Top 25 rookie seasons in NBA history: No. 24 Alonzo Mourning

The greatest rookie seasons in NBA history share a number of qualities, starting with individual statistical dominance. However, you can't overlook the context beyond the box score; initial expectations, team success, and overall legacy all matter.

While we wait for the 2019-20 season to resume, theScore's NBA editors have dusted off the record books to determine the top 25 rookie seasons in league history.

No. 24 in our series is former Charlotte Hornets big man Alonzo Mourning. Catch up on previous posts in the series here.

Before the Association

Mourning was a force across four seasons at Georgetown. In his freshman year, the Hoyas made the NCAA Tournament's East regional final but fell to Duke. By his 1991-92 senior year, he was by far their best player, leading them in points (21.3), rebounds (10.7), and blocks (five) per game. However, they were eliminated in the tournament's second round for a third straight season.

Mourning did pick up individual honors, though. He was the Big East Player of the Year in 1992, the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 1989, 1990, and 1992, and he led the nation in blocks during his freshman year with 169 rejections.

Draft day

Thanks to his impressive college stint, Mourning emerged as one of the top prospects in the 1992 draft. Arguably the only reason he wasn't taken first overall was another tantalizing, young big man named Shaquille O'Neal.

The Hornets drafted Mourning No. 2 - ahead of other highly regarded names such as Christian Laettner, Tom Gugliotta, and Robert Horry - and he changed their trajectory. The franchise was a combined 96-232 over its first four years until drafting Mourning but didn't have a losing season with him on the team.

Individual success

Mourning hit the ground running, albeit after holding himself out of training camp and the first four games of the season to improve his rookie deal. He turned out to be the perfect frontcourt partner for Larry Johnson, the first overall pick from the year prior. Together, they posted respective 20-10 seasons, with Mourning adding 3.5 blocks per game for good measure.

Despite a stellar year, Mourning stood no chance at winning Rookie of the Year thanks to O'Neal. However, he did make the 1993 All-Rookie first team.

Team success

Charlotte finished the 1992-93 season 44-38, the franchise's first winning campaign. That also gave the organization its first taste of the playoffs, setting the stage for Mourning's best moment in a Hornets uniform.

Trailing the Boston Celtics by a point with 3.3 seconds left and one win away from the Eastern Conference semifinals, Mourning received the inbound pass on the perimeter, took one dribble, and drilled the game-winner.

The Hornets managed just one win in the next round against the New York Knicks, but that clutch jumper was the defining moment of their season.

Enduring legacy

Mourning didn't last long in Charlotte. Disagreements over a contract extension led to his departure to the Miami Heat after his third season.

However, Mourning's impact on the franchise hasn't been forgotten. He ranks first in Hornets history in blocks (684), fourth in made free throws (1,418), 10th in rebounds (2,176), and second in points per game (21.3).

Two years after his 2014 Hall of Fame induction, the franchise honored its former center during a halftime ceremony.

Come back Friday to see who came in at No. 23 in theScore's Top 25 Rookie Seasons series.