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Golden State Warriors legend honoured in NBA awards unveiling

By Peter O'Keefe

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors is presented with the Rookie of the Year trophy ahead of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on April 23, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors is presented with the Rookie of the Year trophy ahead of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on April 23, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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The NBA has moved to further the legacy of the league’s greatest ever players, naming a raft of individual awards after six legends of the sport. Among them, former Golden State Warriors’ sensation Wilt Chamberlain.

The ‘NBA Rookie of the Year’ will now be presented with ‘The Wilt Chamberlain Trophy’, commemorating the 7’1″ phenom’s historic rookie season and his exploits across a remarkable 14-year NBA career.

Golden State Warriors’ legend Wilt Chamberlain has been honoured as on Tuesday, the NBA revealed six newly designed trophies for individual awards.

Other legends to be honoured include Michael Jordan (Most Valuable Player), Hakeem Olajuwon (Defensive Player of the Year), John Havlicek (Sixth Man of the Year), and George Mikan (Most Improved Player). The NBA has also added another award with the ‘NBA Clutch Player of the Year’ winner receiving ‘The Jerry West Trophy’.

Golden State Warriors’ legend Wilt Chamberlain playing against Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics in December 1967. (Ron Pownall/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ legend Wilt Chamberlain playing against Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics in December 1967. (Ron Pownall/Getty Images) /

Chamberlain’s rookie season will almost certainly never be matched, with ‘The Big Dipper’ averaging 37.6 points and 27 rebounds for the Warriors in a 1959-60 season where he won both the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards.

Speaking to NBA.com, Wilt’s sister Barbara spoke of the honour in her brother being immortalized in such an award.

"“Wilt rewrote nearly every NBA record throughout his illustrious career, which tipped off with an incredible rookie season that redefined what was possible and set a ceiling as high as he stood for all rookies who have followed.”"

Coincidentally, the Warriors have also won the most ‘Rookie of the Year’ awards as a franchise since it began in the 1952-53 season. Woody Sauldsberry won the award in 1958, Chamberlain in 1960, Rick Barry in 1966, Jamaal Wilkes in 1975, Mitch Richmond in 1989, and Chris Webber in 1994.

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Golden State haven’t had a winner in nearly three decades, although modern-day superstar Stephen Curry came second after an impressive rookie season in 2009-10. Given the Warriors, led by the ageless Curry, hope to contend for the foreseeable future, they’ll almost hope it’s a while longer before one of their players takes out the award again.

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