Basketball Reference Blog

Youngest Players to Win NBA MVP

Posted by Andrew Weiser on June 21, 2024

(last updated on October 17, 2025)

The NBA MVP award is one of the most heralded individual accomplishments in major team sports. Some Hall of Famers go their entire careers without winning the award and others don’t achieve the recognition until later in their career. For example, Karl Malone, one of the greatest power forwards ever to play the game, did not win his first MVP until he was 33 years old. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum though are players who make an immediate splash and win the award early in their careers. There have been 13 players who have won the NBA MVP before 25. These are the youngest NBA MVPs in league history.

22

Photo of Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose

Derrick Martell Rose ▪ Twitter: drose ▪ Instagram: drose

(D-Rose, Windy City Assassin, Pooh)

Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-3, 200lb (190cm, 90kg)

Born: October 4, 1988 (Age: 36-073d) in Chicago, Illinois us

College: Memphis

High School: Simeon in Chicago, Illinois

Recruiting Rank: 2007 (5)

Draft: Chicago Bulls, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 2008 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 28, 2008

Career Length: 15 years

1 25 1 25 25 4 23
+6
SUMMARY

Career

G

723

PTS

17.4

TRB

3.2

AST

5.2

FG%

45.6

FG3%

31.6

FT%

83.1

eFG%

48.3

PER

18.0

WS

44.6

In his third year in the NBA, Derek Rose became the first under-25 NBA MVP since LeBron James in 2008-09, and at the age of 22 and seven months, he holds the honor of youngest NBA MVP ever. Playing for his hometown Chicago Bulls, Rose appeared in 81 games and averaged 25.0 points and 7.7 assists per game, leading the Bulls to their first 60-win season since the Jordan era. Rose’s career was unfortunately plagued by injuries following an ACL tear suffered in the first round of the 2012 playoffs.

Photo of Wes Unseld

Wes Unseld

Westley Sissel Unseld

(The Wide U, The Oak Tree)

Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right

6-7, 245lb (201cm, 111kg)

Born: March 14, 1946 in Louisville, Kentucky us

Died: June 2, 2020 (Aged 74-080d)

College: Louisville

High School: Seneca in Louisville, Kentucky

Draft: Baltimore Bullets, 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1968 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 16, 1968

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1988 (Full List)

Career Length: 13 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

984

PTS

10.8

TRB

14.0

AST

3.9

FG%

50.9

FG3%

50.0

FT%

63.3

eFG%

50.9

PER

16.0

WS

110.1

In his rookie 1968-69 season, Baltimore Bullets center Wes Unseld joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only player to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season. At the age of 22, he was also the youngest MVP in NBA history until Derrick Rose won the award at 22 as well. Unseld’s rookie year saw him average 13.8 points and 18.2 rebounds per game for the Bullets. He played his entire 13-year career for the franchise, including a short move down I-95 from Baltimore to Washington in 1973. Unseld became a Hall of Famer in 1988 and passed away in 2020 at the age of 74.

23

Photo of Moses Malone

Moses Malone

Moses Eugene Malone

(Chairman of the Boards, Big Mo, Octobull, Modine)

Position: Center and Power Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-10, 215lb (208cm, 97kg)

Born: March 23, 1955 in Petersburg, Virginia us

Died: September 13, 2015 (Aged 60-174d)

High School: Petersburg in Petersburg, Virginia

NBA Debut: October 21, 1976 ▪ ABA Debut: October 18, 1974

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2001 (Full List)

Career Length: 21 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

1455

PTS

20.3

TRB

12.3

AST

1.3

FG%

49.5

FG3%

9.6

FT%

76.0

eFG%

49.5

PER

22.0

WS

179.1

There is little that Hall of Fame center Moses Malone didn’t achieve in his iconic 21-year NBA career. Among them is winning the MVP award at the age of 23 in 1978-79, making him one of the youngest NBA MVPs ever. His first of three MVPs, Malone led the league in boards with a career-high 17.6 rebounds per game playing for the Houston Rockets that season. Malone would win back-to-back MVPs playing for the Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers in 1981-82 and 1982-83.

