NBA Draft: From No.1 pick to the Hall of Fame

Tonight is the 2023 NBA Draft, which is taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Some years the No. 1 pick is up for debate. This year, it’s almost certain that the San Antonio Spurs, winners of the Draft Lottery, will take French prospect Victor Wembanyama first.

Since the ABA-NBA merger, the No. 1 overall pick has produced 11 Hall of Famers, with at least two more set to join those ranks in the near future. Here’s a look at those players.

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Career highlights: Five-time NBA champion, three-time MVP, 12-time All-Star

Stats: 17,707 points, 6,559 rebounds, 10,141 assists

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Career highlights: Three-time NBA champion, seven-time All-Star, 1988 NBA Finals MVP

Stats: 16,320 points, 4,708 rebounds, 2,791 assists

Team: Houston Rockets

Career highlights: Rookie of the Year, four-time All-Star

Stats: 7,039 points, 4,011 rebounds, 752 blocks

Team: Houston Rockets

Career highlights: Two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, 1994 MVP, 12-time All-Star, two-time Defensive Player of the Year

Stats: 26,946 points, 13,747 rebounds, 3,830 blocks

Team: New York Knicks

Career highlights: 11-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year

Stats: 24,815 points, 11,617 rebounds, 2,894 blocks

Team: San Antonio Spurs

Career highlights: Two-time NBA champion, 1995 MVP, 10-time All-Star, 1992 Defensive Player of the Year

Stats: 20,790 points, 10,497 rebounds, 2,954 blocks

Team: Orlando Magic

Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, 2000 MVP, 15-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year

Stats: 28,596 points, 13,099 rebounds, 2,732 rebounds

Team: Orlando Magic (traded to Golden State)

Career highlights: Five-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year

Stats: 17,182 points, 8,124 rebounds, 3,526 assists

Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Career highlights: 2001 MVP, 11-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year

Stats: 24,368 points, 3,394 rebounds, 5,624 assists

Memorable moment:  Practice?

Team: San Antonio Spurs

Career highlights: Five-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, two-time MVP, 16-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year

Stats: 26,496 points, 15,091 rebounds, 4,225 assists

Team: Houston Rockets

Career highlights: Eight-time All-Star

Stats: 9,247 points, 4,494 assists, 920 blocks

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion, four-time Finals MVP, four-time MVP, 19-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, all-time scoring record

Stats: 38,652 points, 10,667 rebounds, 10,420 assists (and counting)

LeBron — currently with the Lakers — has hinted at retirement, but we don’t believe him.

Team: Orlando Magic

Career highlights: One-time NBA champion, eight-time All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year

Stats: 19,485 points, 14,627 rebounds, 2,228 blocks (and counting?)

Howard currently plays professionally in Taiwan. He’s also interested in a possible WWE career.