List of first overall NBA draft picks

LeBron James preparing to shoot a free throw.
LeBron James was one of the most anticipated first overall draft picks in recent years.[1]

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 plenty of media attention,[2] as does the player who is selected with that pick.

Ten 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), and LeBron James (two-time 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. Five other international players with U.S. college experience have been drafted first overall—Mychal Thompson (Bahamas) in 1978, Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria) in 1984, Tim Duncan (U.S. Virgin Islands) in 1997, Michael Olowokandi (Nigeria) in 1998, and Andrew Bogut (Australia) in 2005. 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 Washington, D.C.[3]

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.

Contents

Key

^ Denotes player who have been selected to the All-Star Game
* Elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame
^* Denotes Hall of Famers who have been selected to the All-Star Game
Player
(in italic text)		 Rookie of the Year
PPG Points per game[a]
APG Assists per game[a]
RPG Rebounds per game[a]

List of first overall picks

Draft Selected by Player Nationality College/high school/former club PPG[a] RPG[a] APG[a] Ref.
1947 Pittsburgh Ironmen McNeely, CliftonClifton McNeely[b]  USA Texas Wesleyan &0000000000000000000000— &0000000000000000000000— &0000000000000000000000— [b]
1948 Providence Steamrollers Tonkovich, AndyAndy Tonkovich  USA Marshall &00000000000000026000002.6 &0000000000000000000000— &00000000000000006000000.6 [4]
1949 Providence Steamrollers Shannon, HowieHowie Shannon[c]  USA Kansas State &000000000000001340000013.4 &0000000000000000000000— &00000000000000022999992.3 [5]
1950 Boston Celtics Share, CharlieCharlie Share[d]  USA Bowling Green &00000000000000038999993.9 &00000000000000052999995.3 &00000000000000010000001.0 [6]
1951 Baltimore Bullets Melchiorre, GeneGene Melchiorre[e]  USA Bradley &0000000000000000000000— &0000000000000000000000— &0000000000000000000000— [e]
1952 Milwaukee Hawks Workman, MarkMark Workman[f]  USA West Virginia &00000000000000050999995.1 &00000000000000030000003.0 &00000000000000006000000.6 [7]
1953 Baltimore Bullets Felix, RayRay Felix^[g]  USA Long Island &000000000000001760000017.6 &000000000000001330000013.3 &00000000000000011000001.1 [8]
1954 Baltimore Bullets Selvy, FrankFrank Selvy^  USA Furman &000000000000001900000019.0 &00000000000000055000005.5 &00000000000000035000003.5 [9]
1955 Milwaukee Hawks Ricketts, DickDick Ricketts[h]  USA Duquesne &00000000000000089000008.9 &00000000000000072000007.2 &00000000000000030000003.0 [10]
1956 Rochester Royals Green, SihugoSihugo Green[i]  USA Duquesne &000000000000001150000011.5 &00000000000000052000005.2 &00000000000000036000003.6 [11]
1957 Cincinnati Royals Hundley, RodRod Hundley^  USA West Virginia &00000000000000070000007.0 &00000000000000028999992.9 &00000000000000018999991.9 [12]
1958 Minneapolis Lakers Baylor, ElginElgin Baylor^*[j]  USA Seattle &000000000000002489999924.9 &000000000000001500000015.0 &00000000000000040999994.1 [13]
1959 Cincinnati Royals Boozer, BobBob Boozer^[k]  USA Kansas State &00000000000000084000008.4 &00000000000000062000006.2 &00000000000000013999991.4 [14]
1960 Cincinnati Royals Robertson, OscarOscar Robertson^*  USA Cincinnati &000000000000003050000030.5 &000000000000001009999910.1 &00000000000000096999999.7 [15]
1961 Chicago Packers Bellamy, WaltWalt Bellamy^*  USA Indiana &000000000000003160000031.6 &000000000000001900000019.0 &00000000000000027000002.7 [16]
