Basketball’s yearly look into the future recognizes deserving young players who have the potential to have a significant impact on the sport in the future. Numerous All-Star seasons and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies have been enjoyed by many, while others ultimately failed to live up to the initial promise they showed.
Earliest player ever selected
After being taken by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 10th overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft, Andrew Bynum became the league’s youngest player ever drafted at the age of 17 years and 249 days.
Oldest player ever selected
After being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 33rd overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft and having his rights traded to the Dallas Mavericks, Bernard James became the oldest player ever drafted in NBA history at the age of 27 years and 148 days. At the age of 27 years, 266 days, he made his debut.
Newest player makes debut
At 18 years and 6 days old, Andrew Bynum made his NBA debut on November 2, 2005, in the Los Angeles Lakers’ opening game against the Denver Nuggets.
Player’s oldest debut
At 45 years and 362 days old, Nat Hickey made his NBA debut on January 27, 1949, when he played his first game for the Providence Steamrollers against the St. Louis Bombers. He activated himself as a player and served as the team’s coach. He took part in just two games.
Wilt Chamberlain scored 37.6 points in a game as a rookie in 1959–60.
Wilt Chamberlain scored 58 points against the Detroit Pistons for the Philadelphia Warriors on January 25, 1960, setting a rookie record.
By Wilt Chamberlain, February 21, 1960, Philadelphia Warriors vs. New York Knicks
On February 6, 1960, Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors and the Syracuse Nationals had the most rebounds in a game by a rookie with 45
Ernie DiGregorio, of the Buffalo Braves, recorded 25 assists in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 1, 1974.
On February 23, 1987, Nate McMillan scored a goal against the Los Angeles Clippers for Seattle SuperSonics.
Scoring leader in the league
Youngest: During the 2009–10 NBA season, Oklahoma City Thunder player Kevin Durant, who turned 21 years, 197 days old on April 14, 2010, topped the league in scoring with an average of 30.1 points per game.
Oldest: Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls led the league in scoring during the 1997–98 NBA season with an average of 28.7 points per game. He was 35 years, 60 days old (on April 18, 1998) at the time.
Best in the league at grabbing rebounds
Youngest: Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, who turned 22 years, 130 days old on April 16, 2008, topped the league in rebounding during the 2007–08 NBA season with an average of 14.2 rebounds per game.
A player’s age or youth when scoring 60+ points in a game. The youngest player to reach that mark is Devin Booker, who scored 70 points for the Phoenix Suns against the Boston Celtics at the age of 20 years, 145 days.
Kobe Bryant, who scored 60 points for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Utah Jazz at the age of 37 years, 234 days, is the oldest player to score 60 or more points in a game.
A player’s age or youth when scoring 50+ points in a game
Youngest: At the age of 20 years, 52 days, Brandon Jennings scored 55 points for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Golden State Warriors, becoming the youngest player to reach that mark in a game. Jamal Crawford, who scored 51 points for the Phoenix Suns against the Dallas Mavericks at the age of 39 years, 21 days, is the oldest player to score 50 or more points in a game.
A player’s age or youth when scoring 40 or more points in a game
Oldest: Michael Jordan, who scored 43 points for the Washington Wizards against the New Jersey Nets at the age of 40 years, 4 days, is the oldest player and the only 40-year-old to score 40+ points in a game.
A player’s age or youth when scoring 30 or more points in a game
The oldest player to score 30+ points in a game is Dirk Nowitzki, who did so at the age of 40 years, 294 days while playing for the Dallas Mavericks against the Phoenix Suns.
A player’s age or youth when scoring 20 or more points in a game
Oldest: Vince Carter, who scored 21 points for the Atlanta Hawks against the Miami Heat at the age of 42 years, 37 days, is the oldest player to score 20 or more points in a game.
Youngest or oldest player to record 20+ points in a game while serving as a substitute
Oldest: Vince Carter, who is 42 years, 37 days old, is the oldest player to score 20 or more points while playing off the bench.
Most youthful or oldest player to compile a triple-double
Josh Giddey, who is the youngest, is 19 years, 84 days old (on January 2, 2022). Karl Malone is the oldest, having turned 40 on November 28, 2023. Although the future is unclear, we can look back and recognize how talented many of these rookies were with some hindsight and time. Some individuals substantially altered the sport by innovative strategies, exceptional bravery, or plain astounding talent.
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