1999: LUKA DONCIC
Luka Doncic had a spectacular rookie season for the Dallas Mavericks. The “Matador” averaged 21.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 6.0 assists. He had eight triple-doubles putting him behind Oscar Robertson and Ben Simmons in first-year players in that category.
1998: DEANDRE AYTON
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The Phoenix Suns struggled through another rough campaign. Hard to blame much of the failure on Deandre Ayton. The big man out of The Bahamas and Arizona averaged a double-double, going for 16.3 ppg and 10.3 rebounds. He shot .585 from the field.
1997: BRANDON INGRAM
Things did not go according to plan for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018-19. Brandon Ingram did show some development as his scoring average reached 18.3 ppg, nearly double his output as a rookie two seasons ago. Ingram also chipped in with five rebounds and three assists and appears to be a player on the rise.
1996: BEn SIMMONS
Ben Simmons has proven to be one of the key cogs in the turnaround of the Philadelphia 76ers from perennial laughingstocks to playoff contenders. The 6-foot-10, 230-pounder born in Melbourne, Australia, produces staggering numbers. For his career, he has averaged 16.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 7.9 apg. One of the league’s brightest up-and-coming stars.
1995: karl anthony-towns
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In four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl Anthony-Towns has been a double-double machine. He has averaged better than 18 points and 10 rebounds in each campaign. Overall, his numbers are 22.3 points and 11.9 boards. Quite the force.
1994: julius randle
Julius Randle blossomed in his first year with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 6-foot-9, 250-pounder finally broke the 20 ppg plateau and grabbed better than eight rebounds and averaged three assists per game. He bettered his career-best ppg average by five points in 2018-19.
1993: anthony davis
Anthony Davis was in headlines for his play on the court and where he might be headed in 2018-19. As is, the Kentucky big man finished another stellar season with the Pelicans. With all the hubbub around his destination, Davis played a career-low 56 games but did average better than 25 points. He’s a six-time All-Star and was game MVP in 2017. He has led the league in blocks three times and has been 1st Team All-Defense once and second team twice.
1992: kyrie irving
Kyrie Irving went to Duke for a year before moving on to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was part of their thrilling comeback in the 2016 Finals. The six-time All-Star was MVP of the game in 2014. Irving also has a gold medal to his credit as part of the U.S. team in Rio in 2016.
1991: kawhi leonard
Kawhi Leonard is one of the most versatile stars in today’s game. He made the All-Rookie team out of San Diego State and has been on the first teams for All-NBA and All-Defensive… not to mention Finals MVP.
1990: paul george
Paul George is averaging 19.8 points and 6.4 rebounds while earning All-Star honors six times. He was the league’s steals leader this season and was recognized as its Most Improved Player in 2013.
1989: JAMES HARDEN
“The Beard” James Harden is one pure scorer. The reigning MVP is a seven-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA first team. Harden has led the league in scoring the past two seasons, averaging 30.4 and 36.1 ppg.
1988: kevin durant/stephen curry
No sense trying to separate two Golden Stae Warriors greats. Steph Curry and Kevin Durant are vital cogs in the Warriors’ dynamic run. Curry is a three-time champ and two-time league MVP. Durant is a two-time champ, two-time Finals MVP and one-time league MVP.
1987: mike conley
Mike Conley was chosen fourth overall out of Ohio State in 2007 by the Memphis Grizzlies. He twice has won the NBA Sportsmanship Award and averages almost 15 ppg and six asissts over his career.
1986: al horford
Al Horford’s dad Tito, had a short NBA career. Al has distinguished himself with the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. A five-time All-Star, he averages better than 14 ppg, 8 rpg and 3 apg.
1985: chris paul
Chris Paul is one of the pre-eminent point guards of this generation. A nine-time All-Star, the former Wake Forest star has led the league in steals six times and assists four times.
1984: LeBron James
1983: david lee
David Lee was an NBA champ in 2015 as a member of the Golden State Warriors. The two-time All-Star played for five teams.
1982: dwyane wade
Dwyane Wade just concluded a brilliant career that saw him win three championships and be named Finals MVP in 2006. A 13-time All-Star, Wade played more than 1,000 games and averaged 22 ppg on the dot.
1981: Zach randolph
Drafted out of Michigan State by the 19th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2001, Zach Randolph has shown a deft touch from all over the court. He’s played for five teams and twice has been named an All-Star.
