Blake Griffin NBA All-Rookie First Team
Blake Griffin's explosive rookie year landed him on the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
The NBA All-Rookie First Team recognizes the league's best first-year players, highlighting their immediate impact and raw talent. For the Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin reaching this group after a spectacular debut season was a turning point for the franchise.
- Player
- Blake Griffin
- Season
- 2009-10
- Award
- NBA All-Rookie First Team
- Team
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Draft Class
- 2009
- Selection Status
- First Round, 1st Overall Pick
Lore & Background
Griffin's inclusion on the All-Rookie First Team was a testament to his immediate ability to alter games through dunks, rebounds, and defensive presence. He averaged over 20 points and 13 rebounds per game during that campaign, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting behind John Wall but securing the unanimous nod for the top rookie team alongside other future stars like Kyrie Irving and DeMarre Carroll. This honor signaled to the league that the Clippers had acquired a cornerstone player capable of carrying the team into a new era.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Staples Center was thick with anticipation as the Clippers took the floor in early January, eager to see what their number one pick could do. Blake Griffin didn't just enter the game; he exploded onto it, soaring for a dunk that seemed to defy gravity and silence any lingering doubts about his health or readiness. As the crowd erupted, it was clear this wasn't just a rookie making an entrance; it was the beginning of a legacy.
Reader's Guide
The All-Rookie First Team is selected by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who vote for the top five players in their first year of eligibility. Blake Griffin's selection stands as one of the most significant individual honors in Clippers history, highlighting his transition from injury-plagued prospect to elite talent. Griffin finished the 2009-10 season with averages that placed him among the league leaders in rebounds and field goal percentage for rookies. His performance helped lift the Clippers' profile nationally, drawing increased media attention and fan support. The honor also cemented his status as a franchise icon early in his career. While Griffin did not win the Rookie of the Year award that season, his First Team selection remains a cornerstone of his resume. It validated the team's decision to draft him first overall and set the stage for his future All-NBA selections and Olympic gold medal achievements.
Did You Know?
- Blake Griffin missed his entire 2009-10 rookie season due to injury, making his actual rookie campaign in 2010-11 even more impactful.
- Despite not winning Rookie of the Year, Griffin was a unanimous selection for the All-Rookie First Team alongside Kyrie Irving and John Wall.
- Griffin's debut season averages included over 20 points and 13 rebounds per game, showcasing his immediate two-way dominance.