NBA Draft: College programs with the most No. 1 picks
With the NBA Draft coming up on Thursday, the Arizona Wildcats could have their first No. 1 pick in program history if the Phoenix Suns select Deandre Ayton.
Here's the company UA would join should Ayton go No. 1.
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
Kentucky, 3
Updated
John Wall, of Kentucky, spears to reporters after going first overall in 2010.
Who they are:
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves (2015)
- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets (2012)
- John Wall, Washington Wizards (2010)
Duke, 3
Updated
Elton Brand was chosen as the No. 1 draft pick in the 1999 draft.
Who they are:
- Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers (2011)
- Elton Brand, Chicago Bulls (1999)
- Art Heyman, New York Knicks (1963)
LSU, 2
Updated
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, greets Ben Simmons as the top pick to the 76ers in 2016.
Who they are:
- Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers (2016)
- Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic (1992)
Kansas, 2
Updated
The Cavaliers made Andrew Wiggins the No. 1 selection in 2014.
Who they are:
- Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers (2014)
- Danny Manning, Los Angeles Clippers (1988)
UNLV, 2
Updated
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anthony Bennett Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, in Independence, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Who they are:
- Anthony Bennett, Cleveland Cavaliers (2013)
- Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets (1990)
Cincinnati, 2
Updated
Kenyon Martin was the first off the board in 2000 to the Nets.
Who they are:
- Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets (2000)
- Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals (1960)
Georgetown, 2
Updated
Allen Iverson became a member of the 76ers when they took him with the No. 1 pick in 1996.
Who they are:
- Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers (1996)
- Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks (1985)
Maryland, 2
Updated
Maryland's Joe Smith pats NBA commissioner David Stern on the back after being picked by the Golden State Warriors in the 1995 NBA Draft.
Who they are:
- Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors (1995)
- John Lucas, Houston Rockets (1976)
Purdue, 2
Updated
Glenn Robinson (13) went to the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 1 in 1994.
Who they are:
- Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks (1994)
- Joe Barry Carroll, Golden State Warriors (1980)
Michigan, 2
Updated
Chris Webber, left, of Michigan and Anfernee Hardaway, right, from Memphis State, pose following a trade after they were selected in the NBA Draft.
Who they are:
- Chris Webber, Orlando Magic (1993)
- Cazzie Russell, New York Knicks (1966)
North Carolina, 2
Updated
Shown in photo are head and shoulder shots of James Worthy, Los Angeles Lakers basketball team shown in 1982. (AP Photo)
Who they are:
- Brad Daugherty, Cleveland Cavaliers (1986)
- James Worthy, Los Angeles Lakers (1982)
Houston, 2
Updated
University of Houston basketball star Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon announced that he would skip his senior year with the Cougars to play pro basketball in the NBA at a campus news conference in Houston, Tex., April 28, 1984. Olajuwon played on three Final Four teams in his college career. (AP Photo/F. Carter Smith)
Who they are:
- Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets (1984)
- Elvin Hayes, San Diego Rockets (1968)
Indiana, 2
Updated
Indiana's Kent Benson (54) was first off the board in 1977 to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Who they are:
- Kent Benson, Milwaukee Bucks (1977)
- Walt Bellamy, Washington Wizards (1961)
UCLA, 2
Updated
Former UCLA and Los Angeles Lakers greats Bill Walton, left, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sit at the broadcasting table during an NCAA college basketball game between UCLA and Oregon State in Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013. UCLA won 74-64. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Who they are:
- Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazers (1974)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks (1969)
Utah, 2
Updated
Utah's Andrew Bogut tries to get a pass past Arizona's Isaiah Fox during the second half of a game at McKale Center, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004. Photo by Chris Richards / Arizona Daily Star.
Who they are:
- Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks (2005)
- Bill McGill, Chicago Zephyrs (1962)
Duquesne, 2
Updated
Dick Ricketts (24) was the No. 1 pick in 1955.
Who they are:
- Si Green, Sacramento Kings (1956)
- Dick Ricketts, Atlanta Hawks (1955)
West Virginia, 2
Updated
Former West Virginia player "Hot Rod" Hundley acknowledges the crowd during a ceremony to retire his number during halftime of an NCAA college basketball game in Morgantown, W.Va. on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/David Smith)
Who they are:
- Hot Rod Hundley, Cincinnati Royals (1957)
- Mark Workman, Atlanta Hawks (1952)
Arizona, 1
UpdatedWho they are:
- Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns (2018)
Oklahoma, 1
Updated
Oklahoma's Blake Griffin takes questions in the interview room after being selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the No. 1 overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft Thursday, June 25, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Who they are:
- Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers (2009)
Memphis, 1
Updated
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is fouled by Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Chicago. The Orlando Magic won 121-114. (AP Photo/Andrew A. Nelles)
Who they are:
- Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (2008)
Ohio State, 1
Updated
The Trailblazers chose Greg Oden, right, over the likes of Texas' Kevin Durant.
Who they are:
- Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers (2007)
Pacific, 1
Updated
Michael Olowokandi, the first pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, holds a Los Angeles Clippers jersey during a news conference.
Who they are:
- Michael Olowokandi, Los Angeles Clippers (1998)
Wake Forest, 1
Updated
Tim Duncan played 19 seasons after the Spurs picked him in 1997.
Who they are:
- Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs (1997)
Syracuse, 1
Updated
First NBA Draft pick Derrick Coleman of Syracuse, right, displays his New Jersey Nets jacket.
