{{Short description|None}} {{pp-pc|small=yes}} {{Use American English|date=July 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}} [[File:LebronFT (cropped).jpg|thumb|LeBron James, a high school draftee, was one of the most anticipated first overall draft picks.]] 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,<ref>{{cite web |last=Ronald Tillery |date=June 18, 2008 |title=Landing the top draft pick can lift NBA team to new heights, and also fill arena |url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/May/18/playing-the-odds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212221616/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/May/18/playing-the-odds/ |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |access-date=June 16, 2008 |website=The Commercial Appeal}}</ref> as does the respective player who eventually gets selected with that first 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), Italy's Andrea Bargnani (2006), and 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.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 29, 2006 |title=Bargnani becomes first European top NBA draft pick |url=http://english.people.com.cn/200606/29/eng20060629_278441.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222015506/http://english.people.com.cn/200606/29/eng20060629_278441.html |archive-date=February 22, 2009 |access-date=June 16, 2008 |website=People's Daily}}</ref> Ewing<ref>{{cite news |last=Vecsey |first=George |date=December 3, 1993 |title=Basketball Surviving Quite Nicely |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/03/sports/sports-of-the-times-basketball-surviving-quite-nicely.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051822/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/03/sports/sports-of-the-times-basketball-surviving-quite-nicely.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=December 31, 2017}}</ref> had Jamaican-American dual citizenship when he was drafted, and Irving<ref>{{cite web |date=June 21, 2010 |title=Kyrie Irving is Committed to the Red, White and Blue |url=http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/u18/10_mu18_q_a_irving.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824195739/http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/u18/10_mu18_q_a_irving.html |archive-date=August 24, 2010 |publisher=USA Basketball}}</ref> and Simmons<ref>{{cite web |last=Borzello |first=Jeff |date=June 8, 2012 |title=Australian prospect Ben Simmons makes great first impression |url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/recruiting/eye-on-college-basketball-recruiting/19302626/australian-prospect-ben-simmons-makes-great-first-impression |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727043330/http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/recruiting/eye-on-college-basketball-recruiting/19302626/australian-prospect-ben-simmons-makes-great-first-impression |archive-date=July 27, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> had Australian-American dual citizenship when they were drafted.
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== {| class="wikitable" |- |style="background-color:#CCFFCC; width:6em"|^ |Denotes players who have been selected to the All-Star Game or All-NBA Team <!-- |- |style="background-color:#FFFF99; width:6em"|* |Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame --> |- |style="background-color:#FFE6BD; width:6em"|^* |Denotes Hall of Famers |- |PPG |Points per game<ref name="note_a" group="lower-alpha">All statistics are taken from the players' respective rookie season unless otherwise noted.</ref> |- |APG |Assists per game<ref name="note_a" group="lower-alpha" /> |- |RPG |Rebounds per game<ref name="note_a" group="lower-alpha" /> |- |''Player''<br /><small>(in italic text)</small> |Rookie of the Year |- |'''Player'''<br /><small>(in bold text)</small> |Denotes a player who is currently active in the NBA |}
==List of first overall picks== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" summary="Draft (sortable), Selected by (sortable), Player (sortable), Nationality (sortable), College/high school/former club (sortable), PPG (sortable), RPG (sortable), APG (sortable) and References" |- style="background-color:#c5c5c5" !rowspan=2 scope="col"|Draft !rowspan=2 scope="col" width=150|Selected by !rowspan=2 scope="col" width=150|Player !rowspan=2 scope="col"|Nationality !rowspan=2 scope="col"|Position !rowspan=2 scope="col" width=250|College/<br />high school/<br />former club !colspan=3|NBA rookie statistics !rowspan=2 scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref. |- !scope="col"|PPG !scope="col"|RPG !scope="col"|APG |- |1947 |Pittsburgh Ironmen !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Clifton|McNeely}}{{#tag:ref|Clifton McNeely never played professional basketball. Instead, he became a basketball coach for Pampa High School in Texas.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bob Cook |date=September 13, 2007 |title=Oden's injury a cruel blow for cursed Blazers |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/20763763/site/21683474/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213145849/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/20763763/site/21683474/ |archive-date=February 13, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |publisher=NBC Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=December 29, 2003 |title=Obituaries: Clifton McNeely 12/29/03 |url=http://www.amarillo.com/stories/122903/obi_mcneely.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604001429/http://amarillo.com/stories/122903/obi_mcneely.shtml |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |publisher=amarillo.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha|name=note_b}} |{{flag|United States|1912}} |{{sort|guaa|Guard}} |Texas Wesleyan |align=center|{{ntsh|0}}— |align=center|{{ntsh|0}}— |align=center|{{ntsh|0}}— |align=center|<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_b /> |- |1948 |Providence Steamrollers !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Andy|Tonkovich}} |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |{{sort|guaa|Guard/forward}} |Marshall |{{nts|2.6}} |align=center|{{ntsh|0}}— |{{nts|0.6}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=t/tonkoan01|name=Andy Tonkovich|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1949 |Providence Steamrollers !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Howie|Shannon}}{{#tag:ref|Howie Shannon was the first overall pick, although Ed Macauley and Vern Mikkelsen had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.<ref>{{cite web |title=1949 BAA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/BAA_1949.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210134009/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/BAA_1949.html |archive-date=February 10, 2011 |access-date=June 15, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |Center |Kansas State |{{nts|13.4}} |align=center|{{ntsh|0}}— |{{nts|2.3}} |align=center|<ref name="shannon">{{cite basketball-reference|id=s/shannho01|name=Howie Shannon|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1950 |Boston Celtics !