NBL Rookie of the Year Award explained

The National Basketball League Rookie of the Year was an annual National Basketball League (NBL) award given between 1983 and 2022 to the top rookie of the regular season. Traditionally for a player to be considered for Rookie of the Year, they must have been an unrestricted non-import player without previous professional experience.[1] This rule was relaxed in 2020 when American Next Star LaMelo Ball was named Rookie of the Year.[2]

The award was discontinued in 2023 following the introduction of the Next Generation Award.[3]

Winners

Year Player Nationality Team
1983Jamie KennedyCanberra Cannons
1984Andrew GazeMelbourne Tigers
1985Mike McKayAdelaide 36ers
1986Steve LunardonNunawading Spectres
1987Greg HubbardIllawarra Hawks
1988Shane HealBrisbane Bullets
1989Justin WithersIllawarra Hawks
1990Justin CassHobart Tassie Devils
1991Andrew VlahovPerth Wildcats
1992Lachlan ArmfieldCanberra Cannons
1993Chris BlakemoreAdelaide 36ers
1994Sam MackinnonSouth East Melbourne Magic
1995John RillieBrisbane Bullets
1996Scott McGregorNewcastle Falcons
1997Matthew NielsenSydney Kings
1998David SmithNorth Melbourne Giants
1998–99Damien RyanCanberra Cannons
1999–2000Derek MooreSydney Kings
2000–01Axel DenchWollongong Hawks
2001–02Travis LaneSydney Kings
2002–03Gary BoodnikoffSydney Kings
2003–04Steven MarkovićWest Sydney Razorbacks
2004–05Brad NewleyTownsville Crocodiles
2005–06Mark WorthingtonSydney Kings
2006–07Joe InglesSouth Dragons
2007–08Nathan JawaiCairns Taipans
2008–09Aaron BruceAdelaide 36ers
2009–10Jesse WagstaffPerth Wildcats
2010–11Ben MadgenSydney Kings
2011–12Anatoly BoseSydney Kings
2012–13Cameron GliddonCairns Taipans
2013–14Tom JervisPerth Wildcats
2014–15Angus BrandtSydney Kings
2015–16Nick KayTownsville Crocodiles
2016–17Anthony DrmicAdelaide 36ers
2017–18Isaac HumphriesSydney Kings
2018–19Harry FrolingAdelaide 36ers
2019–20LaMelo BallIllawarra Hawks
2020–21Josh GiddeyAdelaide 36ers
2021–22Bul KuolCairns Taipans

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CROCS YOUNG GUN NICK KAY WINS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. NBL.com.au. 17 February 2016. 17 February 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160225070911/http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/crocs-young-gun-nick-kay-wins-rookie-of-the-year/. 25 February 2016.
  2. Web site: LaMelo Ball crowned NBL's Rookie of the Year. nine.com.au. 16 February 2020. 17 January 2023.
  3. Web site: NBL Launches Next Generation Award. NBL.com.au. 17 January 2023. 17 January 2023.