The National Basketball Association has a rich history of talented players who have captured the hearts and imaginations of fans around the world. From Michael Jordan’s iconic performances on the court to LeBron James’ dominance in recent years, there have been no shortages of hyped players over the years. But with hype comes scrutiny, and some players have perhaps received more hype than they have lived up to.
In this article, it is time to take a deep dive into the most hyped NBA rookies of all time, exploring why they were so hyped and whether or not they lived up to the expectations that came along with it. From players who ended up as superstars to those who have yet to showcase their true talents, these players left their mark on the league — for better or for worse. So let’s take a look at some of the NBA’s most hyped rookies and see how they fared over the course of their careers.
It is never easy to rank the most hyped rookies because there have been so many players across different positions, but it must be done as we delve deeper into the NBA’s greatest rookies and the hype that followed them. Now, the ranking won’t be based on rookie talent, but purely on the hype the stars had entering the league.
10. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969-70)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, formerly known as Lew Alcindor, was a highly touted rookie due to his success at the college level. During his three seasons at UCLA, he led the team to three national championships and was crowned the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament each time. Additionally, he was a three-time national player of the year, a two-time consensus first-team All-American, and finished his college career as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history.
Kareem would soon become a dominant force in the NBA during the 1970s and 80s, winning six championships and numerous individual awards. His combination of size, strength, and skill made him a highly sought-after talent by NBA teams, and he was considered one of the most significant prospects of his time. No doubt, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar lived up to the hype as he posted 28.8 PPG, 14.5 RPG, and 4.1 APG in his rookie campaign.
9. Hakeem Olajuwon (1984-85)
One of the greatest centers in NBA history, Hakeem Olajuwon, was highly-touted when he entered the league in 1984. He was drafted first overall by the Houston Rockets and quickly established himself as one of the league’s best players, winning two championships and numerous individual awards. No player possessed The Dream’s elite post moves, and that is why he is considered among the top-12 players who have ever played, regardless of position.
After all, he was a dominant force in college basketball, leading the Houston Cougars to the NCAA Championship Game during his junior season. He had a reputation as a strong rebounder, shot blocker, and explosive scorer. His combination of size, agility, and technical skills made him an intriguing prospect for NBA scouts. Once again, a dominant college player with a ton of hype fit the bill as a top superstar in the NBA. Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 20.6 PPG, 11.9 RPG, and 2.7 BPG but did not win Rookie of the Year because Michael Jordan was taken in the same draft class.
8. Tim Duncan (1997-98)
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One of the most dominant big men in NBA history, Tim Duncan, was highly touted when he entered the league in 1997. He was drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs and quickly established himself as a dominant force, winning five championships and numerous individual awards. Tim Duncan was considered a hyped rookie because he had an outstanding college career at Wake Forest and was widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in the college game.
His combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ made him a highly sought-after prospect, and obviously, that was for a good reason. His impressive rookie season, in which he averaged 21.1 PPG and 11.9 RPG, immediately validated the hype surrounding him and cemented his status as one of the best young talents in the league.
7. Allen Iverson (1996-97)
Known for his scoring ability and fearless attitude, Allen Iverson was highly-touted when he entered the NBA in 1996. He was drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers and quickly established himself as one of the league’s top players, winning the MVP award in 2001 and also capturing four scoring titles. Eventually becoming known as “The Answer,” Iverson was a star as soon as he stepped foot in the NBA.
But why was he so hyped, especially considering he was only 6’0” tall? Simply because he was an extremely talented basketball player with an explosive style of play. He had a reputation as a scoring machine with incredible speed and athleticism, and he was known for his ability to create his own shot and finish at the rim. Not to mention, Iverson grew up in poverty and had a storyline behind him that people resonated with. By most accounts, Iverson certainly met expectations.
6. Magic Johnson (1979-80)
Another legendary player that dominated the 1980s, Magic Johnson, was highly-touted when he entered the league in the 1979 NBA Draft. He was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league, leading the Lakers to five championships and also solidifying himself as the NBA’s greatest point guard. To date, we haven’t seen a better leader and floor general than Earvin Magic Johnson.
Magic Johnson was expected to be a star because of his exceptional skills on the basketball court. He was an extremely gifted ball handler, passer, and scorer and had excellent court vision and basketball IQ. Additionally, at 6’9″, he was one of the tallest point guards in the league and had a rare combination of size, skill, and athleticism for his position. His leadership characteristics also shined brightly by his first NBA game, and we knew he would end up becoming something special.
