2001 NBA draft
The 2001 NBA draft took place on June 27, 2001, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, consisting of two rounds and 57 total selections across 29 teams, with 49 players ultimately appearing in at least one NBA game.[1] It marked a pivotal moment in NBA history as the first time a high school player, Kwame Brown from Glynn Academy in Georgia, was selected with the top overall pick by the Washington Wizards, who had won the draft lottery despite holding the league's third-worst record of 19-63 from the 2000-01 season.[1][2] The lottery order was determined by the inverse of regular-season records, with the Wizards securing the No. 1 spot, followed by the Los Angeles Clippers (31-51 record) at No. 2, the Atlanta Hawks (25-57) at No. 3, and the Chicago Bulls (15-67) at No. 4.[2] The draft featured significant trades that reshaped the selections, including the Clippers trading their No. 2 pick, high school center Tyson Chandler from Dominguez High School in California, to the Bulls in exchange for forward Elton Brand, a rising star from the 1999 draft.[3] The Hawks selected Spanish power forward Pau Gasol from FC Barcelona with the No. 3 pick but immediately traded his rights to the Vancouver Grizzlies for center Shareef Abdur-Rahim, forward Bryan Armstrong, and a future second-round pick.[3] Other lottery highlights included the Bulls taking high school center Eddy Curry from Thornwood High School in Illinois at No. 4, the Golden State Warriors selecting Michigan State guard Jason Richardson at No. 5, and the Grizzlies picking Duke forward Shane Battier at No. 6.[1] This class stood out for its emphasis on young, unproven talent, with three high school players (Brown, Chandler, and Curry) chosen in the top four picks, reflecting the era's growing trend of direct jumps from prep basketball to the pros before the NBA implemented age restrictions in later years.[4] Beyond the early selections, the 2001 draft proved remarkably deep in later rounds, yielding several All-Stars and Hall of Famers who far outshone the hyped lottery prospects.[5] Notable mid-to-late first-round picks included guard Joe Johnson (No. 10, Boston Celtics, rights traded to Phoenix Suns), a seven-time All-Star known as 'Iso Joe' and key scorer for multiple franchises, and forward Zach Randolph (No. 19, Portland Trail Blazers), a two-time All-Star known for his rebounding prowess and physical style.[1] In the second round, the San Antonio Spurs selected French point guard Tony Parker at No. 28, who went on to win four NBA championships, earn Finals MVP honors in 2007, and join the Hall of Fame in 2023.[1] Other impactful players included guard Gilbert Arenas (No. 31, Golden State Warriors, via trade from Orlando), a three-time All-Star and scoring leader; forward Richard Jefferson (No. 13, Houston Rockets, rights traded to New Jersey Nets), a reliable contributor and 2006 Nets playoff standout; and wing Gerald Wallace (No. 25, Sacramento Kings, rights traded to Charlotte Hornets), who earned All-Defensive honors and a 2010 All-Star nod.[1][4] Historically, the 2001 draft class is often critiqued for its underwhelming lottery talent—Brown's career was marred by inconsistency and frequent trades, Chandler evolved into a defensive anchor but took years to peak, and Curry struggled with conditioning issues—yet it produced 24 players with at least 10 NBA seasons and 13 with 50 or more career win shares, underscoring its unexpected longevity and value.[5] Pau Gasol emerged as the draft's crown jewel, amassing 144.1 win shares over his career, winning two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, earning six All-Star selections, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023.[1] The class's legacy lies in its contrast between high-risk early gambles on youth and the enduring success of overlooked gems, influencing perceptions of draft evaluation in an era of international scouting and prep-to-pro transitions.[6]Overview
Event Details
The 2001 NBA draft took place on June 27, 2001, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.[7] The event was broadcast live on the TNT network, beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT.[8] The draft featured 57 total selections across two rounds, with all 29 NBA teams participating in the proceedings.[1] NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the picks from the stage, following the standard format of teams selecting in predetermined order for the first round and reverse order of standings for the second round.[9] A key procedural adjustment was the forfeiture of the Minnesota Timberwolves' first-round pick, imposed as punishment for salary cap violations stemming from an illegal secret contract with free agent Joe Smith in 1997.[10] This reduced the first round to 28 picks while the second round proceeded with 29 selections.[1]Historical Context
