Top 5 active NBA players to win the rookie of the year award

Miami Heat vs Washington Wizards
Miami Heat vs Washington Wizards

#3 Luka Doncic

Australia vs Slovenia Men's Basketball - Olympics: Day 15
Australia vs Slovenia Men's Basketball - Olympics: Day 15

Luka Doncic was one of the brightest young prospects coming out of Europe. He was drafted third overall in 2018 by the Atlanta Hawks. However, he moved to the Dallas Mavericks later that night in a deal that saw Trae Young move to the Hawks.

Doncic lived up to expectations, averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and six assists in the 72 games he played. In the process, he became only the fifth NBA player to average more than 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in his rookie season. Moreover, he also recorded eight triple-doubles.

Doncic won the Rookie of the Year honors for the 2018-19 season, becoming only the second European, after Pau Gasol, to achieve that feat. After three seasons, Doncic has proven to be a superstar in the league. He starred for the Mavericks in the 2021 NBA playoffs. and also signed a five-year $207 million extension with them this offseason.


#2 Kevin Durant

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies - Game Six
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies - Game Six

Kevin Durant was drafted second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008. He impressed with his ability to shoot from his 6' 10" frame. In his rookie season, Durant averaged 20.3 points on 43% shooting from the field. He started all games for them that season, and won a few with his ability to shoot in the clutch.

Durant was awarded the rookie of the season award, and was also part of the All-Rookie first team. The following year, the franchise relocated, and came to be known as the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was there where Durant met Westbrook. and the two of them subsequently formed a sensational team and also made a trip to the NBA Finals.

Durant left OKC in 2016 to join forces with the Golden State Warriors. He won two championships there to cement his name in the history books. Durant left the Warriors to be part of another superteam in Brooklyn. There he joined forces with Kyrie Irving and James Harden as he strives to add another ring/


#1 LeBron James

Miami Heat vs New York Knicks
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks

LeBron James was one of the most talked-about players coming into the 2003 NBA draft. He was picked no. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he became one of the stars of the team during his rookie season itself. James averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game in his first year.

In the process, he became only the third NBA player to average over 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in their rookie season. His brilliance that season helped him win the rookie of the year award. That made James the first Cavaliers player to achieve this feat. His career has only taken off from there.

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After leaving Cleveland, James joined Miami, where he formed a superteam with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. After winning two championships there, he returned home to fulfil the championship promise. In 2016, he finally guided the Cavs to their first NBA championship after overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors.

His ability to make big moves and the pace at which he plays despite being 36 makes James one of the best players in the NBA. About to enter his 19th year in the league, James once again looks like a man on a mission. After falling early in the playoffs last season, he will look to lead the Lakers to another title run this season.

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