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Charlie|Share|Chuck Share}}{{#tag:ref|Charlie Share did not play in the {{nbay|1950|app=season}}. His rookie statistics are from the {{nbay|1951|app=season}}.<ref name="share" /> Share was the first overall pick, although Paul Arizin had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.<ref>{{cite web |title=1950 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1950.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308163827/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1950.html |archive-date=March 8, 2011 |access-date=June 16, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |Center |Bowling Green |{{nts|3.9}} |{{nts|5.3}} |{{nts|1.0}} |align=center|<ref name="share">{{cite basketball-reference|id=s/sharech01|name=Chuck Share|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1951 |Baltimore Bullets !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Gene|Melchiorre}}{{#tag:ref|Gene Melchiorre never played in the NBA. He was banned for life from the NBA due to his involvement in the 1951 college basketball point-shaving scandal.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wright Thompson |date=August 9, 2007 |title=For the 1951 point-shavers, a life lived in infamy |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/cheat/news/story?id=2958786 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626133545/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/cheat/news/story?id=2958786 |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=June 15, 2008 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Melchiorre was the first overall pick, although Myer Skoog had been taken before the draft as the Minneapolis Lakers' territorial pick.<ref>{{cite web |title=1951 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1951.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018232556/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1951.html |archive-date=October 18, 2011 |access-date=June 16, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha|name=note_e}} |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |Guard |Bradley |align=center|{{ntsh|0}}— |align=center|{{ntsh|0}}— |align=center|{{ntsh|0}}— |align=center|<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_e /> |- |1952 |Milwaukee Hawks !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Mark|Workman}}{{#tag:ref|Mark Workman was the first overall pick, although Bill Mlkvy had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.<ref>{{cite web |title=1952 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1952.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309155213/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1952.html |archive-date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=June 15, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |Center |West Virginia |{{nts|5.1}} |{{nts|3.0}} |{{nts|0.6}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=w/workmma01|name=Mark Workman|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1953 |Baltimore Bullets !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|''{{sortname|Ray|Felix}}''^{{#tag:ref|Ray Felix was the first overall pick, although Ernie Beck and Walter Dukes had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.<ref>{{cite web |title=1953 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1953.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210000832/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1953.html |archive-date=February 10, 2011 |access-date=June 15, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |{{sort|guaa|Center}} |Manchester British-Americans (ABL) |{{nts|17.6}} |{{nts|13.3}} |{{nts|1.1}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=f/felixra01|name=Ray Felix|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1954 |Baltimore Bullets !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Frank|Selvy}}^ |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |{{sort|foa|Forward/center}} |Furman |{{nts|19.0}} |{{nts|5.5}} |{{nts|3.5}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=s/selvyfr01|name=Frank Selvy|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1955 |Milwaukee Hawks !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Dick|Ricketts}}{{#tag:ref|Dick Ricketts was the first overall pick, although Dick Garmaker and Tom Gola had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.<ref>{{cite web |title=1955 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1955.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309150325/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1955.html |archive-date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |{{sort|guaa|Guard/forward}} |Duquesne |{{nts|8.9}} |{{nts|7.2}} |{{nts|3.0}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=r/rickedi01|name=Dick Ricketts|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1956 |Rochester Royals !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Sihugo|Green}}{{#tag:ref|Sihugo Green was the first overall pick, although Tom Heinsohn had been taken before the draft as the Boston Celtics' territorial pick.<ref>{{cite web |title=1956 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1956.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514042246/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1956.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |{{sort|guaa|Guard/forward}} |Duquesne |{{nts|11.5}} |{{nts|5.2}} |{{nts|3.6}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=g/greensi01|name=Sihugo Green|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1957 |Cincinnati Royals !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Rod|Hundley}}^ |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |Guard |West Virginia |{{nts|7.0}} |{{nts|2.9}} |{{nts|1.9}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=h/hundlho01|name=Rod Hundley|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1958 |Minneapolis Lakers !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|Elgin|Baylor}}''^*{{#tag:ref|Elgin Baylor was the first overall pick, although Guy Rodgers had been taken before the draft as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick.<ref>{{cite web |title=1958 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1958.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018231130/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1958.html |archive-date=October 18, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |Forward |Seattle |{{nts|24.9}} |{{nts|15.0}} |{{nts|4.1}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=b/bayloel01|name=Elgin Baylor|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1959 |Cincinnati Royals !