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Brooklyn Nets: 10 best rookie seasons in franchise history

By Phil Watson

NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 01: Kerry Kittles #30 of the New Jersey Nets poses for a portrait during the 1996 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on September 1, 1996 in New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 01: Kerry Kittles #30 of the New Jersey Nets poses for a portrait during the 1996 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on September 1, 1996 in New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1991: Derrick Coleman #44 of the New Jersey Nets looks to pass the ball against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1991 at The Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Coleman played for the Nets from 1990-95. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derrick Coleman /

147. . PF. 1990-91 New Jersey Nets. Derrick Coleman. 2. player

Derrick Coleman was the first No. 1 overall pick in the history of the Brooklyn Nets franchise, going to the New Jersey Nets with the top slot in the 1990 NBA Draft.

Contract discussions dragged and Coleman missed all of his first training camp, signing five days before the opener in October 1990.

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    • He quickly made up for lost time, moving into the starting lineup after six reserve appearances and going on to average 18.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks in 35.2 minutes per game as a rookie, shooting .467/.342/.731.

    That effort earned him Rookie of the Year honors and a spot on the All-Rookie first team, though the Nets were well short of a playoff spot at 26-56.

    Coleman rose to the top of the draft board after earning All-America honors as a senior at Syracuse, where he averaged a double-double over his career.

    In his first NBA season, Coleman was 10th in the league in rebounding and offensive rebounds.

    He played five seasons in New Jersey, traded in late November 1995 to the Philadelphia 76ers with Sean Higgins and Rex Walters in exchange for Shawn Bradley, Greg Graham and Tim Perry.

    Coleman went on to play two three-year stints with the 76ers, sandwiched around three years with the Charlotte Hornets, and retired after a five-game stretch with the Detroit Pistons that ended in January 2005.

    He was an All-Star for the Nets in 1994 and was twice named All-NBA with New Jersey.

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