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The Top 5 Bulls Rookie Seasons of All Time

Originally posted on The Lead | By Matthew Alequin | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 4:38 PM ET

As the 2025 regular season concludes, the Chicago Bulls set their sights on the Play-In Tournament.

The development of the young players on the roster has garnered headlines. A team preparing for its third straight play-in appearance may not usually get fan bases excited. However, the past year has seen the Bulls make a dramatic change from a veteran team led by DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. A youth movement led by Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and red-hot Coby White has this team feeling different than past iterations.

Giddey and White have deservedly garnered most of the attention. In addition, the Bulls’ youngest player has started to put it together. Since February, Buzelis has seen an increase in minutes and counting stats across the board. His improvement has earned coach Billy Donovan‘s trust and made him a regular part of the rotation. Buzelis has shown to be a prominent piece of this rebuild and a meaningful Bull for many years.

While this rookie has been good lately, he’s just the newest young player the Bulls have found. With 25 selections, the Bulls hold the record for the most players selected for the All-Rookie team.

This list includes some heavy hitters, including Michael Jordan, Elton Brand, and Derrick Rose. For a franchise with a rich history of finding young talent, selecting the top five rookie seasons is no easy task. Here, we will rank the top rookie seasons in franchise history and look at some of the franchise’s all-time greats.

Honorable Mentions

Toni Kukoc

Coming to the NBA from overseas is never an easy transition.

Having to fill a Michael Jordan-sized hole on a three-time defending champion? It may be one of the hardest transitions in NBA history. Toni Kukoc would enter the NBA and become one of the team’s top five players in points, assists, and steals. The Pippen-led Bulls team won 55 games and lost in the second round to the New York Knicks. Kukoc was named to the All-Rookie second team and eventually won a Sixth Man of the Year Award— all while developing into a key piece to the Bulls’ second three-peat of the decade.

Matas Buzelis

Thanks to a post-All-Star break run, Matas Buzelis became a contributor to a surging Bulls team. Due to his play, he has positioned himself to extend the franchise’s record for most players chosen to all-rookie teams. Buzelis was a top recruit coming out of high school in 2024.

However, due to the G League Ignite’s failed experiment, his draft stock took a hit. And he fell to the Bulls at the No. 11 pick. Fortunately for the Bulls, Buzelis’ athleticism, motor, and IQ have been fully displayed. It’s fair to wonder if he could be in the ROY race if he played these minutes since November.

5. Dave Greenwood

Many casual fans may not know this name, as he played before the Bulls became a relevant franchise.

Dave Greenwood compiled a stellar rookie season and earned an All-Rookie First Team selection in 1980. Greenwood would have a 12-year career and win a title with the Spurs. However, his best year statistically was his first season with the Bulls. He led the team in rebounds and blocks and played the second-most minutes on the team.

Averages: 16.3 pts, 9.4 rebs, 2.2 asts, 1.6 blks

4. Ben Gordon

Ben Gordon had a bit of a cult following during his time in Chicago.

He was a bucket-getter who could get it going on any night. This ability allowed Gordon to be the third-leading scorer on a young Bulls team. His play helped them make the playoffs for the first time since the Jordan era. Gordon also has the unique distinction of being the only Rookie to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. He exploded onto the scene and made an impression on the organization despite only a five-year stint in Chicago.

Averages: 15.1 pts, 2.6 rebs, 2.0 asts, 40.5 3PT%

3. Elton Brand

There have only been a handful of cases where a rookie is the best player on an NBA team.

The names that come to mind are LeBron James and Luka Doncic. You would have to include former No. 1 overall pick Elton Brand. Brand was a walking double-double, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds as a rookie. All while leading the team in blocks. These numbers earned the big man All-Rookie First Team honors and the Rookie of the Year award. While Brand was brilliant, wins were tough to come by during his brief tenure with the Bulls. Lack of winning prevents him from going any higher on this list.

Averages: 20.1 pts, 10 rebs, 1.9 asts, 1.6 blks

2. Derrick Rose

He was the best Chicago Bull since Michael Jordan.

Derrick Rose had a 1.7% chance of being selected by his hometown team. The ping-pong balls bounced Chicago’s way, and its favored son was coming home. With jaw-dropping athleticism and crafty finishing, Rose dazzled all season long. He would win Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie first-team honors. Rose’s season was a never-ending highlight reel and one of the greatest playoff debuts for a rookie ever.

Rose endeared himself to the fanbase early. He would make three All-Star teams and become the youngest MVP in league history, and the signs were there as soon as he stepped on an NBA court.

Averages: 16.8 pts, 3.9 rebs, 6.3 asts, 47.5 FG%

1. Michael Jordan

Sorry to disappoint you if you were expecting someone else here.

His Airness is the most deserving of this spot, and it’s not particularly close. Michael Jordan is one of the rare players who are great immediately and get the most out of their team. As a rookie, MJ led the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. His play helped improve the team’s record by 11 wins and make the playoffs. In addition to All-Rookie first-team honors and the Rookie of the Year, MJ was named an All-Star and All-NBA second-team.

He became the first rookie to accomplish this since Larry Bird.