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the NBA draft landscape evolved significantly, marked by a surge in high school selections following Kevin Garnett's pioneering entry straight from Farragut Academy as the fifth overall pick in 1995 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. This breakthrough demonstrated that unseasoned teenagers could thrive professionally, inspiring teams to scout and draft more prep-to-pro prospects, such as Kobe Bryant in 1996 and Tracy McGrady in 1997, which increased high school draftees from a rarity to a notable trend peaking with five such selections in 2003 and eight in the first round in 2004 before the league's 2005 age eligibility rule. Concurrently, international scouting expanded rapidly, transforming the draft into a global marketplace as teams invested in overseas talent like Dirk Nowitzki (1998) and later Pau Gasol (2001), driven by the success of European players who brought refined skills and size, with NBA franchises employing full-time international scouts by the early 2000s to tap into emerging markets in Europe and Asia.[11] The 1995 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) further accelerated these shifts by introducing a rookie salary scale that capped first-round pick compensation with guaranteed three-year contracts tied to draft position, providing teams with cost certainty while incentivizing underclassmen to declare early for the NBA rather than return to college. This structure lowered the financial risk for franchises drafting young or unproven players, resulting in early entrants rising from 18.1% of first-round picks in 1976–1994 to 44% in 1995–1997, and the average age of first-round selections dropping from 22.3 years in 1994 to 20.5 by 2004.[12] Entering the 2001 draft, the NBA featured several struggling franchises desperate for rebuilding through the lottery, exemplified by the Washington Wizards' dismal 19–63 record, the Chicago Bulls' 15–67 mark, and the Golden State Warriors' 17–65 finish, all of which underscored the draft's critical role in injecting talent to reverse prolonged poor performances amid a league dominated by established contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers.[13] In contrast to the talent-rich 1996 draft class—widely regarded as one of the deepest in history, producing multiple Hall of Famers including Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Steve Nash alongside high-impact contributors like Ray Allen and Peja Stojaković—the 2001 class was perceived as weaker at the top, lacking a consensus superstar and heightening scrutiny on lottery selections amid a transitional era of youth and globalization.[14]Eligibility and Preparation
Draft Rules and Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility rules for the 2001 NBA draft were governed by Article X of the 1999 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).[15] Under these rules, U.S.-based players were eligible if they were college seniors or graduates, or if they were underclassmen or recent high school graduates who formally renounced their remaining intercollegiate eligibility at least 45 days prior to the draft date of June 27, 2001.[15] High school players specifically needed to have completed their secondary education (or obtained a GED equivalent) and declare their intent to forgo college basketball, with no additional waiting period required beyond the renunciation deadline, allowing recent graduates to enter directly.[16] Early entrants, including college underclassmen and high school players, were required to submit written declarations of intent to the NBA and NBPA, with the 2001 deadline set for May 13, 2001.[17] Those who had not hired an agent or participated in team workouts could withdraw their names to preserve college eligibility up until June 20, 2001, providing a buffer for prospects to test draft interest without permanent commitment.[17] Failure to withdraw by this date resulted in permanent loss of NCAA eligibility, emphasizing the high stakes of the declaration process under the CBA provisions.[15] International players faced distinct criteria under the CBA, with automatic eligibility granted to those turning 22 by the end of the 2001 calendar year, regardless of prior professional experience outside the U.S.[15] Younger international prospects, defined as non-U.S. citizens who had never enrolled full-time at a U.S. college, could declare early entry by renouncing any applicable amateur eligibility at least 45 days before the draft, enabling under-22 players to participate without a U.S. education requirement.