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. This rule was relaxed in 2020 when American Next Star LaMelo Ball was named Rookie of the Year.
The award was discontinued in 2023 following the introduction of the Next Generation Award.
Winners Year Player Nationality Team 1983 Jamie Kennedy Canberra Cannons 1984 Andrew Gaze Melbourne Tigers 1985 Mike McKay Adelaide 36ers 1986 Steve Lunardon Nunawading Spectres 1987 Greg Hubbard Illawarra Hawks 1988 Shane Heal Brisbane Bullets 1989 Justin Withers Illawarra Hawks 1990 Justin Cass Hobart Tassie Devils 1991 Andrew Vlahov Perth Wildcats 1992 Lachlan Armfield Canberra Cannons 1993 Chris Blakemore Adelaide 36ers 1994 Sam Mackinnon South East Melbourne Magic 1995 John Rillie Brisbane Bullets 1996 Scott McGregor Newcastle Falcons 1997 Matthew Nielsen Sydney Kings 1998 David Smith North Melbourne Giants 1998–99 Damien Ryan Canberra Cannons 1999–2000 Derek Moore Sydney Kings 2000–01 Axel Dench Wollongong Hawks 2001–02 Travis Lane Sydney Kings 2002–03 Gary Boodnikoff Sydney Kings 2003–04 Steven Marković West Sydney Razorbacks 2004–05 Brad Newley Townsville Crocodiles 2005–06 Mark Worthington Sydney Kings 2006–07 Joe Ingles South Dragons 2007–08 Nathan Jawai Cairns Taipans 2008–09 Aaron Bruce Adelaide 36ers 2009–10 Jesse Wagstaff Perth Wildcats 2010–11 Ben Madgen Sydney Kings 2011–12 Anatoly Bose Sydney Kings 2012–13 Cameron Gliddon Cairns Taipans 2013–14 Tom Jervis Perth Wildcats 2014–15 Angus Brandt Sydney Kings 2015–16 Nick Kay Townsville Crocodiles 2016–17 Anthony Drmic Adelaide 36ers 2017–18 Isaac Humphries Sydney Kings 2018–19 Harry Froling Adelaide 36ers 2019–20 LaMelo Ball Illawarra Hawks 2020–21 Josh Giddey Adelaide 36ers 2021–22 Bul Kuol Cairns Taipans
References
External links NBL Rookie of the Year at andthefoul.net