“CO-ROOKIES OF THE YEAR”. Has this ever happened in the NBA? Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, as of this writing, are fighting on who’s the best rookie this season. It’s such a close fight that fans believe this competition will end in another NBA Co-ROTY.
The co-Rookies of the Year Award has been given only three times in the past
This rare event only happened thrice throughout the NBA’s wonderful history. The first time it happened, Dave Cowens and Geoff Petrie were named co-ROTY in 1971. It happened again in 1995, when two amazing rookies, Jason Kidd and Grant Hill, had a very close fight for the award. However, after the 1994-1995 season ended, they both received the award due to their exceptional rookie season performance.
The 1994 draft class was filled with tremendous talents. Kidd and Hill were one of them. J-Kidd was selected second overall by the Mavericks while Hill was picked third overall by the rebuilding Detroit Pistons. Grant Hill was touted as the next big thing and was even seen as the future Michael Jordan. On the other hand, Jason Kidd was an efficient pass-first point guard who was slowly making his way into the discussion of the best floor generals in the league.
Hill was putting up All-Star numbers of 19.9 points, 5.0 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals as a rookie and was indeed selected as a rookie All-Star. Meanwhile, Kidd, in 79 games, posted 11.7 points, 7.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals. Not flashy, but if you watched him play, he was special. J-Kidd also led all NBA players in the triple-double department, back when that was still considered a huge feat.
Because of their equally great first-year outing, the NBA decided to give the Rookie of the Year award to both of these icons. It marked the second time the league did that kind of honor. A few years later, in 2000, the NBA did the same by naming Steve Francis and Elton Brand as co-ROTY. In 2003-2004, two exceptional rookies also had a close fight for that trophy. Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony went toe-to-toe against each other, only for LeBron to win it in the end.
Carmelo Anthony thinks he should’ve been named Co-ROTY with LeBron in 2004
“I swear I thought we was getting Co-Rookie of the Year.”
(Via @uninterrupted ) pic.twitter.com/5tw8ERXBFZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 5, 2020
Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren: 2024 Co-Rookie of the Year?
It’s going to be a tough battle down south. San Antonio Spurs’ Wembanyama and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Holmgren are two of the best rookies in the 2023-2024 season. These two 7-footers are currently ranked first and second in rookie power rankings as of late. Both rising stars are making a case, not just for the Rookie of the Year award, but also as possible All-Stars and even Defensive Player of the Year nominees.
Wemby and Chet haven’t met in the regular season yet, but they’ve had their duel in the preseason, where the OKC Thunder big man had a better night. It’s obvious that the ROTY trophy will be between these two since they’re doing historic things even as rookies. That being said, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the NBA decides to name them as co-rookies of the year in 2024, 24 years after the last one.
This year’s race for ROTY 🍿 pic.twitter.com/LhMwLa6rCQ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 6, 2023