1962 Chicago Zephyrs McGill, BillBill McGill[l]  USA Utah &00000000000000074000007.4 &00000000000000027000002.7 &00000000000000006000000.6 [17]
1963 New York Knicks Heyman, ArtArt Heyman[m]  USA Duke &000000000000001540000015.4 &00000000000000040000004.0 &00000000000000033999993.4 [18]
1964 New York Knicks Barnes, JimJim Barnes[n]  USA Texas Western &000000000000001550000015.5 &00000000000000096999999.7 &00000000000000011999991.2 [19]
1965 San Francisco Warriors Hetzel, FredFred Hetzel[o]  USA Davidson &00000000000000067999996.8 &00000000000000052000005.2 &00000000000000005000000.5 [20]
1966 New York Knicks Russell, CazzieCazzie Russell^  USA Michigan &000000000000001130000011.3 &00000000000000032999993.3 &00000000000000023999992.4 [21]
1967 Detroit Pistons Walker, JimmyJimmy Walker^  USA Providence &00000000000000088000008.8 &00000000000000017000001.7 &00000000000000027999992.8 [22]
1968 San Diego Rockets Hayes, ElvinElvin Hayes^*  USA Houston &000000000000002839999928.4 &000000000000001710000017.1 &00000000000000013999991.4 [23]
1969 Milwaukee Bucks Alcindor, LewLew Alcindor^*[p]  USA UCLA &000000000000002880000028.8 &000000000000001450000014.5 &00000000000000040999994.1 [24]
1970 Detroit Pistons Lanier, BobBob Lanier^*  USA St. Bonaventure &000000000000001559999915.6 &00000000000000080999998.1 &00000000000000018000001.8 [25]
1971 Cleveland Cavaliers Carr, AustinAustin Carr^  USA Notre Dame &000000000000002119999921.2 &00000000000000035000003.5 &00000000000000033999993.4 [26]
1972 Portland Trail Blazers Martin, LaRueLaRue Martin  USA Loyola (Chicago) &00000000000000044000004.4 &00000000000000045999994.6 &00000000000000005000000.5 [27]
1973 Philadelphia 76ers Collins, DougDoug Collins^  USA Illinois State &00000000000000080000008.0 &00000000000000018000001.8 &00000000000000016000001.6 [28]
1974 Portland Trail Blazers Walton, BillBill Walton^*  USA UCLA &000000000000001280000012.8 &000000000000001259999912.6 &00000000000000047999994.8 [29]
1975 Atlanta Hawks Thompson, DavidDavid Thompson^*[q]  USA NC State &000000000000002600000026.0 &00000000000000062999996.3 &00000000000000037000003.7 [30]
1976 Houston Rockets Lucas, JohnJohn Lucas  USA Maryland &000000000000001109999911.1 &00000000000000027000002.7 &00000000000000055999995.6 [31]
1977 Milwaukee Bucks Benson, KentKent Benson  USA Indiana &00000000000000077000007.7 &00000000000000042999994.3 &00000000000000013999991.4 [32]
1978 Portland Trail Blazers Thompson, MychalMychal Thompson  BHS Minnesota &000000000000001469999914.7 &00000000000000083000008.3 &00000000000000023999992.4 [33]
1979 Los Angeles Lakers Johnson, EarvinEarvin Johnson^*  USA Michigan State &000000000000001800000018.0 &00000000000000077000007.7 &00000000000000072999997.3 [34]
1980 Golden State Warriors Carroll, Joe BarryJoe Barry Carroll^  USA Purdue &000000000000001889999918.9 &00000000000000093000009.3 &00000000000000013999991.4 [35]
1981 Dallas Mavericks Aguirre, MarkMark Aguirre^  USA DePaul &000000000000001869999918.7 &00000000000000049000004.9 &00000000000000032000003.2 [36]
1982 Los Angeles Lakers Worthy, JamesJames Worthy^*  USA North Carolina &000000000000001340000013.4 &00000000000000052000005.2 &00000000000000017000001.7 [37]
1983 Houston Rockets Sampson, RalphRalph Sampson^  USA Virginia &000000000000002100000021.0 &000000000000001109999911.1 &00000000000000020000002.0 [38]
1984 Houston Rockets Olajuwon, AkeemAkeem Olajuwon^*[r]  NGA[r] Houston &000000000000002060000020.6 &000000000000001190000011.9 &00000000000000013999991.4 [39]
1985 New York Knicks Ewing, PatrickPatrick Ewing^*  USA[s] Georgetown &000000000000002000000020.0 &00000000000000090000009.0 &00000000000000020000002.0 [40]
