List of NBA rookie single-season scoring leaders

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. 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]

*	Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
^	Active NBA player
§	1st time eligible for Hall of Fame in 2026[3]
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
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

See also

• NBA records
• National Basketball Association
• Basketball portal

Notes