1995 NBA draft
The 1995 NBA draft was an annual player selection event held by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on June 28, 1995, at the SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[1] It consisted of two rounds with 58 total picks across 29 teams, including the debut participation of the league's two newest expansion franchises, the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies—the first Canadian teams in the NBA since the 1946–47 season.[2] The Golden State Warriors chose University of Maryland center Joe Smith as the first overall pick, a selection that highlighted the draft's focus on frontcourt talent from college programs.[1] This draft class is remembered for its depth and long-term impact, producing multiple All-Stars and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer in Kevin Garnett, selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves directly out of Chicago's Farragut Academy—the first player selected directly out of high school since Bill Willoughby in 1975.[3] Garnett recalled his draft night walk to the stage feeling like "somebody had picked me up, and I was floating."[4] Garnett, who amassed 191.4 win shares over his 21-season career, became a 15-time All-Star, 2004 NBA Most Valuable Player, and 2008 champion with the Boston Celtics, revolutionizing the power forward position with his versatility and intensity.[1] Other key selections included second overall pick Antonio McDyess (Los Angeles Clippers, University of Alabama), a one-time All-Star known for his athleticism and rebounding; third pick Jerry Stackhouse (Philadelphia 76ers, University of North Carolina), a two-time All-Star scoring guard; and fourth pick Rasheed Wallace (Washington Bullets, University of North Carolina), a four-time All-Star and 2004 champion with the Detroit Pistons who contributed 105.1 win shares with his defensive prowess and shooting range.[1][5] The expansion teams made notable early contributions, with the Raptors selecting seventh overall pick Damon Stoudamire (University of Arizona), the 1995–96 Rookie of the Year who averaged 19.0 points and 9.3 assists as a rookie, and the Grizzlies taking sixth pick Bryant Reeves (Oklahoma State University), an All-Rookie Second Team center.[5] Overall, 50 of the draftees appeared in at least one NBA game, underscoring the class's longevity and talent, though it is often critiqued for the Warriors passing on Garnett in favor of Smith, who recorded 60.3 win shares but never achieved the same superstar status.[1]Draft Overview
Event Details
The 1995 NBA draft took place on June 28, 1995, at the SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[1][6] This event marked the first time the NBA draft was held outside the United States, a decision tied to the league's expansion into Canada with the addition of the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies for the upcoming 1995–96 season.[7][8] The draft consisted of two rounds, totaling 58 selections—29 picks per round—a slight increase from prior years to accommodate the two new franchises.[1][8] Of these, only 50 draftees ultimately appeared in at least one NBA game.[1] The event drew a record attendance of 21,968 spectators to the SkyDome, reflecting growing interest in the league's international push.[6] In the United States, the draft was televised live on TNT, with coverage featuring analysts such as Hubie Brown.[9] In Canada, it aired on YTV, highlighting the event's cross-border appeal. This international hosting underscored the NBA's efforts to expand its global footprint following the success of the 1992 U.S. Olympic "Dream Team," which had elevated the league's international profile. The draft occurred just days before the start of a league-wide lockout on July 1, 1995, amid ongoing labor negotiations between owners and players over a new collective bargaining agreement for the 1995–96 season.[10][11] Despite the impending labor tensions, the event proceeded as scheduled, capturing the NBA's momentum during a period of rising popularity and structural changes.[12]Selection Process
The 1995 NBA draft lottery employed a weighted probability system to determine the order of the first three picks among the non-playoff teams, with the remaining first-round selections and the entire second round assigned in inverse order of regular-season records. Under this weighted lottery system, modified in 1994 to further discourage tanking while increasing the advantage for poorer-performing teams, the club with the league's worst record received 250 out of 1,000 combinations (25% chance) for the No. 1 pick, while probabilities decreased progressively for teams with better records—the second-worst team had 199 combinations (19.9%), the third-worst 156 (15.6%), the fourth-worst 119 (11.9%), the fifth-worst 88 (8.8%), the sixth-worst 63 (6.3%), the seventh-worst 22 (2.2%), with the remaining 103 combinations divided equally among the other non-playoff teams (the number and exact share depending on the total non-playoff teams; in 1995, four additional teams each received 25 or 26 combinations, or about 2.5-2.6%).[13][14][15] Ties in regular-season winning percentages among teams were resolved through random drawings, such as coin flips, to establish draft order positions prior to the lottery; no such ties affected the top selections in 1995. Pick protections, which allow traded picks to convey to a later draft if they fall within certain ranges, were minimal and not a significant factor in the 1995 proceedings, as most first-round picks traded prior to the draft lacked major contingencies.[15] The NBA's scouting efforts were increasingly turning toward international talent in the mid-1990s, with teams dispatching scouts to Europe and Asia to identify prospects amid growing global interest in the league, though the 1995 draft featured predominantly domestic players from American colleges and high schools, with only a handful of international selections in the later rounds.[16] No substantial rule changes were implemented for the 1995 draft compared to 1994, preserving the established two-round structure; however, the addition of expansion franchises Vancouver Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors expanded the total selections to 58 picks (29 per round) to accommodate the league's growth to 29 teams.[1][8]Player Eligibility
