Being the first overall pick doesn’t guarantee you any sort of success. We’ve seen players like Kent Benson, Greg Oden, Anthony Bennett, Jim Barnes, Joe Smith, and Derrick Coleman leave the league without any sort of success. In contrast, players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or Kevin Durant who weren’t taken first overall wind up having better careers.
But still, there will always be plenty of hype surrounding the first overall pick of the NBA Draft. Young, promising players like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans, or Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets didn’t need much time to prove their worth, and chances are that they could one day be Hall of Famers.
Throughout the course of NBA history, just a handful of first draft picks have lived up to the expectations. Being the first guy off the board means you have to turn a franchise around and lead it to success. What you did the past season in college or high school doesn’t matter anymore. It’s time to shine on the biggest stage on Earth.
That’s why today, we’re set to honor some of the best to ever do it. Some players who didn’t settle with just winning Rookie of the Year and went on to have legendary careers. We present you with the top 20 best first-round picks in NBA Draft history.
20. Bob Lanier – 1970
Back in the day, most players spent several years in college before declaring for the NBA Draft. That was the case with Bob Lanier, who spent four seasons at St. Bonaventure before the Detroit Pistons took him with the first overall pick of the 1970 NBA Draft.
Even in a draft class featuring legends like Rudy Tomjanovic, Nate ‘Tiny’ Archibald, Pete Maravich, and Dave Cowens, Lanier made a strong case for being considered the best professional basketball player prospect, and he sure didn’t disappoint throughout his career.
There weren’t many big men who could anchor the paint the way Bob Lanier could. He sealed the defense and was an elite rim-runner in transition, finishing the play he had initiated on the other end of the floor.
Lanier was one of the most physically big men of the 70s. He spent a decade with the Pistons before joining the Milwaukee Bucks and retiring after 14 years. He averaged 20.1 points per game to go along with 10.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, making it to eight All-Star Games and helping him win one All-Star MVP.
19. Yao Ming – 2002
Yao Ming was a physical specimen who drew contrasting takes from day one. He had the physical tools to be the most dominant rebounder in the NBA, yet he didn’t always show that on the basketball court. Even so, the Houston Rockets took him as one of the most iconic picks in NBA history.
Ming took his talents to the league after five successful years in China. Next to Tracy McGrady, he put together one of the signature duos of the 2000s. Standing at 7’6”, he was a scoring menace within close range and could hold his own against the strongest big men on Earth.
Ming and McGrady were one of the most entertaining duos to watch in modern basketball history. His presence down low opened up a lot of gaps for T-Mac’s scoring drives and pull-ups from beyond the arc.
Albeit some argue that he didn’t do enough merits to be a basketball Hall of Famer, Ming was instrumental in taking the game to a whole new market. He was an ambassador of the Basketball Without Border program, an eight-time All-Star, and a five-time member of an All-NBA Team.
18. Chris Webber – 1993
Chris Webber must be one of the unluckiest players in NBA history. He had a unique two-way skill set and was a one-man show, yet he could never be a part of a championship team. He was taken first overall in 1993 by the Orlando Magic and then immediately traded to the Golden State Warriors for Penny Hardaway, who went third overall.
Webber was a driving force on both ends of the court. He could put the ball on the floor, score in transition, create for others, and he had a smooth touch around the basket. Also, he anchored one of the most entertaining teams of the 2000s during his days with the Sacramento Kings.
Most analysts agree that Webber’s game was tailor-made for today’s basketball. Albeit he wasn’t exactly an elite three-point shooter (he shot 29% from beyond the arc), he had a nice shooting motion that could’ve translated to the ‘stretch four’ most teams look for nowadays.
Throughout his NBA career, Webber played for the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons. He made it to five All-Star Teams and four All-NBA Teams. Webber was also named Rookie of the Year and led the league in boards in 1999.
17. Kyrie Irving – 2011
Albeit extremely controversial, there’s no way to deny that Kyrie Irving is one of the most skilled basketball players of all time. He’s got arguably the greatest handles ever and is one of the most proficient and efficient scorers from all three levels. Even if he barely played at Duke, it was clear that he was the best prospect in the nation.
