1993 NBA draft
The 1993 NBA draft was the 47th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA), held on June 30, 1993, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan.[1] In a highly anticipated event, the Orlando Magic selected power forward Chris Webber, who was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, from the University of Michigan with the first overall pick, only to trade him immediately to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for point guard Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway from Memphis State University and three future first-round draft picks (in 1996, 1998, and 2000).[2][3] This blockbuster deal, announced by NBA Commissioner David Stern during the proceedings, reshaped the futures of both franchises and highlighted the draft's dramatic opening moments.[4] The draft featured 54 selections across two rounds, with 43 players ultimately appearing in at least one NBA game, underscoring its solid depth despite challenges like injuries that impacted several top talents.[1] Following the trade, the next notable picks included center Shawn Bradley (second overall, Philadelphia 76ers from Brigham Young University), small forward Jamal Mashburn (fourth overall, Dallas Mavericks from the University of Kentucky), and shooting guard Isaiah Rider (fifth overall, Minnesota Timberwolves from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas).[1] Lower in the first round, the Boston Celtics took small forward Vin Baker at No. 8, while the Washington Bullets selected shooting guard Calbert Cheaney at No. 6.[1] Beyond the lottery selections, the 1993 class proved remarkably productive in its later rounds, yielding several steals who became key contributors and All-Stars.[5] Standouts included point guard Sam Cassell (24th overall, Houston Rockets from Florida State University, one-time All-Star), point guard Nick Van Exel (37th overall, Los Angeles Lakers from the University of Cincinnati, one-time All-Star), and shooting guard Allan Houston (11th overall, Detroit Pistons from the University of Tennessee, two-time All-Star).[1] In total, the draft produced seven All-Stars—Webber, Hardaway, Mashburn, Baker, Cassell, Van Exel, and Houston—along with two All-NBA First Team selections (Webber and Hardaway), though no MVPs emerged from the group due to a mix of injuries and unfulfilled potential among its stars.[1][5] This combination of elite lottery talent and mid-to-late-round gems cemented the 1993 draft as one of the league's more balanced and influential classes of the early 1990s.[6]Background
Historical Context
The 1992-93 NBA season marked the third consecutive championship for the Chicago Bulls, who defeated the Phoenix Suns 4-2 in the NBA Finals, with Michael Jordan earning Finals MVP honors for his 41.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game average.[7] The Suns, led by regular-season MVP Charles Barkley, who posted 25.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, had the league's best record at 62-20 but fell short in a competitive series highlighted by a triple-overtime Game 3 loss.[8] The season also featured the debut impact of rookie standout Shaquille O'Neal with the Orlando Magic, who won Rookie of the Year with 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, signaling a new era of dominant big men.[8] Amid this, several teams struggled with sub-.500 records, creating urgent needs for foundational talent; for instance, the expansion Orlando Magic, who had endured losing seasons of 18-64 in 1989-90 and 21-61 in both 1990-91 and 1991-92, improved to 41-41 in 1992-93 but missed the playoffs and entered the draft lottery seeking complementary stars to accelerate their rebuild around O'Neal.[9][10] The NBA draft process had evolved significantly by 1993 to address competitive balance and discourage intentional tanking. Prior to 1985, playoff misses resulted in a coin flip or territorial picks for top selection; the lottery system introduced that year equalized chances among non-playoff teams but drew criticism for insufficient incentives against poor performance. In response, the league adopted a weighted lottery in October 1989 for the 1990 draft onward, assigning odds based on reverse order of regular-season records—the team with the worst record receiving a 16.7% chance (1-in-6) at the No. 1 pick, tapering to 0.5% for the seventh-worst team—while ensuring no better-than-fourth placement for the top seeds to prevent extreme manipulation.