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Bob|Boozer}}^{{#tag:ref|Bob Boozer was the first overall pick, although Wilt Chamberlain and Bob Ferry had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.<ref>{{cite web |title=1959 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1959.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805084635/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1959.html |archive-date=August 5, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States|1912}} |Forward |Kansas State |{{nts|8.4}} |{{nts|6.2}} |{{nts|1.4}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=b/boozebo01|name=Bob Boozer|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1960 |Cincinnati Royals !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|Oscar|Robertson}}''^*{{#tag:ref|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oscar Robertson Bio |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/robertson_bio.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509142914/http://www.nba.com/history/players/robertson_bio.html |archive-date=May 9, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2009 |website=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wise |first=Mike |date=June 29, 2000 |title=Clippers Go to High School to Get Miles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/29/sports/pro-basketball-clippers-go-to-high-school-to-get-miles.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302213238/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/29/sports/pro-basketball-clippers-go-to-high-school-to-get-miles.html |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |access-date=September 10, 2009 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States|1959}} |{{sort|guaa|Guard/forward}} |Cincinnati |{{nts|30.5}} |{{nts|10.1}} |{{nts|9.7}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=r/roberos01|name=Oscar Robertson|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1961 |Chicago Packers !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|Walt|Bellamy}}''^* |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |Indiana |{{nts|31.6}} |{{nts|19.0}} |{{nts|2.7}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=b/bellawa01|name=Walt Bellamy|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1962 |Chicago Zephyrs !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Bill|McGill}}{{#tag:ref|Bill McGill was the first overall pick, although Dave DeBusschere and Jerry Lucas had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.<ref>{{cite web |title=1962 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1962.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307154516/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1962.html |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States}} |{{sort|foa|Forward/center}} |Utah |{{nts|7.4}} |{{nts|2.7}} |{{nts|0.6}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=m/mcgilbi01|name=Bill McGill|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1963 |New York Knicks !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Art|Heyman}}{{#tag:ref|Art Heyman was the first overall pick, although Tom Thacker had been taken before the draft as the Cincinnati Royals' territorial pick.<ref>{{cite web |title=1963 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1963.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018232402/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1963.html |archive-date=October 18, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward/guard |Duke |{{nts|15.4}} |{{nts|4.0}} |{{nts|3.4}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=h/heymaar01|name=Art Heyman|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1964 |New York Knicks !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Jim|Barnes|dab=basketball}}{{#tag:ref|Jim Barnes was the first overall pick, although Walt Hazzard and George Wilson had been taken before the draft as their teams' territorial picks.<ref>{{cite web |title=1964 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1964.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225061602/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1964.html |archive-date=December 25, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Center/forward |Texas Western |{{nts|15.5}} |{{nts|9.7}} |{{nts|1.2}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=b/barneji01|name=Jim Barnes|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1965 |San Francisco Warriors !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Fred|Hetzel}}{{#tag:ref|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=1965 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1965.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018232923/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1965.html |archive-date=October 18, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States}} |{{sort|foa|Forward/center}} |Davidson |{{nts|6.8}} |{{nts|5.2}} |{{nts|0.5}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=h/hetzefr01|name=Fred Hetzel|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> |- |1966 |New York Knicks !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Cazzie|Russell}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward/guard |Michigan |{{nts|11.3}} |{{nts|3.3}} |{{nts|2.4}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=r/russeca01|name=Cazzie Russell|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1967 |Detroit Pistons !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Jimmy|Walker|dab=basketball, born 1944}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Guard |Providence |{{nts|8.8}} |{{nts|1.7}} |{{nts|2.8}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=w/walkeji01|name=Jimmy Walker|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1968 |San Diego Rockets !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|{{sortname|Elvin|Hayes}}^* |{{flagu|United States}} |Center/forward |Houston |{{nts|28.4}} |{{nts|17.1}} |{{nts|1.4}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=h/hayesel01|name=Elvin Hayes|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1969 |Milwaukee Bucks !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|Lew|Alcindor|Kareem Abdul-Jabbar}}''^*{{#tag:ref|Before the 1971–72 season, Lew Alcindor changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Bio |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/abduljabbar_bio.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224224523/http://www.nba.com/history/players/abduljabbar_bio.html |archive-date=February 24, 2016 |access-date=August 4, 2008 |website=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |UCLA |{{nts|28.8}} |{{nts|14.5}} |{{nts|4.1}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=a/abdulka01|name=Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1970 |Detroit Pistons !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|{{sortname|Bob|Lanier}}^* |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |St. Bonaventure |{{nts|15.6}} |{{nts|8.1}} |{{nts|1.8}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=l/laniebo01|name=Bob Lanier|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1971 |Cleveland Cavaliers !