NBA Jerseys: The top-selling rookie jerseys of the last 10 seasons
On Tuesday, the NBA is encouraging fans around the world to wear their favorite jersey and post a picture of themselves on social media in celebration of the start of the 2020-21 season.
The first-ever “NBA Jersey Day” will give fans the opportunity to be featured on NBA.com and on team social media accounts around the league. To be considered, fans will need to post a picture in their favorite jersey and tag the player and team while using the #NBAJerseyDay hashtag.
Of course, the regular season will tip-off on Tuesday as the Brooklyn Nets host the Golden State Warriors beginning at 7 p.m. EST on TNT with the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers versus the Los Angeles Clippers to follow.
In the spirit of “NBA Jersey Day” taking place this week, Rookie Wire decided to take a look at the top-selling rookie jerseys over the last 10 seasons.
John Wall, Washington Wizards
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John Wall entered the NBA with much fanfare following a sensational freshman season at Kentucky. Fans responded to his rookie season with the Washington Wizards as Wall finished 10th in jersey sales among all players during the 2010-11 season. Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys from 2010-11: 1. LeBron James, Miami Heat 2. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers 3. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics 4. Amar’e Stoudemire, New York Knicks 5. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls 6. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat 7. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder 8. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks 9. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic 10. John Wall, Washington Wizards 11. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers 12. Shaquille O’Neal, Boston Celtics 13. Ray Allen, Boston Celtics 14. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics 15. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
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Griffin joined fellow rookie John Wall by placing among the best sellers during the 2010-11 season. Of course, Griffin missed his first year with the Los Angeles Clippers due to a knee injury but proved to be dominant on and off the court. Griffin, who was named the 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year, completed his first year by finishing 11th in jersey sales, just behind Wall. Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys from 2010-11: 1. LeBron James, Miami Heat 2. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers 3. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics 4. Amar’e Stoudemire, New York Knicks 5. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls 6. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat 7. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder 8. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks 9. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic 10. John Wall, Washington Wizards 11. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers 12. Shaquille O’Neal, Boston Celtics 13. Ray Allen, Boston Celtics 14. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics 15. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
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Porzingis joined the Knicks as the fourth overall pick and the Latvian went on to have a strong rookie campaign during the 2015-16 season. He was named to the All-Rookie First Team and he also finished fourth among all players in jersey sales. Certainly, playing in the No. 1 market in the United States helped him move some merchandise all while having the support of his home country, too. Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys from 2015-16: 1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors 2. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers 3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers 4. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks 5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder 6. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder 7. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls 8. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs 9. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers 10. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls 11. James Harden, Houston Rockets 12. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors 13. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors 14. Paul George, Indiana Pacers 15. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers
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Fanfare and popularity go hand-in-hand with the Ball family and Lonzo saw plenty of hype and attention during his first year in the NBA. Lonzo finished 12th in jersey sales among all players during the 2017-18 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing ahead of the likes of Damian Lillard and Klay Thompson among others. Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys from 2017-18: 1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors 2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers 3. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors 4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks 5. Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics 6. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder 7. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks 8. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers 9. James Harden, Houston Rockets 10. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers 11. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs 12. Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers 13. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers 14. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors 15. Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
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Doncic has emerged as one of the most popular players in the NBA with only two seasons under his belt. The 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year finished 13th in jersey sales as Doncic found great success with the Dallas Mavericks during his first year in the league. Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys from 2018-19: 1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers 2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks 4. Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics 5. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers 6. James Harden, Houston Rockets 7. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder 8. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors 9. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers 10. Jimmy Butler, Philadelphia 76ers 11. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat 12. Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder 13. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks 14. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers 15. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Honorable Mention: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
(Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
The No. 1 overall pick found himself ranked 15th in jersey sales during the first three months of the 2019-20 season. Of course, he wouldn't debut with the New Orleans Pelicans until Jan. 22 but he certainly had plenty of attention arriving into the NBA from Duke. Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys 1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks 3. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors 4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics 4. Toronto Raptors 5. James Harden, Houston Rockets 5. Milwaukee Bucks 6. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks 6. Golden State Warriors 7. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers 8. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers 9. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers 10. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets 11. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers 12. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets 13. Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets 14. Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics 15. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Honorable Mention: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant ranked 15th on the top-selling jersey list during the season restart this year from July 30 through Sept. 28. Of course, Morant went on to win the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year award after a strong first year in the league. Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys 1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers 2. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks 3. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers 4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks 6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors 7. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets 8. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers 9. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers 10. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat 11. Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics 12. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets 13. Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets 14. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets 15. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