Irving took his talents to the Cleveland Cavaliers but failed to lead them to success prior to LeBron James’ heroic comeback. He then forced his way to the Boston Celtics and then left to sign with the Brooklyn Nets after a couple of failed playoff stints.
But regardless of his constant and well-documented off-court antics, there’s no denying that Kyrie Irving’s résumé speaks for itself and could lead them to the Hall of Fame once he’s done playing.
Thus far, he’s won one NBA championship, has made it to seven All-Star Games with one All-Star Game MVP, has gotten two All-NBA Team selections, is a member of the 50/40/90 club, won Rookie of the Year, one NBA Three-Point contest, and one FIBA World Cup with one FIBA WC MVP.
16. Anthony Davis – 2012
Even though he still has plenty left in the tank, Anthony Davis should already be considered one of the best NBA Draft picks in NBA history. Taken first overall out of the University of Kentucky, Davis didn’t take long before proving his scoring prowess and impressive shot-blocking skills.
He played point guard growing up, so he has great handles for a guy his size. Davis has one of the smoothest repertoires in the game. He’s one of the few players who could put up nearly 30 points per game on one end of the floor, and then block two or three shots on his own side of the glass.
Throughout his career with the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis has won one NBA championship, has made it to eight All-Star Games with one All-Star Game MVP, made it to the All-Rookie First Team, has made four All-NBA Teams, four All-Defensive Teams,
The former New Orleans Pelicans star also has led the league in blocks three times and is a part of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary team. He’s also one of the few players to ever win an NCAA title, an Olympic gold medal, and an NBA title.
15. James Worthy – 1982
James Worthy was the best player on a team also featuring some guy called Michael Jordan, you may have heard of it. His impressive performances at UNC, including an explosion in the 1982 championship game, made Worthy the consensus best prospect in that year’s class, making it a no-brainer pick for the Los Angeles Lakers, who got that pick thanks to a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Worthy was a scoring menace who often saved the best for when his team needed him the most, thus being named ‘Big Game James’. He was also a steady contributor on both sides of the glass, and one of the main reasons why the Showtime Los AngelesLakers were able to dominate throughout the 80s.
Throughout his career, Worthy helped the Los Angeles Lakers win three rings and was named Finals MVP in 1988. Worthy also made it to seven All-Star Games, and a couple of All-NBA Teams, and is a member of the league’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams. Oh, and he still hates the Boston Celtics to this day.
14. Elvin Hayes – 1968
Elvin Hayes is one of the most talented big men ever. He couldn’t be contained down low and made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. His remarkable career at Houston University made him go first overall to the San Diego Rockets in 1968, even ahead of standouts like Bob Kauffman and Wes Unseld.
Hayes was the master of the glass and dominated opposing defenses right away and he still holds several records in Washington Wizards franchise history. However, it wasn’t until his third season that he reached his peak as a scorer and averaged a career-high 28.7 points per game while starting all 82 games that season.
Playing for the Rockets, Baltimore Bullets (later known as Capital and Washington Bullets and now Washington Wizards), Hayes managed to win one NBA Championship, and made it to the All-Rookie Team.
Hayes also led the league in rebounds per game twice and made it to two All-Defensive Team, and six All-NBA teams. He also holds the record for most offensive boards in an NBA Finals game (11) and played 50,000 minutes over his career.
13. Bill Walton – 1974
Bill Walton is more than one of the best first-overall picks of all time, but also a cultural icon. His legendary career started in high school, where he set multiple records. He then took his talents to UCLA for three years before the Portland Trail Blazers took him in the NBA Draft ahead of legends like George Gervin, Bobby Johns, and Billy Knight.
Walton struggled with injuries during his rookie season but it didn’t take long before he showed RIP City what he was made of. His smooth footwork, savvy game, and top-notch basketball IQ made him a treat to watch night in and night out, both in Portland and during his days with the Boston Celtics.
