As a 6-foot-10 rookie point guard, Ben Simmons was a truly unique talent every time he stepped on the court for the Philadelphia 76ers. Playing against the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the first round, Simmons put his special skill set on display as he brought the ball up the floor and split a double team with a slick behind-the-back dribble that gave him the necessary space to finish with a contested layup. Simmons was a key contributor in the Game 3 victory, filling up the box score to the tune of 19 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and four steals as he helped Philly prevail 128-108 on April 19, 2018. Simmons stuffing the stat sheet was a common occurrence that season, and the first overall pick in the draft won the 2018 Rookie of the Year award after averaging 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.7 steals in 81 games. 

Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons splits defense with handle as rookie in 2018 Playoffs

Throwing down a highlight-reel dunk over one of the game’s all-time greats served as a pinch-me moment for rookie Malcolm Brogdon. The Milwaukee Bucks made Brogdon the 36th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, and six months later he found himself throwing one down over none other than LeBron James. Brogdon tried to pass the ball away, but when his teammate bobbled the exchange, Brogdon scooped up the loose ball and attacked the basket. Thanks to a helpful screen, Brogdon gained a step on James, who pursued him all the way to the rim but was late in his attempt to thwart the reverse one-handed jam. Brogdon posted six points and five assists during a 19-minute run off the bench on December 20, 2016, and would later be named the 2017 Rookie of the Year after posting 10.2 points, 4.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game on better than 40 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Malcolm Brogdon

Malcolm Brogdon slips through paint for reverse cram as rookie

Regardless of how the opposing teams line up against him, New Orleans Hornets rookie Chris Paul navigates the defense with the grace of slalom skier. The first-year guard attacks Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem with a punishing in-and-out crossover before ducking up-and-under the rim for a contested two on November 15, 2005.

Chris Paul

Chris Paul navigates through defense for tough bucket in the paint

LaMelo Ball has the length and awareness to be a problem in this league for a long time. The Charlotte Hornets rookie blows by his Oklahoma City Thunder defender on the perimeter, attacks the hoop and finishes with his off-hand for his first career bucket on December 26, 2020.

LaMelo Ball

LaMelo Ball scores the first bucket of his NBA career

Containing Angel McCoughtry on the perimeter is an unenviable task. The Atlanta Dream forward catches a pass out at the three-point line, immediately neutralizes her defender with a crossover, then attacks through the paint for a contested two. The rookie put up 16 points and added four steals in a win over the Seattle Storm on August 15, 2009.

Angel McCoughtry

Angel McCoughtry crosses up perimeter defender, darts into paint for bucket

Aliyah Boston wasted little time showing why the Indiana Fever made her the No. 1 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft. In her first professional game, Boston got right to work in the post against Connecticut Sun forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa and finessed her way to a contested layup even as four-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner drifted over as a help defender. Boston shot 6 for 10 from the field for 15 points and added nine rebounds in a strong first effort on May 19, 2023. 

Aliyah Boston

Aliyah Boston gets to work in the paint in first WNBA appearance

Put it on his head, rook! LaMelo Ball hits the offensive glass hard after a Charlotte Hornets miss, times a jump perfectly and bangs home a one-handed put-back slam on Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis. Ball’s squad would hold on for the January 29, 2021 win.

LaMelo Ball smashes putback dunk on defense and lets them know it

Six years after her star teammate Lisa Leslie completed the first dunk in WNBA history, it was only fitting that Los Angeles Sparks rookie Candace Parker flew in to make history of her own on June 22, 2008. Looking to become the second to accomplish the feat, the Sparks big runs the length of the court, calling her own number with a smooth one-handed jam in transition. Parker, who went on to become both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in 2008, had fingerprints all over the 77-63 win, with 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four blocks.

Candace Parker

Candace Parker becomes second in history to dunk in a WNBA game

Scottie Barnes is a problem. The Toronto Raptors rookie flashes his do-it-all talent in this possession, taking his defender off the dribble, getting to his spot inside the paint and floating a lefty finish that finds the bottom of the net. Barnes finished with 12 points and nine boards in his NBA debut in the October 20, 2021 contest.

Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes spins into the paint for hook shot in his first NBA contest

For many WNBA rookies, it can take time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the pro game. For No. 1 pick Rhyne Howard, it took less than a full matchup. Ever-vigilant as the last line of defense, Howard rotates over to time an emphatic block against the Dallas Wings. The second quarter rejection — one of Howard’s many defensive highlights in a 16-point, three-rebound, four-assist, four-block, two-steal showing —  helped the Atlanta Dream to a 66-59 win on May 7, 2022.

Rhyne Howard

Rhyne Howard protects the paint with emphatic block in first WNBA contest

Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors has a polished play style that extends far beyond his limited experience in the pros. Barnes sets up on the elbow, takes a couple bounces with his right, then drops a sweet, one-handed spin dunk with the same hand. The Rising Star hit six of his eight field goals and finished with 13 points and four rebounds in a home matchup with the Chicago Bulls on October 25, 2021.

Scottie Barnes spins to the hoop for wide-open cram

Elena Delle Donne has been uncheckable since the beginning. Knotted in the final seconds of a game against the Phoenix Mercury, the Chicago Sky rookie collects a sideline inbound pass, meets resistance from her defender out at the perimeter, posts up, then spins into the paint for a lunging jumper on September 11, 2013. Delle Donne finished with 17 points and six boards in the win.

Elena Delle Donne

Elena Delle Donne spins into paint for game-winning jumper vs. Mercury

Marketplace

Ben Simmons

Malcolm Brogdon

Chris Paul

LaMelo Ball

Angel McCoughtry

Aliyah Boston

LaMelo Ball

Candace Parker

Scottie Barnes

Rhyne Howard

Scottie Barnes

Elena Delle Donne