The first overall pick in theNational Basketball Association (NBA) is the player who is selected first among all eligible draftees by a team duringthe league's annual draft. The first pick is awarded to the team that wins theNBA draft lottery; in most cases, that team had a losing record in the previousseason. The NBA team that garners the top overall draft pick selection generates significant media attention,[1] as does the respective player who eventually gets selected with that first pick.
The drafts between 1947 and 1949 were held by theBasketball Association of America (BAA). The Basketball Association of America became the National Basketball Association after absorbing teams from theNational Basketball League in the fall of 1949. Official NBA publications include the BAA Drafts as part of the NBA's draft history.
^Charlie Share did not play in the1950–51 season. His rookie statistics are from the1951–52 season.[11] Share was the first overall pick, althoughPaul Arizin had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.[12]
^abGene Melchiorre never played in the NBA. He was banned for life from the NBA due to his involvement in theCCNY point shaving scandal.[13] Melchiorre was the first overall pick, althoughMyer Skoog had been taken before the draft as the Minneapolis Lakers' territorial pick.[14]
^Mark Workman was the first overall pick, althoughBill Mlkvy had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.[15]
^Ray Felix was the first overall pick, althoughErnie Beck andWalter Dukes had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[17]
^Dick Ricketts was the first overall pick, althoughDick Garmaker andTom Gola had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[20]
^Sihugo Green was the first overall pick, althoughTom Heinsohn had been taken before the draft as the Boston Celtics' territorial pick.[22]
^Elgin Baylor was the first overall pick, althoughGuy Rodgers had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.[25]
^Bob Boozer was the first overall pick, althoughWilt Chamberlain andBob Ferry had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[27]
^Although Oscar Robertson was drafted as a territorial pick by theCincinnati 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.[29][30]
^Bill McGill was the first overall pick, althoughDave DeBusschere andJerry Lucas had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[33]
^Art Heyman was the first overall pick, althoughTom Thacker had been taken before the draft as the Cincinnati Royals' territorial pick.[35]
^Jim Barnes was the first overall pick, althoughWalt Hazzard andGeorge Wilson had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.[37]
^abHakeem Olajuwon was born inNigeria, 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."[60][61]
^Patrick Ewing was born inJamaica, but had become a naturalized United States citizen while at Georgetown.[63] He represented the United States at the1984 Summer Olympics.[64]
^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.[78]
^Blake Griffin injured his left kneecap in a pre-season game before the2009–10 season. He underwent a surgery in January 2010 and missed the entire season. His rookie statistics are from the2010–11 season.[93]
^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.[96][97]
^Karl-Anthony Towns was born and raised in the United States; his mother is Dominican. He has chosen to represent theDominican Republic at the international level.
^Ben Simmons injured his right foot during training camp before the2016–17 season. He missed the entire season. His rookie statistics are from the2017–18 season.[103]
^Simmons was born in Melbourne, Australia, to an American father and Australian mother. He chose to represent Australia at international level.
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