College Underclassmen
The 1995 NBA draft introduced a significant policy shift for college underclassmen, marking the first year since 1982 that players could declare early entry while retaining the option to withdraw and preserve their NCAA eligibility, provided they did not sign with an agent. This change, implemented under the terms of the newly ratified NBA collective bargaining agreement and in coordination with NCAA guidelines, allowed underclassmen to participate in pre-draft evaluations, such as workouts and interviews, to assess their professional prospects without permanent commitment. The withdrawal deadline was set for early May 1995, approximately 60 days before the draft, enabling players to receive feedback from NBA teams before deciding to return to school.[17] A total of 18 college underclassmen declared for the draft under this new framework, reflecting growing interest among top talents in accelerating their professional careers amid rising NBA salaries and guaranteed contracts for first-round picks. The declaration process required players to notify the NBA commissioner's office formally, after which the league and NCAA jointly reviewed their amateur status to confirm eligibility for potential reinstatement at their institutions. This verification ensured that only players maintaining strict amateur standing—without professional contracts or agent representation—could withdraw without forfeiting future college participation.[18] Among the notable declarants were Joe Smith, a sophomore center from Maryland, who opted to remain in the draft after strong pre-draft showings; Antonio McDyess, a freshman forward from Alabama, who similarly stayed in following evaluations that highlighted his athletic potential; and Jerry Stackhouse, a sophomore guard from North Carolina, who proceeded to the draft as a projected lottery selection. Other prominent early entrants who stayed included Rasheed Wallace, another North Carolina sophomore known for his defensive prowess. In contrast, five players chose to withdraw by the deadline, including John Wallace from Syracuse and Rodrick Rhodes from USC, returning to their programs to further develop and bolster their teams' rosters.[19] This policy had immediate implications for college basketball programs, as it introduced a "tryout" mechanism that reduced the risk for borderline prospects but created uncertainty for coaches planning seasons around key returners. For instance, teams like Alabama lost McDyess to the pros, disrupting frontcourt depth, while others, such as Syracuse, benefited from Wallace's return, which strengthened their frontcourt for the following year. Overall, the early entry option encouraged more underclassmen to explore NBA opportunities, contributing to a youth movement in the league while prompting NCAA institutions to adapt recruitment and retention strategies amid talent attrition.[20]High School Players
The 1995 NBA draft represented a pivotal shift in player pathways to the professional level, as it featured the first direct selection of a high school player in two decades. Kevin Garnett, a standout from Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, was chosen fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending a 20-year hiatus in the practice that had last occurred in 1975 with the drafting of Darryl Dawkins by the Philadelphia 76ers and Bill Willoughby by the Cleveland Cavaliers.[7][21][22] Garnett, who had no college basketball experience, emerged as a Chicago prep sensation after leading Farragut to an Illinois state championship in his senior year, averaging 25.2 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 blocks per game. Scouting evaluations highlighted his extraordinary raw athleticism, including elite leaping ability that allowed him to dunk effortlessly, sprinter-like speed for a 6-foot-11 forward, fluid 20-foot jump shooting with excellent rotation, and status as the draft's premier defender due to his length and intensity.[23][24] Following his selection on June 28, 1995, at the SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Garnett signed a three-year rookie-scale contract with the Timberwolves valued at $5.397 million, reflecting the era's scale for top lottery picks without a strict salary cap on extensions at the time.[25] Garnett's entry ignited significant debate among league executives and coaches about the readiness of teenagers for professional basketball's physical and mental demands, with concerns centering on their maturity, skill refinement, and potential for stunted development outside a college environment. NBA Commissioner David Stern voiced reservations about the trend of high school direct entries, emphasizing the risks to young players' long-term growth, though no formal restrictions existed beyond basic eligibility rules at the time.[26][27] Only Garnett declared from high school for the 1995 draft, as NBA eligibility required prospects to have graduated high school and reached at least 18 years of age by draft day—criteria met by few standout seniors that year, and none others chose to forgo college amid the prevailing norm of post-secondary play. This paralleled the growing wave of college underclassmen early entries but underscored the even rarer prep-to-pro leap.[28]Draft Results
First Round Selections
The first round of the 1995 NBA draft consisted of 29 selections, primarily from American colleges or high schools, though including some international talent developed in U.S. programs.[1] Teams prioritized versatile big men and athletic wings to address frontcourt weaknesses and rebuild efforts following poor previous seasons.[1] The lottery process determined the top picks, while expansion franchises Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies received multiple selections to stock their inaugural rosters.
