NBA Players with the Most Assists Recorded in Their Rookie Season

Explore the NBA players who delivered the best stats ever in a 1st NBA season, ranked by regular season total assists. See how the all-time greats compare in this top-50 historical list.

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Other Stats

Total

3-Pointers Made Per Game

Total

Which NBA player had the most total assists in the Regular Season in his rookie year?

Playing for the 1988 New York Knicks, Mark Jackson recorded a total of 868 assists in 82 games — the highest total ever by an NBA player in his 1st season.

Total Assists, Rookie Season

868 ast
Mark Jackson
(1988 New York Knicks)

Note: = NBA champion in this season.

Total Assists in a Player's Rookie Season - Top 50

Regular Season

		Assists			Other stats
Rk	Player (Team)	Total	Per Game	Gms	Pts	Reb	Stl	Blk	3pm
1	Mark Jackson (1988 Knicks)	868	10.6	82	1,114	396	205	6	32
2	Oscar Robertson (1961 Royals)	690	9.7	71	2,165	716	-	-	-
3	Tim Hardaway (1990 Warriors)	689	8.7	79	1,162	310	165	12	23
4	Don Buse (1977 Pacers)	685	8.5	81	646	270	281	16	-
5	Phil Ford (1979 Kings)	681	8.6	79	1,260	182	174	6	-
6	Ernie DiGregorio (1974 Braves)	663	8.2	81	1,234	219	59	9	-
7	Ennis Whatley (1984 Bulls)	662	8.3	80	668	197	119	17	0
8	Ben Simmons (2018 76ers)	661	8.2	81	1,279	659	140	70	0
9	Brevin Knight (1998 Cavaliers)	656	8.2	80	723	253	196	18	0
10	Damon Stoudamire (1996 Raptors)	653	9.3	70	1,331	281	98	19	133
	Trae Young (2019 Hawks)	653	8.1	81	1,549	301	72	15	156

		Assists			Other stats
Rk	Player (Team)	Total	Per Game	Gms	Pts	Reb	Stl	Blk	3pm
12	Jamaal Tinsley (2002 Pacers)	647	8.1	80	751	298	138	40	42
13	Sherman Douglas (1990 Heat)	619	7.6	81	1,155	206	145	10	5
14	Chris Paul (2006 Hornets)	611	7.8	78	1,258	400	175	6	50
15	Jason Kidd (1995 Mavericks)	607	7.7	79	922	430	151	24	70
16	Nate McMillan (1987 Supersonics)	583	8.2	71	373	331	125	45	0
17	John Wall (2011 Wizards)	574	8.3	69	1,131	317	121	35	34
18	Allen Iverson (1997 76ers)	567	7.5	76	1,787	312	157	24	155
19	Isiah Thomas (1982 Pistons)	565	7.8	72	1,225	209	150	17	17
20	Magic Johnson (1980 Lakers)	563	7.3	77	1,387	596	187	41	7

		Assists			Other stats
Rk	Player (Team)	Total	Per Game	Gms	Pts	Reb	Stl	Blk	3pm
21	Kelvin Ransey (1981 Trail Blazers)	555	6.9	80	1,217	195	88	9	3
22	Pooh Richardson (1990 Timberwolves)	554	6.8	82	938	217	133	25	23
23	Norm Nixon (1978 Lakers)	553	6.8	81	1,107	239	138	7	-
24	Penny Hardaway (1994 Magic)	544	6.6	82	1,313	439	190	51	50
25	Elfrid Payton (2015 Magic)	533	6.5	82	731	349	142	20	11
26	Damian Lillard (2013 Trail Blazers)	531	6.5	82	1,562	257	74	19	185
27	Gary Payton (1991 Supersonics)	528	6.4	82	588	243	165	15	1
28	Stephon Marbury (1997 Timberwolves)	522	7.8	67	1,057	184	67	19	102
29	Kirk Hinrich (2004 Bulls)	517	6.8	76	915	259	101	21	144
30	Derrick Rose (2009 Bulls)	512	6.3	81	1,361	317	66	18	16

		Assists			Other stats
Rk	Player (Team)	Total	Per Game	Gms	Pts	Reb	Stl	Blk	3pm
31	Steve Francis (2000 Rockets)	507	6.6	77	1,388	409	118	29	107
32	Gary Grant (1989 Clippers)	506	7.1	71	846	238	144	9	5
33	Norm Van Lier (1970 Royals)	500	6.2	81	770	409	-	-	-
34	Tyus Edney (1996 Kings)	491	6.1	80	860	201	89	3	53
35	Ja Morant (2020 Grizzlies)	488	7.3	67	1,193	259	58	18	60
36	Michael Jordan (1985 Bulls)	481	5.9	82	2,313	534	196	69	9
37	Andre Miller (2000 Cavaliers)	476	5.8	82	914	280	84	17	10
38	Mike Gale (1977 Spurs)	473	5.8	82	843	273	191	50	-
39	Stephen Curry (2010 Warriors)	472	5.9	80	1,399	356	152	19	166
	Brian Shaw (1989 Celtics)	472	5.8	82	703	376	78	27	0

		Assists			Other stats
Rk	Player (Team)	Total	Per Game	Gms	Pts	Reb	Stl	Blk	3pm
41	Brandon Jennings (2010 Bucks)	470	5.7	82	1,270	282	105	18	145
42	Nick Van Exel (1994 Lakers)	466	5.8	81	1,099	238	85	8	123
43	LeBron James (2004 Cavaliers)	465	5.9	79	1,654	432	130	58	63
44	John Lucas (1977 Rockets)	463	5.6	82	911	219	125	19	-
45	Alvan Adams (1976 Suns)	450	5.6	80	1,519	727	121	116	-
	Tiny Archibald (1971 Royals)	450	5.5	82	1,308	242	-	-	-
47	Isaiah Collier (2025 Jazz)	446	6.3	71	615	235	66	16	42
	Raymond Felton (2006 Bobcats)	446	5.6	80	948	265	102	8	97
49	Michael Carter-Williams (2014 76ers)	441	6.3	70	1,167	437	130	43	55
50	Kevin Johnson (1988 more than 1 team)	437	5.5	80	732	191	103	24	5

* The NBA began recording rebounds in 1951, steals and blocks in 1974, and added the 3-point line in 1980.