1980: Yao ming
Yao Ming spent his entire NBA career with the Houston Rockets, who retired his No. 11. The 7-foot-6 center from Shangai was an eight-time All-Star and averaged 19 ppg and 9.2 rpg.
1979: tracy mcgrady
Tracy McGrady never was part of an NBA championship team. He did, however, lead the league in scoring twice, was named to seven All-Star teams and averaged 19.6 ppg while playing for seven teams.
1978: kobe bryant
Kobe Bryant went from Lower Merion High School to the NBA. The Charlotte Hornets drafted Bryant and traded him to the Lakers. Ooof. All Bryant did was score more than 33,000 points and win five championships. Twice the Finals MVP, Bryant was an 18-time All-Star and has had his Nos. 8 and 24 retired by the Lakers.
1977: paul pierce
Paul Pierce was the Finals MVP in 2008, the lone championship year of his career. The 10-time All-Star has seen his No. 34 retired by the Celtics and Kansas. Pierce played for four teams and scored 26,397 points in an exceptional career.
1976: tim duncan
Tim Duncan came to the San Antonio Spurs from Wake Forest as the No. 1 pick in 1997. The 6-foot-11 power forward/center was elegant and rugged. A five-time NBA champ, he was the Finals MVP on three occasions. Duncan was 10 times All-NBA first team and eight times All-Defense first team. Oh, and he made 15 All-Star Games.
1975: allen iverson
Allen Iverson defined offense. The Philadelphia 76ers drafted the guard out of Georgetown and he turned on the league with his electric play. A four-time league scoring leader and three-time leader in steals, Iverson made 11 All-Star teams and was MVP of the entire league in 2001.
1974: steve nash
Steve Nash was born in Canada and starred in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. A two-time league MVP, Nash was an eight-time All-Star and led the league in assists five times. He averaged 14.3 ppg and 8.5 apg.
1973: jason kidd
Jason Kidd was a classic point guard and made the All-Star team 10 times and All-NBA first team five times in a career that saw him play for four teams (Dallas twice) and average 12.6 ppg, 8.7 apg and 6.3 rpg. Kidd’s No. 5 was retired by the Nets.
1972: SHAquille o’neal
One of the best big men and most charismatic characters to play the game, Shaquille O’Neal played college ball at LSU and was drafted No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in 1992. The 15-time All-Star was a four-time NBA champ and three-time Finals MVP. O’Neal had his No. 34 retired by the Lakers and No. 32 by the Heat. He averaged a double-double at 23.7 ppg and 10.9 rpg.
1971: allan houston
Allan Houston made the All-Star team twice in a career that saw him play for the Pistons and Knicks. The shooting guard from Tennessee averaged 17.3 ppg and was a member of the gold-medal winning Olympic team in 2000.
1970: Alonzo mourning
Alonzo Mourning followed Patrick Ewing as a big man at Georgetown. He was selected second overall by the Charlotte Hornets and played for three other teams in an NBA career that saw him twice lead the league in blocks and twice named Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 17 ppg and 8 rebounds and was on a championship team in 2006.
1969: SHAWN KEMP
Shawn Kemp was another Seattle pick, going 17th overall in 1989. The six-time All-Star played for four teams and scored 15,347 points and grabbed 8,834 rebounds.
1968: GARY PAYTON
Nicknamed “The Glove” for his defensive prowess, Gary Payton was a nine-time All-Star. Chosen second overall by the Seattle Supersonics out of Oregon State in 1990, Payton was a nine-time All-Star and nine times made the first team for his defense. An NBA champion in 2006, Payton averaged 16.3 ppg, 6.7 apg and 1.8 steals per game.
1967: GLEN RICE
Glen Rice had a great touch from outside. The fourth overall pick out of Michigan in 1989, Rice was an NBA champion in 2000. He scored 18,336 points in a career that saw him gain All-Star status three times.
1966: DIKEMBE MUTOMBO
Dikembe Mutombo was the fourth overall pick by the Denver Nuggets in 1991. He was a defensive force. The eight-time All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year corraled more rebounds (12,359) than scored points (11,729). His No. 55 was retired by both the Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks.
1965: SCOTTIE PIPPEN
Scottie Pippen was a great second star to Michael Jordan in the Bulls’ glory years. The six-time champ had his No. 33 retired by the Bulls. A well-rounded player, the 6-foot-8 forward from Central Arkansas averaged 16 ppg, 6 rpg and 5 apg.
