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NBA Draft: 30 greatest No. 1 overall picks in league history

By Josh Cornelissen

25 Jun 1997: Center Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs speaks with a reporter during the NBA Draft at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport
25 Jun 1997: Center Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs speaks with a reporter during the NBA Draft at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport /
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Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images /

NBA Draft: 30 greatest No. 1 overall picks in league history: 16. Anthony Davis

The 2011-12 University of Kentucky men’s basketball teams was one of the great modern teams in NCAA history. Stacked with elite freshman talent and anchored in the middle by the best defensive player in the nation, the Wildcats went 38-2 and won the NCAA Tournament Championship. Six members of that team were drafted in the following NBA Draft, headlined by Anthony Davis going first overall to the New Orleans Hornets.

Soon to become the Pelicans, the Hornets immediately showcased their young big man. Despite standing 6’10” tall he possessed many of the skills of a guard, and it showed in his ability to score on offense while protecting the rim on defense. As he developed as a player, Davis became the quintessential big man, able to defend at the rim and out on the floor, able to score inside and hit 3-pointers.

Minor injuries have plagued him throughout his career, but he has pushed through to make the Western Conference All-Star team eight straight seasons. Davis has never played more than 75 games in a season, and in seven of nine has played less than 70. Yet he has also led the league in blocks per game three times, been on four All-NBA teams and been an All-Defense selection four times as well.

David forced his way out of New Orleans and joined LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019-20, winning the NBA title in his first season with the Lakers. For his career, Davis’ per-game averages are 23.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. Those rank 23rd, 52nd and 15th in league history, respectively. If he can find a way to overcome his injury concerns and maximize his current window of contention alongside James, Davis has a chance to truly cement his place in NBA history.