The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches who are not allowed to vote for players on their own team. The All-Rookie Team is generally composed of two five-man lineups: a first team and a second team. The players each receive two points for each first team vote and one point for each second team vote. The top five players with the highest point total make the first team, with the next five making the second team. In the case of a tie at the fifth position of either team, the roster is expanded. If the first team consists of six players due to a tie, the second team will still consist of five players with the potential for more expansion in the event of additional ties. Ties have occurred several times, most recently in 2012, when Kawhi Leonard, Iman Shumpert, and Brandon Knight tied in votes received. No respect is given to positions. For example, the first team had four forwards, and one guard in 2008, while the first team had four centers and one guard in 2016.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (as Lew Alcindor) was named to the All-Rookie Team in the 1969–70 NBA season.
Larry Bird was named to the All-Rookie Team in the 1979–80 NBA season.
Magic Johnson was named to the All-Rookie Team in the 1979–80 NBA season.
Patrick Ewing was named to the All-Rookie Team in the 1985–86 NBA season.
Kawhi Anthony Leonard is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A two-time NBA champion, he is a six-time All-Star and a five-time member of the All-NBA Team. Nicknamed the "Claw" or "Klaw" for his ball-hawking skills and exceptionally large hands, Leonard is often regarded as one of the greatest two-way players in NBA history, earning seven All-Defensive Team selections and winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016. In 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Leonard in 2022
Leonard with San Diego State in 2009
Leonard handing a signed ball to President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony honoring the Spurs team that won the 2014 NBA championship
Leonard with the Spurs in 2017