1988 NBA draft
The 1988 NBA Draft was the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 42nd annual player selection meeting, conducted on June 28, 1988, at the Felt Forum in New York City.[1] The event consisted of three rounds totaling 75 picks—a reduction from seven rounds in 1987—and marked the first draft participation for the league's newest expansion franchises, the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets.[2] The preceding draft lottery, held on May 21, 1988, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, awarded the Los Angeles Clippers the No. 1 overall selection after they posted the league's worst record of 17–65 the prior season.[3] The Clippers chose power forward Danny Manning from the University of Kansas, a 6-foot-10 versatile scorer and rebounder who had just earned consensus National Player of the Year honors, including the Naismith Award, while leading Kansas to the 1988 NCAA Championship as the Final Four Most Outstanding Player.[1][4] Other prominent first-round selections featured shooting guards Mitch Richmond (No. 5, Golden State Warriors from Kansas State), Hersey Hawkins (No. 6, Philadelphia 76ers from Bradley via a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers), Dan Majerle (No. 14, Phoenix Suns from the University of Michigan), and Joe Dumars (No. 18, Detroit Pistons from McNeese State), each of whom earned multiple All-Star appearances and contributed to championship-caliber teams.[1] The 1988 class lacked a singular transcendent talent comparable to recent drafts but stood out for its depth and longevity, yielding reliable starters and role players across multiple rounds.[5] Late-round gems included point guard Steve Kerr (No. 50, Phoenix Suns from the University of Arizona), who won five NBA championships as a player and later became a Hall of Fame coach, and forward Anthony Mason (No. 53, Portland Trail Blazers from Tulane, via trade to the New York Knicks), a two-time All-Star known for his physicality.[1] Overall, 58 of the draftees appeared in at least one NBA game, with the class producing two Hall of Famers—Joe Dumars (inducted 2006) and Mitch Richmond (inducted 2014)—and supporting contenders like the Pistons' back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990.[1][6][7]Background
Date and Location
The 1988 NBA draft took place on June 28, 1988, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[1][8] This venue, a historic arena known for hosting major sporting events, provided a fitting stage for the proceedings, which were conducted in the adjacent Felt Forum.[9] This draft was notable as the first to include selections for the league's two newest expansion franchises, the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat, which joined the existing 23 teams to expand the NBA to 25 franchises ahead of the 1988–89 season.[10][11] The inclusion of these teams underscored the league's growth strategy during the late 1980s, aiming to broaden its geographic reach and fan base in the southeastern United States.[12] The event captured a pivotal moment in NBA history, highlighting the excitement of league expansion amid a period of increasing popularity for professional basketball.[1] Attended by team executives, scouts, and media, the draft proceedings fostered an atmosphere of anticipation as the new franchises built their inaugural rosters.Eligibility and Format Changes
The 1988 NBA draft introduced a major format change by shortening the event from seven rounds in 1987 to three rounds, yielding a total of 75 picks across the league's 25 teams (25 picks per round).[13][14] This adjustment stemmed from the newly ratified six-year collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, which sought to modernize the selection process and address concerns over excessive rounds that often resulted in low-impact selections.[15][16] The following year's draft would further reduce to two rounds, reflecting ongoing efforts to streamline operations amid league growth.[13] Eligibility rules for the 1988 draft followed established NBA guidelines, allowing high school graduates to enter directly upon completing their senior year, though such selections were rare due to developmental considerations.[17] College underclassmen could declare via the hardship provision, requiring them to forgo remaining eligibility and demonstrate financial or personal need, while seniors automatically qualified after exhausting their collegiate options.[18] This draft occurred amid the NBA's expansion to include the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, whose rosters were initially built through a separate expansion draft on June 23, 1988, where each selected 11 or 12 unprotected veterans from existing teams.[19] The new franchises then participated in the regular draft and, through pre-draft trades tied to the expansion draft, acquired the 8th and 9th picks in the first round (originally assigned the 24th and 25th after the lottery-determined and record-based order of the 23 established teams), along with equivalent slots in later rounds to facilitate their entry into the league.[13][20]Draft Lottery and Selection Process