5. Larry Bird (1979-80)
One of the greatest players in NBA history and the face of the 1980s alongside Magic Johnson, Larry Bird was highly-touted when he entered the league following the 1979 NBA Draft. He was taken No. 6 overall by the Boston Celtics and quickly earned Rookie of the Year honors, and he established himself as a star by his first month in the league. After all, Larry Bird averaged 21.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, and 0.6 BPG as a rookie at only 23 years old while making the All-Star Team.
Most fans and critics knew Bird would be a star as soon as he stepped foot in the NBA, and the hype around him was real. Bird was a superstar in college, leading the Indiana State University team to the NCAA Championship game and earning National Player of the Year honors. Even as a youngster, he was also known for his amazing shooting ability, strong rebounding, and excellent passing skills. Along with having a strong work ethic, Bird was a superstar who exceeded the hype around him.
4. Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93)
A dominant force in the NBA during the 1990s and early 2000s, Shaquille O’Neal was highly-respected when he entered the league in 1992. He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic and quickly established himself as one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. Until today, we have yet to see a more dominant physical specimen than Shaquille O’Neal, and he did it through brute force, power, and explosiveness. It is no wonder why the center had so much hype. After all, O’Neal was such a hyped rookie because of his incredible size, strength, and athleticism, which made him a dominant force on the basketball court.
He was also highly skilled, with excellent footwork and the right attitude to succeed. College basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he was a dominant force on the court. During his time at LSU, he earned a number of impressive accomplishments, including being a two-time SEC Tournament MVP and setting the SEC record for career blocked shots (412). Nobody was surprised when the Orlando Magic proudly selected Shaq No. 1 overall, as the rest would be history.
3. Michael Jordan (1984-85)
Michael Jordan is the greatest player ever, and the hype around him was real when he was planning to take his next step into the National Basketball Association. Michael Jordan had established himself as an exceptional basketball player during his college years, culminating in a game-winning shot for North Carolina in the NCAA championship game. He was also coming into the NBA at a time when the league was gaining popularity, and there was a lot of excitement about the potential for new stars to emerge.
When Jordan arrived, he immediately started making an impact on the Chicago Bulls, showing incredible skill and athleticism on the court. His incredible scoring ability and highlight-reel dunks quickly made him a fan favorite and helped to establish him as one of the most exciting and talented players in the league. From his clutch plays in college, fans and critics were expecting a top-5 player in the world, and he ended up exceeding everybody’s expectations because nobody saw a player winning six NBA titles, six Finals MVPs, and 10 scoring titles coming.
2. Zion Williamson (2019-20)
Zion Williamson was the second-most hyped rookie because of his incredible athleticism, size, and explosiveness on the court. He was widely considered to be one of the most anticipated NBA prospects in years, and his highlight reel of powerful dunks, blocks, and agile moves generated a lot of buzz. Additionally, he had an impressive college career at Duke University, where he was named the 2019 ACC Player of the Year and won several other awards before being drafted first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans.
His combination of skill, power, and potential made him an exciting player to watch and follow. Unfortunately, injuries have robbed Zion from truly reaching his potential, and as a result, we have only seen the superstar forward play 114 career games over four seasons. Williamson’s game record has been putrid: 24, 61, 0, and 29 appearances in chronological order. Regardless, Zion Williamson has already made two All-Star Teams and is probably the next face of the NBA when he gets healthy.
1. LeBron James (2003-04)
There is no doubt who the number one spot belongs to. LeBron James was the most hyped rookie ever because many were already comparing him to Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson before he even played a game, and many felt that The King had placed a target on his back by labeling himself “The Chosen One.” To be frank, that was the appropriate moniker because James has somehow exceeded expectations. After all, who could have imagined that LeBron would play 20 seasons in the NBA and end up the all-time scoring leader?
Even as a rookie, James was heavily hyped because of his extraordinary basketball skills, physical abilities, and all-around potential. He was the most highly touted high school player in America because he had a rare combination of strength, speed, agility, and court vision for a player at his position, and he was already drawing comparisons to NBA legends before he played a single NBA game. His talent, combined with his height and athleticism, suggested that he had the potential to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Looking back now, it is truly amazing to have seen how James came into the league as a high-schooler and made it his playground.