[15] This pathway applied to the 2001 draft, where several foreign-born players under 21 were deemed eligible upon declaration.[18] Special circumstances could alter pick availability, such as the Minnesota Timberwolves' forfeiture of their 2001 first-round pick as punishment for salary cap violations in the Joe Smith contract scandal, a penalty imposed by NBA Commissioner David Stern in October 2000.[19] Draft pick rights were fully tradable under the CBA, allowing teams to exchange future selections or rights to unsigned draftees, provided the acquiring team held valid ownership at the time of the draft to exercise the choice.[15]Pre-Draft Events and Prospect Evaluation
The NBA pre-draft process for the 2001 draft culminated in the annual Chicago Pre-Draft Camp, held from June 5 to 9 at the Moody Bible Institute's Solheim Center in Chicago, Illinois.[20][21] This event gathered approximately 60 invited prospects, including college underclassmen, high school seniors, and international players, for a series of evaluations designed to assess their physical attributes, skills, and potential.[20] Activities included anthropometric measurements such as height with and without shoes, weight, wingspan, and standing reach; athletic testing encompassing bench press repetitions, maximum vertical jump, 3/4-court sprints, lane agility drills, and shuttle runs; team interviews to gauge personality and basketball IQ; medical examinations for injury history and physical health; and competitive 5-on-5 scrimmages to evaluate on-court performance under pressure.[22][23][24] Standout results from the camp, such as Kenny Gregory's 45.5-inch vertical jump, helped refine prospect evaluations, though poor shooting displays in scrimmages raised concerns for some attendees like Michigan State's Charlie Bell.[23][25] Prospect rankings from major outlets underscored the draft's emphasis on young big men, with ESPN's mid-June consensus ranking Kwame Brown at the top, followed by Eddie Griffin and Tyson Chandler, with Pau Gasol at No. 10 among the top prospects.[26] Sports Illustrated similarly highlighted the trio of Brown, Chandler, and high school center Eddy Curry as the draft's marquee high-upside talents, noting the league's need for athletic frontcourt players amid a perceived scarcity of elite bigs.[27] These rankings were informed by scouting reports from college tournaments, high school showcases like the McDonald's All-American Game, and international competitions, where Gasol's performances for FC Barcelona in Spain's ACB League elevated his stock as a skilled 7-footer with NBA-ready passing and shooting.[26][27] Following the Chicago camp, NBA teams intensified preparations through private workouts, one-on-one interviews, and in-depth medical evaluations to narrow their boards.[24] For instance, the Washington Wizards arranged a high-stakes session where Brown directly competed against Chandler, allowing scouts to compare their athleticism, skill execution, and competitiveness head-to-head.[28] These individualized sessions, often held at team facilities or neutral sites, focused on position-specific drills and psychological assessments, while medical checks scrutinized joint stability, heart conditions, and prior injuries to mitigate long-term risks.[24][29] Mock drafts and expert analyses revealed significant uncertainties, particularly regarding the No. 1 overall pick, with debates centering on Brown's superior perimeter skills and work ethic versus Chandler's raw athleticism and defensive potential.[30] ESPN's Andy Katz projected Brown to Washington in late June, citing insider buzz favoring him over Chandler and Curry, while other mocks from outlets like the Deseret News alternated the order among the high school stars, reflecting scouts' divided opinions on their NBA readiness without college seasoning.[31][32] These predictions emphasized the draft's top-heavy nature, with the first three to five selections expected to feature unproven teenagers, amplifying the stakes for teams in the lottery.[26]Early Entrants
College Underclassmen