1964: mARK PRICE
Mark Price was as dead-eye from the foul line as any player in NBA history. The guard from Georgia Tech led the league in free-throw shooting three times and overall hit 90.4 percent from the stripe. The four-time All-Star had his No. 25 retired by Georgia Tech and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
1963: MICHAEL JORDAN
The incomparable Michael Jordan won an NCAA championship before being drafted by the Chicago Bulls. All he did in the NBA with Chicago was go 6-for-6 in Finals appearances. He was MVP in each of those Finals and was five times league MVP. Jordan was NBA scoring champion 10 times and averaged 30.1 ppg over his incredible career.
1962: CLYDE DREXLER
Clyde Drexler starred for Houston’s Phi Slama Jama teams in college. He spent most of his career in Portland, where he remained for most his career. He was traded to the Houston Rockets on Valentine’s Day in 1995 and went on to win a championship with Hakeem Olajuwon there.
1961: ISIAH THOMAS
Isiah Thomas was the point guard on the “Bad Boy” Pistons, who won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. Before that, he was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1981 NCAA tournament for Indiana.
1960: DOMINIQUE WILKINS
The “Human Highlight Reel,” Dominique Wilkins remained in Georgia after playing college for the Dawgs in a circuitous route. The Utah Jazz selected him No. 3 overall but they had money problems and Wilkins was reluctant to play for that franchise. He was traded to the Hawks and went on to a Hall-of-Fame career marked by spectacular plays. The 1986 NBA scoring champ had his No. 21 retired by Atlanta. Overall, he scored 26,668 points in a career that saw him play for five NBA teams.
1959: MAGIC JOHNSON
Magic Johnson came to the Lakers as the first overall pick after leading Michigan State to the NCAA crown in 1979. A 12-time All-Star, Johnson won five NBA championships with the Lakers and was three times the Finals MVP and League MVP. His No. 32 was retired by the Lakers and No. 33 by Michigan State. His career was cut short when he announced he was battling HIV in 1991. Johnson has gone on to a long career as an executive in the business world and with the Lakers, a position he recently relinquished.
1958: KIKI VANDEWEGHE
Kiki Vandweghe averaged 19.7 ppg in a career that saw him play for four teams after being chosen 11th overall by the Dallas Mavericks out of UCLA. The 6-foot-8 forward was a two-time All-Star and has gone on to coach in the league, be a GM for the Nuggets and Nets, and is currently the NBA’s EVP of basketball operations.
1957: SIDNEY MONCRIEF
Sidney Moncrief played most of his NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks after being selected fifth overall in 1979. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 15.6 ppg and was named to five All-Star teams. His No. 4 has been retired by the Bucks.
1956: lARRY BIRD
One of the great Boston Celtics of any generation. Larry Bird was one of the brightest draft picks of any season. Boston selected him as a junior eligible and waited for his entire senior season at Indiana State before signing him after a loss to Michigan State in the NCAA final. Bird went on to become a three-time NBA champ and two-time Finals MVP. He also was league MVP three times and 12 times an All-Star. Bird’s rivalry with Magic Johnson is legendary. He wound up his Hall-of-Fame career averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists per game.
1955: MOSES MALONE
A powerful big man, Moses Malone made the leap from high school to the pros, playing in the ABA. The three-time NBA MVP was part of the 1982-83 champion Philadelphia 76ers and was Finals MVP. He averaged a double-double for his career, clocking in at 20.6 ppg and 12.2 rpg. A force!
1954: ALEX ENGLISH
Alex English was the NBA scoring champ in 1983 as a Denver Nugget. The scored 25,613 points and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1953: ROBERT PARISH
Robert Parish, aka The Chief, is a Hall of Famer and was named one of the NBA’s Top 50 players. Pretty heady stuff for a player out of Centenary. He became a Celtic in one of the most lopsided deals of all-time. Boston sent the No. 1 overall pick in 1980 to Golden State in exchange for Parish and the third overall pick. That third selection turned into Kevin McHale. So, the Celtics wound up with two Hall of Famers for Joe Barry Carroll. Parish went on to be a four-time champ and nine-time All-Star.
1952: GEORGE GERVIN
The “Ice Man” was was a three-time ABA All-Star and nine-time NBA All-Star. He was a four-time NBA scoring champ. His No. 44 was retired by the San Antonio Spurs and his No. 24 was retired by Eastern Michigan.
