The Legendary 1996 NBA Draft (30 Years Later)
- AJ Gonzalez
- Jun 16
- 8 min read
(Photo by Reddit via SLAM Magazine)
In the NBA, you see players that make their mark and many fans will remember for years. The draft is the gateway to finding a prospect that a GM can select and hopefully, a coach can mold into a solid player or an All-Star. It is rare that an organization can find a prospect who can be a Hall-of-Famer and one of the greatest performers in league history. The 1996 draft had a slew of potential All-Stars and promising Hall-of-Famers that would shape the league for years. The 1996 draft was held at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Philadelphia 76ers won the first overall pick and had the chance to select from this prestigious class.
PHILADELPHIA- ALLEN IVERSON, G, GEORGETOWN
With a new owner, new coach and new arena in tow, the Sixers were starting anew and dubbed Iverson as the franchise savior for their basketball squad. AI was "The Question" going into his rookie season.
THE RESULT: Iverson won the ROY, morphed into "The Answer" and became a demigod in Philly. His 2000-2001 MVP season saw him carry the Sixers to the Finals with a signature shot over Tyronn Lue in Game 1. He was inducted into the Hall-of-Fame in 2016.
TORONTO- MARCUS CAMBY, F/C, UMASS
The Raptors selected Damon Stoudamire with their first selection the year before and added inside beef with the National Player of the Year in Camby, the man who put UMass basketball on the map.
THE RESULT: Camby went on to play in the NBA for 17 seasons, earned a Finals appearance with the Knicks, and was a Defensive Player of the Year in 06-07.
VANCOUVER- SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM, F, CALIFORNIA
The Grizzlies chose Abdur-Rahim to complement with Big Country in the frontcourt for the second-year team. His versatility allowed him to play both forward positions with ease.
THE RESULT: Like Camby, SAR had a long NBA career at 14 seasons and made his only All-Star appearance in 2002. After his playing days were over, he put his Cal education to use as he is currently the President of the G League.
MILWAUKEE- STEPHON MARBURY, G, GEORGIA TECH (traded to MINNESOTA)
The Timberwolves acquired Coney Island legend Marbury in a trade in an attempt to pair him with Kevin Garnett as this duo was supposed to lead Minnesota to the promised land.
THE RESULT: Starbury lasted three seasons in Minnesota before getting traded and had an interesting NBA career. Became a basketball legend in China and his signature shoes are affordable for low-income families.
MINNESOTA- RAY ALLEN, G, UCONN (traded to MILWAUKEE)
The star of the film He Got Game landed in Milwaukee as a driving and outside shooting threat who would confuse opponents on either side of the court.
THE RESULT: Oh, all Jesus Shuttlesworth did was become one of the greatest three-point shooters of all-time. His three in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals is in postseason lore. He was inducted into the Hall-of-Fame in 2018.
Two Hall-of-Famers in the first five picks. This should be a banger of a first round.
BOSTON- ANTOINE WALKER, F, KENTUCKY
The Celtics picked Walker to help a young, yet not ready to win roster after capturing the National Championship at Kentucky.
THE RESULT: Walker entered rarified air in becoming a National Champion and an NBA champion in his career. He was also a three-time All-Star.
LA CLIPPERS- LORENZEN WRIGHT, F/C, MEMPHIS
Los Angeles picked the Memphis product to help a struggling organization in any way possible.
THE RESULT: Despite playing 13 seasons, Wright showed promise, but that was it.
Sadly, Wright disappeared and was found dead from a gunshot wound. His ex-wife and an accomplice were charged in the murder. LORENZEN WRIGHT (1975-2010)
NEW JERSEY- KERRY KITTLES, G, VILLANOVA
The Villanova legend was going to take his sharpshooting habits to the Meadowlands and hopefully, pull the Nets out of the cellar.
THE RESULT: He did go to two NBA Finals with the franchise. However, knee issues derailed his career to only nine seasons.
DALLAS- SAMAKI WALKER, F/C, LOUISVILLE
The Mavericks were anxious to add Walker as a formidable big man to help the three J's, who are definitely not going to get traded. (Spoiler alert: All three were traded during that season.)
