The NBA Draft is the ultimate lottery draw displayed on national television in front of hundreds of thousands of fans. With every selection, a franchise’s future could hang in the balance as every one of them seeks their new franchise player. Sometimes, the pick works out and the team ends up with a great player who steered their franchise in the right direction for years to come. Other times can be a disaster, setting the franchise back at least a year. You never know where in the draft a future superstar may lie which is what makes the entire process entertaining and engaging.
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Today, the focus will be on all 30 draft picks and the player who scored the most points selected at each spot. For example, LeBron James just became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Therefore, he will quite obviously represent the number one overall pick. We will continue down to the 30th pick to see where some of the game’s greatest scorers were selected in the first round of the NBA draft. These names will be both expected and come as a shock to see such great talent selected at all positions throughout the night.
These are the NBA all-time leading scorers by draft pick.
No. 1 Overall Pick – LeBron James – 38,450 Points
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For 20 seasons, we have watched as a pass-first player, or so he has been called for the majority of his career, steadily chip away at and become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. It is only right that LeBron James begins this list as the newest play to claim basketball immortality. Over the last 20 years, LeBron James has defined exactly what it means to be consistent and great for longer than anyone else in NBA history.
As a rookie, LeBron James averaged 20.9 PPG with the Cavaliers in 79 games played. Since that time, James has never again averaged less than 25.0 PPG in a season. He won his only scoring title in 2008 with Cleveland when he averaged 30.0 PPG and shot 48.4% from the floor. LeBron has played for three teams in his NBA career including the Heat, Cavaliers, and Lakers. With every team, James has delivered an NBA championship and claimed a Finals MVP award while performing at an extremely high level. Even at 38 years old, James is averaging 29.5 PPG with the Lakers despite injury struggles that continue to nag at him.
No. 2 Overall Pick – Kevin Durant – 26,764 Points
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Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. He can dominate from all three levels but is exceptionally efficient from the mid-range over the course of his entire career. Durant’s slender 7-foot frame coupled with the skills of a guard has allowed him to transform into one of the purest offensive weapons to ever step on a court. His scoring ability has made his teams some of the most potent in NBA history as he has won two NBA championships and two Finals MVP awards in his career.
Just last week, Durant passed Oscar Robertson for 15th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He spent his first nine seasons in the NBA with the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder where he won four scoring titles and averaged 27.4 PPG. Durant moved on to Golden State where he would spend three seasons and lead the Warriors to NBA championships in 2017 and 2018 as well as a Finals appearance in 2019. In 2020, he moved on to the Brooklyn Nets where he averaged 29.0 PPG over the course of 129 games played. Now, as a member of the Phoenix Suns, Durant looks to continue to re-write the history books as far as scoring goes and perhaps win one more NBA championship as well.
No. 3 Overall Pick – Michael Jordan – 32,292 Points
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In one of the close races on our list today, Michael Jordan edges out Wilt Chamberlain for the most points ever scored by a number three overall pick. Jordan and Wilt were already tied together for their super close career PPG which sees Jordan also finish slightly ahead of Chamberlain with a 30.1 PPG average. Jordan is the NBA’s greatest scorer and player with 10 scoring titles to his name as well as five MVPs and six Finals MVPs on top of it all.
In 1987, Michael Jordan took home his first career scoring title when he averaged 37.1 PPG on 48.2% shooting from the field. He would win the next seven scoring titles in a row and average 33.2 PPG in 567 games played, winning three of his six NBA championships. From 1996 thru 1998, Jordan would win three more scoring titles and three more NBA championships averaging 29.6 PPG in 246 games played. He holds the NBA record for most scoring titles, most Finals MVPs, the highest career regular season PPG, and the highest career playoff PPG.
No. 4 Overall Pick – Russell Westbrook – 24,208 Points
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Technically, this spot belongs to Rick Barry who scored over 25,000 points in his career between the ABA and NBA. However, in solely NBA history, Russell Westbrook is the all-time scoring leader with just over 24,200 points scored in his career. Westbrook is a former MVP and one of the most explosive point guards to ever play the game. For years, the NBA had thought they would never see another player average a triple-double for an entire season. In 2017, Westbrook accomplished the unthinkable and in 2021, he became the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles as well.