1951: BOB mcadoo
Bob McAdoo had one of the best outside shooting touches for a big man the NBA had seen in his playing days. He wound up spending time with seven teams He was the Rookie of the Year out of North Carolina for the Buffalo Braves in 1973. McAdoo went on to be a two-time champ as a player and three-time champ as an assistant coach. He averaged 22-plus ppg and 9.4 rpg in a career that saw him make the All-Star team five times.
1949: ARtiS GILMORE
Artis Gilmore played college ball at Jacksonville and led the upstart Dolphins to the NCAA final in 1970, where they lost to UCLA. The 7-foot-2 center was an ABA champion, five-time ABA All-Star and six-time NBA All-Star. He was the ABA MVP in 1972.
1948: BOB LANIER
A big man with a deft touch, Bob Lanier came from St. Bonaventure to the Detroit Pistons with the first overall pick in 1970. The big man played for Detroit and then Milwaukee and was an All-Star eight times. His No. 16 has been retired by both the Pistons and Bucks. Lanier averaged 20 ppg and 10 rpg over his career.
1947: KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR
There are few players who have rules made to outlaw their game. When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was Lew Alcindor at UCLA, the dunk was deemed illegal. Mattered not as he dominated as a Bruin and went on to the NBA to dominate as a Buck and Laker. A six-time champion and league MVP, Abdul-Jabbar was a 19-time All-Star. His No. 33 was retired by UCLA, the Bucks and Lakers. He scored 38,387 points and grabbed 17,440 rebounds in a remarkable run.
1946: WES UNSELD
Wes Unseld stood 6-foot-7 when playing for the Washington Bullets. No center that went up against the former Louisville star would tell you the height difference meant a lot due to the strength and will Unseld brought to the game. The NBA champ and Finals MVP in 1978, Unseld was also the league MVP in 1969 when he was Rookie of the Year after being selected second overall. Unseld averaged more rebounds (14) than points (10.8) and was an inductee to the Hall of Fame in 2006.
1945: WALT FRAZIER
Walt “Clyde” Frazier brought a unique style off the court and an all-around game on the court. He was a two-time champion with the New York Knicks, including a classic performance in Game 7 of the 1970 Finals. Frazier was a seven-time All-Star and All-First Defensive Team player. His No. 10 has been retired by the Knicks and No. 52 was retired by Southern Illinois University.
1944: RICK BARRY
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An ABA and NBA legend, Rick Barry came out of Miami and was a sweet shooter and one of the best free-throw shooters in basketball history. Known for his underhand shots from the foul line, Barry was the Rookie of the Year in 1966, an ABA champion in 1969, and NBA champ and Finals MVP in 1975. He averaged better than 24 points, 6.7 rpg and 4.9 apg in a glorious career.
1943: DAVE BING
Dave Bing was everything Detroit, so much so he became the actual Mayor of Motown after his NBA career. He was the Rookie of the Year in 1967 after being drafted out of Syracuse. Bing led the NBA in scoring the following season. The seven-time All-Star had his No. 21 retired by the Pistons and No. 22 retired by Syracuse.
1942: WILLIS REED
We will be heading into the 50th anniversary season of the Knicks’ first championship. It, of course, is best remembered for Game 7 against the Los Angeles Lakers when “The Captain” appeared on the court despite a severe knee injury and hit the first two baskets to ignite Madison Square Garden and a romp.
1941: NATE THURMOND
Nate Thurmond might have been considered one of the “other” big men in the era of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. He was as solid as they come and that can’t be ignored. The seven-time All-Star had his No. 42 retired by Warriors and Cavaliers. Thurmond averaged 15 ppg and 15 rpg … on the button.
1939: WALT BELLAMY
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Walt Bellamy was the first overall pick in 1961 out of Indiana. He went on to be Rookie of the Year and then a four-time All-Star. Bellamy played for five franchises and averaged 20 ppg and 13.7 rpg for his career.
1938: OSCAR ROBERTSON, JERRY WEST
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There was no way to choose between two of the greatest guards in NBA history. Oscar Robertson came from the University to the Cincinnati Royals. He starred for them before moving to the Milwaukee Bucks via free agency and winning a title with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Jerry West is simply “The Logo.” The Lakers star is one of the purest shooters and best players, along with Robertson, the league has seen.
1937: LENNY WILKENS
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A brilliant player and coach, Lenny Wilkens was a nine-time NBA All-Star. Wilkens didn’t earn a ring as a player but he did as coach of the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979.
