This list exhibits the National Basketball Association's top rookie single-season scoring averages based on at least 70 games played or 1,400 points scored. The NBA began recording 3-point field goals during the 1979–80 season.[1][2]
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
|
11
|
1971–72
|
Sidney Wicks
|
Portland Trail Blazers
|
82
|
784
|
—
|
441
|
2,009
|
24.5
|
12
|
1989–90
|
David Robinson*
|
San Antonio Spurs
|
82
|
690
|
0
|
613
|
1,993
|
24.3
|
13
|
1967–68
|
Earl Monroe*
|
Baltimore Bullets
|
82
|
742
|
—
|
507
|
1,991
|
24.3
|
14
|
1977–78
|
Walter Davis*
|
Phoenix Suns
|
81
|
786
|
—
|
387
|
1,959
|
24.2
|
15
|
1977–78
|
Bernard King*
|
New Jersey Nets
|
79
|
798
|
—
|
313
|
1,909
|
24.2
|
16
|
1982–83
|
Terry Cummings
|
San Diego Clippers
|
70
|
684
|
0
|
292
|
1,660
|
23.7
|
17
|
1996–97
|
Allen Iverson*
|
Philadelphia 76ers
|
76
|
625
|
155
|
382
|
1,787
|
23.5
|
18
|
1949–50
|
Alex Groza
|
Indianapolis Olympians
|
64
|
521
|
—
|
454
|
1,496
|
23.4
|
19
|
1992–93
|
Shaquille O'Neal*
|
Orlando Magic
|
81
|
733
|
0
|
427
|
1,893
|
23.4
|
20
|
1970–71
|
Pete Maravich*
|
Atlanta Hawks
|
81
|
738
|
—
|
404
|
1,880
|
23.2
|
21
|
1986–87
|
Ron Harper
|
Cleveland Cavaliers
|
82
|
734
|
20
|
386
|
1,874
|
22.9
|
22
|
2010–11
|
Blake Griffin†
|
Los Angeles Clippers
|
82
|
696
|
7
|
446
|
1,845
|
22.5
|
23
|
1988–89
|
Mitch Richmond*
|
Golden State Warriors
|
79
|
649
|
33
|
410
|
1,741
|
22.0
|
24
|
1994–95
|
Glenn Robinson
|
Milwaukee Bucks
|
80
|
636
|
86
|
397
|
1,755
|
21.9
|
25
|
1979–80
|
Bill Cartwright
|
New York Knicks
|
82
|
665
|
0
|
451
|
1,781
|
21.7
|