List of first overall NBA G League draft picks

The NBA G League's first overall pick is the player who is selected first among all eligible draftees by a team during the annual NBA G League Draft (known as the NBA Development League Draft until 2017). For players to become eligible for the draft they must sign a general contract with the league.[2] They must also be at least 18 years old, not attending college during the season which the draft precedes, and have either graduated from high school or, if the player did not finish high school, had what would have been his graduating class graduate.[3]

Chris Andersen, a Caucasian male with spiked brown hair, is smiling.
Chris Andersen was the first ever NBADL Draft selection as the number one pick in 2001.[1]

No first overall picks have ever won the G League Most Valuable Player Award.[4][5] Five players have been named to at least one NBA Development League All-Star Game: Andre Barrett,[6] Eddie Gill,[6] Chris Richard,[7] Carlos Powell (twice)[6][8] and Nick Fazekas.[6] The first All-Star Game did not occur until the 2006–07 season, however, and so the possibility for players such as Mikki Moore to earn an All-Star selection was not possible.[9] Moore was named the NBDL Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-NBDL First Team as a rookie in 2002–03.[10] Fazekas, the first overall selection in 2010, and Powell, the first overall selection in 2009, each had previous NBA Development League experience prior to those respective drafts. In 2007–08, Fazekas had played for the Tulsa 66ers while Powell had played for the Dakota Wizards, and both were selected as NBA Development League All-Stars that season,[6] making them back-to-back number one draft picks who had previously been NBADL All-Stars.[6][11]

Note that from the 2001 through 2004 drafts, it was known as the NBDL Draft. From 2005 through 2016, it was known as the NBA Development League Draft in accordance with the league's slight name change.[12] The 2017 draft was the first under the league's current identity as the NBA G League, following a sponsorship deal with Gatorade.[13][14]

^ Denotes player who has been selected to (an) NBA G League All-Star Game(s)
* Denotes player who has been selected to (an) NBA G League All-Star Game(s)
and was also selected in an NBA draft
Denotes player who was also selected in an NBA Draft
Player
(in italic text)
Rookie of the Year
PPG Points per game[a]
RPG Rebounds per game[a]
APG Assists per game[a]

List of first overall picks

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Draft Selected by Player Nationality College/former club[b] PPG[a] RPG[a] APG[a] Ref.
2001 Fayetteville Patriots Chris Andersen   United States Blinn CC 4.7 3.7 0.3 [1][15]
2002 Roanoke Dazzle Mikki Moore   United States Detroit Pistons 16.0 8.4 2.5 [10][16]
2003 Huntsville Flight Ken Johnson   United States Miami Heat 8.5 4.9 0.9 [17][18]
2004 Columbus Riverdragons Ricky Minard   United States Morehead State 16.6 4.3 3.1 [19][20]
2005 Florida Flame Andre Barrett^   United States Orlando Magic 17.0 3.5 6.6 [21][22]
2006 Anaheim Arsenal Corsley Edwards   United States CB Granada (Spain) 14.2 7.5 0.4 [23][24]
2007 Colorado 14ers Eddie Gill^   United States BC Dynamo Moscow (Russia) 18.0 5.1 8.5 [25][26]
2008 Tulsa 66ers Chris Richard*   United States Minnesota Timberwolves /
Sioux Falls Skyforce
12.0 8.2 1.7 [27][28]
2009 Albuquerque Thunderbirds Carlos Powell^   United States Inchon ET Land Black Slamer (South Korea) 22.1 5.0 5.0 [29][30]
2010 Reno Bighorns Nick Fazekas*   United States JDA Dijon (France) 14.6 7.5 0.8 [31]
2011 Los Angeles D-Fenders Jamaal Tinsley   United States Memphis Grizzlies 9.9 3.1 7.6 [32]
2012 Fort Wayne Mad Ants JaJuan Johnson   United States Boston Celtics 11.6 11.2 0.8 [33]
2013 Tulsa 66ers Grant Jerrett   United States Arizona 15.1 6.1 0.7 [34]
2014 Grand Rapids Drive Robert Covington   United States Rio Grande Valley Vipers [c] [c] [c] [35]
2015 Idaho Stampede Jeff Ayres   United States San Antonio Spurs 16.2 9.5 2.2 [36]
2016 Erie Bayhawks Anthony Brown   United States Los Angeles D-Fenders 20.3 5.4 3.1 [37]
2017 Northern Arizona Suns Eric Stuteville   United States Sacramento State 5.1 2.4 0.5 [38]
2018 Salt Lake City Stars Willie Reed^   United States Detroit Pistons 20.0 11.2 1.5 [39]
2019 Northern Arizona Suns Anthony Lawrence II   United States Miami (Florida) 8.9 3.9 2.2 [40]
2020 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season draft was held on January 11, 2021
Jan. 2021 Greensboro Swarm Admiral Schofield   United States Washington Wizards /
Capital City Go-Go
10.1 5.7 2.1 [41]
Oct. 2021 Delaware Blue Coats Shamorie Ponds   United States OKK Spars (Bosnia and Herzegovina) 13.5 5.5 5.5 [42]
2022 Cleveland Charge Sam Merrill   United States Memphis Grizzlies 15.2 3.9 2.8 [43]
2023 Texas Legends Jack White   Australia Denver Nuggets 9.1 6.1 1.8 [44]
2024 Westchester Knicks Matt Ryan   United States New Orleans Pelicans [45]

