The first overall pick in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is the player who is selected first among all eligible draftees by a team during the league's annual 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 NBA team that garners the top overall draft pick selection generates significant media attention,[2] as does the respective player who eventually gets selected with that first pick.
![LeBron James preparing to shoot a free throw.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/LebronFT_%28cropped%29.jpg/170px-LebronFT_%28cropped%29.jpg)
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), Italy's Andrea Bargnani (2006), France's Victor Wembanyama (2023) and Zaccharie Risacher (2024) are the only 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
edit^ | Denotes players who have been selected to the All-Star Game or All-NBA Team |
^* | Denotes Hall of Famers |
PPG | Points per game[a] |
APG | Assists per game[a] |
RPG | Rebounds per game[a] |
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
editSee also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c All statistics are taken from the players' respective rookie season unless otherwise noted.
- ^ a b 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]
- ^ a b 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]
- ^ a b 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.
References
edit- General
- "Draft Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2008.
- Specific
- ^ "Most anticipated No. 1 draft picks". CBC Sports. July 27, 2005. Archived from the original on October 25, 2005. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ Ronald Tillery (June 18, 2008). "Landing the top draft pick can lift NBA team to new heights, and also fill arena". The Commercial Appeal. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
- ^ "Bargnani becomes first European top NBA draft pick". People's Daily. June 29, 2006. Archived from the original on February 22, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
- ^ Vecsey, George (December 3, 1993). "Basketball Surviving Quite Nicely". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
- ^ "Kyrie Irving is Committed to the Red, White and Blue". USA Basketball. June 21, 2010. Archived from the original on August 24, 2010.
- ^ Borzello, Jeff (June 8, 2012). "Australian prospect Ben Simmons makes great first impression". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
- ^ Bob Cook (September 13, 2007). "Oden's injury a cruel blow for cursed Blazers". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Obituaries: Clifton McNeely 12/29/03". amarillo.com. December 29, 2003. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Andy Tonkovich Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1949 BAA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
- ^ "Howie Shannon Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1950 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
- ^ Wright Thompson (August 9, 2007). "For the 1951 point-shavers, a life lived in infamy". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
- ^ "1951 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
- ^ "1952 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
- ^ "Mark Workman Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1953 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
- ^ "Ray Felix Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Frank Selvy Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1955 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Dick Ricketts Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1956 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Sihugo Green Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Rod Hundley Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1958 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Elgin Baylor Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1959 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Bob Boozer Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Oscar Robertson Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
- ^ Wise, Mike (June 29, 2000). "Clippers Go to High School to Get Miles". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
- ^ "Oscar Robertson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Walt Bellamy Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1962 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Bill McGill Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1963 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Art Heyman Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1964 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Jim Barnes Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "1965 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Fred Hetzel Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ^ "Cazzie Russell Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Jimmy Walker Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Elvin Hayes Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- ^ "Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Bob Lanier Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Austin Carr Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "LaRue Martin Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Doug Collins Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Bill Walton Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ a b "David Thompson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "John Lucas Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Kent Benson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Mychal Thompson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Earvin Johnson (Magic Johnson) Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Joe Barry Carroll Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Mark Aguirre Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "James Worthy Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Ralph Sampson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Hakeem Olajuwon Bio: 1992–93". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
- ^ Dufresne, Chris (March 11, 1991). "Hakeem Still Can Be Called 'the Dream'". Los Angeles Times. p. 2.
- ^ "Hakeem Olajuwon Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
- ^ "All-Time USA Basketball Men's Roster: E". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
- ^ "Patrick Ewing Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Brad Daugherty Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ Dave Anderson (May 18, 1987). "Sports of the Times; The Robinson Plot Thickens". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
- ^ a b "David Robinson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Danny Manning Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Pervis Ellison Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Derrick Coleman Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Larry Johnson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Shaquille O'Neal Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Chris Webber Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Glenn Robinson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Joe Smith Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Allen Iverson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "All-Time USA Basketball Men's Roster: D". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
- ^ "Tim Duncan Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Michael Olowokandi Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Rookie of the Year Award Winners". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
- ^ "Elton Brand Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Kenyon Martin Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Kwame Brown Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Yao Ming Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "LeBron James Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Dwight Howard Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Andrew Bogut Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Andrea Bargnani Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Oden's recovery from surgery likely in range of 6–12 months". ESPN.com. September 14, 2007. Archived from the original on January 18, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
- ^ "Greg Oden Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- ^ "Derrick Rose Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved December 26, 2008.
- ^ "Griffin's rookie season lost to injury". ESPN.com. January 13, 2010. Archived from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
- ^ "Blake Griffin Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
- ^ "John Wall Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
- ^ Bednall, Jai (May 15, 2011). "Boomers miss their shot at courting US star Kyrie Irving". Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ "Irving named MVP of 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, headlines All-Star Five" (Press release). FIBA. September 14, 2014. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ "Kyrie Irving Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- ^ "Anthony Davis Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- ^ "Anthony Bennett Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "Andrew Wiggins Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ "Karl-Anthony Towns Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- ^ a b "Ben Simmons Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ "Markelle Fultz Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ^ "Deandre Ayton Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ^ "Zion Williamson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
- ^ "Anthony Edwards Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ "Cade Cunningham Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
- ^ "Paolo Banchero Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ "Victor Wembanyama Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved November 13, 2023.