Westbrook has won two career scoring titles over the last 15 years. He won his first in 2015 when he averaged 28.1 PPG and led the Thunder to 45 wins. Two seasons later, during his MVP season, Westbrook captured his second scoring title with 31.6 PPG. Overall in his 11 seasons with the Thunder, he averaged 23.0 PPG on 43.4% shooting. In his one season with the Rockets in 2020, he averaged 27.2 PPG, and 22.2 PPG in his one season with the Wizards in 2021. He was a 17.0 PPG scorer with the Lakers in 2022 and part of 2023 as well and is now a member of the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
No. 5 Overall Pick – Kevin Garnett – 26,071 Points
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Kevin Garnett isn’t exactly a name you think of when we mention the greatest scorers of all time despite his place in the Top 20 of all-time scorers. Garnett came straight out of high school in the 1990s and was revered for his versatility on both sides of the ball. He could shoot, finish, create shots, and pass as we had rarely seen a power forward be able to do at that point in time. As time went on, he was a consistent force on offense but certainly remembered for his defensive efforts after his Defensive Player of the Year campaign in 2008 with Boston.
Garnett began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995-96 and would spend the next 14 seasons becoming the greatest player in franchise history. He won the 2004 MVP award with Minnesota averaging 24.2 PPG and 13.9 RPG. In his 14 years with the Timberwolves, Garnett averaged 19.8 PPG on 49.1% shooting. With the Celtics from 2008 thru 2013, Garnett won an NBA championship and Defensive Player of the Year award averaging 15.7 PPG on 52.0% shooting. To finish his career, Garnett spent two seasons with the Nets where he was clearly at the end of the line averaging 6.6 PPG in 96 games played.
No. 6 Overall Pick – Adrian Dantley – 23,177 Points
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Adrian Dantley was bound to be an offensive star from the moment he stepped foot in the NBA in 1976-77 and averaged over 20.0 PPG for the Buffalo Braves. Dantley was pretty consistent offensively for most of his career but his peak came with the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons in the 1980s. Dantley was never able to collect an NBA championship in his career but he did earn Rookie of the Year honors, six All-Star selections, and two All-NBA Team selections.
Dantley joined the Utah Jazz in 1979-80 and by the very next season, he would be an All-Star for the first time and win his first career scoring title with 30.7 PPG. Dantley would average 30.0 PPG or better for the next three seasons in a row and collect his second career scoring title in 1984 with 30.6 PPG. In his seven seasons with Utah, Dantley averaged 29.6 PPG and shot 56.2% from the field. With the Pistons, Dantley averaged 20.3 PPG over the course of three seasons and shot 52.5% from the field.
No. 7 Overall Pick – Stephen Curry – 21,183 Points
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At some point, Stephen Curry was bound to find himself on this list considering how many teams missed out on him in the 2009 NBA draft. After lighting the college ranks on fire with his incredible perimeter shooting, Curry took a while to adjust and adapt to things in the NBA. From 2014 forward, Curry has turned into the greatest three-point shooter in league history and one of the greatest point guards to ever step on the basketball court.
In 2015, Curry truly began to break out as a star who was transforming the game with his first MVP award. Curry averaged 23.8 PPG on 44.3% shooting from three. After securing his first NBA championship, Curry won the only unanimous MVP award in NBA history in 2016 averaging 30.1 PPG on 45.4% shooting from three. Over the next eight seasons, the Warriors would win four NBA championships with Curry collecting one Finals MVP award in 2022. Curry won two career-scoring titles in 2015 and 2021 averaging over 30.0 PPG each time.
No. 8 Overall Pick – Robert Parish – 23,334 Points
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When it comes to longevity, there haven’t been many players to have as long of a career as Hall of Famer Robert Parish. For 21 seasons, the 7-foot Parish became one of the better centers in NBA history for the Warriors, Celtics, Bulls, and Hornets. Parish would become a three-time NBA champion in the 80s with Boston winning in 1981, 1984, and 1986. Parish would add a fourth NBA championship with the Bulls in 1997 at the age of 43.
In his first four seasons with Golden State, Parish averaged 13.8 PPG and 9.5 RPG in 307 games played. Once traded to Boston in an extremely lopsided deal, Parish immediately became an All-Star and a consistent 16.0 to 17.0 PPG scorer. Parish would average 16.5 PPG over 14 seasons played with the Celtics and earn nine total All-Star appearances from 1981 thru 1991. Parish’s 23,334 career points are the most ever by an eighth overall pick and the 35-most in NBA history.
