List of first overall NBA draft picks
The National Basketball Association's first overall pick is the player who is selected first among all eligible draftees by a team during the annual National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. The first pick is awarded to the team that wins the NBA draft lottery; in most cases, that team had a losing record in the previous season. The team with the first pick attracts significant media attention,[2] as does the player who is selected with that pick.
Eleven first picks have won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award: Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (record six-time winner), Bill Walton, Magic Johnson (three-time winner), Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan (two-time winner), LeBron James (four-time winner), and Derrick Rose (youngest winner).
China's Yao Ming (2002) and Italy's Andrea Bargnani (2006) are the only two players without competitive experience in the United States to be drafted first overall. Eleven other international players with U.S. college experience have been drafted first overall—Mychal Thompson (Bahamas) in 1978, Olajuwon (Nigeria) in 1984, Patrick Ewing (Jamaica) in 1985, Duncan (U.S. Virgin Islands) in 1997, Michael Olowokandi (Nigeria) in 1998, Andrew Bogut (Australia) in 2005, Kyrie Irving (Australia) in 2011, Anthony Bennett (Canada) in 2013, Andrew Wiggins (Canada) in 2014, Ben Simmons (Australia) in 2016, and Deandre Ayton (Bahamas) in 2018. Duncan is an American citizen, but is considered an "international" player by the NBA because he was not born in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia.[3] Ewing[4] had dual Jamaican-American citizenship when he was drafted and Irving[5] and Simmons[6] had dual Australian-American citizenship when they were drafted.
Note that the drafts between 1947 and 1949 were held by the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The Basketball Association of America became the National Basketball Association after absorbing teams from the National Basketball League in the fall of 1949. Official NBA publications include the BAA Drafts as part of the NBA's draft history.
Key
^ | Denotes players who have been selected to the All-Star Game or All-NBA Team |
^* | Denotes Hall of Famers |
PPG | Points per game[lower-alpha 1] |
APG | Assists per game[lower-alpha 1] |
RPG | Rebounds per game[lower-alpha 1] |
Player (in italic text) |
Rookie of the Year |
Player (in bold text) |
Denotes a player who is currently active in the NBA |
List of first overall picks
See also
- List of first overall NBA G League draft picks
- List of first overall WNBA draft picks
- List of first overall Major League Baseball draft picks
- List of first overall National Football League draft picks
- List of first overall NHL draft picks
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 All statistics are taken from the players' respective rookie season unless otherwise noted.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Clifton McNeely never played professional basketball. Instead, he became a basketball coach for Pampa High School in Texas.[7][8]
- ↑ Howie Shannon was the first overall pick, although Ed Macauley and Vern Mikkelsen had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[10]
- ↑ Charlie Share did not play in the 1950–51 season. His rookie statistics are from the 1951–52 season.[12] Share was the first overall pick, although Paul Arizin had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.[13]
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gene Melchiorre never played in the NBA. He was banned for life from the NBA due to his involvement in the CCNY point shaving scandal.[14] Melchiorre was the first overall pick, although Myer Skoog had been taken before the draft as the Minneapolis Lakers' territorial pick.[15]
- ↑ Mark Workman was the first overall pick, although Bill Mlkvy had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.[16]
- ↑ Ray Felix was the first overall pick, although Ernie Beck and Walter Dukes had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[18]
- ↑ Dick Ricketts was the first overall pick, although Dick Garmaker and Tom Gola had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[21]
- ↑ Sihugo Green was the first overall pick, although Tom Heinsohn had been taken before the draft as the Boston Celtics' territorial pick.[23]
- ↑ Elgin Baylor was the first overall pick, although Guy Rodgers had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.[26]
- ↑ Bob Boozer was the first overall pick, although Wilt Chamberlain and Bob Ferry had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[28]
- ↑ Although Oscar Robertson was drafted as a territorial pick by the Cincinnati Royals, he was also recognized as the first pick in the first round of the draft as the Royals also held the first overall draft pick.[30][31]
- ↑ Bill McGill was the first overall pick, although Dave DeBusschere and Jerry Lucas had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[34]
- ↑ Art Heyman was the first overall pick, although Tom Thacker had been taken before the draft as the Cincinnati Royals' territorial pick.[36]
- ↑ Jim Barnes was the first overall pick, although Walt Hazzard and George Wilson had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[38]
- ↑ Fred Hetzel was the first overall pick, although Bill Bradley, Bill Buntin and Gail Goodrich had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[40]
- ↑ Before the 1971–72 season, Lew Alcindor changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[45]
- ↑ David Thompson played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) in the 1975–76 season and did not play in the NBA until 1976. His rookie statistics are from the 1976–77 season.[52]
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Hakeem Olajuwon was born in Nigeria, but became a naturalized United States citizen in 1993. When he arrived to the United States, the University of Houston incorrectly spelled his first name "Akeem". Olajuwon used that spelling until March 9, 1991, when he announced that he would add an H, saying, "I'm not changing the spelling of my name, I'm correcting it."[61][62]
- ↑ Patrick Ewing was born in Jamaica, but had become a naturalized United States citizen while at Georgetown.[64] He represented the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics.[65]
- ↑ David Robinson did not play in the NBA until 1989 due to commitments to the United States Navy.[68] His rookie statistics are from the 1989–90 season.[69]