1986 Cleveland Cavaliers Daugherty, BradBrad Daugherty^  USA North Carolina &000000000000001569999915.7 &00000000000000080999998.1 &00000000000000037999993.8 [41]
1987 San Antonio Spurs Robinson, DavidDavid Robinson^*[t]  USA Navy &000000000000002430000024.3 &000000000000001200000012.0 &00000000000000020000002.0 [42]
1988 Los Angeles Clippers Manning, DannyDanny Manning^  USA Kansas &000000000000001669999916.7 &00000000000000065999996.6 &00000000000000031000003.1 [43]
1989 Sacramento Kings Ellison, PervisPervis Ellison  USA Louisville &00000000000000080000008.0 &00000000000000057999995.8 &00000000000000018999991.9 [44]
1990 New Jersey Nets Coleman, DerrickDerrick Coleman^  USA Syracuse &000000000000001839999918.4 &000000000000001030000010.3 &00000000000000022000002.2 [45]
1991 Charlotte Hornets Johnson, LarryLarry Johnson^  USA UNLV &000000000000001919999919.2 &000000000000001100000011.0 &00000000000000036000003.6 [46]
1992 Orlando Magic O'Neal, ShaquilleShaquille O'Neal^  USA LSU &000000000000002339999923.4 &000000000000001390000013.9 &00000000000000018999991.9 [47]
1993 Orlando Magic Webber, ChrisChris Webber^  USA Michigan &000000000000001750000017.5 &00000000000000090999999.1 &00000000000000036000003.6 [48]
1994 Milwaukee Bucks Robinson, GlennGlenn Robinson^  USA Purdue &000000000000002189999921.9 &00000000000000064000006.4 &00000000000000025000002.5 [49]
1995 Golden State Warriors Smith, JoeJoe Smith  USA Maryland &000000000000001530000015.3 &00000000000000086999998.7 &00000000000000010000001.0 [50]
1996 Philadelphia 76ers Iverson, AllenAllen Iverson^  USA Georgetown &000000000000002350000023.5 &00000000000000040999994.1 &00000000000000075000007.5 [51]
1997 San Antonio Spurs Duncan, TimTim Duncan^  USA[u] Wake Forest &000000000000002110000021.1 &000000000000001190000011.9 &00000000000000027000002.7 [52]
1998 Los Angeles Clippers Olowokandi, MichaelMichael Olowokandi  NGA Pacific &00000000000000089000008.9 &00000000000000079000007.9 &00000000000000006000000.6 [53]
1999 Chicago Bulls Brand, EltonElton Brand^[v]  USA Duke &000000000000002010000020.1 &000000000000001000000010.0 &00000000000000018999991.9 [54]
2000 New Jersey Nets Martin, KenyonKenyon Martin^  USA Cincinnati &000000000000001200000012.0 &00000000000000074000007.4 &00000000000000018999991.9 [55]
2001 Washington Wizards Brown, KwameKwame Brown  USA Glynn Academy HS (Brunswick, GA) &00000000000000045000004.5 &00000000000000035000003.5 &00000000000000008000000.8 [56]
2002 Houston Rockets Yao Ming^  CHN Shanghai Sharks (China) &000000000000001350000013.5 &00000000000000081999998.2 &00000000000000017000001.7 [57]
2003 Cleveland Cavaliers James, LeBronLeBron James^  USA St. Vincent-St. Mary HS (Akron, OH) &000000000000002089999920.9 &00000000000000055000005.5 &00000000000000059000005.9 [58]
2004 Orlando Magic Howard, DwightDwight Howard^  USA SACA (Atlanta, GA) &000000000000001200000012.0 &000000000000001000000010.0 &00000000000000009000000.9 [59]
2005 Milwaukee Bucks Bogut, AndrewAndrew Bogut  AUS Utah &00000000000000094000009.4 &00000000000000070000007.0 &00000000000000022999992.3 [60]
2006 Toronto Raptors Bargnani, AndreaAndrea Bargnani  ITA Benetton Treviso (Italy) &000000000000001159999911.6 &00000000000000038999993.9 &00000000000000008000000.8 [61]
2007 Portland Trail Blazers Oden, GregGreg Oden[w]  USA Ohio State &00000000000000089000008.9 &00000000000000070000007.0 &00000000000000005000000.5 [62]
2008 Chicago Bulls Rose, DerrickDerrick Rose^  USA Memphis &000000000000001680000016.8 &00000000000000038999993.9 &00000000000000062999996.3 [63]
2009 Los Angeles Clippers Griffin, BlakeBlake Griffin[x]  USA Oklahoma &0000000000000000000000— &0000000000000000000000— &0000000000000000000000— [64]
2010 Washington Wizards TBD TBD TBD