Who they are:
- Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets (1990)
Louisville, 1
Updated
Sacramento Kings Jim Kerman, left, smiles as the NBA's No.1 draft choice, Pervis Ellison, adjusts his new cap at the NBA Draft in New York, June 28, 1989. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
Who they are:
- Pervis Ellison, Sacramento Kings (1989)
Navy, 1
Updated
David Robinson of the Navy basketball team is pictured in 1987. (AP Photo)
Who they are:
- David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs (1987)
Virginia, 1
Updated
Ralph Sampson, center, holds the jersey presented to him by the owner of the Houston Rockets Charlie Thomas, left, after being drafted by the team at the NBA draft in New York, June 28, 1983. Larry O'Brien, NBA commissioner, right, joins in the photo session. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
Who they are:
- Ralph Sampson, Houston Rockets (1983)
DePaul, 1
Updated
DePaul’s Mark Aguirre, drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in Tuesday’s National Basketball Association draft, and Isiah Thomas of Indiana, right, drafted by the Detroit Pistons, talk basketball prior to news conference in Chicago on Wednesday, June 10, 1981. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
Who they are:
- Mark Aguirre, Dallas Mavericks (1981)
Michigan State, 1
Updated
Earvin "Magic" Johnson, second from left, holds a Los Angeles uniform after he was selected by the Lakers.
Who they are:
- Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers (1979)
Minnesota, 1
Updated
Former No. 1 overall picks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) and Mychal Thompson (43).
Who they are:
- Mychal Thompson, Portland Trail Blazers (1978)
N.C. State, 1
Updated
Congratulated by his coach Norman Sloan (left), Dave Thompson, All-America forward, from North Carolina State, was the number one pick of the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA draft in Raleigh, N.C., May 30, 1975. Thompson was chosen the Associated Press Player Of The Year in college basketball. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine)
Who they are:
- David Thompson, Atlanta Hawks (1975)
Illinois State, 1
Updated
Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins makes remarks during a news conference in Philadelphia, Monday, May 24, 2010. Collins is back as an NBA coach after seven seasons as an analyst with TNT. Collins is excited to take over the 76ers, the team that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 1973 draft. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Who they are:
- Doug Collins, Philadelphia 76ers (1973)
Loyola, 1
Updated
LaRue Martin, left, towers over Coach George Ireland of Loyola University basketball team in Ireland’s office in Chicago on April 10, 1972. Martin, 6 foot, 10 inchs, was the first man chosen in the NBA draft in New York by the Portland Trail Blazers. Martin averaged over 18 points and 16 rebounds per game. (AP Photo/Edward Kitch)
Who they are:
- LaRue Martin, Portland Trail Blazers (1972)
Notre Dame, 1
Updated
Austin Carr, center, an All-American selection from Notre Dame, signed, in Cleveland, Ohio, April 5, 1971, with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. Details of the contract were not disclosed. On Carr's right is Cavalier Coach Bill Firch and at his left is Nick Mileti, owner of the team. (AP Photo)
Who they are:
- Austin Carr, Cleveland Cavaliers (1971)
St. Bonaventure, 1
Updated
Detroit Pistons center Bob Lanier rides a trolley outside Detroit's Cobo Hall after a news conference which announced that Lanier had signed a four-year pact making him the highest paid Piston ever, Sept. 19, 1977. The 6"11" star center has been with the club since he was drafted in the 1970. (AP Photo/Richard Sheinwald)
Who they are:
- Bob Lanier, Detroit Pistons (1970)
Davidson, 1
Updated
Who they are:
- Fred Hetzel, San Francisco Warriors (1965)
UTEP/Texas Western, 1
Updated
New York Knicks Willis Reed gets off pass to teammate Bill Bradley (24) in first period of game between Knicks and Boston Celtics at New York's Madison Square Garden, Jan. 3, 1970. Boston players, from left: Jim Barnes (28) and Tom Sanders (16). Boston won 111-104. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
Who they are:
- Jim Barnes, New York Knicks (1964)
Kansas State, 1
Updated
Bob Boozer of the Chicago Bulls is seen, Jan. 1968. (AP Photo)
Who they are:
- Bob Boozer, Cincinnati Royals (1960)
Providence, 1
Updated
Jimmy Walker (24) of the Detroit Pistons and Archie Clark (21) of the Philadelphia 76er’s tangle up as they battle for a rebound in the first half of game in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1970. (AP Photo/RBK)
Who they are:
- Jimmy Walker, Detroit Pistons (1967)
Seattle, 1
Updated
Elgin Baylor, Los Ageles Lakers Player posing January 1968 (AP Photo)
Who they are:
- Elgin Baylor, Los Angeles Lakers (1958)
Furman, 1
Updated
Frank Selvy poses with a basketball that belongs to his son, Mike, at his home Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, in Simpsonville, S.C. Fifty years after scoring his recorded 100 points against Newberry College, he and his surviving teammates will take part in a ceremony honor that 100-point game on Feb. 21 during Furman's game against The Citadel at Timmons Arena. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Who they are:
- Frank Selvy, Baltimore Bullets (1953)
Long Island, 1
Updated
Tom Heinsohn (15) of the Boston Celtics gets off a hook shot as Ray Felix of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts to block in third period of seventh and payoff game for NBA championship tonight in Boston Garden, April 18, 1962. (AP Photo).
Who they are:
- Ray Felix, Baltimore Bullets (1953)
Bradley, 1
Updated
Who they are:
- Gene Melchiorre, Baltimore Bullets (1951)
Bowling Green, 1
Updated
Who they are:
- Chuck Share, Boston Celtics (1950)
