1996 NBA draft
The 1996 NBA draft was the 50th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA), conducted on June 26, 1996, at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.[1] The event featured two rounds with a total of 58 selections, of which 47 players ultimately appeared in at least one NBA game.[1] Philadelphia 76ers selected guard Allen Iverson from Georgetown University with the first overall pick, a choice that immediately signaled the draft's potential for star power.[1] The top selections included Marcus Camby (second, Toronto Raptors, UMass), Shareef Abdur-Rahim (third, Vancouver Grizzlies, California), Stephon Marbury (fourth, Milwaukee Bucks via trade from Minnesota Timberwolves, Georgia Tech), and Ray Allen (fifth, Minnesota Timberwolves via trade to Bucks, Connecticut).[1] Other notable first-round picks encompassed Antoine Walker (sixth, Boston Celtics, Kentucky), Lorenzen Wright (seventh, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis), Kerry Kittles (eighth, New Jersey Nets, Villanova), and Erick Dampier (tenth, Indiana Pacers, Mississippi State).[1] Beyond the lottery, the draft yielded several late-round gems that defined eras in NBA history, including Kobe Bryant (thirteenth overall, Charlotte Hornets via trade to Los Angeles Lakers, Lower Merion High School), Steve Nash (fifteenth, Phoenix Suns, Santa Clara), Jermaine O'Neal (seventeenth, Portland Trail Blazers, high school), and Peja Stojaković (fourteenth, Sacramento Kings, international).[1] Several trades marked the proceedings, such as the Bucks acquiring Ray Allen from the Timberwolves in exchange for Stephon Marbury, reshaping team trajectories.[1] Regarded as one of the most talented and deepest draft classes in league history, the 1996 group produced at least five Hall of Famers—Iverson, Bryant, Allen, Nash, and Wallace—along with multiple All-Stars and contributors to championship teams across two decades.[2] Iverson earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1997, while Bryant's trade to the Lakers initiated a dynasty that included five titles.[3] The class's impact extended to longevity and versatility, with players like Nash winning two MVP awards and Allen, who formerly held the all-time record for three-pointers made.[2]Overview
Event Details
The 1996 NBA draft took place on June 26, 1996, at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which served as the home venue for the New Jersey Nets at the time.[1][4] The event consisted of two rounds, featuring 29 selections in the first round and 29 in the second round, for a total of 58 picks across the league's 29 teams.[1] The draft lottery, held earlier on May 16, 1996, determined the order for the non-playoff teams, with the Philadelphia 76ers securing the first overall pick despite entering with the second-highest odds after a league-worst 18-64 record in the 1995-96 season.[5] The proceedings were televised nationally on TNT, with Ernie Johnson serving as the primary host for the broadcast.[6] This draft class is widely regarded as one of the deepest in NBA history, producing multiple Hall of Famers and long-term contributors.Historical Significance
The 1996 NBA draft marked the 50th annual player selection in league history and is widely regarded as one of the most talented and deepest classes ever assembled, producing three NBA Most Valuable Player winners—Allen Iverson (2001), Kobe Bryant (2008), and Steve Nash (2005, 2006)—along with 10 All-Stars who collectively earned 64 All-Star selections.[1][7][8] This draft's exceptional talent pool extended beyond the lottery picks, with second-round selections like Ben Wallace contributing to championship teams and earning individual accolades, underscoring the class's overall depth and longevity. The draft introduced notable trends that foreshadowed shifts in NBA talent sourcing, including a surge in high school entrants—such as Bryant (13th overall) and Jermaine O'Neal (17th overall)—and increased international participation, with players like Peja Stojaković (Yugoslavia, 19th overall) and Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Lithuania, 20th overall) highlighting the growing global appeal of the league.[9] These developments signaled the beginning of broader recruitment pipelines that would dominate future drafts, moving away from traditional college dominance toward younger domestic prospects and overseas talent. Occurring amid the mid-1990s NBA landscape, the draft reflected a period of transition following Michael Jordan's brief retirement and return, as the league expanded northward with the debut participation of Canadian franchises Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies, who selected key pieces like Marcus Camby (2nd overall) and Shareef Abdur-Rahim (3rd overall) despite lottery restrictions tied to their expansion status.[1] This infusion of new teams and diverse talent contributed to a more competitive and internationalized era, setting the stage for the NBA's global growth in the late 1990s and beyond. From a long-term perspective, by 2025 the class had yielded multiple Hall of Fame inductees, including Iverson (2016), Nash (2018), and Bryant (2020), with additional enshrinements for Ray Allen (2021) and Ben Wallace (2021) affirming its enduring legacy as a cornerstone of NBA history.[7]Eligibility
