- Winning
NBA Rookie of the Year doesn't guarantee success. - Some winners had Hall of Fame careers while others never lived up to the promise of their 1st years.
- We ranked the last 26 Rookies of the Year based on success in the NBA.
Winning Rookie of the Year isn't always a guarantee that an NBA player will become a Hall of Famer.
While the award has been an indication of future stardom for some, others didn't live up to the promise of their rookie seasons.
Below we've ranked the last 26 players to win Rookie of the Year, dating back to 1996, based on their success in the NBA. We've accounted for individual awards and stats, longevity, career earnings, and team success.
* = indicates an active player
26. LaMelo Ball
Draft year: 2020
Years in the NBA: 1*
Career stats: 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 43.6% FG, 35.2% 3FG
Career earnings: $7.8 million
All-Stars: 0
Championships: 0
One thing to know: Early indications are Ball is a dynamic playmaker and leader on the court, but 51 games is far too little to rank him ahead of All-Stars or even players who lasted decades in the league.
25. Michael Carter-Williams
Draft year: 2013
Years in the NBA: 8*
Career stats: 10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 40.2% FG
Career earnings: $19.4 million
All-Stars: 0
Championships: 0
One thing to know: A triple-double machine his rookie year, Carter-Williams was traded his second season in the NBA and never regained his rookie-year form.
24. Emeka Okafor
Draft year: 2004
Years in the NBA: 10
Career stats: 12 points, 9.7 rebounds, .8 assists, 1.7 blocks, 51.2% FG
Career earnings: $88.6 million
All-Stars: 0
Championships: 0
23. Tyreke Evans
Draft year: 2009
Years in the NBA: 10
Career stats: 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 44.8% FG
Career earnings: $76.2 million
All-Stars: 0
Championships: 0
One thing to know: Just one of five players to ever average 20-5-5 as a rookie, Evans is currently banned from the NBA for violating the anti-drug program.
22. Andrew Wiggins
Draft year: 2014
Years in the NBA: 7*
Career stats: 19.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 44.6% FG
Career earnings: $105.6 million
All-Stars: 0
Championships: 0
21. Malcolm Brogdon
Draft year: 2016
Years in the NBA: 5*
Career stats: 15.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 45.3% FG, 38.6% 3FG
Career earnings: $43.2 million
All-Stars: 0
Championships: 0
20. Mike Miller
Draft year: 2000
Years in the NBA: 17
Career stats: 10.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 45.9% FG, 40.7% 3FG
Career earnings: $98.5 million
All-Stars: 0
Championships: 1
One thing to know: Once a skilled shooter and playmaker, Miller's career-defining moment was hitting seven three-pointers off the bench in Game 5 of the 2012 Finals.
19. Steve Francis
Draft year: 1999
Years in the NBA: 9
Career stats: 18.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.5 steals, 42.9% FG, 34.1% 3FG
Career earnings: $103.5 million
All-Stars: 3
Championships: 0
One thing to know: Francis exploded onto the scene with his athleticism and scoring ability, but clashes with coaches, trades, and injuries limited his effectiveness late in his career.
18. Ja Morant
Draft year: 2019
Years in the NBA: 2*
Career stats: 19.1 points, 4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 46.3% FG, 31.7% 3FG
Career earnings: $17.3 million
All-Stars: 0
Championships: 0
17. Brandon Roy
Draft year: 2006
Years in the NBA: 6
Career stats: 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 45.9% FG, 34.8% 3FG
Career earnings: $99.8 million
All-Stars: 3
Championships: 0
One thing to know: How good was Brandon Roy before knee injuries derailed his career at just 26? Kobe Bryant called him the hardest player to guard in the NBA.
16. Elton Brand
Draft year: 1999
Years in the NBA: 17
Career stats: 15.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.7 blocks, 50% FG
Career earnings: $165.9 million
All-Stars: 2
Championships: 0
One thing to know: Brand was a double-double monster early in his career, but his effectiveness was limited after an Achilles injury. He still went on to have a productive career.
15. Karl-Anthony Towns
Draft year: 2015
Years in the NBA: 6*
Career stats: 22.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3 assists, 52.7% FG, 39.4% 3FG
Career earnings: $80.7 million
All-Stars: 2
Championships: 0
One thing to know: Towns has been incredibly productive from an individual standpoint, but his next challenge will be carrying a team to the playoffs (and staying healthy).