No. 9 Overall Pick – Dirk Nowitzki – 31,560 Points
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There have been some amazing scorers throughout NBA history taken with the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft. Tracy McGrady, Dale Ellis, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Kemba Walkers are some good examples of ninth-overall picks who could light up the scoreboard. Three players from the ninth overall spot have reached the 20,000-point mark including DeMar DeRozan, John Havlicek, and the man with the most points from the spot, Dirk Nowitzki.
Along with his Top 10 career total, Nowitzki is also a former MVP, NBA champion, and Finals MVP with the Dallas Mavericks over the course of 20.0 NBA seasons. Nowitzki averaged 20.7 PPG for his career and shot the ball at 47.1% from the field. During his first 10 seasons with Dallas, he averaged 22.4 PPG with an MVP award in 2007. He would lead the Mavericks to an NBA championship in 2011. For the final decade of his career, Nowitzki was still effective and averaged 18.3 PPG on 46.8% shooting and 38.3% from three.
No. 10 Overall Pick – Paul Pierce – 26,397 Points
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The number 10 overall pick has also been a unique one throughout NBA history as far as scoring is concerned. Some players selected 10th overall and reached 15,000 career points are Paul George, Brook Lopez, Jason Terry, and Gail Goodrich. Only two players at the 10th spot reached 20,000 points in their careers which are Joe Johnson and the all-time leading scorer for 10th overall picks, Paul Pierce.
Pierce’s 26,397 career points rank 20th in NBA history, which he achieved during his 19-year career with the Celtics, Nets, Wizards, and Clippers. Pierce would enjoy several seasons as a 25.0 PPG scorer or better and earn 10 All-Star selections in his career. In 2008, he led the Celtics to an NBA championship for the first time since 1986 and won Finals MVP honors as well. Pierce averaged 19.7 PPG for his career and shot 44.5% from the field overall as well as 36.8% from three.
No. 11 Overall Pick – Reggie Miller – 25,279 Points
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The 11th overall pick has seen some great three-point shooters drafted at its spot. Players like Allan Houston, Klay Thompson, and JJ Redick have all been selected with the 11th overall pick and are all considered to be among the greatest three-point shooters ever. There are only four players to have reached the 15,000-point mark from the 11th spot and they are Kiki VanDeWeghe, Derek Harper, Kevin Willis, and of course, Reggie Miller.
Miller is the only player selected at number 11 who reached over 20,000 points in his NBA career. It didn’t take long for Miller to become an All-Star and a 24.0 PPG scorer as he did so in his third season in 1990. Miller would go on to make more three-pointers and break more hearts with his clutch ability than any other player did at the time of his retirement in 2005. Although his three-point record has fallen, Miller was a five-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA Team selection who was one of the first real three-point assassins.
No. 12 Overall Pick – Julius Erving – 18,364 Points
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The number 12 overall pick in NBA history has been a lackluster one as far as career scoring goes. Only 10 players selected from that spot have even reached the 10,000-point mark and only one has reached 15,000. Such legends as Muggsy Bogues, Cedric Maxwell, and Mookie Blaylock have all been taken with the 12th overall selection, but none can be considered greater than the player with the most points from the 12th spot, Julius Erving.
Julius Erving is one of the NBA’s first larger-than-life superstars who influenced a ton of future NBA greats with his game. After dominating the ABA for five seasons, Erving would make the switch to the NBA with the merger in 1976. He would play 11 seasons with the 76ers and win an NBA championship in 1983. In his first nine seasons with Philadelphia, Erving averaged over 20.0 PPG every season and exactly 22.8 PPG over that span. Erving would also win an NBA MVP in 1981 and is a consensus Top Five small forward in NBA history.
No. 13 Overall Pick – Karl Malone – 36,928 Points
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There are exactly 10 players drafted at the 13th overall spot in the NBA draft who reached 10,000 points for their career. Devin Booker and Zach LaVine are the only two active players with at least 10,000 points and still have plenty of time to add to their total. Kobe Bryant, drafted 13th by Charlotte in 1996, falls just behind Karl Malone for the number one spot with 33,643 points scored in his career as Malone toppled 36,000 points over his time in the league.