Photo of Bob McAdoo

Bob McAdoo

Pronunciation: \MACK-uh-doo\

Robert Allen McAdoo Jr.

(Doo, Mac)

Position: Center and Power Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-9, 210lb (206cm, 95kg)

Born: September 25, 1951 (Age: 72-232d) in Greensboro, North Carolina us

Colleges: Vincennes University, UNC

High School: Ben Smith in Greensboro, North Carolina

Draft: Buffalo Braves, 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1972 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 10, 1972

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2000 (Full List)

Career Length: 14 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

852

PTS

22.1

TRB

9.4

AST

2.3

FG%

50.3

FG3%

8.1

FT%

75.4

eFG%

50.3

PER

20.7

WS

89.1

Playing for the Buffalo Braves in 1974-75, 6”9” center Bob McAdoo was named NBA MVP at the age of 23. McAdoo averaged a league-best 34.5 points per game. He also cleaned up on the glass that season, averaging 14.1 rebounds per game, including 10.3 on the defensive end alone. The highly efficient McAdoo would shoot .512 from the floor that season as well. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Photo of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Pronunciation: \kuh-REEM ab-dool juh-BAR\

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ▪ Twitter: kaj33

(Formerly known as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.)

(Lew, Cap, Murdock, Big Fella, The Tower of Power)

Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right

7-2, 225lb (218cm, 102kg)

Born: April 16, 1947 (Age: 77-028d) in New York, New York us

College: UCLA

High School: Power Memorial in New York, New York

Draft: Milwaukee Bucks, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1969 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 18, 1969

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1995 (Full List)

Career Length: 20 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

1560

PTS

24.6

TRB

11.2

AST

3.6

FG%

55.9

FG3%

5.6

FT%

72.1

eFG%

55.9

PER

24.6

WS

273.4

Scoring champ. Actor. Ambassador. Activist. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds many titles. Among them is one of the youngest NBA MVPs. Kareem was 23 when he won the award in his sophomore 1970-71 season with the Milwaukee Bucks. He would go on to win five more MVP awards in his illustrious career, including the following season. Abdul-Jabbar averaged an eye-popping 31.7-point, 16-rebound double-double during the 1970-71 campaign.

Photo of Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain

Pronunciation: \CHAIM-bur-lin\

Wilton Norman Chamberlain

(Wilt the Stilt, The Big Dipper, Dippy, Dip, The Load, Big Musty, The Record Book, Hook and Ladder, Wiltie, Whip, Whipper, Norm)

Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right

7-1, 275lb (216cm, 124kg)

Born: August 21, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania us

Died: October 12, 1999 (Aged 63-052d)

College: Kansas

High School: Overbrook in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Draft: Philadelphia Warriors, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1959 NBA Draft (territorial selection)

NBA Debut: October 24, 1959

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1979 (Full List)

Career Length: 14 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

1045

PTS

30.1

TRB

22.9

AST

4.4

FG%

54.0

FT%

51.1

PER

26.2

WS

247.3

In 1959-60, Wilt Chamberlain’s rookie year with the Philadelphia Warriors, the future Hall of Famer became the first player to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. Just 23 years old at the time, he remains one of the youngest NBA MVPs ever. Wilt’s career statistical averages are unparalleled, and his rookie year is no exception. In his first season as a pro, Chamberlain averaged a league-leading 37.6 points per game on 46 percent from the field and 27 rebounds per game. 