See also

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Notes

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  • a All statistics are taken from the players' respective draft seasons.
  • b Indicates the college team, semi-professional and/or professional basketball team that the player most recently competed for heading into his respective draft.
  • c Robert Covington signed with the Philadelphia 76ers prior to playing in a D-League game in 2014–15. He spent the entire season with the 76ers and did not accumulate any D-League statistics.[46][47]

References

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  1. ^ a b "National Basketball Development League Announces Inaugural Draft Results". NBA.com. NBDL Enterprises, LLC. November 1, 2001. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  2. ^ Schmidt, Mike (October 17, 2006). "NBDL Season Preview". DraftExpress LLC. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  3. ^ "D-League lowers the age requirement to 18". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. April 13, 2006. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  4. ^ "D-League Most Valuable Player Award Winners". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  5. ^ "D-League Rookie of the Year Award Winners". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "2008 D-League All-Star Game Team Rosters Announced". NBA.com. NBA Development League, LLC. February 5, 2008. Archived from the original on October 21, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  7. ^ "2009 NBA D-League All-Star Game Participants Unveiled". NBA.com. NBA Development League, LLC. February 3, 2009. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  8. ^ "2010 NBA D-League All-Star Rosters Unveiled". NBA.com. NBA Development League, LLC. February 2, 2010. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  9. ^ Brennan, Matthew (February 17, 2007). "D-League All-Star Game Preview". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  10. ^ a b "Mikki Moore D-League Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  11. ^ "Nick Fazekas Playerfile". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  12. ^ "NBDL Adopts New Name, Logo, and Ball". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 19, 2005. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  13. ^ "NBA Continues to Flex Its Muscles With New and Improved G League". CLNSradio. June 21, 2017. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  14. ^ "Welcome to the NBA G League: Learn About The NBA's Official Minor League". G League. June 20, 2017.
  15. ^ "Chris Andersen D-League Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  16. ^ "2002–03 NBDL Draft Board". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 2002. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  17. ^ "Ken Johnson D-League Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  18. ^ "2003 NBDL Draft Board". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 2003. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  19. ^ "Ricky Minard Stats, Comparisons and Outlook". DraftExpress LLC. 2007. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  20. ^ "2004 NBDL Draft Board". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 2004. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  21. ^ "Andre Barrett". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. 2010. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  22. ^ "2005 NBA D-League Draft Board". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 2, 2005. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  23. ^ "Corsley Edwards D-League Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  24. ^ "2006 D-League Draft". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 2, 2006. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  25. ^ "Eddie Gill D-League Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  26. ^ "2007 D-League Draft". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 1, 2007. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  27. ^ "Chris Richards D-League Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  28. ^ "2008 NBA D-League Draft Results". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 7, 2008. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  29. ^ "Carlos Powell D-League Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  30. ^ "2009 NBA D-League Draft Results". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 5, 2009. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  31. ^ "2010 NBA D-League Draft Results". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 1, 2010. Archived from the original on November 17, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  32. ^ "2011 NBA D-League Draft Results". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on December 7, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  33. ^ "Fort Wayne Mad Ants Select JaJuan Johnson With First Pick of 2012 NBA Development League Draft Live Via Cisco Webex". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 2, 2012. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  34. ^ "Tulsa 66ers Select Grant Jerrett with First Pick of 2013 NBA Development League Draft via CISCO WebEx Meeting Center". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 1, 2013. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  35. ^ "Grand Rapids DRIVE: 2014-15 Draft". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 1, 2014. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  36. ^ "2015 NBA D-League Draft Board". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  37. ^ "BayHawks Draft Anthony Brown First Overall". NBA.com. October 30, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  38. ^ "2017 NBA G League Draft Board". NBA.com. October 21, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  39. ^ "2018 NBA G League Draft Board". NBA.com. October 20, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  40. ^ "2019 NBA G League Draft Recap". Sportando. October 26, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  41. ^ "Greensboro Swarm Select Admiral Schofield with First Pick of 2021 NBA G League Draft". Our Sports Central. January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  42. ^ "Delaware Blue Coats Select Shamorie Ponds With First Pick Of 2021–22 NBA G League Draft". NBA.com. October 23, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  43. ^ Daniels, Tim (October 22, 2022). "Sam Merrill Selected No. 1 Overall by Cavs' Affiliate in 2022 NBA G League Draft". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  44. ^ Wells, Jed (October 29, 2023). "Jack White selected with first overall pick in 2023 NBA G League Draft". Sporting News. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  45. ^ "Westchester Knicks Select Matt Ryan (1st) and Landry Shamet (2nd) in the 2024-25 NBA G League Draft". NBA.com. October 26, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  46. ^ "Sixers Sign Free Agent Robert Covington". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 15, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  47. ^ "Robert Covington D-League stats". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
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