Its not based on either. Its based on when you sign a contract. If you sit out your rookie year, while under contract, you are not a rookie the 2nd year. In Maurice Evan's rookie year, he played all of 10 minutes. He was still a 2nd year player the next year.
Greg Oden is considered a rookie this year. I don`t know the rules why he is deiganted a rookie this year, however, he has a chance of winning the "Rookie of the Year Award" this year. Therefore, he must still qualify as a rook this year.
You may be right about sitting out, but not being on injured reserve all year. That`s two different scenarios.
I was not commenting on this case actually. Just the fact that if you get drafted, but don't sign, you are not even an NBA player. And its not when you get your first minutes either. If you are signed, but never are asked to play, you still just went thru your rookie year. For purposes of rookie of the year and such, yes, if you are injured the whole year they count the first year you actually get minutes as your rookie year.
You can even bet on Rookie of the Year, if you are so inclined: 2009 Odds for NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Beasley 2-1 Derrick Rose 5-2 O.J. Mayo 7-2 Greg Oden 4-1 Eric Gordon 6-1 Kevin Love 8-1 Jerryd Bayless 10-1 D.J. Augustine 12-1 Russell Westbrook 12-1 Brandon Rush 15-1 Brook Lopez 15-1 Joe Alexander 20-1 Danilo Gallinari 25-1 Anthony Randolph 25-1 Donte Greene 30-1 Roy Hibbert 30-1 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds Nice cover, Lee.