Photo of Bill Russell

Bill Russell

William Felton Russell ▪ Twitter: realbillrussell

(Russ, Whiskers, Willie, Bill the Hill, The Stuffer)

Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Left

6-10, 215lb (208cm, 97kg)

Born: February 12, 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana us

Died: July 31, 2022 (Aged 88-169d)

Relatives: Cousin Bob Hopkins

College: San Francisco

High School: McClymonds in Oakland, California

Draft: St. Louis Hawks, 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1956 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: December 22, 1956

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1975 and Coach in 2021 (Full List)

Career Length: 13 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

963

PTS

15.1

TRB

22.5

AST

4.3

FG%

44.0

FT%

56.1

PER

18.9

WS

163.5

Our list of youngest NBA MVPs in history goes from Wilt Chamberlain to his biggest rival, Bill Russell, who won the award at the age of 23 in 1957-58. His sophomore year with the Celtics, Russell posted 16.6 points per game and 22.7 rebounds per game averages on his way to receiving 57 percent of MVP votes. Russell would go on to win four more MVP awards, including three consecutive between 1960-61 and 1962-63. 

Photo of Bob Pettit

Bob Pettit

Pronunciation: \PET-it\

Robert E. Lee Pettit Jr.

(Big Blue, The Bombardier from Baton Rouge)

Position: Power Forward and Center ▪ Shoots: Right

6-9, 205lb (206cm, 92kg)

Born: December 12, 1932 (Age: 91-154d) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana us

Relatives: Cousin Frankie Brian

College: LSU

High School: Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Draft: Milwaukee Hawks, 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1954 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 30, 1954

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1971 (Full List)

Career Length: 11 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

792

PTS

26.4

TRB

16.2

AST

3.0

FG%

43.6

FT%

76.1

PER

25.4

WS

136.0

St. Louis Hawks big man Bob Pettit became the youngest NBA MVP in the league’s nascent years following the 1955-56 season. In his second pro year, the 23-year-old Pettit averaged 25.7 points and 16.2 rebounds per game on his way to the MVP award. Pettit edged out future Hall of Famers like Bob Cousy and Dolph Schayes with 41 percent of the vote. Pettit would be named MVP again in 1958-59 and be named an All-Star 11 times in his career before retiring in 1965. Pettit spent all 11 of his NBA seasons with the Hawks and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

24

Photo of Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Pronunciation: \YAHN-iss ah-dedo-KOON-bo\

Giannis Antetokounmpo ▪ Instagram: Giannis_An34

(last name previously spelled Adetokunbo)

(The Greek Freak, The Alphabet)

Position: Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-11, 242lb (211cm, 109kg)

Team: Milwaukee Bucks

Born: December 6, 1994 (Age: 30-315d) in Athens, Greece gr

Relatives: Brothers Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo

Draft: Milwaukee Bucks, 1st round (15th pick, 15th overall), 2013 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 30, 2013

Experience: 12 years

34 34
+1
SUMMARY

2024-25

Career

G

67

859

PTS

30.4

23.9

TRB

11.9

9.9

AST

6.5

5.0

FG%

60.1

55.1

FG3%

22.2

28.4

FT%

61.7

69.3

eFG%

60.7

57.0

PER

30.5

25.8

WS

11.5

120.8

One of the biggest megastars in the game today, The Greek Freak won his first MVP at the age of 24 in 2018-19, his sixth year in the NBA. The following year he won the award again as well as the Defensive Player of the Year award. He was named the 2021 Finals MVP as well. Antetokounmpo has already accomplished so much for someone who recently turned 30 and is a lock for the Basketball Hall of Fame. Hoop fans should cherish watching this historic player while he’s still in his prime. 

Photo of LeBron James

LeBron James

LeBron Raymone James ▪ Instagram: kingjames

(King James, LBJ, Chosen One, Bron-Bron, The Little Emperor, The Akron Hammer, L-Train, Benjamin Buckets, Captain LeMerica)

Position: Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-9, 250lb (206cm, 113kg)

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Born: December 30, 1984 (Age: 40-291d) in Akron, Ohio us

Relatives: Son Bronny James

High School: St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio

Recruiting Rank: 2003 (1)

Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 2003 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 29, 2003

Experience: 22 years

32 23 23 9 6 6 6 23 23 6 6
+10
SUMMARY

2024-25

Career

G

70

1562

PTS

24.4

27.0

TRB

7.8

7.5

AST

8.2

7.4

FG%

51.3

50.6

FG3%

37.6

34.9

FT%

78.2

73.7

eFG%

57.1

54.8

PER

22.7

26.9

WS

7.7

271.4

LeBron James became one of the youngest NBA MVPs ever in 2008-09 when he won the award at the age of 24. James was the first player under the age of 25 to win the award since Michael Jordan in 1987-88. LeBron has three other MVP titles and four Finals MVP awards to his name. 