He would’ve been one of the best of all time if it wasn’t for his chronic ankle issues. Even so, Bill Walton managed to have quite a remarkable NBA career. He led two teams to the NBA championship, won one Finals MVP, one MVP, and was named Sixth Man of the Year.
Also, he led the league in rebounds and blocks once, and was selected to two All-Star Games, two All-NBA Teams, and two All-Defensive squads. He was also a two-time NCAA Champion and is a part of the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams.
12. Patrick Ewing – 1985
Patrick Ewing’s draft pick led to a conspiracy theory. According to some, the league’s Commissioner used a ‘marked’ envelope to make sure the New York Knicks landed Patrick Ewing, as the league needed a big market like New York City to have the best prospect and bring ratings and attendance up in a complicated time for the league.
Whether that’s true or not is not for us to debate. But Ewing went on to become one of the greatest players in New York Knicks history and one of the most iconic players of the 90s. Unfortunately, he failed to win an NBA championship as he spent most of his years in an Eastern Conference dominated by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
He made the NBA Finals twice but fell to the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. Per his career, Ewing played for the New York Knicks for 15 years before the one-year stops with the Seattle Supersonics and Orlando Magic.
He was selected to 11 All-Star Games, and 10 All-NBA Teams, won Rookie of the Year and was selected to the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams, as well as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
11. Allen Iverson – 1996
Allen Iverson might as well be the most talented player never to win an NBA championship. He was a scoring machine from all over the court and had the deadliest crossover this game has ever seen, even taking Michael Jordan’s ankles during his rookie season.
Iverson was a two-sport athlete and a football standout. And even though he claimed he was better in football, he went on to become one of the most influential and electric players in NBA history. He didn’t disappoint as a first-overall pick and turned the Philadelphia 76ers into must-watch television throughout his whole tenure there, taking them to the NBA Finals in 2001.
Even though he couldn’t get past Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and the Los Angeles Lakers at that time, Iverson still put together a Hall of Fame-worthy résumé. He was an 11-time All-Star with two All-Star Game MVPs, one MVP, and seven All-NBA squad selections. He also earned Rookie of the Year honors, was a four-time Scoring Champion, led the league in steals three times, and was selected to the 75th-anniversary team.
10. Dwight Howard – 2004
Deemed by some as the second coming of Shaquille O’Neal, Dwight Howard was a no-brainer first-overall pick during the 2004 NBA Draft, even though he was fresh out of high school. He had the physical tools to be a dominant interior scorer and shot-blocker, and it didn’t take long before he proved to be as good as advertised.
Even though he doesn’t get enough credit nowadays, Howard was the most dominant big man in the league during his prime, even leading the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in just his fifth season in the league.
Howard eventually left the Magic and played for the Los Angeles Lakers (twice), Houston Rockets before having brief stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets.
Thus far, he’s won one NBA championship, has made it to eight All-Star Games, has led the league in rebounds five teams, two times in blocks, and is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
9. Oscar Robertson – 1960
Long before Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson was out there filling up the stat sheet and racking triple-doubles at a historical rate. He made a name for himself at Cincinnati University before teaming up with Jerry West to lead Team USA to the 1960 Olympics. Then, the Cincinnati Royals (now Sacramento Kings) made him the first overall pick.
Robertson was a freakish athlete who could dominate the boards at the guard position. He loved pushing up the pace and had a top-notch basketball IQ to set his teammates up and get them easy buckets. He used those skills to become the first player to average a triple-double for a full season and ranks second all-time in total triple-doubles.
Playing for the Royals and then Milwaukee Bucks, Robertson won one NBA championship, made the All-Star Team 12 times with three All-Star Game MVPs, and earned 11 All-NBA selections.
Also, the Big O and the original Mr. Triple Double won Rookie of the Year, and MVP, led the league in dimes six times and is a part of the NBA’s top 35, 50, and 75 players of all time, as well as the Hall of Fame.
8. David Robinson – 1987
Back in the day, the San Antonio Spurs were far from the top-class, winning organization they are nowadays. The first step in changing that direction was taking David Robinson out of the Navy with the first-overall pick. He was the strongest player in the league in his prime and dominated on both ends of the floor.
