Tonight is the 2023 NBA Draft, which is taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Some years the No. 1 pick is up for debate. This year, it’s almost certain that the San Antonio Spurs, winners of the Draft Lottery, will take French prospect Victor Wembanyama first.
Since the ABA-NBA merger, the No. 1 overall pick has produced 11 Hall of Famers, with at least two more set to join those ranks in the near future. Here’s a look at those players.
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Career highlights: Five-time NBA champion, three-time MVP, 12-time All-Star
Stats: 17,707 points, 6,559 rebounds, 10,141 assists
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Career highlights: Three-time NBA champion, seven-time All-Star, 1988 NBA Finals MVP
Stats: 16,320 points, 4,708 rebounds, 2,791 assists
Team: Houston Rockets
Career highlights: Rookie of the Year, four-time All-Star
Stats: 7,039 points, 4,011 rebounds, 752 blocks
Team: Houston Rockets
Career highlights: Two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, 1994 MVP, 12-time All-Star, two-time Defensive Player of the Year
Stats: 26,946 points, 13,747 rebounds, 3,830 blocks
Team: New York Knicks
Career highlights: 11-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year
Stats: 24,815 points, 11,617 rebounds, 2,894 blocks
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Career highlights: Two-time NBA champion, 1995 MVP, 10-time All-Star, 1992 Defensive Player of the Year
Stats: 20,790 points, 10,497 rebounds, 2,954 blocks
Team: Orlando Magic
Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, 2000 MVP, 15-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year
Stats: 28,596 points, 13,099 rebounds, 2,732 rebounds
Team: Orlando Magic (traded to Golden State)
Career highlights: Five-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year
Stats: 17,182 points, 8,124 rebounds, 3,526 assists
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Career highlights: 2001 MVP, 11-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year
Stats: 24,368 points, 3,394 rebounds, 5,624 assists
Memorable moment: Practice?
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Career highlights: Five-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, two-time MVP, 16-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year
Stats: 26,496 points, 15,091 rebounds, 4,225 assists
Team: Houston Rockets
Career highlights: Eight-time All-Star
Stats: 9,247 points, 4,494 assists, 920 blocks
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion, four-time Finals MVP, four-time MVP, 19-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, all-time scoring record
Stats: 38,652 points, 10,667 rebounds, 10,420 assists (and counting)
LeBron — currently with the Lakers — has hinted at retirement, but we don’t believe him.
Team: Orlando Magic
Career highlights: One-time NBA champion, eight-time All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year
Stats: 19,485 points, 14,627 rebounds, 2,228 blocks (and counting?)
Howard currently plays professionally in Taiwan. He’s also interested in a possible WWE career.