Photo of Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

Michael Jeffrey Jordan

(Mike, Air Jordan, M.J., His Airness, Money, Black Cat, Mr. June, G.O.A.T., Superman, Captain Marvel, Black Jesus)

Position: Shooting Guard and Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-6, 198lb (198cm, 89kg)

Born: February 17, 1963 (Age: 61-087d) in Brooklyn, New York us

College: UNC

High School: Emsley A. Laney in Wilmington, North Carolina

Draft: Chicago Bulls, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1984 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 26, 1984

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2009 (Full List)

Career Length: 15 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

1072

PTS

30.1

TRB

6.2

AST

5.3

FG%

49.7

FG3%

32.7

FT%

83.5

eFG%

50.9

PER

27.9

WS

214.0

His Airness won his first NBA MVP award in 1987-88 at the age of 24 and his fifth and final in 1997-98, making him both one of the youngest players to win the award and one of the oldest. In his first MVP season, Jordan led the league in points per game with 35 and steals per game with 3.2. 

Photo of Dave Cowens

Dave Cowens

Pronunciation: \COW-ens\

David William Cowens

(Big Red, Dave the Rave)

Position: Center and Power Forward ▪ Shoots: Left

6-9, 230lb (206cm, 104kg)

Born: October 25, 1948 (Age: 75-202d) in Newport, Kentucky us

College: Florida State

High School: Central Catholic in Newport, Kentucky

Draft: Boston Celtics, 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 1970 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 13, 1970

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1991 (Full List)

Career Length: 11 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

766

PTS

17.6

TRB

13.6

AST

3.8

FG%

46.0

FG3%

7.1

FT%

78.3

eFG%

46.0

PER

17.0

WS

86.3

It’s never easy to replace a legend like Bill Russell. However, at the age of 24, big man Dave Cowens led the Boston Celtics to a 68-14 record in 1972-73. He averaged 20.5 points per game and 16.2 rebounds per game, and the Celtics would advance to the Eastern Conference Finals where they would lose to the rival Knicks. Cowens would play for the Celtics through the 1979-80 season and make eight All-Star games in his career.

Photo of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Pronunciation: \kuh-REEM ab-dool juh-BAR\

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ▪ Twitter: kaj33

(Formerly known as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.)

(Lew, Cap, Murdock, Big Fella, The Tower of Power)

Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right

7-2, 225lb (218cm, 102kg)

Born: April 16, 1947 (Age: 77-028d) in New York, New York us

College: UCLA

High School: Power Memorial in New York, New York

Draft: Milwaukee Bucks, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1969 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 18, 1969

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1995 (Full List)

Career Length: 20 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

1560

PTS

24.6

TRB

11.2

AST

3.6

FG%

55.9

FG3%

5.6

FT%

72.1

eFG%

55.9

PER

24.6

WS

273.4

Winning back-to-back MVPs makes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the youngest MVP in NBA history to win the award twice before his 25th birthday. In his 1971-72 season, he averaged 34.8 points, 16.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game–all improvements from his 31.7/16.0/3.3 averages during his MVP campaign the year prior. 

FAQs

How old was Derrick Rose when he won MVP?

Derrick Rose was 22 years and seven months old when he won MVP, making him the youngest NBA MVP ever.

Who was the youngest MVP in NBA history?

Derrick Rose is the youngest MVP in NBA history; however, Wes Unseld also won the NBA MVP at the age of 22.

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This entry was posted on Friday, June 21st, 2024 at 8:02 pm and is filed under Top 10 Lists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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