Rules and Requirements
The eligibility rules for the 1996 NBA draft were governed by the 1995 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), which outlined criteria for players seeking to enter the league as rookies.[10] These rules emphasized amateur status for U.S. players while accommodating early professional experiences abroad, without imposing a strict minimum age for draft entry beyond practical contract-signing requirements. In total, the draft saw a record 42 early entrants, including underclassmen and high school graduates.[11] For U.S.-based players, there was no league-mandated minimum age of 19 or one-year post-high school waiting period, a stipulation that would not be introduced until the 2005 CBA. Instead, players needed only to have graduated high school to declare, though they generally had to be at least 18 years old to sign a professional contract and begin playing.[12] College seniors and graduates who had exhausted their four years of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility were automatically eligible for selection without further action. Underclassmen—freshmen, sophomores, or juniors—could apply for early entry by notifying the NBA commissioner at least 45 days before the draft, but this required them to formally renounce any remaining NCAA eligibility, forfeiting the opportunity to return to college basketball.[13] High school seniors were permitted to declare for the draft immediately after graduation, bypassing college entirely—a policy rooted in post-ABA merger allowances from the 1970s and unchanged through the 1990s. This direct pathway persisted until the 2005 CBA established the "one-and-done" rule requiring players to be at least one year removed from high school.[14] International players, defined under the CBA as those who had never enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian four-year college, were not subject to the same NCAA-linked restrictions and could declare directly from professional leagues or developmental programs abroad. This allowed seamless entry for prospects as young as 18 without a U.S. high school prerequisite, provided they met basic amateur or professional status guidelines.[10] Additional categories encompassed players from alternative U.S. pathways outside traditional four-year colleges, such as junior college (JUCO) athletes who had completed at least one year and renounced further eligibility, or those from military academies like the U.S. Naval Academy who had served required terms but sought professional transition. These individuals followed the early entry process similar to underclassmen, submitting declarations to the league.[13]Categories of Eligible Players
The eligible players for the 1996 NBA draft fell into several primary categories, reflecting the league's rules at the time that allowed a broad range of prospects to enter without the age or experience restrictions later imposed. College seniors were automatically eligible upon completing their four years of NCAA eligibility, forming the core of the traditional draft pool as they had exhausted their amateur status.[15] Early college declarants, or underclassmen—such as freshmen, sophomores, and juniors—could opt into the draft by notifying the NBA office, a process that saw a record 42 such players declare for 1996, more than doubling the previous year's figure and signaling a shift toward younger entrants.[11] High school graduates represented another key category, eligible immediately upon receiving their diplomas without any mandatory college attendance, a policy that remained unrestricted until the 2005 collective bargaining agreement introduced the "one-and-done" rule requiring at least one year post-high school.[15] International professionals, including those from European or other non-North American leagues who were at least 18 years old and had not previously been drafted, could also enter, either automatically if over 22 or by declaration if younger, broadening the global scope of the talent pool.