# PBA Rookie of the Year Award

The Philippine Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) award given to the top rookie(s) of the regular season. The award was first given in 1976.
The award is decided using criteria introduced for the 2011–12 season, which include accumulated statistical points, votes from media, players and the league's Commissioner's Office.
The most recent Rookie of the Year winner is Justin Arana. Twelve winners were drafted first overall (the league started its draft in the 1985 season). Six winners have also won the PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in their careers; with Benjie Paras earning the honors the same season. Three winners have been elected to the PBA Hall of Fame.

## Winners

Philippine Basketball Association awards and honors :
Championship :
Jun Bernardino Trophy
Governors' Cup
Commissioner's Cup :
Individual annual awards :
All-Star Game MVP
Mr. Quality Minutes*
Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year*
Defensive Player of the Year*
Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award
Bogs Adornado Comeback Player of the Year*
Most Improved Player
Most Valuable Player
Rookie of the Year
Danny Floro Executive of the Year*
Scoring Champion*
Order of Merit* :
Individual conference awards :
Bobby Parks Best Import of the Conference
Finals MVP
Best Player of the Conference :
Honors :
Mythical Team
All-Defensive Team
* Awards given by the PBA Press Corps
All-Rookie Team* :
vte :
Key :
| ^ | Denotes player who is still active in the PBA |
| * | Elected to the PBA Hall of Fame |
| DP # | Draft pick number |
| DY | Draft year |
| D | direct hire |
Rookie of the Year :
| Season | Player | Position | Country of birth | Team | School | DP # | DY |
| 1976 | Gil Cortez | Forward/center | Philippines | Toyota Super Corollas | San Beda | n/a | n/a |
| 1977 | Jimmy Taguines | Forward/center | Philippines | Tanduay Rhum Makers | San Beda | n/a | n/a |
| 1978 | Jimmy Manansala | Forward/guard | Philippines | Tanduay Rhum Makers | UE | n/a | n/a |
| 1979 | Arnie Tuadles | Forward/guard | Philippines | Toyota Super Corollas | UV | n/a | n/a |
| 1980 | Willie Generalao | Guard | Philippines | Gilbey's Gin Tonics | UV | n/a | n/a |
| 1981 | Rafael Sison | Guard | Philippines | Presto Fun Drinks | Ateneo de Davao | n/a | n/a |
| 1982 | Marte Saldaña | Guard | Philippines | San Miguel Beermen | FEU | n/a | n/a |
| 1983 | Ricardo Brown* | Guard | United States | Great Taste Coffee Makers | Pepperdine | n/a | n/a |
| 1984 | Willie Pearson | Forward/guard | United States | Crispa Redmanizers | Chaminade | n/a | n/a |
| 1985 | Leo Austria | Guard | Philippines | Shell Azodrin Bugbusters | Lyceum | 10 | 1985 |
| 1986 | Dondon Ampalayo | Forward | Philippines | Ginebra San Miguel | USJ-R | 2 | 1986 |
| 1987 | Allan Caidic* | Guard | Philippines | Great Taste Coffee Makers | UE | 1 | 1987 |
| 1988 | Jojo Lastimosa | Forward/guard | Philippines | Purefoods Hotdogs | Ateneo/USJ-R | D | 1988 |
| 1989 | Benjie Paras* | Center | Philippines | Formula Shell Zoom Masters | UP Diliman | 1 | 1989 |
| 1990 | Gerry Esplana | Guard | Philippines | Presto Tivolis | FEU | 9 | 1990 |
| 1991 | Eugene Quilban | Guard | Philippines | Alaska Milkmen | San Sebastian | 3 | 1991 |
| 1992 | Bong Ravena | Guard/forward | Philippines | San Miguel Beermen | UE | 5 | 1992 |
| 1993 | Jun Limpot | Center | Philippines | Sta. Lucia Realtors | De La Salle | 1 | 1993 |
| 1994 | Boybits Victoria | Guard | Philippines | Swift Mighty Meaties | San Beda | 3 | 1994 |
| 1995 | Jeffrey Cariaso | Guard/forward | United States | Alaska Milkmen | Sonoma State | 6 | 1995 |
| 1996 | Marlou Aquino | Center | Philippines | Ginebra San Miguel | Adamson | 1 | 1996 |
| 1997 | Andy Seigle | Center | United States | Mobiline Cellulars | New Orleans | 1 | 1997 |
| 1998 | Danny Ildefonso | Center | Philippines | San Miguel Beermen | NU | 1 | 1998 |
| 1999 | Danny Seigle | Forward/guard | United States | San Miguel Beermen | Wagner | D | 1999 |
| 2000 | Davonn Harp | Center | United States | Batang Red Bull Energizers | Kutztown | D | 2000 |
| 2001 | Mark Caguioa | Guard | Philippines | Barangay Ginebra Kings | Glendale Community College | 3 | 2001 |
| 2002 | Ren-Ren Ritualo | Guard | Philippines | FedEx Express | De La Salle | 8 | 2002 |
| 2003 | Jimmy Alapag | Guard | United States | Talk 'N Text Phone Pals | Cal State San Bernardino | 10 | 2003 |
| 2004–05 | Rich Alvarez | Forward | Japan | Shell Turbo Chargers | Ateneo | 1 | 2004 |
| 2005–06 | Larry Fonacier | Forward | Philippines | Red Bull Barako | Ateneo | 14 | 2005 |
| 2006–07 | Kelly Williams | Forward | United States | Sta. Lucia Realtors | Oakland | 1 | 2006 |
| 2007–08 | Ryan Reyes^ | Forward | United States | Sta. Lucia Realtors | Cal State Fullerton | 3 | 2007 |
| 2008–09 | Gabe Norwood^ | Forward | United States | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | George Mason | 1 | 2008 |
| 2009–10 | Rico Maierhofer | Forward | Philippines | B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados | De La Salle | 2 | 2009 |
| 2010–11 | Rabeh Al-Hussaini | Center | Philippines | Petron Blaze Boosters | Ateneo | 2 | 2010 |
| 2011–12 | Paul Lee^ | Guard | Philippines | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | UE | 2 | 2011 |
| 2012–13 | Calvin Abueva^ | Guard | Philippines | Alaska Aces | San Sebastian | 2 | 2012 |
| 2013–14 | Greg Slaughter | Center | United States | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel | Ateneo | 1 | 2013 |
| 2014–15 | Stanley Pringle^ | Guard | United States | GlobalPort Batang Pier | Penn State | 1 | 2014 |
| 2015–16 | Chris Newsome^ | Guard | United States | Meralco Bolts | Ateneo | 4 | 2015 |
| 2016–17 | Roger Pogoy^ | Guard | Philippines | TNT KaTropa | FEU | n/a | 2016 |
| 2017–18 | Jason Perkins^ | Forward | Philippines | Phoenix Fuel Masters | De La Salle | 4 | 2017 |
| 2019 | CJ Perez^ | Guard | Hong Kong | Columbian Dyip | Lyceum/San Sebastian | 1 | 2018 |
| 2020 | Aaron Black^ | Guard | Philippines | Meralco Bolts | Ateneo | 18 | 2019 |
| 2021 | Mikey Williams^ | Guard | United States | TNT Tropang Giga | Cal State Fullerton | 4 | 2020 |
| 2022–23 | Justin Arana^ | Center | Philippines | Converge FiberXers | Arellano/UST | 4 | 2021 |