In the 2001 NBA draft, a record 58 underclassmen initially declared early entry, including college players below senior status, high school seniors, and junior college athletes, with the majority being college underclassmen who had until May 13 to submit declarations and until June 17 to withdraw without forfeiting remaining NCAA eligibility.[33] Of these, approximately 21 withdrew in total across all early entry categories, leaving 47 underclassmen eligible for selection by the draft date of June 27, reflecting a growing trend of young players testing professional waters amid evolving NBA rules allowing one-time early entry without permanent ineligibility.[34] Prominent college underclassmen who stayed in the draft included Eddie Griffin, a sophomore forward from Seton Hall University, who declared after averaging 20.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.8 blocks per game in the 2000-01 season, positioning himself as a top defensive prospect with lottery potential due to his 7-foot-5 wingspan and shot-altering ability.[35] Similarly, Jason Richardson, a sophomore guard from Michigan State University, entered after a breakout year with 17.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 40.2% three-point shooting, motivated by his athleticism and versatility as a scorer, which scouts viewed as NBA-ready following his role in the 2000 national championship team.[36] These declarations highlighted the one-and-done pathway's appeal, though most entrants were sophomores or juniors seeking to capitalize on peak college performances before potential NBA opportunities. The withdrawal process saw 21 players pull out, often after pre-draft feedback or workouts revealed risks to their development, with notable college withdrawers including Tayshaun Prince, a sophomore forward from Kentucky who averaged 13.5 points and 5.4 rebounds before returning to lead the Wildcats to the 2001 Final Four and later succeeding as the 2003 No. 17 pick.[34] Other key withdrawers were Keith Bogans (Kentucky sophomore guard, 12.5 ppg), Jason Gardner (Arizona junior point guard, 11.1 ppg), and Sam Clancy (USC junior forward, 14.4 ppg), who opted to complete their degrees and enhance their draft stock, demonstrating the strategic use of the withdrawal deadline to avoid premature professional jumps.[37] Demographically, the college underclassmen declarants predominantly hailed from power conferences, with over 60% from the Big East (e.g., Seton Hall's Griffin, St. John's Omar Cook), Big Ten (e.g., Michigan State's Richardson and Zach Randolph), ACC, and Pac-10 (e.g., Arizona's Gilbert Arenas and Richard Jefferson), underscoring the talent concentration in major programs that produced 18 first-round picks from early entrants overall.[38] This trend emphasized how elite college exposure accelerated paths to the NBA for underclassmen from competitive leagues.High School Players
In 2001, six high school seniors declared eligibility for the NBA draft, marking a notable increase in direct-from-high-school entries amid growing interest in unseasoned teenage talent. These players included Kwame Brown from Glynn Academy in Georgia, Tyson Chandler from Dominguez High School in California, Eddy Curry from Thornwood High School in Illinois, DeSagana Diop from Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, Ousmane Cisse from St. Jude Catholic High School in Alabama, and Tony Key from Centennial High School in California. Of these, five were selected in the draft, with only Key going undrafted, highlighting the high stakes and variable success of such early professional leaps.[38][39][1] The trend of high school players entering the NBA gained momentum following the successes of Kevin Garnett, selected fifth overall in 1995 straight out of Farragut Academy, and Antonio McDyess, taken second overall that same year from Alabama's Nunn High School. These precedents demonstrated the potential upside of raw athleticism and skill, encouraging teams to gamble on high school prospects despite the risks of physical and mental unreadiness for professional competition. Kwame Brown's selection as the first-ever No. 1 overall high school pick in 2001 represented the peak of this era, though it also amplified debates about the maturity required for such transitions, marking the first time in NBA history that a high school player was selected with the top overall pick.[40][41] Kwame Brown, a 6-foot-11 forward-center from Glynn Academy, emerged as the consensus top high school prospect, earning McDonald's All-American honors where he recorded 17 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks in the showcase game. During his senior season, Brown averaged 20 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 5.8 blocks per game, showcasing elite athleticism, shot-blocking ability, and versatility with solid ball-handling and shooting touch for his size. Scouting reports praised his potential as a two-way star with inside-out scoring capability and passing skills uncommon for big men, but raised concerns about his emotional maturity, strength against NBA physicality, and need for further skill refinement, suggesting college could have accelerated his development.