David Robinson was a physical, bruising presence down low, a savvy defender, and a guy with way better hands than most people credit him for. He spent his entire 14-year career with the San Antonio Spurs, building the bridge between his own time and the Tim Duncan era. Together, Gregg Popovich’s ‘Twin Towers’ were unstoppable on offense and defense.
The Admiral gathered plenty of accolades throughout his remarkable career. He won two NBA championships (over the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets), won one MVP, and was named Defensive Playe of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
He made it to 10 All-Star Games, 10 All-NBA Teams, and eight All-Defensive Teams. Also, he won one Scoring Title and led the league in boards and blocks once. Robinson is also a member of the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams.
7. Elgin Baylor – 1958
Elgin Baylor was one of the first Lakers greats. He shined with the team before their move to Los Angeles when they were still the Minneapolis Lakers and spent his entire career with the organization after being taken first overall in 1958. He was so faithful to the Lakers that he still played for the team despite serving on active military duty from 1961-62.
Baylor had unmatched hops for a guy in his position at the time. He was a fearless and dynamic scorer who put on a show night in and night out, even averaging 38.3 points per game one season despite there not being a three-point line yet. Unfortunately, that never translated into an NBA championship.
The Rabbit, as he was known, was quite unlucky in the end, as his beloved Lakers won the ring the very same year of his retirement. Even so, he was an 11-time All-Star, All-Star MVP, Rookie of the Year, and 10-time member of the All-NBA First Team.
From his rookie season with the Minneapolis Lakers to the very end, Elgin Baylor was a high-flying machine and one of the first true entertainers in basketball and deserves a top-10 spot on this list.
6. Tim Duncan – 1997
Albeit not flashy nor electric, Tim Duncan is considered by some to be the greatest power forward of all time. His intelligent play on both ends of the floor and his attention to detail were the main reasons why the San Antonio Spurs were able to become such a powerful dynasty.
Duncan played at his own pace. He didn’t force things and always made the right play. He wasn’t talkative or vocal, yet his presence inspired respect and fear upon those trying to drive to the rim, and his long arms helped him recover on defense even on the few times he was actually beaten.
Tim Duncan has an otherworldly résumé, yet people don’t mention him often in the GOAT conversation. He spent two decades with the Spurs, winning a remarkable five rings in six tries.
He was named Finals MVP three times, won 2 MVPs, Rookie of the Year, made it to 15 All-Defensive Teams, 15 All-Star Games with one All-Star MVP, and earned 15 All-NBA Selections. Unsurprisingly, he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer and also a member of the league’s 75th-anniversary team.
5. Shaquille O’Neal – 1992
Taken first by the Orlando Magic, Shaquille O’Neal had all the physical tools to be the greatest player of all time. Some like Kobe Bryant claim his work ethic was questionable and he never truly fulfilled his potential, yet he still managed to become the most dominant big man to ever grace the face of the Earth. And he showed glimpses of that from the instant he set foot on an NBA hardwood.
Shaq was such an unstoppable force of nature that rival players often got hurt trying to foul him. Also, the league actually had to change the material of blackboards because he could shatter them every second. There has never been a stronger, meaner, savvier player in the league, but he was way more than just a bruiser. His footwork was a beauty to watch, he was smart, and could even put the ball on the floor.
Shaquille O’Neal played for the Orlando Magic before creating an all-time great duo with Kobe in the Lakers. He later played for the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics over his career.
He won four NBA championships, one MVP, three Finals MVPs, was a 15-time All-Star with 3 All-Star Game MVPs, made 14 All-NBA squads, three All-Defensive teams, led the league in scoring twice, was named Rookie of the Year, and made the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams.
4. Hakeem Olajuwon – 1984
Hakeem Olajuwon set the standard for all the big men that came after him. He put on a footwork clinic every single night he was out there and put together one of the most impressive résumés in basketball history. To put it in context, he was so good that no Houston Rockets fan ever complained about his team taking him ahead of Michael Jordan.
