star
Within the franchise’s second season within the NBA, Abdul-Jabbar helped Milwaukee attain the playoffs for the primary time. He led the league in complete factors (2,361), was second in factors per recreation and third in rebounds per recreation.
Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring output elevated within the playoffs. He averaged a league-high 35.2 factors per recreation on 56.7% capturing. His 352 complete factors and 10 video games with at the least 20 factors in the course of the postseason stay an NBA report for a rookie.
Stats: 18.0 factors, 7.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.4 steals
Awards: All-Star, NBA Finals MVP
Johnson’s all-around recreation was instantly on full show within the NBA. He recorded seven triple-doubles, tied for the league excessive, plus 19 double-doubles.
Nevertheless, the Corridor of Famer capped a robust rookie season along with his efficiency within the 1980 NBA Finals. With Abdul-Jabbar injured for Recreation 6, Johnson had 42 factors, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and three steals to clinch the championship for the Lakers. He’s the one rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award.
Wilt Chamberlain, C, Philadelphia Warriors (1959-60)
Stats: 37.6 factors, 27.0 rebounds, 46.1% FG
Awards: MVP, Rookie of the Yr, All-NBA first group, All-Star
There will not be a rookie season as statistically dominant as Chamberlain’s in 1959-60. He led the league in factors, rebounds and minutes per recreation. He scored at the least 50 factors in 5 video games, together with a 58-point, 42-rebound recreation towards the Detroit Pistons.
Chamberlain is one in every of two NBA gamers to ever win an MVP and Rookie of the Yr award in the identical season. Wes Unseld earned the accomplishment in 1968-69.
NFL
Stats: 942 dashing yards, 9 dashing TDs, 78.5 dashing yards per recreation
Awards: MVP, Rookie of the Yr, All-Professional first group, Professional Bowl
Brown led the NFL in dashing yards, touchdowns and yards per recreation as a rookie. His 942 dashing yards marked a franchise rookie report till Trent Richardson broke it in 2012. Brown additionally set the rookie report for yards in a recreation (237), which stood till Corey Dillon handed it in 1997.
Stats: 9.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble
Awards: Defensive Participant of the Yr, Defensive Rookie of the Yr, All-Professional first group, Professional Bowl
There will not be a defensive rookie season as memorable as Taylor’s, who helped the Giants attain the playoffs for the primary time since 1963.
He stays the one participant to ever win the Defensive Participant of the Yr award as a rookie.
Stats: 2,210 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 96.0 passer ranking
Awards: Professional Bowl, All-Professional second group
Chosen behind the likes of John Elway and Jim Kelly within the 1983 draft, Marino made himself identified early as the most effective from that class. Marino led the AFC in passer ranking, whereas serving to the Dolphins win their division and probably the most video games in a season (12) since 1973.
Stats: 4,108 passing yards, 23 passing TDs, 5 interceptions, 100.8 passer ranking
Awards: Offensive Rookie of the Yr, Professional Bowl
The No. 2 decide within the 2023 draft had a stellar rookie season, which showcased a powerful means to handle the soccer.
He threw 198 consecutive passes with no turnover, together with within the playoffs — the second-longest streak of move makes an attempt with out throwing an interception. Stroud had six video games of a number of move makes an attempt and no interceptions, tied for probably the most by a rookie in a single season in NFL historical past. He additionally grew to become the youngest beginning quarterback to win a playoff recreation.
In Week 9 towards the Buccaneers, Stroud had 470 passing yards and 5 passing touchdowns, turning into the sixth participant in NFL historical past to throw for 450-plus passing yards, at the least 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. His 470 passing yards marked a single-game rookie report.
MLB
Stats: 242 hits, 56 stolen bases, .350 batting common, 69 RBIs
Awards: American League MVP, American League Rookie of the Yr, All-Star, Golden Glove, Silver Slugger
The 27-year-old rookie dominated Main League Baseball with league highs in hits, stolen bases and batting common. Ichiro additionally set the report for many hits by a rookie in a single season.
His efforts put him in uncommon air — he grew to become the one participant to win MVP, Rookie of the Yr, a Golden Glove and Silver Slugger award in the identical season. He’s additionally one in every of two gamers to ever win the MVP award of their rookie season (Fred Lynn in 1975).
Stats: 175 hits, 103 runs, 105 RBIs, .331 batting common, 47 doubles
Awards: American League MVP, American League Rookie of the Yr, All-Star, Golden Glove
The primary MLB participant to win MVP and Rookie of the Yr in the identical season, Lynn led the MLB in runs, doubles and OPS. He additionally had a powerful recreation with 10 RBI and three residence runs towards the Detroit Tigers in June 1975. His 10 RBI have been two quick for probably the most in a single recreation.