14. Ben Simmons
Draft year: 2016
Years in the NBA: 5*
Career stats: 14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.7 steals, 56% FG
Career earnings: $56.6 million
All-Stars: 3
Championships: 0
13. Luka Doncic
Draft year: 2018
Years in the NBA: 3*
Career stats: 25.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 45.7% FG
Career earnings: $21.8 million
All-Stars: 2
Championships: 0
One thing to know: Doncic is already a game-changing offensive orchestrator and looks poised to take home an MVP (or two or three) in the near future.
12. Derrick Rose
Draft year: 2008
Years in the NBA: 12*
Career stats: 18.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 45.7% FG
Career earnings: $155 million
All-Stars: 3
Championships: 0
One thing to know: When Rose won MVP at just 22 years old, he looked like he would take over the league. Injuries robbed him of his prime, but he has found a role as a sixth man in recent years.
11. Amar'e Stoudemire
Draft year: 2002
Years in the NBA: 14
Career stats: 18.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 53.7% FG
Career earnings: $161.6 million
All-Stars: 6
Championships: 0
10. Vince Carter
Draft year: 1998
Years in the NBA: 22
Career stats: 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists,43.5% FG, 37.1% 3FG
Career earnings: $171.8 million
All-Stars: 8
Championships: 0
9. Blake Griffin
Draft year: 2009
Years in the NBA: 12*
Career stats: 20.9 points, 8.6 points, 4.3 assists, 49.5% FG
Career earnings: $223.3 million
All-Stars: 6
Championships: 0
One thing to know: Griffin evolved over the years, becoming a solid post scorer, passer, and three-point shooter. He's no longer an All-Star, but his 2021 stint in Brooklyn showed he has plenty left to be effective.
8. Damian Lillard
Draft year: 2012
Years in the NBA: 9*
Career stats: 24.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 43.9% FG, 37.5% 3FG
Career earnings: $151.8 million
All-Stars: 6
Championships: 0
7. Kyrie Irving
Draft year: 2011
Years in the NBA: 10*
Career stats: 22.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 47% FG, 39.1% 3FG
Career earnings: $158.4 million
All-Stars: 7
Championships: 1
One thing to know: Irving owns one of the most clutch shots in NBA history - a Finals Game 7 dagger - and has become of the most efficient and masterful scorers in the NBA.
6. Pau Gasol
Draft year: 2001
Years in the NBA: 18
Career stats: 17 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 blocks, 50.7% FG
Career earnings: $220.9 million
All-Stars: 6
Championships: 2
One thing to know: Gasol was one of the most skilled big men in the league and was an integral part of the Lakers 2008 and 2009 championships.
5. Allen Iverson
Draft year: 1996
Years in the NBA: 14
Career stats: 26.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.2 steals, 42.5% FG
Career earnings: $154.7 million
All-Stars: 11
Championships: 0
4. Chris Paul
Draft year: 2005
Years in the NBA: 16*
Career stats: 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 2.1 steals, 47.2% FG, 37.1% 3FG
Career earnings: $299.9 million
All-Stars: 11
Championships: 0
3. Kevin Durant
Draft year: 2008
Years in the NBA: 14*
Career stats: 27 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 49.4% FG, 38.4% 3FG
Career earnings: $264.1 million
All-Stars: 11
Championships: 2
One thing to know: Durant is already perhaps the best scorer the NBA has ever seen and looks poised to dominate over the back-half of his prime for a Nets team that looks like title favorites.
2. Tim Duncan
Draft year: 1997
Years in the NBA: 19
Career stats: 19 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.2 blocks, 50.6% FG
Career earnings: $242 million
All-Stars: 15
Championships: 5
One thing to know: The model for a franchise centerpiece, Duncan's game may not have been flashy, but few players at their peak have ever been more effective: 13 straight All-NBA and All-Defensive Team selections, with two MVPs, from 1997-2010.
1. LeBron James
Draft year: 2003
Years in the NBA: 18*
Career stats: 27 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 50.4% FG
Career earnings: $346.2 million
All-Stars: 17
Championships: 4
One thing to know: Comfortably a top-five player of all-time - and the greatest, to some - James' name is all over the record books and at 36, he is still near the top of his game, contending for a fifth championship.