[12] Miscellaneous categories encompassed players from junior colleges or preparatory schools who had completed their eligibility, though these were less common and often folded into the underclassmen declarations. The overall eligible pool approximated 100 players, dominated by the surge in underclassmen entries compared to prior drafts, which highlighted growing concerns among league officials about the readiness of younger prospects.[11] Unlike modern rules, the 1996 eligibility lacked a minimum age beyond high school graduation or a "one-and-done" mandate, allowing direct jumps from high school that would later be curtailed to promote player development. The pre-draft process relied heavily on individual workouts arranged by teams and advisors, with agents playing a pivotal role in guiding declarations and negotiations, as no formal league-wide combine existed until 2001.[16] The draft itself occurred on June 26, 1996, at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.[11]Early Entrants
College Underclassmen
In 1996, approximately 28 college underclassmen remained as early entry candidates for the NBA draft, surpassing previous years and signaling a growing trend of players forgoing remaining eligibility to pursue professional careers.[17] This surge reflected the NBA's increasing appeal, with lucrative rookie contracts and the success of prior early entrants like Kevin Garnett encouraging talented players to test the draft waters sooner.[18] Although the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era was still decades away, underclassmen faced mounting pressures from agents and family financial needs, prompting declarations amid the league's rising salaries and a rookie wage scale that rewarded high selections.[11] Prominent among these declarants were Allen Iverson, a dynamic sophomore guard from Georgetown who averaged 20.4 points per game in his lone full college season before entering the draft. Marcus Camby, a junior center from Massachusetts and the consensus national player of the year, declared after leading UMass to the Final Four with elite shot-blocking and rebounding prowess. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a freshman forward from California, impressed with his scoring versatility and athleticism, posting 16.1 points and 6.0 rebounds as a newcomer. Stephon Marbury, a freshman point guard from Georgia Tech, showcased playmaking ability with 15.4 points and 4.4 assists per game, opting to leave after one season. The talent depth of this group proved substantial, as most of the top declarants were selected in the lottery, with Iverson going first overall to Philadelphia, Camby second to Toronto, Abdur-Rahim third to Vancouver, and Marbury fourth to Milwaukee, underscoring the exceptional pool of underclassmen that year.[1] This outcome validated the decisions of many, though several lesser-known entrants went undrafted or withdrew, highlighting the risks involved.[17]High School Players
In 1996, three high school players declared for the NBA draft, marking a notable escalation in the emerging trend of teenagers bypassing college to pursue professional basketball careers directly after graduation. This development followed Kevin Garnett's pioneering entry in 1995 and highlighted both the potential rewards and significant risks of such decisions, as only two of the three were ultimately selected. Kobe Bryant, from Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, emerged as the most prominent of these entrants. During his senior year, Bryant averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4.0 steals, and 3.8 blocks per game, leading his team to a state championship and finishing his high school career as Southeastern Pennsylvania's all-time leading scorer with 2,883 points. His exposure through AAU circuits and national tournaments had already drawn widespread scouting attention, positioning him as one of the top prep prospects in the country.[19][20] Jermaine O'Neal, hailing from Eau Claire High School in Columbia, South Carolina, stood out for his exceptional physical maturity at just 17 years old, measuring 6-foot-11 with a powerful build suited for the center position. As the nation's top-rated high school center, O'Neal dominated locally with his shot-blocking and rebounding prowess, averaging 22.4 points and 12.4 rebounds per game in his senior year; his decision to declare early stemmed from professional overtures that promised immediate NBA opportunity.[21][22] Taj McDavid, a 6-foot-6 guard from Palmetto High School in Williamston, South Carolina, represented the more speculative side of high school entries. Averaging around 26 points per game while leading his small-school team to regional success, McDavid lacked major college recruitment interest and entered the draft on the advice of advisors, hoping to emulate recent successes; however, he went undrafted, underscoring the uneven outcomes for such prospects.