The NBA Draft has given fans countless historic moments and subsequent inspiring stories of players who changed the game for the better. Franchises with the coveted first pick are always highly scrutinized for a few years after their selection.
Currently, all eyes are on French sensation Victor Wembanyama, who is set to join the fortunate winners of the NBA lottery, the San Antonio Spurs.
Victor Wembanyama’s awful first pitch at Yankee Stadium, another in the collection
The NBA lottery is how the league decides which of the lowest-performing teams choose first. Three teams with the worst regular season records each have a 14 percent chance of winning the first pick.
Spurs will surely take Wemby with their first pick, the Charlotte Hornets are expected to take Brandon Miller second and the Portland Trail Blazers will likely settle for Scoot Henderson at third.
The 2023 NBA Draft is scheduled for Thursday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
1984 NBA Draft
Michael Jordan was drafted third in the 1984 NBA Draft, a class with incredible history led by the Chicago Bulls legend.
Hakeem Olajuwon went first overall to the Houston Rockets that year and a decade later led the franchise to back-to-back championships.
Charles Barkley went fifth and John Stockton was taken 16th, both players who formed part of the “Dream Team” alongside Jordan in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
1996 NBA Draft
The late great Kobe Bryant went 13th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft and the Los Angeles Lakers did everything possible to trade for him that same night.
He won five championship rings, a league MVP and had 18 All-Star selections in his career.
Other illustrious names from that year include Allen Iverson (1), Steve Nash (15), Ray Allen (5) and Derek Fisher (24).
1985 NBA Draft
One year after Jordan entered the NBA, Patrick Ewing (1), Charles Oakley (9) and Karl Malone (13) led an incredible 1985 draft class.
Chris Mullin (7) and Joe Dumars (18) were also among those in that class who changed the course of their respective franchises.
2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft was one of the best ever, with LeBron James going to the Cleveland Cavaliers with the no. 1 pick.
He entered the league with incredibly high expectations and has surpassed each one, etching his name alongside Jordan’s.
James is now the highest scorer in NBA history and the last man playing from his class, which included Dwyane Wade (5), David West (18), Carmelo Anthony (3) and Chris Bosh (4).
2009 NBA Draft
The last great draft took place in 2009 when Stephen Curry (7) and James Harden (3) emerged to stardom.
Curry joined the Golden State Warriors amid tons of speculation and uncertainty, but has proven all doubters wrong.
Harden spent some amazing years playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook before moving on to the Rockets and winning league MVP.
Other notable names were Ricky Rubio (5), Blake Griffin (1), DeMar DeRozan (9) and Jordan Hill (8).