Karl Malone was as consistent as it gets for the 19 seasons he spent in the NBA. As a rookie, Malone would average 14.9 PPG in 81 appearances for Utah. That would be the last season he averaged less than 20.0 PPG until 19 years later, in 2004, as a 40-year-old man. Malone would help the Jazz make two trips to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 while also winning two MVP awards in 1997 and 1999. At his absolute best, Malone was a 30.0 PPG scorer armed with the best pick-and-roll partner in the game and a mean streak that made opponents avoid any and all contact with him.
No. 14 Overall Pick – Clyde Drexler – 22,195 Points
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The number 14 overall pick is another pick that had 10 players reach the 10,000-point mark. The only active player even somewhat close to making an appearance in that group is Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, and he still has a long way to go. Hal Greer is one of two players selected 14th to reach 20,000 points, but even he falls just over 600 points short of the highest scorer at the number 14 spot, Clyde Drexler.
Clyde Drexler was one of the most talented and skilled shooting guards of the 1980s and 1990s. His only issue was competing against Michael Jordan at the same position for All-NBA, All-Star, and MVP honors. For his career, Drexler averaged 20.7 PPG on 47.2% shooting with Portland and Houston over 15 seasons. At his peak, Drexler was a 27.0 PPG scorer who led the Trail Blazers to two Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992. Unfortunately, they lost both, but Drexler would have his day. In 1995, Drexler was traded to Houston, where he would average 19.0 PPG in four seasons and help deliver an NBA championship in 1995.
No. 15 Overall Pick – Steve Nash – 17,387 Points
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So far, the number 15 overall pick is the most competitive as far as all-time scoring goes. Only six players have reached the 10,000-point mark in their careers from the number 15 draft spot and two of them are active. Kawhi Leonard has just over 11,000 points in his career so far, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is actually second at the 15th spot with 15,919 career points. This puts him just 1,400 points behind our leader, Steve Nash, for the top spot. There is no doubt Giannis will take him over sooner rather than later.
As for Nash, he was never considered to be a great scorer. He was as efficient as they come shooting the ball, especially at the free throw line, but that wasn’t his job. Nash is one of the greatest playmakers in NBA history who led some historically great Suns teams to historically great offensive seasons. Nash is a two-time MVP as well, although many believe that one of them isn’t deserved. Nash was never a 20.0 PPG scorer in his career in any season, but he still narrowly holds the lead for players drafted at 15th overall.
No. 16 Overall Pick – John Stockton – 19,711 Points
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As we venture down into the lower half of the NBA Draft, each pick will feature fewer and less notable players representing each draft selection. For the 16th overall pick, only five players reached the 10,000-point mark in their careers. One of these players, who is second for the number 16 draft spot, is active and still adding to his total. Nikola Vucevic has nearly 13,700 points in his career which easily put him second here but still 6,000 points behind the best scorer from the spot, John Stockton.
There is not one person who thinks of scoring whenever we talk about John Stockton. The all-time leader in assists and steals was his generation’s greatest passer and playmaker and made a name for himself with those skills rather than putting the ball through the basket. Stockton had his best scoring seasons from 1989 thru 1991, when he averaged at least 17.0 PPG each season. He kept his average around 14.0 PPG to 15.0 PPG for most of his career after that point until he began to show his age as the NBA entered the 2000s. Stockton earned 10 All-Star appearances, an NBA-record nine assist titles, and 11 All-NBA Team selections in his 19-year career.
No. 17 Overall Pick – Shawn Kemp – 15,347 Points
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The number 17 overall selection in the NBA Draft has seen some great talent snatched up by teams. There are only five players who have reached 10,000 points in their careers who were selected 17th overall. Jermaine O’Neal and Josh Smith are the two most notable players to achieve this, but one is steadily making his way to the top. Jrue Holiday is the only active player to reach 10,000 points from the 17th draft spot and is currently 727 points away from passing the player who sits at number one, Shawn Kemp.