[23][24] The inclusion of these three players fueled ongoing debates within the basketball community about the readiness of high school athletes for the NBA's physical and mental demands. Critics argued that many teenagers, regardless of talent, lacked the maturity and life experience to handle professional pressures, potentially stunting their development and education, while proponents pointed to the financial incentives and accelerated career paths for elite talents. This controversy intensified scrutiny on the league's eligibility rules, which at the time permitted players at least 18 years old or one year removed from high school graduation to declare.[25]International Players
The 1996 NBA draft marked an early milestone in the league's globalization, with four international players selected in the first round, reflecting heightened NBA interest in overseas talent following the trailblazing impact of European stars like Dražen Petrović in the early 1990s.[26] These entrants, all professionals from European leagues, represented a shift toward scouting beyond U.S. borders, amid the lingering effects of regional conflicts such as the Yugoslav Wars that displaced and motivated several prospects.[27] Among the most prominent was Predrag "Peja" Stojaković, a 19-year-old forward from what was then Yugoslavia (now Serbia), selected 19th overall by the Sacramento Kings. Stojaković had begun his professional career at age 14 with Red Star Belgrade before relocating to Greece in 1993 due to the escalating Yugoslav Wars; there, he developed into a sharpshooting standout for PAOK Thessaloniki in the Greek A1 League, averaging notable scoring and rebounding in limited minutes during the 1995-96 season.[28][29][27] Efthimios Rentzias, a 7-foot center from Greece, was picked 23rd overall by the Denver Nuggets after establishing himself as a promising big man with PAOK B.C. in the Greek league, where he had played since 1993 and contributed to the team's competitive efforts in European competitions.[30] Similarly, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, a 7-foot-3 center from Lithuania, went 20th overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers following a season with Atletas Kaunas in the Lithuanian Basketball League, where his size and skill around the rim drew scouts' attention despite injury concerns.[1][31] Rounding out the group was Martin Müürsepp, Estonia's first NBA draftee, selected 25th overall by the Utah Jazz (immediately traded to the Miami Heat); the 6-foot-10 forward had honed his versatile game with Tallinna Kalev in the Estonian league during the 1995-96 season, showcasing scoring ability from multiple positions.[1][32] These selections, primarily from Eastern and Southern Europe, underscored the NBA's emerging strategy to tap into professional leagues abroad, setting the stage for the influx of international talent that would transform the league in subsequent years.[26]Other Eligible Players
In the 1996 NBA draft, a small number of players—estimated at around 5 to 10—gained eligibility through non-traditional U.S.-based college pathways outside the standard Division I underclassmen routes, primarily via junior college (JUCO) transfers or attendance at Division II or lower institutions.[1] These paths often involved community colleges or smaller programs, providing opportunities for athletes who did not initially qualify for or succeed in major Division I programs.[33] Representative examples include Moochie Norris, who began his college career at Odessa College, a junior college in Texas, before transferring to higher levels.[34] Similarly, Shawn Harvey followed a JUCO route at Essex County College in New Jersey prior to continuing at West Virginia State University, a Division II school. Priest Lauderdale also exemplified this trajectory, briefly enrolling at Kaskaskia College (a JUCO in Illinois) before playing at Central State University, another Division II program.[35] Such backgrounds underscored the diversity of eligibility options available under NBA rules, allowing for transfers from two-year institutions or non-Division I colleges to enter the draft after meeting age and credit requirements. These miscellaneous entrants were relatively rare compared to traditional categories and seldom received prominent scouting attention, yet they filled important gaps in the pool of available talent, reflecting the broadening accessibility of professional basketball pathways in the mid-1990s.[36]Draft Selections
Key and Selection Format