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Austin|Carr}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Guard |Notre Dame |{{nts|21.2}} |{{nts|3.5}} |{{nts|3.4}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=c/carrau01|name=Austin Carr|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1972 |Portland Trail Blazers !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|LaRue|Martin}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |Loyola (Illinois) |{{nts|4.4}} |{{nts|4.6}} |{{nts|0.5}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=m/martila01|name=LaRue Martin|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1973 |Philadelphia 76ers !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Doug|Collins|Doug Collins (basketball)}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |{{sort|guaa|Guard/forward}} |Illinois State |{{nts|8.0}} |{{nts|1.8}} |{{nts|1.6}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=c/collido01|name=Doug Collins|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1974 |Portland Trail Blazers !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|{{sortname|Bill|Walton}}^* |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |UCLA |{{nts|12.8}} |{{nts|12.6}} |{{nts|4.8}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=w/waltobi01|name=Bill Walton|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1975 |Atlanta Hawks !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|{{sortname|David|Thompson|dab=basketball}}^*{{#tag:ref|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 {{nbay|1976|app=season}}.<ref name="thompson" />|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward/guard |NC State |{{nts|26.0}} |{{nts|6.3}} |{{nts|3.7}} |align=center|<ref name="thompson">{{cite basketball-reference|id=t/thompda01|name=David Thompson|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1976 |Houston Rockets !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|John|Lucas|John Lucas II}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Guard |Maryland |{{nts|11.1}} |{{nts|2.7}} |{{nts|5.6}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=l/lucasjo01|name=John Lucas|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1977 |Milwaukee Bucks !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Kent|Benson}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |Indiana |{{nts|7.7}} |{{nts|4.3}} |{{nts|1.4}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=b/bensoke01|name=Kent Benson|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1978 |Portland Trail Blazers !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Mychal|Thompson}} |{{flag|Bahamas}} |{{sort|foa|Forward/center}} |Minnesota |{{nts|14.7}} |{{nts|8.3}} |{{nts|2.4}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=t/thompmy01|name=Mychal Thompson|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1979 |Los Angeles Lakers !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|{{sortname|Magic|Johnson}}^* |{{flagu|United States}} |{{sort|guaa|Guard/forward}} |Michigan State |{{nts|18.0}} |{{nts|7.7}} |{{nts|7.3}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=j/johnsma02|name=Earvin Johnson (Magic Johnson)|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1980 |Golden State Warriors !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Joe Barry|Carroll}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |Purdue |{{nts|18.9}} |{{nts|9.3}} |{{nts|1.4}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=c/carrojo01|name=Joe Barry Carroll|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1981 |Dallas Mavericks !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Mark|Aguirre}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |DePaul |{{nts|18.7}} |{{nts|4.9}} |{{nts|3.2}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=a/aguirma01|name=Mark Aguirre|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1982 |Los Angeles Lakers !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|{{sortname|James|Worthy}}^* |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |North Carolina |{{nts|13.4}} |{{nts|5.2}} |{{nts|1.7}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=w/worthja01|name=James Worthy|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1983 |Houston Rockets !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|Ralph|Sampson}}^*'' |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |Virginia |{{nts|21.0}} |{{nts|11.1}} |{{nts|2.0}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=s/sampsra01|name=Ralph Sampson|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |-<!-- Please don't change to "Hakeem" since his name was "Akeem" at the time. See note q. --> |1984 |Houston Rockets !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|{{sortname|Hakeem|Olajuwon|Hakeem Olajuwon}}^*{{#tag:ref|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."<ref>{{cite web |title=Hakeem Olajuwon Bio: 1992–93 |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/hakeem_olajuwon/bio.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516203041/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/hakeem_olajuwon/bio.html |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |access-date=June 15, 2008 |website=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dufresne |first=Chris |date=March 11, 1991 |title=Hakeem Still Can Be Called 'the Dream' |page=2 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha|name=note_s}} |{{flag|Nigeria}}<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_s /> |Center |Houston |{{nts|20.6}} |{{nts|11.9}} |{{nts|1.4}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=o/olajuha01|name=Hakeem Olajuwon|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1985 |New York Knicks !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|Patrick|Ewing}}''^* |{{flagu|United States}}{{#tag:ref|Patrick Ewing was born in Jamaica, but had become a naturalized United States citizen while at Georgetown.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ralph Wiley |date=January 7, 1985 |title=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 |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1985/01/07/the-master-of-the-key/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908114241/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119034/3/index.htm |archive-date=September 8, 2008 |access-date=June 16, 2008 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> He represented the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |title=All-Time USA Basketball Men's Roster: E |url=http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=men_alpha_E |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804114835/http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=men_alpha_E |archive-date=August 4, 2008 |access-date=July 13, 2008 |publisher=USA Basketball}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |Center |Georgetown |{{nts|20.0}} |{{nts|9.0}} |{{nts|2.0}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=e/ewingpa01|name=Patrick Ewing|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1986 |Cleveland Cavaliers !