[42][43][44] Tyson Chandler, a 7-foot-1 center from Dominguez High School, ranked among the elite prospects and was named USA Today California Player of the Year as a senior, leading his team to a 31-4 record and a state title. He averaged 20.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.7 blocks, and 3.2 assists per game that season, with standout performances including 25 points, 16 rebounds, and a state playoff-record 14 blocks in one game. Scouts lauded his exceptional lateral quickness, rebounding instincts, and rim protection as hallmarks of a future defensive anchor, though they noted offensive rawness, including limited shooting range and post moves, which would require seasoning to maximize his two-way impact.[45][46][47][48] The outcomes underscored the risks of these declarations, with Brown, Chandler, Curry, and Diop all landing in the top 10 picks, while Cisse slipped to the 47th selection in the second round and Key received no draft call, reflecting the unpredictable gap between high school promise and professional readiness.[1][41]International Players
The 2001 NBA draft marked a notable expansion in the inclusion of international talent, reflecting the league's increasing globalization efforts following the influx of European and other foreign players in the late 1990s. International players, defined as those who had not attended U.S. colleges and were primarily developed in professional leagues abroad, became eligible under NBA rules that required them to be at least 18 years old during the calendar year of the draft, with no additional U.S.-specific academic prerequisites. This pathway allowed prospects from overseas professional circuits, such as Spain's Liga ACB and Turkey's Turkish Basketball Super League, to declare early entry without the one-year college mandate applied to American underclassmen. Among the key international declarations for the 2001 draft were several high-profile prospects who had already established themselves in European professional basketball. Pau Gasol, a 20-year-old forward from FC Barcelona in Spain, declared his eligibility after leading his team to the EuroLeague Final Four and earning ACB MVP honors.[18] Tony Parker, an 19-year-old guard from Paris Basket Racing in France, entered after a standout season in the French Pro A League, where he averaged 15.3 points per game.[18] Mehmet Okur, a 21-year-old center from Efes Pilsen in Turkey, also declared, bringing experience from the Turkish league and FIBA competitions after forgoing further seasons abroad. These declarations highlighted the growing appeal of the NBA to young European talents seeking to transition directly from pro leagues. Scouting international players for the 2001 draft presented unique challenges for NBA teams, primarily due to limited exposure in the U.S. and reliance on international competitions for evaluation. With few opportunities for American scouts to attend overseas games regularly, teams depended heavily on footage from FIBA-sanctioned events like the 1999 EuroBasket and U-20 European Championships, where prospects like Gasol and Parker had shone against senior national teams.[49] Language barriers, varying playing styles across leagues, and logistical difficulties in arranging private workouts further complicated assessments, often leading teams to hire international scouts or attend European club playoffs.[50] In total, approximately 10 international players were selected across the first and second rounds of the 2001 draft, including Gasol (3rd overall by Atlanta), DeSagana Diop from Senegal (8th by Cleveland), Vladimir Radmanović from Yugoslavia (12th by Seattle), and others from Spain, France, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Bosnia, and Lithuania.[1] This represented a significant uptick from earlier drafts, aligning with the post-1990s trend of globalization spurred by the NBA's international marketing and the success of pioneers like Dirk Nowitzki, which encouraged more foreign declarations and selections—rising from an average of about 2 per first round in the early 1990s to over 4 by 2001.[51]Draft Lottery
Lottery Process and Odds