[11][12] This system, in place for the 1993 lottery, redistributed picks more equitably among the 11 non-playoff teams, fostering anticipation for how struggling franchises like the 11-71 Dallas Mavericks or 19-63 Minnesota Timberwolves might leverage their high odds.[13] Pre-draft scouting generated significant buzz around elite college talents, particularly Michigan's Chris Webber and Memphis State's Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, both projected as franchise cornerstones. Webber, a 6-foot-10 forward and key member of Michigan's "Fab Five" alongside Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson, led the Wolverines to back-to-back NCAA Championship appearances, including a 71-51 loss to Duke in the 1992 final and a 77-71 defeat to North Carolina in 1993 after his infamous timeout blunder, while earning consensus All-American honors with averages of 19.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 1992-93.[14][15][16] Hardaway, a versatile 6-foot-7 guard, dazzled at Memphis State with 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game in his junior year, guiding the Tigers to a 20-12 record and second-place conference finish despite postseason ineligibility due to prior violations, and was named Great Midwest Conference Player of the Year as a top-5 draft prospect.[17][18] These achievements fueled expectations that the 1993 class could deliver immediate impact players to revitalize lottery teams.[1] The 1993 NBA draft took place on June 30 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan, consisting of two rounds and 54 total selections across 27 teams, with picks distributed via the weighted lottery for the top choices and reverse order for the rest.[1]Draft Lottery
The NBA draft lottery for the 1993 draft utilized the weighted ping-pong ball system established in 1985 to randomize the selection order for the top three picks among the league's 11 non-playoff teams. Under this format, 66 ping-pong balls numbered 1 through 66 were placed in a lottery machine, with each team assigned a number of balls proportional to their inverse regular-season performance—the worst record receiving 11 balls, the second-worst 10, and decreasing by one down to 1 ball for the best non-playoff team. Four balls were drawn sequentially to determine the combinations corresponding to the first, second, and third picks; if a team drew multiple times, they retained the highest position, while picks 4 through 11 followed the reverse order of records. This setup aimed to give struggling franchises a better chance at premium talent while introducing an element of chance to discourage intentional tanking.[19] The participating teams and their assigned odds for the No. 1 pick, based on 1992–93 regular-season records, were as follows:| Team | Record | Balls | Odds for No. 1 Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Mavericks | 11–71 | 11 | 16.7% |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 19–63 | 10 | 15.2% |
| Washington Bullets | 22–60 | 9 | 13.6% |
| Sacramento Kings | 25–57 | 8 | 12.1% |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 26–56 | 7 | 10.6% |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 28–54 | 6 | 9.1% |
| Golden State Warriors | 34–48 | 5 | 7.6% |
| Denver Nuggets | 36–46 | 4 | 6.1% |
| Miami Heat | 36–46 | 3 | 4.5% |
| Detroit Pistons | 40–42 | 2 | 3.0% |
| Orlando Magic | 41–41 | 1 | 1.5% |
Eligibility
Rules and Requirements
The eligibility rules for the 1993 NBA draft were established under the league's new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which set specific criteria for prospective players. For U.S. players, eligibility required graduation from high school (or equivalent), with no minimum age or post-graduation wait period. Early entry without financial hardship was permitted starting in 1990, enabling underclassmen to declare by the deadline.[23] For U.S. college players, eligibility varied by academic status: seniors and those whose college eligibility had expired were automatically included in the draft pool. Underclassmen, however, needed to declare as early entrants to forgo remaining college eligibility, a process facilitated by rule changes from 1990 that permitted such declarations without requiring proof of financial hardship.[24] The deadline for these early entry declarations was April 28, 1993, after which underclassmen could not join the draft unless automatically eligible.[25] International players faced slightly different standards under the 1993 CBA, requiring them to be at least 18 years old during the draft year. Amateurs from abroad could enter without prior professional experience, while those with FIBA-sanctioned professional play were also eligible if they met the age requirement and declared appropriately, broadening the pool beyond domestic college talent.[26]Early Entrants