- ↑ Tim Duncan is a United States citizen by birth, as are all natives of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Because of this citizenship arrangement, Duncan has played for the U.S. internationally.[79]
- ↑ Elton Brand shared Rookie of the Year honors with Steve Francis of the Houston Rockets.[82]
- ↑ Greg Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee before the 2007–08 season, and missed the entire season. His rookie statistics are from the 2008–09 season.[91]
- ↑ Blake Griffin injured his left kneecap in a pre-season game before the 2009–10 season. He underwent a surgery in January 2010 and missed the entire season. His rookie statistics are from the 2010–11 season.[94]
- ↑ Kyrie Irving was born in Australia to American parents who returned to the U.S. when he was two years old. He has played for the U.S. internationally at both youth and senior level.[97][98]
- ↑ Karl-Anthony Towns was born and raised in the United States; his mother is Dominican. He has chosen to represent the Dominican Republic at the international level.
- ↑ Ben Simmons injured his right foot during training camp before the 2016–17 season. He missed the entire season. His rookie statistics are from the 2017–18 season.[104]
- ↑ Simmons was born in Melbourne, Australia, to an American father and Australian mother. He chose to represent Australia at international level.
- ↑ Born and raised in the United States, Banchero intends to represent Italy at the international level. He was selected for the 24-man roster for EuroBasket 2022 qualification games but did not play.
References
- General
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- Specific
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ "Andy Tonkovich NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Howie Shannon NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Mark Workman NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Ray Felix NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ "Frank Selvy NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Dick Ricketts NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Sihugo Green NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ "Rod Hundley NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Elgin Baylor NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Bob Boozer NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Oscar Robertson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ "Walt Bellamy NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Bill McGill NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Art Heyman NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Jim Barnes NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Fred Hetzel NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ↑ "Cazzie Russell NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Jimmy Walker NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Elvin Hayes NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Bob Lanier NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Austin Carr NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "LaRue Martin NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Doug Collins NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Bill Walton NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 "David Thompson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "John Lucas NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Kent Benson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Mychal Thompson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Earvin Johnson (Magic Johnson) NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Joe Barry Carroll NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Mark Aguirre NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "James Worthy NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Ralph Sampson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ "Hakeem Olajuwon NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Patrick Ewing NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Brad Daugherty NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 69.0 69.1 "David Robinson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Danny Manning NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Pervis Ellison NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Derrick Coleman NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Larry Johnson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Shaquille O'Neal NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Chris Webber NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Glenn Robinson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Joe Smith NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Allen Iverson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Tim Duncan NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Michael Olowokandi NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Elton Brand NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Kenyon Martin NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Kwame Brown NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Yao Ming NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "LeBron James NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Dwight Howard NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Andrew Bogut NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Andrea Bargnani NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Greg Oden NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Derrick Rose NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Blake Griffin NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
- ↑ "John Wall NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ "Kyrie Irving NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- ↑ "Anthony Davis NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- ↑ "Anthony Bennett NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ↑ "Andrew Wiggins NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ↑ "Karl-Anthony Towns NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- ↑ 104.0 104.1 "Ben Simmons NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ↑ "Markelle Fultz NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Deandre Ayton NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ↑ "Zion Williamson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
- ↑ "Anthony Edwards NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ↑ "Cade Cunningham NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
- ↑ "Paolo Banchero NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
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