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Brad|Daugherty}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |North Carolina |{{nts|15.7}} |{{nts|8.1}} |{{nts|3.8}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=d/daughbr01|name=Brad Daugherty|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1987 |San Antonio Spurs !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|David|Robinson}}''^*{{#tag:ref|David Robinson did not play in the NBA until 1989 due to commitments to the United States Navy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dave Anderson |date=May 18, 1987 |title=Sports of the Times; The Robinson Plot Thickens |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DEFDF133EF93BA25756C0A961948260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223232447/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DEFDF133EF93BA25756C0A961948260 |archive-date=February 23, 2009 |access-date=June 16, 2008 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> His rookie statistics are from the {{nbay|1989|app=season}}.<ref name="robinson" />|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |Navy |{{nts|24.3}} |{{nts|12.0}} |{{nts|2.0}} |align=center|<ref name="robinson">{{cite basketball-reference|id=r/robinda01|name=David Robinson|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1988 |Los Angeles Clippers !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Danny|Manning}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |Kansas |{{nts|16.7}} |{{nts|6.6}} |{{nts|3.1}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=m/mannida01|name=Danny Manning|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1989 |Sacramento Kings !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Pervis|Ellison}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |Louisville |{{nts|8.0}} |{{nts|5.8}} |{{nts|1.9}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=e/ellispe01|name=Pervis Ellison|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1990 |New Jersey Nets !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|''{{sortname|Derrick|Coleman}}''^ |{{flagu|United States}} |{{sort|foa|Forward/center}} |Syracuse |{{nts|18.4}} |{{nts|10.3}} |{{nts|2.2}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=c/colemde01|name=Derrick Coleman|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1991 |Charlotte Hornets !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|''{{sortname|Larry|Johnson|dab=basketball, born 1969}}''^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |UNLV |{{nts|19.2}} |{{nts|11.0}} |{{nts|3.6}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=j/johnsla02|name=Larry Johnson|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1992 |Orlando Magic !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|Shaquille|O'Neal||Oneal, Shaquille}}''^* |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |LSU |{{nts|23.4}} |{{nts|13.9}} |{{nts|1.9}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=o/onealsh01|name=Shaquille O'Neal|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1993 |Orlando Magic !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|Chris|Webber}}''^* |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |Michigan |{{nts|17.5}} |{{nts|9.1}} |{{nts|3.6}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=w/webbech01|name=Chris Webber|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1994 |Milwaukee Bucks !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Glenn|Robinson}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |Purdue |{{nts|21.9}} |{{nts|6.4}} |{{nts|2.5}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=r/robingl01|name=Glenn Robinson|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1995 |Golden State Warriors !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Joe|Smith|dab=basketball}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |Maryland |{{nts|15.3}} |{{nts|8.7}} |{{nts|1.0}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=s/smithjo02|name=Joe Smith|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1996 |Philadelphia 76ers !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|Allen|Iverson}}''^* |{{flagu|United States}} |Guard |Georgetown |{{nts|23.5}} |{{nts|4.1}} |{{nts|7.5}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=i/iversal01|name=Allen Iverson|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1997 |San Antonio Spurs !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|''{{sortname|Tim|Duncan}}''^* |{{flagu|United States}}{{#tag:ref|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=All-Time USA Basketball Men's Roster: D |url=http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=men_alpha_D |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828040318/http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=men_alpha_D |archive-date=August 28, 2009 |access-date=June 16, 2008 |publisher=USA Basketball}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{sort|foa|Forward/center}} |Wake Forest |{{nts|21.1}} |{{nts|11.9}} |{{nts|2.7}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=d/duncati01|name=Tim Duncan|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1998 |Los Angeles Clippers !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Michael|Olowokandi}} |{{flagu|Nigeria}} |Center |Pacific |{{nts|8.9}} |{{nts|7.9}} |{{nts|0.6}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=o/olowomi01|name=Michael Olowokandi|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |1999 |Chicago Bulls !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|''{{sortname|Elton|Brand}}''^{{#tag:ref|Elton Brand shared Rookie of the Year honors with Steve Francis of the Houston Rockets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rookie of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/roy.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307060322/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/roy.html |archive-date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=July 7, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |Duke |{{nts|20.1}} |{{nts|10.0}} |{{nts|1.9}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=b/brandel01|name=Elton Brand|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |2000 |New Jersey Nets !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Kenyon|Martin}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |Cincinnati |{{nts|12.0}} |{{nts|7.4}} |{{nts|1.9}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=m/martike01|name=Kenyon Martin|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |2001 |Washington Wizards !