The 2001 NBA Draft Lottery was conducted on May 20, 2001, at the NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.[52][53] It featured the 13 teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs, determining the order for the first three picks while the remaining first-round positions (4 through 13) followed the inverse order of the teams' regular-season winning percentages.[2] The lottery employed a standard ping-pong ball drawing system, using a machine with 14 identical balls numbered 1 through 14. Four balls were drawn sequentially to create a four-digit combination, corresponding to one of 1,000 possible valid outcomes (out of 1,001 total combinations, with one excluded). Each participating team was assigned a share of these combinations proportional to their regular-season performance, with poorer records receiving more opportunities. The team matching the first drawn combination secured the No. 1 pick; the process repeated for the Nos. 2 and 3 picks, excluding the balls assigned to previously selected teams to adjust the remaining probabilities. This weighted system, in place since 1990, aimed to give struggling teams a better but not guaranteed shot at the top selections.[54][55] Combinations were distributed inversely to records, starting with the Chicago Bulls, who finished 15–67 and received 250 out of 1,000 (25.0% chance for the top pick). The Golden State Warriors (17–65) got 199 combinations (19.9%), followed by the Washington Wizards (19–63) with 156 (15.6%). Mid-tier non-playoff teams like the Atlanta Hawks (25–57) had 90 combinations (9.0%), while better non-playoff squads such as the Los Angeles Clippers (31–51) were allotted 37 (3.7%). The lowest odds went to the Houston Rockets (45–37) with just 3 combinations (0.3%). The Seattle SuperSonics and Houston Rockets tied at 45–37, with their relative order determined by a tiebreaker draw on April 24, 2001, assigning the SuperSonics 5 combinations (0.5%) and the Rockets 3 (0.3%).[53][2] To establish the pre-lottery order for assigning combinations, ties in regular-season records were resolved using a series of tiebreakers: head-to-head results between the tied teams, followed by winning percentage against teams in their division, then against teams in their conference, and finally a random drawing if needed. For the 2001 lottery, three ties among non-playoff teams were settled via random drawings on April 24, 2001.[56] The lottery system originated in 1985 as a measure to curb intentional underperformance by teams seeking better draft positioning.[57]Lottery Results and Team Selections
The 2001 NBA draft lottery took place on May 20, 2001, at the NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, determining the order of the first 13 picks among the league's 13 non-playoff teams. The Washington Wizards, entering with the third-worst record of 19-63 and 15.6% odds for the top selection, won the lottery and secured the No. 1 pick, marking a two-spot improvement from their projected position.[53][58] In one of the event's biggest surprises, the Los Angeles Clippers leaped six spots from their eighth-worst record of 31-51 and slim 3.7% odds to claim the No. 2 pick. The Atlanta Hawks, with a 25-57 record and 9.0% odds, advanced two positions to No. 3. Conversely, the Chicago Bulls, who had the league's worst 15-67 mark and 25.0% chance at No. 1, slipped three spots to No. 4, while the Golden State Warriors fell three places from their second-worst 17-65 record and 19.9% odds to No. 5.[53][58] The Vancouver Grizzlies (No. 6, from fourth-worst 23-59 record and 11.9% odds), New Jersey Nets (No. 7, from sixth-worst 26-56 record and 7.1% odds), and Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 8, from seventh-worst 30-52 record and 5.3% odds) experienced minor shifts. The lower end of the lottery saw little movement, with the Detroit Pistons (No. 9, ninth-worst 32-50 record and 2.5% odds), Boston Celtics (No. 10, tenth-worst 36-46 record and 1.6% odds), Denver Nuggets (No. 11, eleventh-worst 40-42 record and 0.9% odds), Seattle SuperSonics (No. 12, twelfth-worst 45-37 record and 0.5% odds), and Houston Rockets (No. 13, best among non-playoff teams at 45-37 record and 0.3% odds) retaining their approximate inverse-order slots.[53][58]| Pick | Team | Pre-Lottery Position | Record | Odds for No. 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Wizards | 3rd | 19-63 | 15.6% |
| 2 | [Los Angeles Clippers](/page/Los Angeles_Clippers) | 8th | 31-51 | 3.7% |
| 3 | Atlanta Hawks | 5th | 25-57 | 9.0% |
| 4 | Chicago Bulls | 1st | 15-67 | 25.0% |
| 5 | Golden State Warriors | 2nd | 17-65 | 19.9% |
| 6 | Vancouver Grizzlies | 4th | 23-59 | 11.9% |
| 7 | New Jersey Nets | 6th | 26-56 | 7.1% |
| 8 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 7th | 30-52 | 5.3% |
| 9 | Detroit Pistons | 9th | 32-50 | 2.5% |
| 10 | Boston Celtics | 10th | 36-46 | 1.6% |
| 11 | Denver Nuggets | 11th | 40-42 | 0.9% |
| 12 | Seattle SuperSonics | 12th | 45-37 | 0.5% |
| 13 | Houston Rockets | 13th | 45-37 | 0.3% |
Draft Proceedings
First-Round Selections
