Oldest Rookie in NBA History?

[JasonJohnHorn]

New York's roster is so old! How old is it? It's so old that even one of their rookies is 35 years old!

That's right. I hadn't realized this until now, but Pablo Prigioni may be the oldest rookie in NBA history! And the funny thing is, NY has two rookies on their roster this season, and the other one is 28 years old! That's Chris Copeland.


This raises the question. Who is the oldest "rookie" in NBA history?

Well, Sabonis made his NBA debut at the ripe age of 31 years.

Nat Hickey played his first and only BAA game at the age of 46 years! He missed 6 shots and committed 5 fouls. But BAA doesn't count as NBA, and Hockey had apparently played professionally for years. You might wonder what coach in his right mind would play this 46-year-old fool? The coach's name? Nat Hickey. Talk about a conflict of interest!

There is a question as to what constitutes a rookie. Does ABA experience count? Several ABA players made their NBA debut in their 30's, does that count as a rookie?

Charley Shipp was apparently 36 during his rookie year (which was his only year, though he came to the NBA as part of a merger and had played professionally since 1937).

So... who is the oldest rookie in NBA hisotry? And why does NY have two rookies who are SO old? lol

[JNoel]

JasonJohnHorn threads

[xxplayerxx23]

Not sure. Pablo is a very nice player off the bench, he didn't want to leave europe, finally got him over here. Coop never got a chance to play in the NBA, got sent to the D-League then went to Europe. Now is his chance.

[JasonJohnHorn]

JasonJohnHorn threads

I know.... why does this guy make so many threads?

[JNoel]

I know.... why does this guy make so many threads?

He's probably bored, and when a thought comes to his head, he feels like that thought must be converted to a thread topic. Its all inception.

[JasonJohnHorn]

He's probably bored, and when a thought comes to his head, he feels like that thought must be converted to a thread topic. Its all inception.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQPy88-E2zo

[dee279]

**** this thread! Im out of here

[D-Leethal]

Knicks and Spurs been after Pablo for the past 5-6 years. Grunwald has been nagging at his agent as long as he can remember. Pablo was comfortable in Europe, made more $$$, and was a family man. Scola and Delfino convinced him to solidify his basketball career by playing in the NBA.

They mention alot in Knick broadcasts that he is the oldest rookie in 40 years. Not sure who was the oldest.

Dude is a beast. Love me some Priggy Smalls. Can't wait for him and STAT to murder the pick and roll. Also, the dude keeps himself in STAT type phenomenal physical shape. Not sure how long the Euro seasons are but he isn't 35 in NBA years.

[Minimal]

Prigioni is the oldest rookie in the NBA history.

New York love old farts.

[Lim]

how the **** can you be a rookie after playing pro in spain and argentina for 500 years? **** is so stupid. you should only be labeled a rookie after coming out of college with no pro experience.

[GunFactor007]

how the **** can you be a rookie after playing pro in spain and argentina for 500 years? **** is so stupid. you should only be labeled a rookie after coming out of college with no pro experience.

First year in NBA = NBA Rookie, you wouldn't call a 36 year old who was in the work force for years before college and then just entered college then a Senior right? They'd be a student with Freshman standing. Same logic.

[Sactown]

I believe I heard during a Kings game that they didn't keep a record of the oldest rookie, but they said Prig wasn't the oldest.

[JayW_1023]

I like Prigioni because he finally decided to cash in, with a team whose playing style contrasts his own.

[aztr0]

New York's roster is so old! How old is it? It's so old that even one of their rookies is 35 years old!

OMG, stop the presses! Breaking news here! Like a couple months late.

[Hellcrooner]

Knicks and Spurs been after Pablo for the past 5-6 years. Grunwald has been nagging at his agent as long as he can remember. Pablo was comfortable in Europe, made more $$$, and was a family man. Scola and Delfino convinced him to solidify his basketball career by playing in the NBA.

They mention alot in Knick broadcasts that he is the oldest rookie in 40 years. Not sure who was the oldest.

Dude is a beast. Love me some Priggy Smalls. Can't wait for him and STAT to murder the pick and roll. Also, the dude keeps himself in STAT type phenomenal physical shape. Not sure how long the Euro seasons are but he isn't 35 in NBA years.

Considering he was on a team that usually made it far in the postseason/euroleague and Kings cup.....

34 regular season
around 12 more on playoffs.
3 more on kings cup.
20 euroleague.

so deppending on seasons from 60 up to 70 games a season.

Games are 40 minutes games btw.