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Kwame|Brown}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |Glynn Academy HS (Brunswick, Georgia) |{{nts|4.5}} |{{nts|3.5}} |{{nts|0.8}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=b/brownkw01|name=Kwame Brown|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |2002 |Houston Rockets !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|{{sortname||Yao Ming}}^* |{{flag|China}} |Center |Shanghai Sharks (China) |{{nts|13.5}} |{{nts|8.2}} |{{nts|1.7}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=m/mingya01|name=Yao Ming|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |2003 |Cleveland Cavaliers !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|'''''{{sortname|LeBron|James}}'''''^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (Akron, Ohio) |{{nts|20.9}} |{{nts|5.5}} |{{nts|5.9}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=j/jamesle01|name=LeBron James|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |2004 |Orlando Magic !scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|{{sortname|Dwight|Howard}}^* |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |SACA (Atlanta) |{{nts|12.0}} |{{nts|10.0}} |{{nts|0.9}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=h/howardw01|name=Dwight Howard|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |2005 |Milwaukee Bucks !scope="row" style="background-color: #CCFFCC"|{{sortname|Andrew|Bogut}}''^'' |{{flag|Australia}} |Center |Utah |{{nts|9.4}} |{{nts|7.0}} |{{nts|2.3}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=b/bogutan01|name=Andrew Bogut|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |2006 |Toronto Raptors !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Andrea|Bargnani}} |{{flag|Italy}} |{{sort|foa|Forward/center}} |Benetton Treviso (Italy) |{{nts|11.6}} |{{nts|3.9}} |{{nts|0.8}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=b/bargnan01|name=Andrea Bargnani|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |2007 |Portland Trail Blazers !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Greg|Oden}}{{#tag:ref|Greg Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee before the {{nbay|2007|app=season}}, and missed the entire season. His rookie statistics are from the {{nbay|2008|app=season}}.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 14, 2007 |title=Oden's recovery from surgery likely in range of 6–12 months |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3017538 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118074735/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3017538 |archive-date=January 18, 2016 |access-date=June 16, 2008 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Center |Ohio State |{{nts|8.9}} |{{nts|7.0}} |{{nts|0.5}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=o/odengr01|name=Greg Oden|date=June 20, 2008}}</ref> |- |2008 |Chicago Bulls !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|''{{sortname|Derrick|Rose}}''^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Guard |Memphis |{{nts|16.8}} |{{nts|3.9}} |{{nts|6.3}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=r/rosede01|name=Derrick Rose|date=December 26, 2008}}</ref> |- |2009 |Los Angeles Clippers !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC"|''{{sortname|Blake|Griffin}}''^{{#tag:ref|Blake Griffin injured his left kneecap in a pre-season game before the {{nbay|2009|app=season}}. He underwent a surgery in January 2010 and missed the entire season. His rookie statistics are from the {{nbay|2010|app=season}}.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 13, 2010 |title=Griffin's rookie season lost to injury |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=4823032 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120051132/http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=4823032 |archive-date=January 20, 2016 |access-date=January 13, 2010 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |Oklahoma |{{nts|22.5}} |{{nts|12.1}} |{{nts|3.8}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=g/griffbl01|name=Blake Griffin|date=April 17, 2011}}</ref> |- |2010 |Washington Wizards !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|{{sortname|John|Wall}}^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Guard |Kentucky |{{nts|16.4}} |{{nts|4.6}} |{{nts|8.3}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=w/walljo01|name=John Wall|date=April 17, 2011}}</ref> |- |2011 |Cleveland Cavaliers !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|'''''{{sortname|Kyrie|Irving}}'''''^ |{{flagu|United States}}{{refn|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.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bednall |first=Jai |date=May 15, 2011 |title=Boomers miss their shot at courting US star Kyrie Irving |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/boomers-miss-their-shot-at-courting-us-star-kyrie-irving/story-e6frfglf-1226055994725 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629185317/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/more-sport/boomers-miss-their-shot-at-courting-us-star-kyrie-irving/story-e6frfglf-1226055994725 |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |access-date=June 13, 2011 |website=Herald Sun |publisher=Herald and Weekly Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Irving named MVP of 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, headlines All-Star Five |date=September 14, 2014 |publisher=FIBA |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/news/irving-named-mvp-of-2014-fiba-basketball-world-cup-headlines-all-star-five |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140914212717/http://www.fiba.com/news/irving-named-mvp-of-2014-fiba-basketball-world-cup-headlines-all-star-five |url-status=live |archive-date=September 14, 2014 |access-date=April 15, 2015}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |Guard |Duke |{{nts|18.5}} |{{nts|3.7}} |{{nts|5.4}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=i/irvinky01|name=Kyrie Irving|date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> |- |2012 |New Orleans Hornets <!-- New Orleans didn't change its name from Hornets to Pelicans until 2013. --> !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|'''{{sortname|Anthony|Davis}}'''^ |{{flagu|United States}} |{{sort|foa|Forward/center}} |Kentucky |{{nts|13.5}} |{{nts|8.2}} |{{nts|1.0}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=d/davisan02|name=Anthony Davis|date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> |- |2013 |Cleveland Cavaliers !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|{{sortname|Anthony|Bennett|dab=basketball}} |{{flag|Canada}} |Forward |UNLV |{{nts|4.2}} |{{nts|3.0}} |{{nts|0.3}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=b/bennean01|name=Anthony Bennett|date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> |- |2014 |Cleveland Cavaliers !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|'''''{{sortname|Andrew|Wiggins}}'''''^ |{{flagu|Canada}} |Forward/guard |Kansas |{{nts|16.9}} |{{nts|4.6}} |{{nts|2.1}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=w/wiggian01|name=Andrew Wiggins|date=April 19, 2015}}</ref> |- |- |2015 |Minnesota Timberwolves !