The first round of the 2001 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 2001, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, consisting of 28 selections after the Minnesota Timberwolves forfeited their allotted pick as punishment for a salary cap circumvention involving an illegal contract with free agent Joe Smith.[10] NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the picks onstage, beginning with the historic selection of Kwame Brown, the first high school player ever taken No. 1 overall by the Washington Wizards.[7] The round emphasized frontcourt depth, with numerous centers and power forwards selected in the big men-heavy class, as teams prioritized size and potential in the post.[59] It also showcased youth and global talent, featuring four high schoolers in the top eight picks and four international players, including three from Europe, highlighting the league's growing international scouting efforts.[59] Several draft rights changed hands immediately, adding intrigue to the proceedings. The Atlanta Hawks traded the No. 3 pick (Pau Gasol) to the Vancouver Grizzlies in exchange for forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, guard Brevin Knight, and center Lorenzen Wright.[60] The Los Angeles Clippers selected Tyson Chandler at No. 2 before trading his rights to the Chicago Bulls for All-Star forward Elton Brand.[61] Additionally, the New Jersey Nets traded the No. 7 pick (Eddie Griffin) to the Houston Rockets for the Nos. 13, 18, and 23 selections (Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins, and Brandon Armstrong, respectively).[9] The full list of first-round selections is presented below:| Pick | Team (Original Selection) | Player | Position | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Wizards | Kwame Brown | C | Glynn Academy HS (USA) | First high school No. 1 overall pick; American. |
| 2 | Los Angeles Clippers | Tyson Chandler | C | Dominguez HS (USA) | Traded to Chicago Bulls for Elton Brand; American high school senior. |
| 3 | Atlanta Hawks | Pau Gasol | PF/C | FC Barcelona (Spain) | Traded to Vancouver Grizzlies for Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Brevin Knight, and Lorenzen Wright; Spanish international. |
| 4 | Chicago Bulls | Eddy Curry | C | Thornwood HS (USA) | American high school prospect. |
| 5 | Golden State Warriors | Jason Richardson | SG | Michigan State (USA) | American college junior. |
| 6 | Vancouver Grizzlies | Shane Battier | SF | Duke (USA) | American college senior; defensive standout. |
| 7 | New Jersey Nets | Eddie Griffin | PF | Seton Hall (USA) | Traded to Houston Rockets for picks 13, 18, and 23; American college sophomore. |
| 8 | Houston Rockets (from Nets via trade) | DeSagana Diop | C | Oak Hill Academy HS (Senegal/USA) | Senegalese high school player based in U.S. |
| 9 | Detroit Pistons | Rodney White | SF | UNC Charlotte (USA) | American college freshman. |
| 10 | Boston Celtics | Joe Johnson | SG/SF | Arkansas (USA) | American college sophomore. |
| 11 | Boston Celtics (from Dallas) | Kedrick Brown | SG | Okaloosa-Walton JC (USA) | American junior college transfer. |
| 12 | Seattle SuperSonics | Vladimir Radmanović | SF/PF | FMP Železnik (Yugoslavia) | Yugoslavian international prospect. |
| 13 | Houston Rockets (from New York) | Richard Jefferson | SF | Arizona (USA) | Part of trade to New Jersey Nets for Eddie Griffin; American college junior. |
| 14 | Golden State Warriors (from Orlando via Denver) | Troy Murphy | PF/C | Notre Dame (USA) | American college junior. |
| 15 | Orlando Magic | Steven Hunter | C | DePaul (USA) | American college junior. |
| 16 | Charlotte Hornets | Kirk Haston | PF | Indiana (USA) | American college senior. |
| 17 | Toronto Raptors | Michael Bradley | PF | Villanova (USA) | American college junior. |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from Phoenix via trade) | Jason Collins | C | Stanford (USA) | Part of trade to New Jersey Nets for Eddie Griffin; American college senior; twin brother of Jarron Collins. |
| 19 | Portland Trail Blazers | Zach Randolph | PF | Michigan State (USA) | American college sophomore. |
| 20 | Cleveland Cavaliers (from Miami) | Brendan Haywood | C | North Carolina (USA) | American college senior. |
| 21 | Boston Celtics (from Denver) | Joseph Forte | SG | North Carolina (USA) | American college junior; ACC Player of the Year. |
| 22 | Orlando Magic (from Phoenix) | Jeryl Sasser | SG | SMU (USA) | American college senior. |
| 23 | Houston Rockets | Brandon Armstrong | SG | Pepperdine (USA) | Part of trade to New Jersey Nets for Eddie Griffin; American college junior. |
| 24 | Utah Jazz | Raül López | PG | Real Madrid (Spain) | Spanish international; first Spanish point guard drafted. |
