Houston Rockets: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

4. Elvin Hayes (PF/C) — No. 1 pick in the 1968 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Rockets):  572 GP, 20.6 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 BPG, 2.0 TOV, 44.5 FG%, 66.0 FG%

Hayes was selected by the Rockets with the No. 1 overall pick in 1968, fresh off winning the Sporting News player of the year award in his final year the University of Houston.

Jumping out of the gate in incredible fashion, Hayes posted 28.4 points and 17.1 rebounds per game as a rookie. In his four seasons with the Rockets to commence his career, Hayes was named an All-Star each year despite the lack of success coming the team’s way. The Rockets made the playoffs just once in Hayes’ initial four-season stint.

Before his departure in 1973 to the then Baltimore Bullets, Hayes’ numbers over his first four seasons were incredible — 27.4 points and 16.3 rebounds per game. But unfortunately for Hayes and the franchise, the former No. 1 overall pick was unable to get along with the Rockets’ new head coach, Tex Winter.

As a result, Hayes was dealt to the Bullets in exchange for Jack Marin and future considerations. By the end of his career, Hayes had become a 12-time All-Star and was a member of the 1978 NBA champion Washington Bullets, having lost in the Finals in 1975 and 1979. He was also named to the All-NBA First Team on three occasions with the Bullets.

Regarded as somewhat of a complex character, Hayes presented a challenge for teammates and coaches alike. John Lally, a trainer with the Bullets, summed up the Hayes experience:

"“For some players and coaches, being around Elvin every day is like a Chinese water torture. It’s just a drop at a time, nothing big, but in the end, he’s driven you crazy.”"

Following his nine-year stint with the Bullets, Hayes wound up back in Houston to put the finishing touches to an illustrious career.

Post-career, Hayes was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990 and was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1997.