Entering the 2023 NBA Draft, all eyes were on Victor Wembanyama. Many saw the 7-4” French wunderkind as the most hyped prospect since LeBron James.
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the first overall pick, Wembanyama exceeded the expectations of many in his rookie season. Despite San Antonio finishing far from playoff contention, the now 20-year-old showed his immense impact on both ends of the court.
It all culminated on Monday with Wembanyama unanimously winning Rookie of the Year. He became just the sixth player to win Rookie of the Year unanimously (also the first to do so without playing all 82 games).
Here’s how Wembanyama and the other five fared in their rookie seasons.
Wemby and the 5 Others to Win Rookie of the Year Unanimously
Victor Wembanyama (2023-24)
Not only did Wembanyama win Rookie of the Year, but he’s also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. His 254 total blocks and 3.6 blocks per game both led the NBA.
Wembanyama also grew more comfortable on the offensive end especially after he was moved to center. He averaged 21.6 points a contest, a number that increased as he scored 23.5 per game after the All-Star break.
He also averaged double-digits in rebounding (10.6) which placed him eight on the NBA’s leaderboard.
Karl-Anthony Towns (2015-16)
The first overall selection by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2015 NBA Draft, Karl-Anthony Towns was expected to help turn around a franchise that hasn’t experienced much success.
In his rookie season, Towns appeared and started all 82 games. His per-game averages included 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. He also shot an impressive 54.2% from the field.
Damian Lillard (2012-13)
Damian Lillard was selected sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. The now eight-time All-Star made his name known early on in his career after coming to the NBA from a lesser-known school (Weber State).
Starting all 82 games in his rookie season, Lillard actually led the league in total minutes (3,167). His averages on the year included 19.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.
Blake Griffin (2010-11)
Taken with the first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Blake Griffin missed his entire first season due to a knee injury. Making his return in 2010-11, he showed the Los Angeles Clippers and their fans that he was worth the wait.
During his first year of NBA play, Griffin was named an All-Star and finished 10th in MVP voting. Starting all 82 games, Griffin posted averages of 22.5 points (on 50.6% field goal shooting), 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
David Robinson (1989-90)
Nicknamed the ‘Admiral’, David Robinson was the first overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft by the Spurs. Due to his military service in the Naval Academy, he didn’t make his debut until 1989.
Playing all 82 games, Robinson terrorized the opposition as a rookie on a team that won 56 games. Finishing sixth in MVP voting, he went on to average 24.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 3.9 blocks.
Ralph Sampson (1983-84)
The Houston Rockets made Ralph Sampson the first overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft. Standing at 7-4”, Sampson had a huge impact in his four years playing collegiately at Virginia.
That continued in his rookie season with the Rockets. Playing and starting all 82 games, Sampson would average 21.0 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks.