Stats: 31 begins, 17 wins, 7 full video games, 276 strikeouts, 2.60 ERA
Awards: Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr, All-Star
Gooden on the mound grew to become a deal with to look at in New York. He led the league with in strikeouts — his 273 is the fourth most ever by a rookie — and WHIP (1.073). His 17 wins have been additionally the fourth most by a rookie pitcher since 1960.
Stats: 182 hits, 129 runs, 83 RBIs, 49 stolen bases, .326 batting common
Awards: American League Rookie of the Yr, All-Star, Silver Slugger
There weren’t many information that Trout did not set that yr.
He grew to become the primary participant to hit 30 residence runs, tally 45 stolen bases and rating 125 runs in the identical season. He set the Angels’ rookie report for hits and runs scored in a season. He additionally had a wins above substitute of 10.5, the primary heart fielder to succeed in that complete since Willie Mays in 1964.
Trout ended up ending second in American League MVP voting.
NHL
Stats: 100 factors, 57 assists, 43 objectives
Awards: Calder Memorial Trophy, All-Star, All-Rookie First-Crew
The 19-year-old Lemieux scored a aim along with his first NHL shot, setting the precedent for a robust rookie marketing campaign. He by no means went greater than two consecutive video games with out recording some extent all through the season. Lemieux’s 43 objectives, 57 assists and 100 factors have been a Penguins single-season report.
Stats: 425 photographs, 106 factors, 54 assists, 52 objectives
Awards: Calder Memorial Trophy, All-Star, All-Rookie group
Ovechkin led the NHL in photographs and tied for third in factors and objectives. His level and aim complete is the third most all time for a rookie.
Teemu Selänne, RW, Winnipeg Jets (1992-93)
Stats: 132 factors, 76 objectives, 56 assists
Awards: Calder Memorial Trophy, All-Rookie group, All-Star
After a while in Finland, Selänne joined the NHL and made his mark immediately.
Selänne has probably the most factors by a rookie in NHL historical past. (Wayne Gretzky’s stellar debut season is just not thought-about a rookie season.) His 76 objectives have been tied for probably the most within the NHL that season and is now tied for the fourth most all time. He additionally had 5 hat tips, probably the most by a rookie because the 1917-18 season.
Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins (2005-06)
Stats: 102 factors, 39 objectives, 63 assists
Awards: All-Rookie first group
“The Subsequent One” lived as much as his nickname throughout his debut NHL season. Crosby grew to become Lemieux’s teammate and ended up breaking the franchise information Lemieux had set for factors and assists in a rookie marketing campaign. He additionally completed second behind Ovechkin for the Calder Memorial Trophy and scored 39 objectives and 102 factors. At 18 years and 253 days, he grew to become the youngest participant to report 100 factors, a report that also stands.
WNBA
Stats: 18.5 factors, 9.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 blocks
Awards: MVP, Rookie of the Yr, All-WNBA first group
After a dominant collegiate profession with the Tennessee Woman Volunteers, Parker did not miss a beat in her first WNBA season. She is the one WNBA participant to win Rookie of the Yr and MVP in the identical yr.
Parker had 17 double-doubles that season, together with a 34-point, 12-rebound one in her debut recreation. She scored her career-high 40 factors, plus 16 rebounds, two months later in a win towards the Houston Comets. A yr after holding the No. 1 total decide, the Sparks reached the Western Convention Finals, however misplaced to the San Antonio Silver Stars.
Stats: 18.3 factors, 9.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 blocks
Awards: Rookie of the Yr, All-WNBA second group, All-Defensive second group
Stewart instantly slot in after becoming a member of a Storm facet with Sue Chook and Jewell Loyd.
Stewart led the group in factors, rebounds, blocks and steals per recreation. She had 12 double-doubles and scored at the least 20 factors in a recreation 15 instances within the season. She completed sixth in MVP voting and second for Defensive Participant of the Yr, the youngest participant to look as a finalist for each awards.
Stats: 20.7 factors, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.7 blocks
Awards: Rookie of the Yr, All-Star
Wilson’s rookie season is likely one of the best statistically in WNBA historical past.
Her 20.7 factors per recreation are the second most by a rookie in league historical past, topped solely by Seimone Augustus’ 21.9. Wilson was one in every of two gamers in 2018 to common 20 factors, 5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per recreation, the opposite being Liz Cambage, who was the MVP runner-up. Wilson additionally scored at the least 20 factors per recreation in 5 straight video games that season.
Tamika Catchings, F, Indiana Fever (2002)
Stats: 18.6 factors, 8.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.9 steals
Awards: Rookie of the Yr, All-Star, All-WNBA first group
The long run Corridor of Famer had 12 double-doubles and 17 video games of at the least 20 factors.
She led the league in steals per recreation and win shares (9.19), whereas main the Fever to their first WNBA playoff look in franchise historical past. In her rookie yr, Catchings additionally led the Fever in factors, rebounds and assists, and was within the league’s high 10 in factors, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