Lottery Results
The 1988 NBA draft lottery took place on May 21, 1988, at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, determining the order of the first seven picks among the seven non-playoff teams from the 1987–88 season.[3][21] This event marked the fourth year of the NBA's lottery system, introduced in 1985 to discourage teams from intentionally losing games to secure higher draft positions.[22] The seven participating teams were selected based on their regular-season records, with positions drawn in reverse order to establish picks 1 through 7. These teams, listed below in order of their finish (worst to best record), each entered with equal odds of approximately 14.29% (1 in 7) for the No. 1 overall selection, reflecting the unweighted format used from 1985 to 1989 that provided identical chances regardless of record.[22][23]| Pre-Lottery Position | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Clippers | 17–65 |
| 2 | New Jersey Nets | 19–63 |
| 3 | Golden State Warriors | 20–62 |
| 4 | Sacramento Kings | 24–58 |
| 5 | Phoenix Suns | 28–54 |
| 6 | Philadelphia 76ers | 36–46 |
| 7 | Indiana Pacers | 38–44 |
| Final Position | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2 | Indiana Pacers |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 4 | New Jersey Nets |
| 5 | Sacramento Kings |
| 6 | Golden State Warriors |
| 7 | Phoenix Suns |
Top Prospects
The 1988 NBA draft featured a talented pool of college prospects, with pre-draft evaluations from NBA scouting services and media outlets identifying a consensus group of elite talents based on their senior-season performances and athletic potential. According to reports from the NBA's scouting director Marty Blake and contemporary analyses, Danny Manning of Kansas emerged as the clear top prospect, praised for his scoring efficiency and leadership in guiding the Jayhawks to the NCAA championship. Other highly ranked players included Rik Smits of Marist, noted for his rare size and shot-blocking ability as an international standout from the Netherlands, and guards like Mitch Richmond of Kansas State and Hersey Hawkins of Bradley, who were lauded for their scoring prowess and perimeter skills.[26][27] Danny Manning, a 6-10 forward from Kansas, dominated his senior year in 1987-88, averaging 24.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 58.3% from the field, earning Consensus All-America first-team honors and the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award after a 31-point, 18-rebound performance in the championship game victory over Oklahoma. Scouting notes emphasized Manning's versatility, allowing him to play effectively as a forward or center with strong post moves, rebounding instincts, and defensive presence, making him a franchise cornerstone candidate.[28][29] Mitch Richmond, a 6-5 shooting guard from Kansas State, averaged 22.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in his senior season, earning All-America recognition for his explosive athleticism and mid-range scoring ability. Scouts highlighted Richmond's quick first step, rebounding tenacity for a guard, and potential as an immediate NBA contributor on the wing. Hersey Hawkins, a 6-3 guard from Bradley, led the nation in scoring as a senior with 36.3 points per game on 52.4% shooting, adding 7.8 rebounds and earning AP Player of the Year honors; his scouting profile focused on his efficient jump shot, court vision, and defensive quickness as a combo guard.[30][31][26] Rik Smits, the 7-4 center from Marist College in the Netherlands, posted 24.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game in 1987-88, ranking among NCAA leaders in scoring and shot-blocking while shooting 62.3% from the field. As one of the few international prospects in the draft, Smits drew attention for his imposing height, soft shooting touch around the rim, and rim-protecting potential, though scouts noted areas for physical conditioning improvement to adapt to NBA speed.[32][27]Round-by-Round Selections
First Round
The first round of the 1988 NBA draft featured 25 selections by the league's 25 teams, held on June 28 in New York City following the introduction of the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat as expansion franchises. These picks emphasized college talent, particularly forwards and guards, with teams prioritizing players who could address roster needs in scoring, rebounding, and perimeter defense. The round included two international players—Rik Smits from the Netherlands and Rony Seikaly from Lebanon—and a limited number of underclassmen, with only one notable sophomore, Rex Chapman, declaring early among the top selections.[1][33][20] The selections are detailed in the following table, listing the pick number, player, position, drafting team (with notes on immediate trades where applicable), college, and nationality:| Pick | Player | Position | Team (notes) | College | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danny Manning | PF | Los Angeles Clippers | Kansas | USA |