The 1993 NBA draft saw approximately 20 underclassmen and other eligible players declare early entry, reflecting a growing trend of college players forgoing remaining eligibility amid projections of professional success and financial opportunities. Early entrants were required to notify the NBA by April 28, 1993, and had until approximately 10 days before the June 30 draft to withdraw their names, allowing many to return to school after feedback from workouts and scouting reports.[25][23] College UnderclassmenSeveral prominent college juniors declared early, driven by strong performances and expectations of high draft placement. Chris Webber, a junior forward at Michigan, announced his entry on May 5, 1993, after two seasons, citing his status as a projected No. 1 overall pick following a sophomore year where he averaged 17.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, a junior guard at Memphis State, entered after leading his team to a 22-8 record, averaging 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 2.4 steals in 1992-93, positioning himself as a top lottery prospect. Jamal Mashburn, a junior forward at Kentucky, declared after a breakout season with 21.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, earning consensus All-American honors and viewing the NBA as the next step in his development. Other notable college underclassmen included Jaron Boone (UNLV junior), Keith Russell (Cincinnati junior), and Roy Thomas (Kansas junior), many of whom entered seeking professional exposure despite lower projections.[27][28] International Players
International early entry was limited but included Etienne Preira, a forward from Senegal playing professionally for ADA Blois in France's second division. At age 20, Preira declared to test NBA interest after a season abroad, highlighting the emerging pathway for overseas prospects under NBA rules allowing players at least 18 years old with professional experience to enter early. No other prominent international underclassmen or pros declared specifically for 1993, though the pool underscored the league's gradual internationalization.[29][30] Other Eligible
Non-college U.S. players were sparse, with freshmen and juniors from junior colleges representing alternative paths. Antonio Bowen, a freshman forward from Northern Oklahoma Junior College, entered after a standout season, exemplifying the inclusion of JUCO talents seeking a shortcut to the pros. Although high school players were eligible if their class had graduated, none declared or were drafted in 1993, and special cases like military or preparatory academy athletes were absent.[31]
Draft Selections
First Round
The first round of the 1993 NBA draft consisted of 27 selections made by NBA teams on June 30, 1993, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. This round showcased a strong concentration of talent, particularly in the top 10 picks, several of whom became perennial All-Stars and key contributors to championship teams. While not all selections panned out immediately, the class laid the foundation for impactful players across positions, with many drafted from prominent college programs.[1][32] The following table lists all first-round picks, including the drafting team, player's college or background, position, height, and brief notes on immediate outcomes where applicable.
Overall, the first round emphasized versatile forwards and guards from major college conferences, with several picks involving international or junior college backgrounds adding diversity.[1][33]
Second Round
The second round of the 1993 NBA draft consisted of 27 selections, made by teams seeking depth and potential contributors, though the talent level and success rate dropped noticeably compared to the first round.[1] These picks often included international prospects and college players from mid-major programs, with many failing to secure long-term NBA roles due to limited athleticism or skill sets relative to professional demands.[1] The following table lists all second-round selections, including the overall pick number, player name, college or previous team, drafting team, and a note on NBA participation:| Pick | Player | College/Team | Drafting Team | NBA Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Lucious Harris | Long Beach State | Dallas Mavericks | Played 10 seasons, 402 games |
| 29 | Sherron Mills | Virginia Commonwealth | Minnesota Timberwolves | Never played in NBA |
