The Northeast Conference (NEC) Men's Basketball Rookie of the Year is an award given to the basketball player in the Northeast Conference voted as the most outstanding freshman player. The award was first given after the second season of NEC basketball, the 1982âÂÂ83 season. From the 1982âÂÂ83 season through the 1998âÂÂ99 season the award was called the Newcomer of the Year Award before being renamed to the Rookie of the Year Award for the 1999âÂÂ2000 season. Robert Morris is the school with the most award wins, with five.