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|'''''{{sortname|Karl-Anthony|Towns}}'''''^ |{{flagu|United States}}{{refn|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.|group=lower-alpha}} |{{sort|foa|Center}} |Kentucky |{{nts|18.3}} |{{nts|10.4}} |{{nts|2.0}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=t/townska01|name=Karl-Anthony Towns|date=April 16, 2016}}</ref> |- |2016 |Philadelphia 76ers !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|''{{sortname|Ben|Simmons}}''^{{#tag:ref|Ben Simmons injured his right foot during training camp before the {{nbay|2016|app=season}}. He missed the entire season. His rookie statistics are from the {{nbay|2017|app=season}}.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite basketball-reference|id=s/simmobe01|name=Ben Simmons|date=June 23, 2016}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} |{{flagu|Australia}}{{refn|Simmons was born in Melbourne, Australia, to an American father and Australian mother. He chose to represent Australia at international level.|group=lower-alpha}} |Guard |LSU |{{nts|15.8}} |{{nts|8.1}} |{{nts|8.2}} |align=center|<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite basketball-reference|id=s/simmobe01|name=Ben Simmons|date=June 23, 2016}}</ref> |- |2017 |Philadelphia 76ers !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|'''{{sortname|Markelle|Fultz}}''' |{{flagu|United States}} |{{sort|foa|Guard}} |Washington |{{nts|7.1}} |{{nts|3.1}} |{{nts|3.8}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=f/fultzma01|name=Markelle Fultz|date=June 6, 2018}}</ref> |- |2018 |Phoenix Suns !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|'''{{sortname|Deandre|Ayton}}''' |{{flagu|Bahamas}} |Center |Arizona |{{nts|16.3}} |{{nts|10.3}} |{{nts|1.8}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=a/aytonde01|name=Deandre Ayton|date=June 21, 2018}}</ref> |- |2019 |New Orleans Pelicans !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|'''{{sortname|Zion|Williamson}}'''^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |Duke |{{nts|22.5}} |{{nts|6.3}} |{{nts|2.1}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=w/willizi01|name=Zion Williamson|date=August 20, 2020}}</ref> |- |2020 |Minnesota Timberwolves !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|'''{{sortname|Anthony|Edwards|dab=basketball}}'''^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Guard |Georgia |{{nts|19.3}} |{{nts|4.7}} |{{nts|2.9}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=e/edwaran01|name=Anthony Edwards|date=May 24, 2021}}</ref> |- |2021 |Detroit Pistons !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|'''{{sortname|Cade|Cunningham}}'''^ |{{flagu|United States}} |Guard |Oklahoma State |{{nts|17.4}} |{{nts|5.5}} |{{nts|5.6}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=c/cunnica01|name=Cade Cunningham|date=June 23, 2022}}</ref> |- |2022 |Orlando Magic !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|'''''{{sortname|Paolo|Banchero}}'''^'' |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |Duke |{{nts|20.0}} |{{nts|6.9}} |{{nts|3.7}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=c/banchpa01|name=Paolo Banchero|date=April 24, 2023}}</ref> |- |2023 |San Antonio Spurs !scope="row" style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"|'''''{{sortname|Victor|Wembanyama}}'''''^ |{{flag|France}} |Center |Metropolitans 92 (France) |{{nts|21.4}} |{{nts|10.6}} |{{nts|3.9}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=w/wembavi01|name=Victor Wembanyama|date=November 13, 2023}}</ref> |- |2024 |Atlanta Hawks !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|'''{{sortname|Zaccharie|Risacher}}''' |{{flagu|France}} |Forward |JL Bourg (France) |{{nts|12.6}} |{{nts|3.6}} |{{nts|1.2}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=r/risacza01|name=Zaccharie Risacher|date=April 18, 2025}}</ref> |- |2025 |Dallas Mavericks !scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"|'''''{{sortname|Cooper|Flagg}}''''' |{{flagu|United States}} |Forward |Duke |{{nts|21.0}} |{{nts|6.7}} |{{nts|4.5}} |align=center|<ref>{{cite basketball-reference|id=f/flaggco01|name=Cooper Flagg|date=April 13, 2026}}</ref>
|}
==First overall picks by NBA team== The Washington Wizards have had the first overall pick a total of seven times, the most of any NBA team. This includes the Wizards time as the Chicago Packers, Chicago Zephyrs, and Baltimore Bullets. The Pittsburgh Ironmen, and Providence Steamrollers are the only defunct franchises to have held a first overall pick. The Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Utah Jazz are the only teams that have never had the first overall pick.
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! scope="col" | Team ! scope="col" | Picks ! scope="col" | Year(s) ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Notes |- | Washington Wizards |style="text-align:center;"| 7 |style="text-align:center;"| 1953, 1954, 1961, 1962, 2001, 2010, 2026 | 1 as the Chicago Packers<br />1 as the Chicago Zephyrs<br />2 as the Baltimore Bullets<br />3 as the Washington Wizards<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_e /> |- | Cleveland Cavaliers |style="text-align:center;"| 6 |style="text-align:center;"| 1971, 1986, 2003, 2011, 2013, 2014 |- | Houston Rockets |style="text-align:center;"| 5 |style="text-align:center;"| 1968, 1976, 1983, 1984, 2002 | 1 as the San Diego Rockets<br />4 as the Houston Rockets |- | Sacramento Kings |style="text-align:center;"| 5 |style="text-align:center;"| 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1989 | 1 as the Rochester Royals<br />3 as the Cincinnati Royals<br />1 as the Sacramento Kings |- | Atlanta Hawks |style="text-align:center;"| 4 |style="text-align:center;"| 1952, 1955, 1975, 2024 | 1 as the Milwaukee Hawks<br />1 as the St. Louis Hawks<br />2 as the Atlanta Hawks |- | Milwaukee Bucks |style="text-align:center;"| 4 |style="text-align:center;"| 1969, 1977, 1994, 2005 |- | New York Knicks |style="text-align:center;"| 4 |style="text-align:center;"| 1963, 1964, 1966, 1985 |- | Orlando Magic |style="text-align:center;"| 4 |style="text-align:center;"| 1992, 1993, 2004, 2022 |- | Philadelphia 76ers |style="text-align:center;"| 4 |style="text-align:center;"| 1973, 1996, 2016, 2017 |- | Portland Trail Blazers |style="text-align:center;"| 4 |style="text-align:center;"| 1972, 1974, 1978, 2007 |- | Detroit Pistons |style="text-align:center;"| 3 |style="text-align:center;"| 1967, 1970, 2021 |- | Golden State Warriors |style="text-align:center;"| 3 |style="text-align:center;"| 1965, 1980, 1995 | 1 as the San Francisco Warriors<br />2 as the Golden State Warriors |- | Los Angeles Clippers |style="text-align:center;"| 3 |style="text-align:center;"| 1988, 1998, 2009 |- | Los Angeles Lakers |style="text-align:center;"| 3 |style="text-align:center;"| 1958, 1979, 1982 | 1 as the Minneapolis Lakers<br />2 as the Los Angeles Lakers |- | San Antonio Spurs |style="text-align:center;"| 3 |style="text-align:center;"| 1987, 1997, 2023 |- | Brooklyn Nets |style="text-align:center;"| 2 |style="text-align:center;"| 1990, 2000 | Both as the New Jersey Nets |- | Chicago Bulls |style="text-align:center;"| 2 |style="text-align:center;"| 1999, 2008 |- | Dallas Mavericks |style="text-align:center;"| 2 |style="text-align:center;"| 1981, 2025 |- | Minnesota Timberwolves |style="text-align:center;"| 2 |style="text-align:center;"| 2015, 2020 |- | New Orleans Pelicans |style="text-align:center;"| 2 |style="text-align:center;"| 2012, 2019 |- | Providence Steamrollers |style="text-align:center;"| 2 |style="text-align:center;"| 1948, 1949 |- | Boston Celtics |style="text-align:center;"| 1 |style="text-align:center;"| 1950 |- | Charlotte Hornets |style="text-align:center;"| 1 |style="text-align:center;"| 1991 |- | Pittsburgh Ironmen |style="text-align:center;"| 1 |style="text-align:center;"| 1947 |- | Phoenix Suns |style="text-align:center;"| 1 |style="text-align:center;"| 2018 |- | Toronto Raptors |style="text-align:center;"| 1 |style="text-align:center;"| 2006 |}
==First overall picks by school== Duke has the most first overall picks with 6. Kentucky has the second-most first overall picks with 3. Only one school have had first overall picks in consecutive years: Duquesne, with {{sortname|Dick|Ricketts}} (1955), and {{sortname|Sihugo|Green}} (1956).
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! scope="col" | School ! scope="col" | Total ! scope="col" | Year(s) |- |Duke | style="text-align:center;" | 6 | style="text-align:center;"| 1963, 1999, 2011, 2019, 2022, 2025 |- |Kentucky | style="text-align:center;" | 3 | style="text-align:center;"| 2010, 2012, 2015 |- |North Carolina | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1982, 1986 |- |UCLA | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1969, 1974 |- |Kansas | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1988, 2014 |- |Indiana | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1961, 1977 |- |Michigan | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1966, 1993 |- |Maryland | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1976, 1995 |- |UNLV | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1991, 2013 |- |LSU | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1992, 2016 |- |Georgetown | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1985, 1996 |- |Utah | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1962, 2005 |- |Houston | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1968, 1984 |- |Cincinnati | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1960, 2000 |- |Purdue | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1980, 1994 |- |Kansas State | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1949, 1959 |- |West Virginia | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1952, 1957 |- |Duquesne | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1955, 1956 |- |Arizona | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2018 |- ||Benetton Treviso (Italy) | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2006 |- |Bowling Green | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1950 |- |Bradley | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1951 |- |Davidson | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1965 |- |DePaul | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1981 |- |Furman | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1954 |- |Georgia | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2020 |- ||Glynn Academy HS (Brunswick, Georgia) | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2001 |- |Illinois State | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1973 |- |JL Bourg (France) | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2024 |- |Louisville | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1989 |- |Loyola (Illinois) | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1972 |- |Manchester British-Americans (ABL) | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1953 |- |Marshall | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1948 |- |Memphis | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2008 |- |Metropolitans 92 (France) | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2023 |- |Michigan State | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1979 |- |Minnesota | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1978 |- |Navy | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1987 |- |NC State | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1975 |- |Notre Dame | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1971 |- |Ohio State | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2007 |- |Oklahoma | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2009 |- |Oklahoma State | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2021 |- |Pacific | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1998 |- |Providence | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1967 |- |SACA (Atlanta) | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2004 |- |Seattle | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1958 |- |Shanghai Sharks (China) | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2002 |- |St. Bonaventure | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1970 |- |St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (Akron, Ohio) | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2003 |- |Syracuse | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1990 |- |Texas Wesleyan | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1947<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_b /> |- |Texas Western | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1964 |- |Virginia | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1983 |- |Wake Forest | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1997 |- |Washington | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 2017 |}
==First overall picks by position==
{| class="wikitable sortable" ! scope="col" | Position ! scope="col" | Number of selections ! scope="col" | Last year selected |- | Center || {{center|37}}|| {{center|2023}} |- | Forward || {{center|37}}|| {{center|2025}} |- | Guard || {{center|24}}|| {{center|2021}} |}
==See also== {{Portal|Sports}} * List of undrafted NBA players * 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 NFL draft picks * List of first overall NHL draft picks
==Notes== {{reflist|group=lower-alpha|2}}
==References== ;General {{refbegin}} *{{cite web |title=Draft Index |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514001512/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/ |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2008 |website=basketball-reference.com}} {{refend}}
;Specific {{reflist}}
{{NBA NumberOne Draft Picks}} {{NBA Drafts}} {{NBA}}
{{featured list}}
First overall draft pick Category:First overall NBA draft picks First overall draft pick