The 1996 NBA draft operated under the league's standard selection process, where teams selected amateur players in reverse order of their previous season's regular-season standings, with the three worst non-playoff teams entering a lottery to determine the top three picks.[9] The draft featured only two rounds, a format in place since 1989 to streamline the event and focus on higher-quality talent acquisition.[1] Unique to 1996, the draft accommodated 29 teams, reflecting the recent addition of the Vancouver Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors as expansion franchises that had joined the league for the 1995–96 season, prior to further expansion that would bring the total to 30 teams in later years.[37] This resulted in 58 total picks, with each team receiving one selection per round.[1] Draft selections are presented in tabular format for clarity, with columns typically including the overall pick number, the selecting team, the player's name, the player's primary position (e.g., guard, forward, center), the player's college affiliation or country of origin, and a notes column for additional context such as immediate trades or special designations.[1] A legend accompanies these tables to denote key notations: an asterisk (*) marks players who were later selected to an NBA All-Star Game, while a number sign (#) indicates players who were drafted but never appeared in an NBA regular-season game; additional symbols or footnotes may highlight draft-night trades, award winners, or other relevant details.First Round Selections
The 1996 NBA Draft's first round consisted of 29 selections, reflecting the league's expansion to include the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies, which added extra picks to the traditional 27.[1] The Philadelphia 76ers, holding the top pick after a league-worst 18-64 record in the 1995-96 season, selected guard Allen Iverson from Georgetown University, initiating a franchise rebuild centered on his scoring prowess and cultural impact to revitalize fan interest in a struggling team.[38] The Raptors followed with forward/center Marcus Camby from the University of Massachusetts, valued for his defensive versatility, while the Grizzlies chose forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim from the University of California, prioritizing his scoring ability as a foundational piece for the expansion franchise.[1] Mid-round selections highlighted additional star potential, including the Milwaukee Bucks taking guard Stephon Marbury from Georgia Tech at No. 4 for his playmaking skills, the Minnesota Timberwolves selecting guard Ray Allen from the University of Connecticut at No. 5 to bolster their backcourt, and the Charlotte Hornets drafting high school guard Kobe Bryant from Lower Merion High School (Pennsylvania) at No. 13, a move driven by his athleticism and scoring upside despite his youth.[1] Bryant's selection sparked immediate interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, who orchestrated a draft-night trade with the Hornets, sending center Vlade Divac in exchange for his draft rights to secure the teenager as a long-term complement to Shaquille O'Neal.[39] The first round emphasized guards and forwards, with 10 perimeter players (primarily point and shooting guards) and 9 wings/big men selected among the top talents, signaling teams' focus on offensive versatility amid the league's evolving pace-and-space style.[40] Overall, the class featured 23 college players, 2 high school prospects (Bryant and Jermaine O'Neal, selected 17th by the Portland Trail Blazers), and 4 international players (Peja Stojaković from Greece/Yugoslavia, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas from Lithuania, Efthimios Rentzias from Greece, and Martin Müürsepp from Estonia), underscoring a blend of domestic talent pipelines with emerging global influences.[1]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia 76ers | Allen Iverson | PG | Georgetown |
| 2 | Toronto Raptors | Marcus Camby | PF/C | Massachusetts |
| 3 | Vancouver Grizzlies | Shareef Abdur-Rahim | PF | California |
| 4 | Milwaukee Bucks | Stephon Marbury | PG | Georgia Tech |
| 5 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Ray Allen | SG | Connecticut |
| 6 | Boston Celtics | Antoine Walker | PF | Kentucky |
| 7 | Los Angeles Clippers | Lorenzen Wright | C | Memphis |
| 8 | New Jersey Nets | Kerry Kittles | SG | Villanova |
| 9 | Dallas Mavericks | Samaki Walker | PF | Louisville |
| 10 | Indiana Pacers | Erick Dampier | C | Mississippi State |
| 11 | Golden State Warriors | Todd Fuller | C | NC State |
| 12 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Vitaly Potapenko | C | Wright State |
| 13 | Charlotte Hornets | Kobe Bryant | SG | Lower Merion HS (PA) |
| 14 | Sacramento Kings | Peja Stojaković | SF | Greece (international) |
| 15 | Phoenix Suns | Steve Nash | PG | Santa Clara |
