50 Fun Facts About NBA Draft

In what year was the first NBA draft held?

It has been an annual event ever since; the first BAA drafts are counted in the league's history.

How many rounds does the NBA draft have today?

It has been two rounds since 1989; the 1960 and 1968 drafts ran to 21 rounds.

How many players are selected in each NBA draft?

Each of the 30 teams starts with one pick per round, though picks are often traded.

In which month does the NBA draft usually take place?

The lottery that sets the order is held in the third or fourth week of May.

Since the 2006 draft, how far removed from high school must American players be?

They must also turn 19 in the calendar year of the draft, which created the 'one-and-done' era.

In what year did the NBA introduce the draft lottery?

It replaced a coin flip between the worst teams, which was accused of encouraging tanking.

Which team won the very first draft lottery in 1985?

They used the pick on Patrick Ewing, spawning the 'frozen envelope' conspiracy theory.

Since 2019, how many of the top picks does the lottery determine?

The three worst teams now share equal 14% odds at the first pick.

How many numbered ping-pong balls are used in the NBA draft lottery machine?

1,000 four-digit combinations are assigned among the 14 non-playoff teams.

Which regulation requires a team to own a first-round pick in every other draft?

It is named for a Cavaliers owner who traded away a string of future firsts in the early 1980s.

What were 'territorial picks', used from 1956 to 1965?

Teams could claim a nearby college star to boost fan interest; the 1966 draft is seen as the first modern one.

Which franchise has held the first overall pick the most times?

Seven times, counting their Bullets years; Kwame Brown and John Wall were two of them.

Who was the first-ever No. 1 pick in the inaugural 1950 NBA draft?

The Boston Celtics took the Bowling Green centre.

Which team took Elgin Baylor first overall in 1958?

They had drafted him in the 14th round two years earlier, but he stayed in school.

Which one-season-old franchise drafted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar first overall in 1969?

The New York Nets also took him first in the ABA draft, but he chose the NBA.

Larry Bird was drafted sixth overall in 1978 but did what?

Boston waited a season for him to finish at Indiana State, then won three titles with him.

Who went first overall to the Lakers in 1979 after winning an NCAA title at Michigan State?

He led the 'Showtime' Lakers to five championships.

Who was the first overall pick in the famous 1984 draft?

Houston won a coin flip for the pick; Jordan went third to Chicago.

Which team picked Sam Bowie second in 1984, just ahead of Michael Jordan?

Sports Illustrated later called him the biggest draft bust in NBA history.

With which pick was Michael Jordan taken in 1984?

Olajuwon and Bowie went ahead of him.

Which 1986 No. 2 pick died two days after the draft?

The Celtics draftee died of a cocaine-induced cardiac arrhythmia.

Why did the Spurs wait two years for 1987 No. 1 pick David Robinson?

'The Admiral' finally debuted in 1989 and was Rookie of the Year.

Which team drafted Shaquille O'Neal first overall in 1992?

He was Rookie of the Year and reached the Finals with them in 1995.

Kevin Garnett's 1995 selection was notable for what?

Minnesota took him fifth, reopening the prep-to-pro pipeline that Kobe and LeBron followed.

Which team originally drafted Kobe Bryant 13th in 1996 before trading him to the Lakers?

The deal sent Vlade Divac to Charlotte.

At 6 feet tall, who became the shortest No. 1 overall pick ever in 1996?

Philadelphia took the Georgetown guard; the 1996 class produced three MVPs.

Which team drafted Dirk Nowitzki ninth in 1998 before trading him to Dallas?

Steve Nash came to Dallas in the same multi-team deal.

Which draft class is widely considered the worst in NBA history?

Only three of its picks, led by Kenyon Martin, ever played in an All-Star Game.

Who was the first player drafted No. 1 straight out of high school?

Washington took him in 2001; he never became a star.

Who was the first international player without US college experience to go No. 1?

Houston took the Shanghai Sharks centre in 2002 after China's basketball association gave permission on draft morning.

Which team picked LeBron James first overall in 2003?

Chairman Gordon Gund announced the pick the night they won the lottery.

Who did Detroit famously take second in 2003, ahead of Anthony, Bosh and Wade?

The Serbian centre is widely regarded as a draft bust.

Who was the first European player drafted first overall?

Toronto took the Italian in 2006; Wembanyama became the second in 2023.

Who went first overall in 2007, ahead of Kevin Durant?

Portland's pick suffered chronic knee injuries; he and Durant were the first freshmen taken 1–2.

Derrick Rose was drafted first overall in 2008 by which team?

The Bulls landed their hometown star despite only a 1.7% lottery chance.

With which pick did the Warriors take Stephen Curry in 2009?

Blake Griffin went first that year to the Clippers.

Who did the Cavaliers select first overall in 2011 with a pick acquired from the Clippers?

Leonard, Thompson and Jimmy Butler all went later in the same draft.

Which team made Isaiah Thomas the 60th and final pick of the 2011 draft?

He later finished fifth in MVP voting with Boston in 2017.

Draymond Green was drafted with which pick in 2012?

The second-round Michigan State forward anchored four Warriors title teams.

Which team drafted Anthony Davis first overall in 2012?

The Kentucky freshman made the US Olympic team that same summer.

Who was the first Canadian taken No. 1 overall, by Cleveland in 2013?

He struggled badly; Wiggins became the second Canadian No. 1 a year later, also for Cleveland.

With which pick did Milwaukee select Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013?

He became a two-time MVP and 2021 champion, the best player of an 'underwhelming' class.

Nikola Jokić's 2014 draft selection was famously overshadowed by what on TV?

Denver took him 41st, in the second round, and he went on to win three MVPs.

Who was the first modern-era No. 1 pick never to have played in an NCAA tournament?

LSU missed the tournament in his one season; Philadelphia took him in 2016.

Which team drafted Luka Dončić third in 2018 before trading him to Dallas?

Atlanta took Trae Young in return; Phoenix had chosen Deandre Ayton first.

Which team drafted Zion Williamson first overall in 2019?

He spent one season at Duke before the Pelicans called his name.

Who did the Detroit Pistons take first overall in 2021?

The Oklahoma State guard was the consensus top pick.

Paolo Banchero was the 2022 No. 1 pick of which team?

The Duke forward was Rookie of the Year.

Victor Wembanyama became the first No. 1 pick from which country in 2023?

San Antonio won the lottery and he was the unanimous Rookie of the Year.

Which team selected Cooper Flagg first overall in the 2025 draft?

The Duke freshman went on to be named Rookie of the Year.