Shawn Kemp was one of the most explosive and entertaining players of the 1990s with the SuperSonics and Cavaliers. Kemp averaged just 14.6 PPG for his career but he was virtually unguardable at his peak. From 1993 thru 1997, Kemp averaged a double-double every season and 18.6 PPG and 10.7 RPG overall. He helped lead Seattle to the 1996 NBA Finals and averaged 20.9 PPG in the playoffs that season. Kemp’s game was based on his athletic ability and finishing around the basket, and he was one of the best to do it in the 1990s.
No. 18 Overall Pick – Calvin Murphy – 17,949 Points
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The 18th overall pick is another spot in which the all-time leading scorer did not reach 20,000 career points. Eight players did reach 10,000 points in their career, with none of those players being active in 2022-23. Players selected 18th overall to score at least 10,000 points include former Sixth Man of the Year Ricky Pierce and former Finals MVP and two-time NBA champion Joe Dumars. Both players fall just shy of the career leader in scoring at the 18th spot, Calvin Murphy.
Calvin Murphy is the greatest point guard in Houston Rockets history. Murphy played 13 seasons in the NBA from 1971 thru 1983, all with the Rockets. He made just one All-Star team in his career but was vital to some of their limited success over the years. Murphy had his first 20.0 PPG season in 1974 when he averaged 20.4 PPG in 81 games played. He would reach 20.0 PPG in four other seasons as well, including a career-high 25.6 PPG in 1978. Murphy never won an NBA championship but was immortalized in the Hall Of Fame in 1993.
No. 19 Overall Pick – Zach Randolph – 18,578 Points
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The 19th overall pick is another interesting pick when it comes to the players selected there with the most career points. A total of six players scored at least 10,000 points in their careers, and two reached at least 15,000 points. Tobias Harris is the most accomplished active player drafted at number 19, with 13,199 points in his career. Other notable players at the 19th spot include Rod Strickland and Jeff Teague, while Nate Archibald ranks second with 16,481 points which are still 2,197 points behind our leader, Zach Randolph.
Any fan who enjoyed the 2000s and 2010s NBA had a soft spot in their hearts for Zach Randolph. The man looked like he couldn’t jump over a piece of paper, but he absolutely punished opponents with his footwork and soft touch in the paint. For his career, Randolph averaged 16.6 PPG on 47.1% shooting from the floor. His best season came with Portland when he averaged 23.6 PPG in 2007. He would record four other 20.0 PPG seasons in his career and make two All-Star Games with Memphis in 2010 and 2013.
No. 20 Overall Pick – Larry Nance – 15,687 Points
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The amount of elite-level players who were selected 20th overall in the NBA Draft is certainly few and far between. Only three players from this draft spot reached 10,000 points for their careers. The highest-scoring active player drafted number 20 is Evan Fournier with 9,379 career points scored. The two players who reached 10,000 and still fell short of the top ranking from this draft slot were Gus Williams with 14,093 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas with 10,976 points.
The leader at this spot is Larry Nance with 15,687 points. Nance played 13 seasons in the NBA with the Suns and cavaliers. He was highly athletic and long for his size making him a real offensive threat whenever he was on the court. Nance was a 20.0 PPG scorer just twice in his career, in 1986 and 1987. However, he was extremely consistent, which gave him a 17.1 PPG average for his career, shooting 54.6% over the course of 13 seasons. Nance was a three-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive Team selection.
No. 21 Overall Pick – Michael Finley – 17,306 Points
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The NBA players selected with the 21st overall pick aren’t exactly the elite of the elite through their NBA careers. Only three players drafted 21st reached the 10,000-point mark in their careers. Those were former Bulls great and longtime Jazz coach Jerry Sloan as well as Billy Knight. Each Sloan and Knight scored just over 10,000 points in their careers, which is still almost 7,000 points shy of the leader at the 21st spot, Michael Finley.
For most of his career, Michael Finley was a tremendous second and third option on some really great teams. From 1998 thru 2002 with Dallas, Finley averaged at least 20.0 PPG every season, the only 20.0 PPG seasons of his career. He averaged 15.7 PPG over the totality of his 15 seasons in the NBA on 44.4% shooting. Finley was a two-time All-Star with Dallas in the early 2000s and won the only championship of his career with the Spurs in 2007, averaging 9.0 PPG.
