Then ➡️ Now.
On This Day (1995): Jason Kidd and Grant Hill were officially named co-winners of the 1994-95 NBA Rookie of the Year award — a rare and iconic moment in league history. It wasn’t just a shared trophy. It was the crowning of two future legends whose careers would reshape the league in very different, but equally important, ways.
Back Then — 1994-95 Season:
It was a new era in the NBA. Jordan was still away playing baseball, and the league was in the middle of a changing of the guard. Into that space stepped Jason Kidd, the pass-first point guard out of Cal, drafted No. 2 overall by the Dallas Mavericks, and Grant Hill, the silky-smooth forward from Duke, picked No. 3 by the Detroit Pistons.
Kidd brought flash and fire. With elite court vision, quick hands, and a confidence that belied his age, he instantly energized a struggling Mavericks squad. He averaged 11.7 points, 7.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game, helping to nearly double Dallas’ win total from the year before.
Meanwhile, Hill was pure poetry in motion. A rare combination of size, grace, and basketball IQ, he led the Pistons in points (19.9), rebounds (6.4), and assists (5.0) — something almost unheard of for a rookie. He was also the first rookie ever to lead all NBA players in All-Star voting, surpassing even the legends of the time.
When it came time to vote, the race was too close to call. So, for just the second time in NBA history, the league handed the Rookie of the Year award to both players. Two different styles. Two different paths. One shared spotlight.
Now — Legends Cemented, Stories Still Told:
Fast forward nearly 30 years, and the legacies of Kidd and Hill are undeniable — even if their careers took vastly different turns.
Jason Kidd went on to become one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. He finished his career second all-time in assists and steals, won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, and earned 10 All-Star selections. Known for turning every team he joined into a contender, Kidd was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 and is now the head coach of the same Mavericks franchise that drafted him.
Grant Hill, on the other hand, had the makings of an all-time great — and even with injuries derailing much of his prime, he still carved out a remarkable career. Before the ankle surgeries, Hill was being compared to Scottie Pippen and even Michael Jordan. He was a seven-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA First Teamer, and finished his career with over 17,000 points. Off the court, he became one of the NBA’s most respected ambassadors and later joined ownership of the Atlanta Hawks. Like Kidd, Hill was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Impact Beyond the Numbers:
Kidd and Hill were more than just hoopers. They were part of a wave of 90s players who changed how young stars were marketed, admired, and emulated. They graced video games, sneaker ads, and magazine covers. They were cultural icons — young, intelligent, charismatic, and deeply skilled.
Looking back, the 1995 Rookie of the Year race wasn’t just a tie — it was a dual introduction to greatness.
Then ➡️ Now.
From young phenoms to Hall of Famers, Jason Kidd and Grant Hill left fingerprints on an era — and it all officially began on this day in 1995. 🏆