THE RESULT: Samaki played 10 seasons in the NBA and five more overseas. He won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2002. His son Jabari plays for the 76ers. Also, Samaki was styling with this suit at the draft....
(Photo by CBS Sports)
INDIANA- ERICK DAMPIER, C, MISSISSIPPI STATE
The Pacers wanted a big man replacement to help a battered Rik Smits and Dampier was 6'11" 265 lbs. of punishable force in the paint.
THE RESULT: Dampier played 16 seasons in the association and had a Finals appearance in 2006 with Dallas.
GOLDEN STATE- TODD FULLER, C, NC STATE
GSW joined in the big man fun by drafting Fuller to help a Warriors squad who needed anything to get out of basketball purgatory.
THE RESULT: Todd lasted only five seasons in the NBA and a few more overseas. Golden State have used some of the prospects other than him.
CLEVELAND- VITALY POTAPENKO, C, WRIGHT STATE
The Cavs drafted the services of the Ukraine Train to build a foundation of hardnosed basketball for the Land.
THE RESULT: Vitaly played 11 seasons and made the jump to coaching after his playing days were over. He is a top assistant on the Pistons coaching staff as of this writing.
So, the three teams that went center crazy could have used the next three picks....
CHARLOTTE- KOBE BRYANT, G, LOWER MERION (PA) (traded to LA LAKERS)
Jerry West went against his narrative and traded Vlade Divac for the high school phenom from Philadelphia. His potential could help LA along with the signing of Shaquille O'Neal.
THE RESULT: How about becoming one of the most influential and greatest players in history. Fourth on the scoring list, 5x NBA champion, 2x Finals MVP, and many more accolades. He was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
The basketball world was stunned after hearing the news of Kobe and daughter Gianna's death due to a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. They are sorely missed.
KOBE BRYANT (1978-2020) GIANNA BRYANT (2006-2020)
SACRAMENTO- PEJA STOJAKOVIC, F, POAK (GREECE)
The Kings were starting to turn the corner and drafted Peja to add to an exciting core that can help Sacramento reach the summit.
THE RESULT: Well, Peja was able to be a main clog in The Greatest Show on Court. Played 13 seasons in the league and has his number retired by Sacramento. He did win an NBA championship with Dallas in 2011.
PHOENIX- STEVE NASH, G, SANTA CLARA
The Suns drafted a Canadian point guard who was dazzling at small Santa Clara and was the heir apparent to Kevin Johnson. (Side note: Phoenix traded for Jason Kidd during this season.)
THE RESULT: Nash was traded to Dallas and became a star. Then came back to Phoenix to win consecutive MVP's and bring some hope here in the Valley. He was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
CHARLOTTE- TONY DELK G, KENTUCKY
The Hornets' second first-round pick was an elite shooter in college and was clutch in Kentucky's National Championship win.
THE RESULT: Delk played ten seasons in the NBA and a couple seasons overseas where he won an Euroleague, Greek Cup and Greek League Championship in 2007.
PORTLAND- JERMAINE O'NEAL F/C, EAU CLAIRE HS
The Trailblazers decided to go for the future in dabbing the high schooler from South Carolina.
THE RESULT: O'Neal was traded to Indiana and became a six time All-Star. He played for eighteen seasons in the NBA and is best known for punching a fan during the Palace in the Malice.
KNICKS- JOHN WALLACE F, SYRACUSE
New York had three first-round picks and selected college star Wallace to add depth to a team that will add Allan Houston, Larry Johnson and Chris Childs.
THE RESULT: Wallace played nine seasons of professional basketball, but really didn't make a difference.
KNICKS- WALTER MCCARTY F, KENTUCKY
New York selected another forward with their second consecutive pick with National Champion McCarty.
THE RESULT: Like Wallace, McCarty spent many seasons in the league, but didn't make an impact. He is now a head coach for Ostioneros de Guaymas.
CLEVELAND- ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS C, LITHUANIA
The Cavaliers select their second European big man with the 7'3" Lithuanian known as Big Z.