| 30 | Gheorghe Muresan | Pau-Orthez (France) | Washington Bullets | Played 6 seasons, 217 games |
| 31 | Evers Burns | Maryland | Sacramento Kings | Never played in NBA |
| 32 | Alphonso Ford | Mississippi Valley State | Philadelphia 76ers | Never played in NBA |
| 33 | Eric Riley | Michigan | Dallas Mavericks | Played 4 seasons, 118 games |
| 34 | Darnell Mee | Western Kentucky | Golden State Warriors | Never played in NBA |
| 35 | Ed Stokes | UAB | Miami Heat | Played 1 season, 67 games |
| 36 | John Best | Tennessee Tech | New Jersey Nets | Never played in NBA |
| 37 | Nick Van Exel | Cincinnati | Los Angeles Lakers | Played 13 seasons, All-Star |
| 38 | Conrad McRae | Syracuse | Washington Bullets | Played 5 seasons, 174 games |
| 39 | Thomas Hill | Duke | Indiana Pacers | Never played in NBA |
| 40 | Rich Manning | Washington | Atlanta Hawks | Played 2 seasons, 50 games |
| 41 | Anthony Reed | Tulane | Chicago Bulls | Never played in NBA |
| 42 | Adonis Jordan | Kansas | Seattle SuperSonics | Played 3 seasons, 129 games |
| 43 | Josh Grant | Utah | Denver Nuggets | Played 3 seasons, 92 games |
| 44 | Alex Holcombe | Baylor | Sacramento Kings | Never played in NBA |
| 45 | Bryon Russell | Long Beach State | Utah Jazz | Played 12 seasons, 649 games |
| 46 | Richard Petruska | UCLA | Houston Rockets | Never played in NBA |
| 47 | Chris Whitney | Clemson | [San Antonio Spurs](/page/San Antonio_Spurs) | Played 11 seasons, 579 games |
| 48 | Kevin Thompson | NC State | Portland Trail Blazers | Never played in NBA |
| 49 | Mark Buford | Mississippi Valley State | Phoenix Suns | Never played in NBA |
| 50 | Marcelo Nicola | Buckler Bologna (Italy) | Houston Rockets | Never played in NBA |
| 51 | Spencer Dunkley | Delaware | Indiana Pacers | Played 4 seasons, 111 games |
| 52 | Mike Peplowski | Michigan State | Sacramento Kings | Played 3 seasons, 97 games |
| 53 | Leonard White | Southern | Los Angeles Clippers | Never played in NBA |
| 54 | Byron Wilson | Utah | Phoenix Suns | Played 4 seasons, 142 games |
Trades
Pre-Draft Trades
Several trades involving rights to 1993 NBA draft picks occurred prior to the June 30, 1993, draft date, primarily during the 1992-93 season's early months. These transactions typically saw teams exchanging established players for draft assets to bolster immediate rosters or reposition for the upcoming lottery and selections. While no major swaps directly altered top lottery positions, they redistributed mid-to-late first-round and second-round picks among contenders and rebuilding franchises, influencing pick values and team strategies leading into the draft.[34] Notable pre-draft trades included the following:- September 8, 1992: The Detroit Pistons acquired Isaiah Morris and the Miami Heat's 1993 first-round pick (No. 10 overall, later used to select Lindsey Hunter) from the Heat in exchange for John Salley. This deal provided Detroit with additional lottery flexibility amid their transition from the "Bad Boys" era, while Miami added veteran depth.[35]
- September 22, 1992: In a three-team transaction, the New York Knicks sent Mark Jackson and their 1993 first-round pick (No. 26 overall, later used to select Geert Hammink) to the Orlando Magic; the Magic sent center Stanley Roberts to the Los Angeles Clippers; and the Clippers sent forward Charles Smith to the Knicks. The trade enhanced Orlando's backcourt and frontcourt options ahead of their lottery win, while the Knicks prioritized immediate win-now moves.[36]
- October 26, 1992: The Denver Nuggets traded their 1993 second-round pick (No. 48 overall, later used to select Kevin Thompson) to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for point guard Robert Pack. This swap addressed Denver's need for playmaking during a rebuilding year, at the cost of late-round asset depth.[34]
- November 25, 1992: The Sacramento Kings traded guard Vincent Askew to the Seattle SuperSonics for Seattle's 1993 second-round pick (No. 52 overall, later used to select Mike Peplowski). Sacramento shed salary and gained a minor asset, while Seattle bolstered its bench scoring.[37]
- December 9, 1992: The Charlotte Hornets acquired forward Sidney Green, the San Antonio Spurs' protected 1993 first-round pick (conveyed as No. 20 overall, later used to select Scott Burrell), and a 1996 second-round pick from the Spurs in exchange for forward J.R. Reid. The deal allowed Charlotte to regain control of a mid-first-round selection amid injury concerns with Reid, while San Antonio addressed forward depth for their playoff push.[38]