The Golden State Warriors used their lottery-winning first pick on Joe Smith to acquire a skilled center capable of stretching the floor, aligning with their need for interior presence after a franchise-worst 26-56 record.[1] Similarly, the Los Angeles Clippers targeted Antonio McDyess at No. 2 for his explosive athleticism and rebounding, aiming to inject energy into a frontcourt hampered by injuries and inconsistency during their 27-55 campaign.[1] The Philadelphia 76ers, coming off a 24-58 season, selected Jerry Stackhouse third to add perimeter scoring and defensive tenacity, addressing their lack of wing production.[1]
Lower in the lottery, the Minnesota Timberwolves chose Kevin Garnett fifth as a raw, high-upside high school prospect to build around a unique combination of size, speed, and skill, filling a void in versatile forward play after their 20-62 finish.[1] Expansion team Toronto Raptors, building from scratch, picked Damon Stoudamire seventh for his quickness and playmaking to set the tone for their backcourt, while Vancouver Grizzlies selected Bryant Reeves sixth as a reliable post presence.[1] Mid-round selections like the Miami Heat's Kurt Thomas at tenth emphasized gritty rebounding to support their defensive identity, and the Sacramento Kings' Corliss Williamson at thirteenth targeted tough interior scoring to complement their up-tempo style.[1] Later picks, such as the San Antonio Spurs' Cory Alexander at twenty-ninth, focused on backup point guard depth to back up their championship-caliber rotation without overhauling the core.[1]
Second Round Selections
The second round consisted of 29 selections, including more international prospects and players from smaller colleges.| Pick | Player | Position | College/HS | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Lou Roe | SF | UMass | Detroit Pistons |
| 31 | Dragan Tarlać | C | Olympiacos (Greece) | Chicago Bulls |
| 32 | Terrence Rencher | PG | Texas | Washington Bullets |
| 33 | Junior Burrough | PF | Virginia | Boston Celtics |
| 34 | Andrew DeClercq | PF/C | Florida | Golden State Warriors |
| 35 | Jimmy King | SG/SF | Michigan | Toronto Raptors |
| 36 | Lawrence Moten | SG | Syracuse | Vancouver Grizzlies |
| 37 | Frankie King | PF | Western Carolina | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 38 | Rashard Griffith | C | Wisconsin | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 39 | Donny Marshall | SF | UConn | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 40 | Dwayne Whitfield | PF | Jackson State | Golden State Warriors |
| 41 | Erik Meek | PF/C | Duke | Houston Rockets |
| 42 | Donnie Boyce | SG | Colorado | Atlanta Hawks |
| 43 | Eric Snow | PG | Michigan State | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 44 | Anthony Pelle | C | New Mexico State | Denver Nuggets |
| 45 | Troy Brown | SG | Providence | Atlanta Hawks |
| 46 | George Banks | PF | UTEP | Miami Heat |
| 47 | Tyus Edney | PG | UCLA | Sacramento Kings |
| 48 | Mark Davis | SG | Texas Tech | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 49 | Jerome Allen | PG | Pennsylvania | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 50 | Martin Lewis | SG | Hutchinson CC (KS) | Golden State Warriors |
| 51 | Dejan Bodiroga | SF | Partizan (Serbia) | Sacramento Kings |
| 52 | Fred Hoiberg | SG | Iowa State | Indiana Pacers |
| 53 | Constantin Popa | C | Miami (FL) | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 54 | Eurelijus Žukauskas | C | Žalgiris (Lithuania) | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 55 | Michael McDonald | SG | New Orleans | Golden State Warriors |
| 56 | Chris Carr | SG | Missouri | Phoenix Suns |
| 57 | Cuonzo Martin | SF | Purdue | Atlanta Hawks (to Chicago via trade) |
| 58 | Don Reid | PF | Georgetown | Detroit Pistons |