THE RESULT: Big Z became a fan favorite in Cleveland as he was a two-time All-Star and has his #11 number retired by the organization.
KNICKS- DONTAE' JONES F, MISSISSIPPI STATE
It's a recurring theme as New York drafts a third forward as they select the Mississippi State star.
THE RESULT: Jones didn't even play in his rookie season and played only one year in the NBA with the Boston Celtics in 1997-1998. He spent most of his basketball career overseas.
GRIZZLIES- ROY ROGERS F, ALABAMA
Vancouver uses their second first-round pick on Alabama big man Rogers.
THE RESULT: Despite only playing eight years of professional basketball, he has spent more than twenty years as an assistant coach.
NUGGETS- EFTHIMIOS RENTZIAS C, PAOK (GREECE)
Denver used their only first-round pick on the Greek center.
THE RESULT: He played only one season in the NBA and thirteen professionally, but has this list of accomplishments.....
(Photo via Wikipedia)
LA LAKERS- DEREK FISHER G, ARK-LITTLE ROCK
LA selected a little-known point guard out of tiny Arkansas-Little Rock.
THE RESULT: Fisher had one of the most decorated careers you will ever see...5x NBA Champion, a game-winning clutch shot in a postseason game, was an analyst and head coach. He did about everything for the game.
UTAH- MARTIN MUURSEPP F/C, KALEV (ESTONIA) (traded to MIAMI)
The Jazz drafted the Estonian but quickly traded him to the Heat.
THE RESULT: Mostly known as a piece in the aforementioned Steve Nash trade, Muursepp holds the distinction as the first player from Estonia to play in the NBA.
DETROIT- JEROME WILLIAMS F, GEORGETOWN
The Pistons drafted a player that fits their mantra, hard-nosed and tough. Also, his high socks were cool.
THE RESULT: Williams played nine seasons in the NBA and is best known for driving from Detroit to Toronto after being traded.
ORLANDO- BRIAN EVANS F, INDIANA
The Magic drafted Evans in a somewhat feeble attempt to replace Shaq.
THE RESULT: After his playing career was over, he is a co-owner of a medical company in Indiana.
ATLANTA- PRIEST LAUDERDALE C, CENTRAL STATE
The Hawks selected a project in Lauderdale who was 7'4" 330 lbs.
THE RESULT: Despite playing only two seasons in the NBA, he played in a total of 21 seasons of professional basketball in numerous countries.
CHICAGO- TRAVIS KNIGHT C, UCONN
The Bulls renounced Knight's rights, and he signed with the Lakers.
THE RESULT: Knight signed a seven-year $22 million contract with Boston after his rookie season and won a championship with the Lakers in 2000.
The 1996 NBA draft laid the groundwork for the league for many years to come.
-Allen Iverson and his grit was an inspiration to smaller players who wanted to play big but weren't. Also, his urban style was a hit in the mid-90's.
-Kobe's tenacity to score and win helped the Lakers go back to the promised land and his Mamba mentality has translated into many generations.
-Steve Nash exhibited unselfish play throughout his career. He was the main cog of the Seven Seconds of Less offense.
-Ray Allen's clutch shooting was paramount for the championships for Boston and Miami.
-Even Derek Fisher laid some groundwork with his intelligence about the game.
Here are some notable second round selections and undrafted free agents.
-Ryan Minor played baseball in the MLB and was the guy who replaced Cal Ripken Jr. to end his Ironman streak. (RIP 1974-2023)
-Mark Pope is now the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team.
-Moochie Norris played seven seasons in the NBA and is a huge contributor to the Houston community.
-Malik Rose won two NBA championships with the Spurs and served as an executive and analyst after his playing days were done.
-Shandon Anderson was a key contributor to the Jazz NBA Finals appearances.
-Chucky Atkins played 13 seasons in the league.
-Both Darvin Ham and Adrian Griffin were head coaches in the league.
Then, there was the one undrafted player who became a legend.....
He would also become the first undrafted player to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame in the modern era.
(Photo by iMDB)
It's the Fro aka Big Ben aka Ben Wallace!
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