| 25 | Sacramento Kings | Gerald Wallace | SF | Alabama (USA) | American college sophomore. |
| 26 | Philadelphia 76ers | Samuel Dalembert | C | Seton Hall (USA) | Haitian-Canadian college sophomore. |
| 27 | Vancouver Grizzlies (from Milwaukee) | Jamaal Tinsley | PG | Iowa State (USA) | American college senior. |
| 28 | San Antonio Spurs | Tony Parker | PG | Paris Basket Racing (France) | French international; youngest player in the draft at 19. |
Second-Round Selections and Trades
The second round of the 2001 NBA Draft featured 29 selections, spanning the 30th through 58th overall picks, and was conducted off the main stage in a separate war room at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This format contributed to the round's lower public visibility compared to the first round, allowing teams greater flexibility in negotiating trades without immediate broadcast scrutiny. As a result, the second round saw a notably higher volume of transactions than the first, with teams frequently exchanging draft rights for future assets or roster fillers to target specific prospects or clear cap space. These deals underscored the speculative value of late-round picks, where immediate contributions were less certain but long-term potential could yield bargains.[1] The following table lists all second-round selections, including the drafting team, player details, and notes on notable draft-night or immediate post-selection trades where applicable. International players were prominent in this round, reflecting the NBA's expanding global scouting efforts, with selections like Mehmet Okur (Turkey), Ousmane Cisse (Mali), Antonis Fotsis (Greece), and Robertas Javtokas (Lithuania) among the draftees.[1]| Overall Pick | Player | Position | College/Country | Drafting Team | Trade Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Trenton Hassell | G | Austin Peay State (USA) | Chicago Bulls | No immediate trade |
| 31 | Gilbert Arenas | G | Arizona (USA) | Golden State Warriors | No immediate trade; rights retained by Warriors[62] |
| 32 | Omar Cook | G | St. John's (USA) | Orlando Magic | Traded to Denver Nuggets for a future first-round pick on draft night[63] |
| 33 | Will Solomon | G | Clemson (USA) | Memphis Grizzlies | No immediate trade |
| 34 | Terence Morris | F | Maryland (USA) | Atlanta Hawks | Traded to Houston Rockets for a future first-round pick on draft night |
| 35 | Brian Scalabrine | F | USC (USA) | New Jersey Nets | No immediate trade |
| 36 | Jeff Trepagnier | G | USC (USA) | Cleveland Cavaliers | No immediate trade |
| 37 | Damone Brown | F | Syracuse (USA) | Philadelphia 76ers | No immediate trade |
| 38 | Mehmet Okur | C | Turkey | Detroit Pistons | No immediate trade; pick acquired pre-draft from New York Knicks via trade involving Josip Sesar rights[9] |
| 39 | Michael Wright | F | Arizona (USA) | New York Knicks | No immediate trade; pick acquired pre-draft from Boston Celtics via trade involving Josip Sesar rights[9] |
| 40 | Earl Watson | G | UCLA (USA) | Seattle SuperSonics | No immediate trade |
| 41 | Jamison Brewer | G | Auburn (USA) | Indiana Pacers | No immediate trade |
| 42 | Bobby Simmons | G/F | DePaul (USA) | Seattle SuperSonics | No immediate trade |
| 43 | Eric Chenowith | C | Kansas (USA) | New York Knicks | No immediate trade |
| 44 | Kyle Hill | G | Eastern Illinois (USA) | Dallas Mavericks | No immediate trade; pick acquired pre-draft from Chicago Bulls via trade involving Roberto Duenas rights[9] |
| 45 | Sean Lampley | F | California (USA) | Chicago Bulls | No immediate trade |
| 46 | Loren Woods | C | Arizona (USA) | Minnesota Timberwolves | No immediate trade |
| 47 | Ousmane Cisse | F | Mali | Denver Nuggets | No immediate trade |
| 48 | Antonis Fotsis | F | Greece | Memphis Grizzlies | No immediate trade |
| 49 | Ken Johnson | C | Ohio State (USA) | Miami Heat | No immediate trade |
| 50 | Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje | C | Georgetown (USA) | Portland Trail Blazers | No immediate trade |
| 51 | Alton Ford | F | Houston (USA) | Phoenix Suns | No immediate trade |
| 52 | Andre Hutson | F | Michigan State (USA) | Milwaukee Bucks | No immediate trade |
| 53 | Jarron Collins | C | Stanford (USA) | Utah Jazz | No immediate trade |
| 54 | Kenny Satterfield | G | Cincinnati (USA) | Dallas Mavericks | No immediate trade |
| 55 | Maurice Jeffers | G | Saint Louis (USA) | Sacramento Kings | No immediate trade |
| 56 | Robertas Javtokas | C | Lithuania | San Antonio Spurs | No immediate trade |
| 57 | Alvin Jones | C | Georgia Tech (USA) | Philadelphia 76ers | No immediate trade |
| 58 | Bryan Bracey | F | Oregon (USA) | San Antonio Spurs | No immediate trade |