Up to this day, some analysts still believe Hakeem The Dream Olajuwon was the most skilled center of all time. He made a fool out of defenders with his ballerina-like moves and signature Dream Shake and then swatted shots into the stands with his long arms and unmatched shot-blocking skills.
Hakeem spent 17 years with the Houston Rockets before spending one year with the Toronto Raptors. He’s responsible for the two championships in Houston Rockets’ history, beating the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic. He won two Finals MVPs, one MVP, made it to 12 All-Star Games, 12 All-NBA squads, nine All-Defensive Teams, and the 75th-anniversary team.
He was named Defensive Player of the Year two times and led the NBA in blocks three times and two times in rebounds. The Houston Rockets legend is also the all-time leader in blocks and the only player to win MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and a ring in the same season.
3. Magic Johnson – 1979
Considered by most to be the greatest point guard in NBA history, Magic Johnson rose to prominence with the Michigan State Spartans, leading them to the National Championship over Larry Bird’s Indiana State. Their careers were marked since that day and an everlasting rivalry, yet Johnson had the better career.
Johnson was the first point-forward of all time, something players like Ben Simmons still try to replicate. Standing at 6’9”, he could play and guard all five spots on the floor, as he proved by subbing in for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and playing at center in his first trip to the Finals. He was the flashiest, most spectacular passer of all time, and the cornerstone behind the Showtime Lakers dynasty.
Magic’s legendary career was cut short due to a positive HIV diagnosis. Even so, he managed to win five NBA championships with 3 Finals MVPs, won 3 MVPs, led the league in assists four times, two times in steals, and still holds the highest assists per game average of all time at 11.2.
He was also selected to 12 All-Stars where he won two MVPs, 10 All-NBA teams, and the league’s 50th and 75th-anniversary squads. He was also a part of Team USA’s Dream Team in the 1992 Olympics.
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 1969
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a living legend long before he took his talents to the NBA. He dominated like no other at UCLA and is considered the greatest college basketball player of all time. Also, he turned the Milwaukee Bucks from bottom-feeders into championship contenders in just his first season with the team.
Kareem developed a shot that was virtually unstoppable: the Sky Hook. He was a master of positioning to get an advantage on both the defensive and the offensive glass, and he was one of the most durable players of all time, playing a grand total of 57,446 minutes, the most all-time. He also played the second-most regular-season games ever (1,560).
Formerly known as Lew Alcindor, Kareem’s impact on the court was as notorious as off it. He’s been an advocate for social justice right for years and even won the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He won six NBA championships (one with the Bucks, five with the Lakers), two Finals MVPs, and a league-high six MVPs.
He made it to an NBA-record 19 All-Star Games, 15 All-NBA Teams, 11 All-Defensive Teams, was Rookie of the Year, won two Scoring Titles, led the NBA four times in blocks, once in boards, and is the all-time leading scorer with 38,387 career points scored. He was also named one of the 35, 50, and 75 greatest players of all time. That’s a GOAT-like résumé, isn’t it?
1. LeBron James – 2003
What can we say about LeBron James that most people don’t know already. He was the biggest sensation in the basketball world when he was a high school kid, being advertised as The Chosen One and the only player who could challenge Michael Jordan for the GOAT distinction.
Needless to say, James has met and even surpassed all expectations. He’s the ultimate point forward, a guy who can play and guard one through five and with no true weaknesses in his game. James makes his teammates better with his passing, can score from all three levels, and has been a synonym of consistency throughout his entire career.
He’ll always face criticism for switching teams and teaming up with superstars to win rings and also for his negative record in the NBA Finals. But making it to that stage 10 times in 19 seasons is nearly unmatched and remarkable.
Thus far, LeBron has won four NBA championships with four Finals MVPs. He’s also got four MVPs, was named Rookie of the Year, has made it to 18 All-Star Games with 3 ASG MVPs, has earned 18 All-NBA selections, and has also made the All-Defensive team six times. Also, barring a catastrophe, he’ll retire as the league’s all-time leading scorer and has led every franchise he’s played for (Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers) to a championship.
