Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking every first overall pick in NBA history

By Christopher Jeter

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

28. 1986: Brad Daugherty, Cleveland Cavaliers

Of course, the 1986 draft is probably remembered for the player that didn’t play in the league more than the ones that did, but the Cavs used that year’s pool to help build the foundation for the most successful non-LeBron stretch the franchise ever experienced.

Cleveland used the number one pick to select Brad Daugherty out of North Carolina and later used the 25th (first of the second round) to snag Georgia Tech guard Mark Price. Together, they made the playoffs in seven of the eight seasons they played together, including an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 1992.

During that stretch, Daugherty averaged 19.0 points and 9.5 rebounds, but chronic back injuries ultimately cut his career short at age 28.