When the NBA Draft rolls around, all eyes are on the No. 1 pick. And that is because the player that is picked often represents the future of a franchise. Someone who can change the trajectory of a team.
And in a league with strict salary cap rules due to the CBA, first-round picks have become even more coveted. Rookie-scale contracts provide cost-effective talent for the first few years, offering teams a way to build strong rosters without breaking the bank.
The 2025 NBA Draft is right around the corner. But before that, who are the names that were picked first in the last few decades?
The No. 1 Selections Through the Years Of NBA History
2020s
- 2024 — Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
- 2023 — Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
- 2022 — Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
- 2021 — Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
- 2020 — Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
2010s
- 2019 — Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
- 2018 — Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
- 2017 — Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers
- 2016 — Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
- 2015 — Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2014 — Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2013 — Anthony Bennett, Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2012 — Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets
- 2011 — Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2010 — John Wall, Washington Wizards
2000s
- 2009 — Blake Griffin, LA Clippers
- 2008 — Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
- 2007 — Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
- 2006 — Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors
- 2005 — Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks
- 2004 — Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
- 2003 — LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2002 — Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
- 2001 — Kwame Brown, Washington Wizards
- 2000 — Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets
1990s
- 1999 — Elton Brand, Chicago Bulls
- 1998 — Michael Olowokandi, LA Clippers
- 1997 — Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
- 1996 — Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
- 1995 — Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors
- 1994 — Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks
- 1993 — Chris Webber, Orlando Magic
- 1992 — Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic
- 1991 — Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets
- 1990 — Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets
1980s
- 1989 — Pervis Ellison, Sacramento Kings
- 1988 — Danny Manning, LA Clippers
- 1987 — David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
- 1986 — Brad Daugherty, Cleveland Cavaliers
- 1985 — Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks
- 1984 — Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
- 1983 — Ralph Sampson, Houston Rockets
- 1982 — James Worthy, Los Angeles Lakers
- 1981 — Mark Aguirre, Dallas Mavericks
- 1980 — Joe Barry Carroll, Golden State Warriors
1970s
- 1979 — Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
- 1978 — Mychal Thompson, Portland Trail Blazers
- 1977 — Kent Benson, Milwaukee Bucks
- 1976 — John Lucas, Houston Rockets
- 1975 — David Thompson, Atlanta Hawks
- 1974 — Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazers
- 1973 — Doug Collins, Philadelphia 76ers
- 1972 — LaRue Martin, Portland Trail Blazers
- 1971 — Austin Carr, Cleveland Cavaliers
- 1970 — Bob Lanier, Detroit Pistons
1960s
- 1969 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks
- 1968 — Elvin Hayes, San Diego Rockets
- 1967 — Jimmy Walker, Detroit Pistons
- 1966 — Cazzie Russell, New York Knicks
- 1965 — Fred Hetzel, San Francisco Warriors
- 1964 — Jim Barnes, New York Knicks
- 1963 — Art Heyman, New York Knicks
- 1962 — Bill McGill, Chicago Zephyrs
- 1961 — Walt Bellamy, Chicago Zephyrs
- 1960 — Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals
1950s
- 1959 — Bob Boozer, Cincinnati Royals
- 1958 — Elgin Baylor, Minneapolis Lakers
- 1957 — Hot Rod Hundley, Cincinnati Royals
- 1956 — Si Green, Rochester Royals
- 1955 — Dick Ricketts, St. Louis Hawks
- 1954 — Frank Selvy, Baltimore Bullets
- 1953 — Ray Felix, Baltimore Bullets
- 1952 — Mark Workman, Milwaukee Hawks
- 1951 — Gene Melchiorre, Baltimore Hawks
- 1950 — Chuck Share, Boston Celtics
1940s
- 1949 — Howie Shannon, Providence Steam Rollers
- 1948 — Andy Tonkovich, Providence Steam Rollers
- 1947 — Clifton McNeeley, Pittsburgh Ironmen
As the 2025 NBA Draft comes along, Cooper Flagg is widely projected as the No. 1 pick. But after the Florida and Duke finals that saw the Blue Devils give up a 14-point lead real quick, this might change.
KEEP READING: Top College Basketball Teammates Who Played Together in the NBA
The 2025 pick remains to be seen. All will be decided on June 26. Until then, the game of speculation continues.
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