| 16 | Charlotte Hornets (to Clippers via trade) | Tony Delk | PG | Kentucky |
| 17 | Portland Trail Blazers | Jermaine O'Neal | PF | Eau Claire HS (SC) |
| 18 | New York Knicks | John Wallace | PF | Syracuse |
| 19 | New York Knicks (from Pistons) | Walter McCarty | SF | Kentucky |
| 20 | Cleveland Cavaliers (from Knicks) | Žydrūnas Ilgauskas | C | Lithuania (international) |
| 21 | New York Knicks (from Heat) | Dontae' Jones | SF | Mississippi State |
| 22 | Vancouver Grizzlies (from Knicks) | Roy Rogers | PF | Alabama |
| 23 | Denver Nuggets | Efthimios Rentzias | C | Greece (international) |
| 24 | Los Angeles Lakers | Derek Fisher | PG | Arkansas-Little Rock |
| 25 | Utah Jazz | Martin Müürsepp | SF | Estonia (international) |
| 26 | Detroit Pistons (from Knicks via Heat) | Jerome Williams | PF | Georgetown |
| 27 | Orlando Magic | Brian Evans | SG/SF | Indiana |
| 28 | Atlanta Hawks | Priest Lauderdale | C | Central State (OH) |
| 29 | Chicago Bulls | Travis Knight | C | Connecticut |
Second Round Selections
The second round of the 1996 NBA Draft featured 29 selections, spanning the 30th through 58th overall picks, where teams typically targeted developmental role players, depth options, and higher-risk prospects from mid-major or lesser-known college programs rather than high-profile stars.[1] Unlike the first round's focus on immediate impact talent, second-round strategies emphasized cost-controlled contracts for bench contributors and occasional international gambles, though many selections were subsequently traded or failed to secure NBA roster spots.[40] All 29 players hailed from U.S. colleges, including one international prospect (Doron Sheffer from Israel, who played at the University of Connecticut), with no high school selections in this round.[1] Among the notable second-round picks, Othella Harrington (30th overall, Houston Rockets, Georgetown University) emerged as a solid power forward, enjoying a 12-year NBA career averaging 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while providing frontcourt depth for multiple teams.[41] Jeff McInnis (37th overall, Denver Nuggets, University of North Carolina) carved out an 11-season role as a backup point guard, posting 9.4 points and 4.4 assists per game across stints with several franchises.[41] Malik Rose (44th overall, Charlotte Hornets, Drexel University) stands out as a prime example of second-round sleeper success, thriving as a tough, versatile forward over 13 seasons, including two NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs and career averages of 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.[41] Shandon Anderson (54th overall, Utah Jazz, University of Georgia) also contributed reliably as a wing player for 10 years, winning one championship with the Jazz and averaging 7.4 points per game.[41]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Houston Rockets | Othella Harrington | PF/C | Georgetown |
| 31 | Philadelphia 76ers | Mark Hendrickson | SF | Washington State |
| 32 | Philadelphia 76ers | Ryan Minor | SG/SF | Oklahoma |
| 33 | Milwaukee Bucks | Moochie Norris | PG | West Florida |
| 34 | Dallas Mavericks | Shawn Harvey | SG | West Virginia State |
| 35 | Seattle SuperSonics | Joseph Blair | C | Arizona |
| 36 | Los Angeles Clippers | Doron Sheffer | PG | UConn (Israel) |
| 37 | Denver Nuggets | Jeff McInnis | PG | North Carolina |
| 38 | Boston Celtics | Steve Hamer | C | Tennessee |
| 39 | Phoenix Suns | Russ Millard | PF | Iowa |
| 40 | Golden State Warriors | Marcus Mann | PF | Mississippi Valley State |
| 41 | Sacramento Kings | Jason Sasser | SG | Texas Tech |
| 42 | Houston Rockets (from SuperSonics) | Randy Livingston | PG | LSU |
| 43 | Phoenix Suns (from Lakers via Heat and SuperSonics) | Ben Davis | PF/C | Arizona |
| 44 | Charlotte Hornets | Malik Rose | PF | Drexel |
| 45 | Seattle SuperSonics | Joe Vogel | C | Colorado State |
| 46 | Portland Trail Blazers | Marcus Brown | PG | Murray State |
| 47 | Seattle SuperSonics (from Knicks) | Ron Riley | SF | Arizona State |
| 48 | Philadelphia 76ers (from Nets) | Jamie Feick | PF/C | Michigan State |
| 49 | Orlando Magic | Amal McCaskill | C | Marquette |
| 50 | Houston Rockets | Terrell Bell | PG | Georgia |
| 51 | Vancouver Grizzlies | Chris Robinson | PG | Western Kentucky |
| 52 | Indiana Pacers | Mark Pope | PF/C | Kentucky |
| 53 | Milwaukee Bucks (from Bulls) | Jeff Nordgaard | SF | Wisconsin–Green Bay |
| 54 | Utah Jazz | Shandon Anderson | SG/SF | Georgia |
| 55 | Washington Bullets | Ronnie Henderson | PG | LSU |
| 56 | New York Knicks | Reggie Geary | SG | Arizona |
| 57 | Seattle SuperSonics (from Pistons) | Drew Barry | PG | Georgia Tech |
| 58 | Dallas Mavericks (from Bulls via Lakers) | Darnell Robinson | SF | Arkansas |