| 2 | Rik Smits | C | Indiana Pacers | Marist | Netherlands |
| 3 | Charles Smith | PF | Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Clippers) | Pittsburgh | USA |
| 4 | Chris Morris | SF | New Jersey Nets | Auburn | USA |
| 5 | Mitch Richmond | SG | Golden State Warriors | Kansas State | USA |
| 6 | Hersey Hawkins | SG | Los Angeles Clippers (traded to 76ers) | Bradley | USA |
| 7 | Tim Perry | PF | Phoenix Suns | Temple | USA |
| 8 | Rex Chapman | SG | Charlotte Hornets | Kentucky | USA |
| 9 | Rony Seikaly | C | Miami Heat | Syracuse | Lebanon |
| 10 | Willie Anderson | SG | San Antonio Spurs | Georgia | USA |
| 11 | Will Perdue | C | Chicago Bulls | Vanderbilt | USA |
| 12 | Harvey Grant | SF | Washington Bullets | Oklahoma | USA |
| 13 | Jeff Grayer | SF | Milwaukee Bucks | Iowa State | USA |
| 14 | Dan Majerle | SF | Phoenix Suns | Central Michigan | USA |
| 15 | Gary Grant | PG | Seattle SuperSonics | Michigan | USA |
| 16 | Derrick Chievous | SF | Houston Rockets | Missouri | USA |
| 17 | Eric Leckner | C | Utah Jazz | Wyoming | USA |
| 18 | Ricky Berry | SG | Sacramento Kings | San Jose State | USA |
| 19 | Rod Strickland | PG | New York Knicks | DePaul | USA |
| 20 | Kevin Edwards | SG | Miami Heat | DePaul | USA |
| 21 | Mark Bryant | PF | Portland Trail Blazers | Seton Hall | USA |
| 22 | Randolph Keys | SF | Cleveland Cavaliers | Southern Mississippi | USA |
| 23 | Jerome Lane | SF | Denver Nuggets | Pittsburgh | USA |
| 24 | Brian Shaw | PG | Boston Celtics | UC Santa Barbara | USA |
| 25 | David Rivers | PG | Los Angeles Lakers | Notre Dame | USA |
Second Round
The second round of the 1988 NBA Draft consisted of 25 selections, numbered 26 through 50 overall, allocated to teams in reverse order of their 1987–88 regular-season records, without the lottery system used for the first round.[1] These picks typically carried lower expectations than first-rounders, serving as developmental or depth options, and unlike top selections, they did not include guaranteed NBA contracts, often resulting in players entering as undrafted free agents or being assigned to Continental Basketball Association teams.[35] Several second-round choices involved acquired picks via prior trades, adding complexity to team allocations. Notable immediate transactions included the Denver Nuggets trading their 47th pick, guard Vernon Maxwell out of Florida, to the San Antonio Spurs on draft day, and the Phoenix Suns selecting Steve Kerr with the 50th pick acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers.[35] The picks, which included a mix of domestic college talents and early international prospects, are detailed below:| Overall Pick | Drafting Team | Player | Position | College | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Portland Trail Blazers (from Los Angeles Clippers) | Rolando Ferreira | C | Houston | Brazilian |
| 27 | San Antonio Spurs (from New Jersey Nets via Chicago Bulls) | Shelton Jones | F | St. John's | American |
| 28 | Phoenix Suns (from Golden State Warriors via Milwaukee Bucks) | Andrew Lang | C | Arkansas | American |
| 29 | Sacramento Kings | Vinny Del Negro | G | North Carolina State | American |
| 30 | Detroit Pistons (from Phoenix Suns via Sacramento Kings via New York Knicks) | Fennis Dembo | F | Wyoming | American |
| 31 | Philadelphia 76ers (from San Antonio Spurs) | Everette Stephens | G | Purdue | American |
| 32 | New Jersey Nets (from Philadelphia 76ers) | Charles Shackleford | F | North Carolina State | American |
| 33 | Miami Heat | Grant Long | F | Eastern Michigan | American |
| 34 | Charlotte Hornets | Tom Tolbert | F | Arizona | American |
| 35 | Miami Heat (from New York Knicks via Chicago Bulls via Seattle SuperSonics) | Sylvester Gray | F | Memphis State | American |
| 36 | Washington Bullets | Ledell Eackles | G | New Orleans | American |
| 37 | New York Knicks (from Indiana Pacers via Chicago Bulls) | Greg Butler | F-C | Stanford | American |
| 38 | Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland Cavaliers) | Dean Garrett | F-C | Indiana | American |
| 39 | Milwaukee Bucks | Tito Horford | C | Miami (FL) | Dominican |
| 40 | Miami Heat (from Seattle SuperSonics) | Orlando Graham | F | Auburn-Montgomery | American |
| 41 | Golden State Warriors (from Houston Rockets) | Keith Smart | G | Indiana | American |
| 42 | Utah Jazz | Jeff Moe | G | Iowa | American |
| 43 | Denver Nuggets (from Chicago Bulls) | Todd Mitchell | F | Purdue | American |
| 44 | Atlanta Hawks | Anthony Taylor | G | Oregon | American |
| 45 | Los Angeles Clippers (from Portland Trail Blazers) | Tom Garrick | G | Rhode Island | American |
| 46 | Dallas Mavericks | Morlon Wiley | G | Long Beach State | American |
| 47 | Denver Nuggets | Vernon Maxwell | G | Florida | American |
| 48 | Detroit Pistons | Micheal Williams | G | Baylor | American |
| 49 | Dallas Mavericks (from Boston Celtics) | José Vargas | C | Louisiana State | Dominican |
| 50 | Phoenix Suns (from Los Angeles Lakers) | Steve Kerr | G | Arizona | American |