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Washington Wizards: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

By Jerran Anderson

Mar 22, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) on the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Verizon Center. The Washington Wizards won 104 - 100. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) on the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Verizon Center. The Washington Wizards won 104 - 100. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. Earl Monroe (PG/SG) — No. 2 pick in 1967 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Bullets):  328 GP, 23.7 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.7 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 44.5 FG%, 79.5 FT%

Earl “The Pearl” Monroe was the second overall pick by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1967 NBA Draft out of Winston Salem State University. He was known for his flashy ball-handling and ability to score acrobatic baskets.

Monroe averaged 23.7 points, 4.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game as a member of the Bullets. He earned the 1967-68 Rookie of the Year award after averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists as a rookie.

The Pearl scored 56 points in a three-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 13, 1968. Three-point lines didn’t exist then. The rookie went scoreless just once in his first NBA season.

He was a two-time All-Star selection in his four seasons with the Washington Bullets before being traded to the New York Knicks. Monroe spent nine seasons with the Knicks (1971-80) and won an NBA championship in 1973 with them.

In 1990, Monroe was selected to Class of 1990 Basketball Hall of Fame after 13 seasons in the NBA.

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