No. 22 Overall Pick – Norm Nixon – 12,065 Points
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As stated earlier, as we get lower and lower into the draft, each pick has a little bit less talent. At number 22, there are only two players to reach the 10,000-point mark in their careers. The highest-scoring active player happens to be Mason Plumlee with 6,230 points, and Bobby Portis is right behind him with 5,740 points. Truck Robinson is one of the two to reach 10,000 with 11,988 career points. That total sees him fall just 77 points shy of our leader from the number 22 spot, Norm Nixon.
Nixon was a fantastic guard for the Lakers in the 1980s, winning two championships in 1980 and 1982. He earned an All-Star appearance with the Lakers in 1982 as well, starting all 82 games and averaging 17.6 PPG. He was never a 20.0 PPG scorer but he did average 17.0 PPG or better in six out of his 10 professional seasons. Knee and Achilles injuries cut his career short at just 31 years old, but he left his mark on the game with Los Angeles which includes the four seasons spent with the Clippers in the second half of his career.
No. 23 Overall Pick – Alex English – 25,613 Points
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The 23rd overall pick definitely brings back some star power to our list with five 10,000-point scorers representing this spot. Wayne Embry, Tayshaun Prince, A.C. Green, and World B. Free were all 10,000-point or better scorers in their careers with World B. Free leading the way out of those four with 17,955 points. The active NBA player with the most points from the 23rd pick happens to be OG Anunoby who has scored just 3,978 points in his career, which is 22,000 points behind the leader from this draft slot, Alex English.
Alex English is one of the best scorers from the 1980s, an era that included Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. English scored the most total points in the 80s and recorded eight straight 2,000-point seasons as well. After struggling for his first few seasons with the Bucks, English broke out with the Nuggets in 1980. He would average 26.9 PPG from 1981 thru 1989 and take home a scoring title in 1983 with 28.4 PPG. He would also record eight seasons in a row with at least 25.0 PPG and claim his crown as the decade’s top scorer. The fact that he wasn’t named to the NBA’s Top 75 is criminal.
No. 24 Overall Pick – Latrell Sprewell – 16,712 Points
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The 24th overall pick in the NBA Draft has been the spot for many underrated stars to get scooped up by smart drafting teams. A total of seven players in this slot scored at least 10,000 points in their careers and four hit the 15,000-point mark as well. Kyle Lowry is the highest-scoring active player with over 15,600 points in his career and is second as far as number 24 picks go, just 1,068 points behind Latrell Sprewell.
Sprewell’s time in the NBA was short-lived thanks to nobody but himself. Sprewell was an All-Star by his second season in 1994 and a 21.0 PPG scorer. He would earn three more seasons in which he averaged at least 20.0 PPG and three more All-Star appearances as well. For his career, Sprewell averaged 18.3 PPG and shot 42.5% overall as well as 33.7% from three. Sprewell retired in 2005 after turning down a massive extension with the Timberwolves that would have set him up through the end of his career financially.
No. 25 Overall Pick – John Drew – 15,291 Points
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Back to a bit of obscurity when it comes to the 25th overall pick throughout NBA history. Only four players from this draft spot are members of the 10,000-point club and only one has scored 15,000. Active players Nic Batum and Clint Capela are hovering around the top with Batum accumulating 10,537 points and Capela with 6,430 points. Of course, they fall quite shy of our leader at the 25th spot with over 15,000 points, John Drew.
John Drew played 11 seasons in the NBA from 1975 thru 1985. He spent most of his career with the Atlanta Hawks and three seasons with the Jazz toward the end of his playing days. From 1976 thru 1979, Drew averaged at least 20.0 PPG every season and was an All-Star in 1976. From 1980 thru 1985, Drew would have one more All-Star season and one more 20.0 PPG season before retiring due to injuries in 1985. Drew averaged 20.7 PPG for his career on 47.0% shooting earning two All-Star selections.
No. 26 Overall Pick – Vlade Divac – 13,398 Points
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If you thought that the 25th spot was bad, welcome to the number 26th overall pick. At this spot, only two players have reached 10,000 points scored and only three have reached 9,000. Active players George Hill and Taj Gibson actually land toward the top as far as this draft spot goes with Hill accumulating 9,495 points in his career and Gibson with 8,226. Kevin Martin, the former sharpshooter, and scorer is second at the 26th overall pick with 12,396 points which falls 1,002 points shy of our leader, Vlade Divac.
