List of NBA rookie single-season scoring leaders

This list exhibits the National Basketball Association's top 10 rookie single-season scoring averages based on at least 70 games played or 1,400 points scored. Wilt Chamberlain holds the rookie record, averaging 37.6 points per game in 1959–60.^[1] The NBA began recording 3-point field goals during the 1979–80 season.^{[2][unreliable source]}

*	Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
^	Active NBA player
†	Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[lower-alpha 1]
Bold	Denotes NBA season leaders

Rank	Season	Player	Team	Games	FG	3PFG	FT	Pts	PPG
1	1959–60	Wilt Chamberlain*	Philadelphia Warriors	72	1,065	—	577	2,707	37.6
2	1961–62	Walt Bellamy*	Chicago Packers	79	973	—	549	2,495	31.6
3	1960–61	Oscar Robertson*	Cincinnati Royals	71	756	—	653	2,165	30.5
4	1969–70	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*	Milwaukee Bucks	82	938	—	485	2,361	28.8
5	1968–69	Elvin Hayes*	San Diego Rockets	82	930	—	467	2,327	28.4
6	1984–85	Michael Jordan*	Chicago Bulls	82	837	9	630	2,313	28.2
7	1965–66	Rick Barry*	San Francisco Warriors	80	745	—	569	2,059	25.7
8	1962–63	Terry Dischinger	Chicago Zephyrs	57	525	—	402	1,452	25.5
9	1958–59	Elgin Baylor*	Minneapolis Lakers	70	605	—	532	1,742	24.9
10	1970–71	Geoff Petrie	Portland Trail Blazers	82	784	—	463	2,031	24.8

See also

• NBA records
• National Basketball Association
• Basketball portal

Notes

1. A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for three calendar years.

References

General

• The 10 greatest rookie scorers in NBA history

Citations

1. "NBA's Greatest Rookies Of All Time". SI.com. May 4, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
2. Kyle Daubs (25 November 2021). "Top 10 NBA Players With The Most PPG During A Rookie Season: Wilt Chamberlain Was A Scoring God Since His First Season". fadeawayworld.net. Retrieved 17 February 2023.