Notes

  • a All statistics are taken from the players' respective rookie season unless otherwise noted.
  • b Clifton McNeely never played professional basketball. Instead, he became a basketball coach for Pampa High School in Texas.[65][66]
  • c Howie Shannon was the first overall pick, although Ed Macauley and Vern Mikkelsen had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[67]
  • d Charlie Share did not play in the 1950–51 season. His rookie statistics are from the 1951–52 season.[6] Share was the first overall pick, although Paul Arizin had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.[68]
  • e 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.[69] Melchiorre was the first overall pick, although Myer Skoog had been taken before the draft as the Minneapolis Lakers' territorial pick.[70]
  • f Mark Workman was the first overall pick, although Bill Mlkvy had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.[71]
  • g Ray Felix was the first overall pick, although Ernie Beck and Walter Dukes had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[72]
  • h Dick Ricketts was the first overall pick, although Dick Garmaker and Tom Gola had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[73]
  • i Sihugo Green was the first overall pick, although Tom Heinsohn had been taken before the draft as the Boston Celtics' territorial pick.[74]
  • j Elgin Baylor was the first overall pick, although Guy Rodgers had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.[75]
  • k Bob Boozer was the first overall pick, although Wilt Chamberlain and Bob Ferry had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[76]
  • l Bill McGill was the first overall pick, although Dave DeBusschere and Jerry Lucas had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[77]
  • m Art Heyman was the first overall pick, although Tom Thacker had been taken before the draft as the Cincinnati Royals' territorial pick.[78]
  • n Jim Barnes was the first overall pick, although Walt Hazzard and George Wilson had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[79]
  • o 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.[80]
  • p Before the 1971–72 season, Lew Alcindor converted to Islam and changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[81]
  • q 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.[30]
  • r Hakeem Olajuwon was born in Nigeria, but became a naturalized United States citizen in 1993. When he arrived in 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.[82][83]
  • s Patrick Ewing was born in Jamaica, but had become a naturalized United States citizen while at Georgetown.[84] He represented the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics.[85]
  • t David Robinson did not play in the NBA until 1989 due to commitments to the United States Navy.[86] His rookie statistics are from the 1989–90 season.[42]
  • u 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.[87]
  • v Elton Brand shared Rookie of the Year honors with Steve Francis of the Houston Rockets.[88]
  • w 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.[89]
  • x Blake Griffin injured his left kneecap in a pre-season game. He underwent a surgery in January 2010 and missed the entire season.[90]

