Ranking the top 5 performances by rookies in the NBA All-Star game

In the history of the NBA, only 45 rookies have been selected to play in the All-Star Game. It's an incredibly rare feat for any first-year player to accomplish. Since 1990, only eight rookies have made the All-Star team, with Blake Griffin being the last one in 2011.

Before Griffin, it was Yao Ming in 2003, and he was a starter after receiving a lot of fan votes. In the 1990s, five future Hall of Famers were selected as All-Stars, including Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Shaquille O'Neal, Dikembe Mutombo and David Robinson.

In the 71-year history of the NBA All-Star Game, only three rookies have won the game's MVP. On that note, here's a look at the top five performances by rookies in the NBA All-Star game.

#5 David Robinson (1990)

David Robinson was selected first overall by the San Antonio Spurs out of the United States Naval Academy in the 1987 NBA Draft. However, Robinson had to serve two years of active-duty obligations in the Navy before making his debut in the 1989-90 NBA season.

'The Admiral' averaged 24.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game in his rookie season. He was selected as an All-Star reserve for the Western Conference. On his All-Star Game debut, Robinson had 15 points, ten rebounds, an assist, two steals and one block in a 130-113 loss to the Eastern Conference.

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#4 Elgin Baylor (1959)

Elgin Baylor of the LA Lakers (Photo: Courtesy of NBA.com)

The Minneapolis Lakers drafted Elgin Baylor with the first overall selection in 1958. Baylor immediately made an impact as a rookie for the Lakers, averaging 24.9 points, 15.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. He was also named as an All-Star starter in his first year.

Baylor led the Western Conference to a 124-108 win over the Eastern Conference. He won the All-Star Game MVP after scoring 24 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out an assist, while shooting 50.0% from the field.

#3 Walt Bellamy (1962)

Walt Bellamy of the Chicago Packers. (Photo: Courtesy of USA Today)

Like David Robinson and Elgin Baylor, Walt Bellamy was a first overall pick. He was drafted by the Chicago Packers in 1961 out of the University of Indiana. Bellamy had one of the greatest rookie seasons in NBA history, averaging 31.6 points and 19.0 rebounds per game.

For his amazing performances, Bellamy was selected as an All-Star starter for the Western Conference. He had 23 points and 17 rebounds, helping the West beat the Eastern Conference 150-130. Bellamy narrowly missed being named the MVP, as Bob Petit put up 25 points and 27 rebounds.

#2 Wilt Chamberlain (1960)

Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors (Photo: Courtesy of USA Today)

Wilt Chamberlain came into the league after getting selected as a territorial draft pick by the Philadelphia Warriors in 1959. He had the greatest rookie season in history, averaging 37.6 points and 27.0 rebounds per game. As expected, he was named as an All-Star starter for the Eastern Conference.

Chamberlain led the East to a 125-115 win over the Western Conference. He finished with 23 points, 25 rebounds and three assists, while shooting 45.0% from the field. He went on to not just win the All-Star Game MVP, but also the Rookie of the Year and the league MVP in his first NBA season.

#1 Oscar Robertson (1961)

Oscar Robertson of the Cincinnati Royals (Photo: Courtesy of the Daily Beast)

Like Wilt Chamberlain a year before, Oscar Robertson entered the NBA as a territorial pick by the Cincinnati Royals. He was the only territorial selection of the 1960 Draft, with Jerry West going first overall. Robertson put up video game numbers in his rookie year.

'The Big O' averaged 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game as a rookie. He was selected to play as a starter in the 1961 All-Star Game, finishing with a near triple double of 23 points, nine rebounds and 14 assists. Robertson was named the All-Star Game MVP for leading the Western Conference to a 153-131 win.