Vlade Divac is well-remembered for his being the man traded in order to bring Kobe Bryant to the Lakers as well as his battles against L.A. while he was a member of the Kings. Divac was never a big scorer and his career-high for PPG in a season was just 16.0 PPG in 1995 with the Lakers. Divac was consistent and passionate about his job in the paint which gave him a career that lasted 16 seasons in total. Divac would finish his career as an 11.8 PPG scorer who shot 49.5% from the field.
No. 27 Overall Pick – Elden Campbell – 10,805 Points
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There is only one player from the 37th overall spot to score 10,000 points in his career in NBA history. Rudy Gobert is the closest active player with 8,326 points which ranks third for the 27th pick. Pascal Siakam happens to be just behind him as well with 7,655 points which rank him fifth as far as 27th overall picks go. Our leader, Elden Campbell, is holding the number one spot strong with 10, 805 points so it will be some time before we see those active players pass him.
Elden Campbell had a 15-year NBA career with a host of teams willing to give him a chance. His career-high in scoring came in 1997 when he averaged 14.9 PPG for the Lakers. Campbell actually averaged at least 10.0 PPG in 10 of his 15 NBA seasons, mostly with the Lakers and Hornets in its early stages. Campbell would retire in 2005 with career averages of 10.3 PPG and 5.9 RPG in 1,044 games played.
No. 28 Overall Pick – Tony Parker – 19,473 Points
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The man sitting at number one in scoring for the 28th overall pick is likely not to be caught. Not only does Tony Parker have over 19,000 career points scored, but he is also only one of two players to even reach 10,000 in his career. The closest active player to Parker is Jordan Poole which shows you how difficult it will be to even catch Parker as time goes on. Dan Roundfield happens to be the other player with at least 10,000 points in the 28th spot but he finished over 8,000 points behind Tony Parker.
Tony Parker is easily one of the most underrated guards of all time. With his floater and finishing game at the rim, Parker was a huge asset to four NBA championships with the Spurs. Parker was a 20.09 PPG scorer just twice in his 18-year career but was a six-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA Team selection. In 2007, Parker took home a Finals MVP award in the Spurs’ sweep of the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. Parker finished his career with 15.5 PPG on 49.1% shooting.
No. 29 Overall Pick – Eddie Johnson – 19,202 Points
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The 29th overall pick has seen its fair share of stars selected in its history. A total of four players scored at least 12,000 points in their careers, all of whom are long retired. Former Finals MVP Dennis Johnson is second with 15,535 career points and Johnny Newman is behind him with 12,740. Dejounte Murray happens to be the closest active player to Eddie Johnson’s point total but at 5,232 points, Murray still has a really long way to go.
Eddie Johnson played 18 seasons in the NBA for the Kings, Suns, SuperSonics, Hornets, Pacers, and Rockets. Early on, Johnson was a 20.0 PPG scorer with the Kings and was steady with the Suns at 18.4 PPG over four seasons. In 1989, Johnson was named Sixth Man of the Year when he averaged 21.5 PPG for the Suns in 70 games played. Johnson would average 16.0 PPG for his career and shoot 47.2% doing it.
No. 30 Overall Pick – Spencer Haywood – 14,592 Points
Credit: Fadeaway World
We have reached the end of the first round as far as the NBA Draft goes with the 30th overall pick. Just four players have reached the 10,000-point mark from the 30th overall draft spot which includes David Lee and Gilbert Arenas. The third is active and has a great chance of overtaking Haywood for the number one spot as far as 30th overall picks go. Jimmy Butler sits just 1,277 points away from Haywood’s point total, something that could be done by the end of 2023-24. Butler needs to average 15.6 PPG over his next 82 contests in order to reach Haywood, something very capable of happening.
Spencer Haywood would probably have some more distance between him and Butler if he didn’t spend his rookie season in the ABA. Once he made his NBA debut with the SuperSonics in 1971, he was ready for NBA action. He averaged at least 20.0 PPG over his first five NBA seasons which included 29.2 PPG in 1973. From 1976 thru 1980, he averaged 16.1 PPG with the Lakers, Jazz, and Knicks. He finished his career with 20.3 PPG as his average and for now, is still the highest-scoring player that was ever drafted with the 30th overall pick.
Source: fadeawayworld