1936: WILT CHAMBERLAIN
Wilt Chamberlain, The Big Dipper. He averaged 50 points per game in one season. He scored 100 points against the New York Knicks on March 1, 1962. A 13-time All-Star, he won two NBA championships, going up against Bill Russell and his Celtics. How about averaging 30 points and 22 rebounds per game for his career?
1935: GUY RODGERS
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One of the best little men to play in the NBA, Guy Rodgers came from Temple to become a four-time All-Star in a career that saw him play for four teams. The six-time All-Star averaged 11.7 ppg and 7.8 assists per game.
1934: bill russell
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What can one say about Bill Russell, other than he was the greatest defensive force in NBA history. He arguably was the best player of his and many generations and was an 11-time champ, five-time MVP and coached the Celtics to two more NBA crowns. A legend.
1932: Sam Jones
A 10-time NBA champion, Sam Jones played college ball at North Carolina Central before moving to a career with only the Boston Celtics. He averaged 17.7 points, almost five rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
1932: Kc jones
1931: FRANK RAMSEY
Another of the great Boston Celtics, Frank Ramsey was a seven-time NBA champ and scored 8,378 points and grabbed 3,410 rebounds.
1930: JOE GRABOSKI
There was no one-and-done rule when Joe Graboski became the third player to enter the league without playing in college. He was 18 years old when he began his pro career. Graboski spent 13 seasons in the league and scored 9,200-plus points and was one rebound short of 6,000 for his career.
1929: NEIL JOHNSTON
Neil Johnston averaged a double-double in his NBA career going for 19.4 ppg and 11.3 rpg. The one-time NBA champion was a six-time All-Star and four-time first-team All-NBA.
1928: BOB COUSY
Bob Cousy is one of the all-time great guards. A six-time NBA champ out of Holy Cross, Cousy also was a 13-time All-Star and two-time game MVP. His jersey No. 14 was retired the Celtics and No. 17 by the Crusaders.
1927: HARRY GALLATIN
Harry “The Hat” Gallatin was a seven-time All-Star in a career that saw him play for the Knicks and Pistons. He went on to become NBA Coach of the Year in 1963. Gallatin averaged a double-double as a player, going for 13 ppg and 11.9 rpg.
1926: BILL SHArmAN
One of the legendary Boston Celtics, Bill Sharman was a part of four NBA championship teams after playing college ball at USC. He averaged almost 18 ppg in a career that saw him make the All-Star team eight times. How about this? Sharman coached championship teams in three leagues: the ABL, NBA and ABA!
1925: CONNIE SIMMONS
Connie Simmons, No. 18 in the Knicks’ team photo, played 10 seasons for five different teams with two stops as a Baltimore Bullet. He was the second player to enter the pros without having played in college. Simmons was part of two championship teams.
1924: GEORGE MIKAN
The first true big man in the NBA, George Mikan was a mega-star. Out of DePaul, he played for the Minneapolis Lakers and was a five-time champ between the BAA/NBA. Before that, he was a two-time champ in the NBL. He scored almost 23,000 points as a professional. He led the NBL in scoring twice and the NBA in scoring three times.
1923: DON BARKSDALE
Don Barksdale was a pioneer on many fronts. He because the first African-American to be named an All-American when he was at UCLA. He was also the first African-American to play on a U.S. Olympic team and to play in an NBA All-Star Game. His NBA career was shortened by injuries after he signed a contract with the Baltimore Bullets. In the above photo, his son is accepting his honor to the Naismith Pro Basketball Hall of Fame.
1922: NAT CLIFTON
Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton played college ball at Xavier (La). He then played for an all-African-American pro team the New York Rens before gaining notice by the Harlem Globetrotters. Clifton was the first African-American drafted by an NBA team, which was the New York Knicks. He scored more than 5,400 points and grabbed better than 4,400 rebounds in the NBA.
1921: JOE FULKS
Joe Fulks is another player who served his country — as a Marine — before finding a home in the pros. Fulks joined the BAA Philadelphia Warriors and led the league in scoring. Fulks set the BAA/NBA single game scoring record four different times. His 63-point game in 1949 was the league standard for 10 years.
1920: Bob DAVIES
Bob Davies was a two-time All-American in college at Seton Hall, which won 43 games in a row with him on the team. After spending time in the service, Davies played for the Rochester Royals from 1945-55. He was a four-time All-Star and one-time NBA champion.
