Chicago Bulls: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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4. Artis Gilmore (C) — No. 1 pick in 1976 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Bulls): 482 GP, 19.3 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.1 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 3.3 TOV, 58.7 FG%, 71.2 FT%

Artis Gilmore was one of the Bulls’ most unconventional draft selections, which was perfectly fitting because he was such an unconventional player. Gilmore began his professional basketball career in the ABA — a span that lasted five years.

However, the ABA shut down in 1976, which opened the door for the Bulls to take Gilmore with the top overall pick in the 1976 dispersal draft. Nicknamed the “A Train,” Gilmore spent six full seasons (1976-82) and part of the 1987-88 campaign in a Bulls uniform.

While he was famously known for his quiet demeanor, his game spoke volumes. During his time with the Bulls, Gilmore averaged 19.3 points and 11.1 rebounds on a super efficient 59 percent shooting from the field.

On top of that, Gilmore never averaged less than 17.8 points per outing in any season. He led the league in field goal percentage four times and his 60 percent conversion rate ranks second all-time in NBA history to DeAndre Jordan, who has a career shooting percentage of 67.7 percent.

Based on those numbers, it is easy to understand why Gilmore is considered one of the team’s top players at the center position.

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