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ "Most anticipated No. 1 draft picks". CBC Sports. July 27, 2005. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/top10/draft_picks.html#6. Retrieved June 16, 2008. 
  2. ↑ Ronald Tillery (June 18, 2008). "Landing the top draft pick can lift NBA team to new heights, and also fill arena". The Commercial Appeal. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/May/18/playing-the-odds/. Retrieved June 16, 2008. 
  3. ↑ "Bargnani becomes first European top NBA draft pick". People's Daily Online. June 29, 2006. http://english.people.com.cn/200606/29/eng20060629_278441.html. Retrieved June 16, 2008. 
  4. ↑ "Andy Tonkovich". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tonkoan01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  5. ↑ "Howie Shannon". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/shannho01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Chuck Share". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sharech01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  7. ↑ "Mark Workman". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/workmma01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  8. ↑ "Ray Felix". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/felixra01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  9. ↑ "Frank Selvy". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/selvyfr01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  10. ↑ "Dick Ricketts". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rickedi01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  11. ↑ "Sihugo Green". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greensi01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  12. ↑ "Rod Hundley". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hundlho01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  13. ↑ "Elgin Baylor". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bayloel01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  14. ↑ "Bob Boozer". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/boozebo01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  15. ↑ "Oscar Robertson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberos01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  16. ↑ "Walt Bellamy". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bellawa01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  17. ↑ "Bill McGill". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcgilbi01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  18. ↑ "Art Heyman". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/heymaar01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  19. ↑ "Jim Barnes". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barneji01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  20. ↑ "Fred Hetzel". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hetzefr01.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  21. ↑ "Cazzie Russell". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/russeca01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  22. ↑ "Jimmy Walker". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/walkeji01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  23. ↑ "Elvin Hayes". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hayesel01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  24. ↑ "Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/abdulka01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  25. ↑ "Bob Lanier". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/laniebo01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  26. ↑ "Austin Carr". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/carrau01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  27. ↑ "LaRue Martin". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/martila01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  28. ↑ "Doug Collins". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/collido01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  29. ↑ "Bill Walton". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltobi01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "David Thompson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompda01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  31. ↑ "John Lucas". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lucasjo01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  32. ↑ "Kent Benson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bensoke01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  33. ↑ "Mychal Thompson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompmy01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  34. ↑ "Earvin Johnson (Magic Johnson)". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsma02.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  35. ↑ "Joe Barry Carroll". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/carrojo01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  36. ↑ "Mark Aguirre". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aguirma01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  37. ↑ "James Worthy". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/worthja01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  38. ↑ "Ralph Sampson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sampsra01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  39. ↑ "Hakeem Olajuwon". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/olajuha01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  40. ↑ "Patrick Ewing". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ewingpa01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  41. ↑ "Brad Daugherty". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/daughbr01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "David Robinson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robinda01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  43. ↑ "Danny Manning". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mannida01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  44. ↑ "Pervis Ellison". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ellispe01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  45. ↑ "Derrick Coleman". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/colemde01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  46. ↑ "Larry Johnson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsla02.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  47. ↑ "Shaquille O'Neal". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  48. ↑ "Chris Webber". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/webbech01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  49. ↑ "Glenn Robinson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robingl01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  50. ↑ "Joe Smith". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithjo02.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  51. ↑ "Allen Iverson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/iversal01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  52. ↑ "Tim Duncan". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duncati01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  53. ↑ "Michael Olowokandi". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/olowomi01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  54. ↑ "Elton Brand". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brandel01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  55. ↑ "Kenyon Martin". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/martike01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  56. ↑ "Kwame Brown". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brownkw01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  57. ↑ "Yao Ming". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mingya01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  58. ↑ "LeBron James". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  59. ↑ "Dwight Howard". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/howardw01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  60. ↑ "Andrew Bogut". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bogutan01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  61. ↑ "Andrea Bargnani". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bargnan01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  62. ↑ "Greg Oden". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/odengr01.html. Retrieved June 20, 2008. 
  63. ↑ "Derrick Rose". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rosede01.html. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
  64. ↑ "Griffin top pick in NBA draft". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/news/story?id=4287558. Retrieved June 25, 2009. 
  65. ↑ Bob Cook (September 13, 2007). ""Oden’s injury a cruel blow for cursed Blazers"". NBC Sports. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/20763763/site/21683474/. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  66. ↑ "Obituaries: Clifton McNeely 12/29/03". amarillo.com. December 29, 2003. http://www.amarillo.com/stories/122903/obi_mcneely.shtml. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  67. ↑ "1949 BAA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/BAA_1949.html. Retrieved June 15, 2008. 
  68. ↑ "1950 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1950.html. Retrieved June 16, 2008. 
  69. ↑ Wright Thompson (August 9, 2007). "For the 1951 point-shavers, a life lived in infamy". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/cheat/news/story?id=2958786. Retrieved June 15, 2008. 
  70. ↑ "1951 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1951.html. Retrieved June 16, 2008. 
  71. ↑ "1952 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1952.html. Retrieved June 15, 2008. 
  72. ↑ "1953 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1953.html. Retrieved June 15, 2008. 
  73. ↑ "1955 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1955.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  74. ↑ "1956 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1956.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  75. ↑ "1958 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1958.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  76. ↑ "1959 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1959.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  77. ↑ "1962 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1962.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  78. ↑ "1963 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1963.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  79. ↑ "1964 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1964.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  80. ↑ "1965 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1965.html. Retrieved June 19, 2008. 
  81. ↑ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. http://www.nba.com/history/players/abduljabbar_bio.html. Retrieved August 4, 2008. 
  82. ↑ "Hakeem Olajuwon Bio: 1992-93". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/hakeem_olajuwon/bio.html. Retrieved June 15, 2008. 
  83. ↑ Dufresne, Chris (March 11, 1991). "Hakeem Still Can Be Called 'the Dream'". Los Angeles Times: p. 2. 
  84. ↑ Ralph Wiley (January 7, 1985). "The Master Of The Key: After years of relying on others to unlock doors for him, Georgetown's center Patrick Ewing will soon go off on his own". Sports Illustrated. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119034/3/index.htm. Retrieved June 16, 2008. 
  85. ↑ "All-Time USA Basketball Men's Roster: E". USA Basketball. http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=men_alpha_E. Retrieved July 13, 2008. 
  86. ↑ Dave Anderson (May 18, 1987). "Sports of the Times; The Robinson Plot Thickens". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DEFDF133EF93BA25756C0A961948260. Retrieved June 16, 2008. 
  87. ↑ "All-Time USA Basketball Men's Roster: D". USA Basketball. http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=men_alpha_D. Retrieved June 16, 2008. 
  88. ↑ "Rookie of the Year Award Winners". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/roy.html. Retrieved July 7, 2008. 
  89. ↑ "Oden's recovery from surgery likely in range of 6-12 months". ESPN.com. September 14, 2007. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3017538. Retrieved June 16, 2008. 
  90. ↑ "Griffin's rookie season lost to injury". ESPN.com. January 13, 2010. http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=4823032. Retrieved January 13, 2010. 
NBA first overall draft picks

