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NBA Draft: Top 30 draft steals in league history

By Jacob Kniffen

Adam Silver, 2019 NBA Draft. Photo by Mohammed Elshamy/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Adam Silver, 2019 NBA Draft. Photo by Mohammed Elshamy/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images /
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Shawn Kemp, Seattle SuperSonics
12 Jun 1996: Forward Shawn Kemp of the Seattle Supersonics gazes up at the score board as he takes an opportunity to catch his breath between plays during the Sonics 107-86 victory over the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Championship Finals at the Key Arena in /

Best NBA Draft steals of all time: Shawn Kemp, Seattle SuperSonics

Shawn “The Reign Man” Kemp was selected by the then-Seattle SuperSonics with the 17th overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft.

His route to the NBA — and at times, through it — were unorthodox.

Kemp committed to play college basketball for the University of Kentucky after graduating high school, but after not meeting academic requirements and being accused of a stealing allegation, he transferred to Trinity Valley Community College in Texas.

After not playing at either institution, Kemp entered the 1989 NBA Draft. Despite his one-year hiatus from organized basketball, was selected in the middle of the first round — primarily due to his size and athleticism.

Although he struggled early in his rookie year, Kemp appeared in 81 games for Seattle, averaging just a mere 6.5 points per game.

When his second season rolled around, Kemp was a force to be reckoned with. Starting 66 games that year, he increased his scoring to 15.0 points per game, while collecting 8.4 rebounds per contest and helping lead the team to the playoffs.

During his next six seasons in Seattle, Kemp’s statistics continued to balloon, as he helped the team reach the NBA Finals.

He was selected to the NBA All-Star Game six straight years (five in Seattle and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers) and named to the All-NBA team three separate times.

Although the end of Kemp’s career became muddied with drug issues, rehab and fitness concerns, there is no denying that “The Reign Man” provided the SuperSonics with one of the best draft steals in recent memory.