The top rookie scorers in every NBA season since the merger
The best basketball players in the world each had unique paths to the NBA over the years and faced their fair share of adversity to reach the mountain top.
Throughout history, several notable players came out of the gate strongly and enjoyed great success during their first season in the league. Others, of course, needed additional time to develop into outstanding players.
With that in mind, Rookie Wire went back looked at every first-year player who led their rookie class in scoring. From Cade Cunningham to Michael Jordan, some notable names claimed the scoring title in their respective class.
Note: Players listed according to the official leader board on NBA.com.
2021-22: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 17.4 points (64 games)
2020-21: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 19.3 points (72 games)*
* Note: Season shortened to 72 games due to the coronavirus pandemic
2019-20: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 17.8 points (67 games)*
* Note: Season shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic
2018-19: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 21.2 points (72 games)
2017-18: Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Russell Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 20.5 points (79 games)
2016-17: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 20.2 points (31 games)
2015-16: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 18.3 points (82 games)
2014-15: Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 16.9 points (82 games)
2013-14: Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 16.7 points (70 games)
2012-13: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 19 points (82 games)
2011-12: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 18.5 points (51 games)*
* Note: Season delayed and shortened due to lockout
2010-11: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 22.5 points (82 games)
2009-10: Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 20.1 points (72 games)
2008-09: O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 18.5 points (82 games)
2007-08: Kevin Durant, Seattle SuperSonics
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Scoring Average: 20.3 points (80 games)
2006-07: Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
Scoring Average: 16.8 points (57 games)
2005-06: Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Scoring Average: 16.1 points (78 games)
2004-05: Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls/Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Scoring Average: 15.1 points*
* Note: Gordon and Okafor each averaged 15.1 points in the 2004-05 season
2003-04: Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Scoring Average: 21 points (82 games)
2002-03: Caron Butler, Miami Heat
RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images
Scoring Average: 15.4 points (78 games)
2001-02: Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Scoring Average: 17.6 points (82 games)
2000-01: Marc Jackson, Golden State Warriors
Jon Ferrey/Allsport
Scoring Average: 13.2 points (48 games)
1999-00: Elton Brand, Chicago Bulls
John Zich/AFP via Getty Images
Scoring Average: 20.1 points (81 games)
1998-99: Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors
AP Photo/Mark Lennihan
Scoring Average: 18.3 points (50 games)*
* Note: Season delayed and shortened due to lockout
1997-98: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
AP Photo/Joey Garcia
Scoring Average: 21.1 points (82 games)
1996-97: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
Kimberly Barth / AFP via Getty Images
Scoring Average: 23.5 points (76 games)
1995-96: Jerry Stackhouse, Philadelphia 76ers
ALLSPORT USA /Allsport
Scoring Average: 19.2 points (72 games)
1994-95: Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks
Porter Binks-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 21.9 points (80 games)
1993-94: Jamal Mashburn, Dallas Mavericks
PAUL K. BUCK/AFP via Getty Images
Scoring Average: 19.2 points (79 games)
1992-93: Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic
Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images
Scoring Average: 23.4 points (81 games)
1991-92: Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets
EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images
Scoring Average: 19.2 points (82 games)
1990-91: Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets
Scoring Average: 18.4 points (74 games)
1989-90: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images
Scoring Average: 24.3 points (82 games)
1988-89: Mitch Richmond, Golden State Warriors
Porter Binks/USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 22 points (79 games)
1987-88: Armen Gilliam, Phoenix Suns
Scoring Average: 14.8 points (55 games)
1986-87: Ron Harper, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Scoring Average: 22.9 points (82 games)
1985-86: Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks
AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett
Scoring Average: 20 points (50 games)
1984-85: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images
Scoring Average: 28.2 points (82 games)
1983-84: Ralph Sampson, Houston Rockets
AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler
Scoring Average: 21 points (82 games)
1982-83: Terry Cummings, San Diego Clippers
AP Photo/Steve Pyle
Scoring Average: 23.7 points (70 games)
1981-82: Kelly Tripucka, Detroit Pistons
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 21.6 points (82 games)
Photo used from college at Notre Dame
1980-81: Darrell Griffith, Utah Jazz
Tim de Frisco/Allsport
Scoring Average: 20.6 points (81 games)
1979-80: Bill Cartwright, New York Knicks
Photo by: Rick Stewart/Getty Images
Scoring Average: 21.7 points (82 games)
1978-79: Reggie Theus, Chicago Bulls
David Boss-USA TODAY NETWORK
Scoring Average: 16.3 points (82 games)
1977-78: Walter Davis, Phoenix Suns
AP Photo
Scoring Average: 24.2 points (81 games)
1976-77: Billy Knight, Indiana Pacers
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network
Scoring Average: 26.6 points (78 games)
1975-76: George McGinnis, Philadelphia 76ers
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network.
Scoring Average: 23 points (77 games)
1974-75: John Drew, Atlanta Hawks
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network.
Scoring Average: 18.5 points (78 games)
1973-74: Ernie DiGregorio, Buffalo Braves
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 15.2 points
1972-73: Bob McAdoo, Buffalo Braves
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 18 points (80 games)
1971-72: Sidney Wicks, Portland Trail Blazers
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 24.5 points (82 games)
1970-71: Geoff Petrie, Portland Trail Blazers
Scoring Average: 24.8 points (82 games)
1969-70: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network
Scoring Average: 28.8 points (82 games)
1968-69: Elvin Hayes, San Diego Rockets
Vernon Biever/NBAE via Getty Images
Scoring Average: 28.4 points (82 games)
1967-68: Earl Monroe, Baltimore Bullets
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 24.3 points (82 games)
1966-67: Dave Bing, Detroit Pistons
Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 20 points (80 games)
1965-66: Rick Barry, San Francisco Warriors
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 25.7 points (80 games)
1964-65: Willis Reed, New York Knicks
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 19.5 points (80 games)
1963-64: Jerry Lucas, Cincinnati Royals
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 17.7 points (79 games)
1962-63: Terry Dischinger, Chicago Zephyrs
NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images
Scoring Average: 25.5 points (57 games)
1961-62: Walt Bellamy, Chicago Packers
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 31.6 points (79 games)
1960-61: Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals
(AP Photo)
Scoring Average: 30.5 points (71 games)
1959-60: Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors
Ken Regan/NBAE via Getty Images
Scoring Average: 37.6 points (72 games)
1958-59: Elgin Baylor, Minneapolis Lakers
(AP Photo)
Scoring Average: 24.9 points (70 games)
1957-58: Woody Sauldsberry, Philadelphia Warriors
Scoring Average: 12.8 points (71 games)
1956-57: Tom Heinsohn, Boston Celtics
Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
Scoring Average: 16.2 points (72 games)
1955-56: Maurice Stokes, Rochester Royals
Scoring Average: 16.8 points (67 games)
1954-55: Bob Pettit, Milwaukee Hawks
Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports Network
Scoring Average: 20.4 points (72 games)
1953-54: Ray Felix, Baltimore Bullets
Scoring Average: 17.6 points (72 games)
1952-53: Danny Finn, Philadelphia Warriors
Scoring Average: 11.9 points (31 games)
1951-52: Don Barksdale, Baltimore Bullets
Scoring Average: 12.6 points (62 games)
1950-51: Paul Arizin, Philadelphia Warriors
Scoring Average: 17.2 points (65 games)
1949-50: Alex Groza, Indianapolis Olympians
Scoring Average: 23.4 points (64 games)