1947: McNeely · 1948: Tonkovich · 1949: Shannon · 1950: Share · 1951: Melchiorre · 1952: Workman · 1953: Felix · 1954: Selvy · 1955: Ricketts · 1956: Green · 1957: Hundley · 1958: Baylor · 1959: Boozer · 1960: Robertson · 1961: Bellamy · 1962: McGill · 1963: Heyman · 1964: Barnes · 1965: Hetzel · 1966: Russell · 1967: Walker · 1968: Hayes · 1969: Alcindor · 1970: Lanier · 1971: Carr · 1972: L. Martin · 1973: Collins · 1974: Walton · 1975: D. Thompson · 1976: Lucas · 1977: Benson · 1978: M. Thompson · 1979: E. Johnson · 1980: Carroll · 1981: Aguirre · 1982: Worthy · 1983: Sampson · 1984: Olajuwon · 1985: Ewing · 1986: Daugherty · 1987: D. Robinson · 1988: Manning · 1989: Ellison · 1990: Coleman · 1991: L. Johnson · 1992: O'Neal · 1993: Webber · 1994: G. Robinson · 1995: Smith · 1996: Iverson · 1997: Duncan · 1998: Olowokandi · 1999: Brand · 2000: K. Martin · 2001: Brown · 2002: Yao · 2003: James · 2004: Howard · 2005: Bogut · 2006: Bargnani · 2007: Oden · 2008: Rose · 2009: Griffin · 2010: Wall
NBA Drafts
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