2011 NBA draft
The 2011 NBA draft was the 64th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA), conducted on June 23, 2011, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where 60 prospective players were selected across two rounds by the league's 30 teams.[1][2] The draft featured a strong class of talent, headlined by point guard Kyrie Irving, who was chosen first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers out of Duke University, marking the beginning of his career as a multi-time All-Star and NBA champion.[1] Other top selections included forward Derrick Williams (second overall, Minnesota Timberwolves, Arizona), center Enes Freedom (formerly Kanter; third overall, Utah Jazz, international), forward Tristan Thompson (fourth overall, Cavaliers, Texas), and center Jonas Valančiūnas (fifth overall, Toronto Raptors, international).[1] Beyond the lottery picks, the 2011 draft stood out for its exceptional depth, yielding several superstar-caliber players selected much later in the proceedings, which has since been regarded as one of the most talented classes in modern NBA history. Notable late-first-round steals included guard Klay Thompson (11th overall, Golden State Warriors, Washington State), who became a five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion, and forward Kawhi Leonard (15th overall, Indiana Pacers—traded to San Antonio Spurs, San Diego State), a two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year.[1] In the second round, forward Jimmy Butler (30th overall, Chicago Bulls, Marquette) emerged as a six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, and NBA Finals participant, while guard Isaiah Thomas (60th overall, Sacramento Kings, Washington) earned two All-Star nods and All-NBA honors.[1] Additional impactful players from the class, such as center Nikola Vučević (16th overall, Philadelphia 76ers—traded to Orlando Magic, international) and a three-time All-Star, contributed to the draft's legacy of producing 8 All-Stars and multiple championship contributors overall.[1] The event was presented by Kia Motors and broadcast live on ESPN, reflecting the league's growing international flavor with seven first-round picks from outside the United States.[2] Trades were rampant during the draft, including the Pacers' deal sending Leonard to the Spurs in exchange for George Hill, which foreshadowed the class's long-term success in reshaping contending rosters.[3]Eligibility and Declarations
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the 2011 NBA draft, as outlined in the league's 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement, required all prospective players to be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft.[4] For U.S.-based players, this was coupled with a mandate that they be at least one year removed from their high school graduation date, ensuring no direct entry from high school.[5] These requirements applied universally to amateur and international prospects alike, with the age threshold calculated from the draft date of June 23, 2011, meaning eligible players had to be born on or before December 31, 1992.[6] This framework stemmed from a pivotal rule change in the 2005 Collective Bargaining Agreement, which took effect for the 2006 draft and prohibited high school seniors from declaring, thereby reshaping the talent pool for subsequent drafts including 2011 by compelling top young American talents to spend at least one year in college.[5] The policy aimed to promote player development and maintain competitive balance but drew criticism for delaying professional opportunities for elite prospects.[7] Special circumstances for early eligibility, such as hardship due to financial or personal difficulties, could be petitioned through the NBA Commissioner's office under Article X, Section 1(c) of the CBA, which empowered the Commissioner to deem players eligible in unique cases outside standard criteria.[4] The petition process involved submitting detailed documentation to the league, with decisions based on verifiable evidence of exceptional need.Early Entry Process
Underclassmen from U.S. colleges seeking to enter the 2011 NBA draft were required to formally declare their intention by submitting a letter to the NBA, with the deadline set for April 24, 2011. This process allowed eligible players, typically freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who had not completed their college eligibility, to gauge professional interest through pre-draft workouts and evaluations without immediately forfeiting their amateur status. Declarations could be made directly or facilitated through their institutions, enabling players to participate in the draft process while retaining the option to return to school if desired.[8][9] Following the declaration deadline, early entrants had until May 8, 2011, to withdraw their names and preserve their NCAA eligibility, providing a critical window for feedback from NBA teams and scouts. In total, 69 college underclassmen declared for the 2011 draft, reflecting a significant portion of the league's emphasis on young talent. Of these, 25 ultimately withdrew, opting to return for additional college seasons, while the remaining 44 proceeded as permanent entrants. This withdrawal mechanism helped balance professional aspirations with educational opportunities, though it often led to roster uncertainties for college programs.[10][11] The early entry decisions notably influenced the 2010-11 college basketball landscape, including the NCAA tournament, as teams built strategies around underclassmen who frequently departed after one season. For instance, Duke's Kyrie Irving, a standout freshman who contributed to the Blue Devils' Sweet 16 run despite a season-ending injury after just 11 games, declared early on April 1, 2011, and was selected first overall, highlighting how such exits disrupted continuity for tournament contenders. Similar one-and-done choices by players like Enes Kanter (Kentucky) and Tristan Thompson (Texas) underscored the growing trend, where high-impact freshmen prioritized NBA prospects over extended college tenures, affecting team dynamics and postseason outcomes.[12][13]Automatic and International Entrants
In the 2011 NBA draft, automatic eligibility applied to U.S. college players who had exhausted their NCAA eligibility, primarily seniors graduating that year, without requiring a formal declaration process. These players, having completed four years of college basketball, were directly eligible for selection under league rules established in the collective bargaining agreement.[14] For international players, automatic eligibility was granted to non-U.S. players turning 22 during the 2011 calendar year or those who had completed equivalent post-secondary education outside the U.S., allowing them to enter the draft without early declaration. Younger international players aged 19 to 21 could apply as early entrants by submitting letters to the NBA by April 24, 2011, with a withdrawal deadline of June 13, 2011.[15] The 2011 draft featured a significant international contingent, with 20 players applying for early entry from outside the U.S., contributing to a total pool of international eligibles that included both early entrants and automatic qualifiers. This marked a growing trend, culminating in a draft record of 16 international players selected, the highest at the time. Notable early entrants included Czech forward Jan Veselý of Partizan Belgrade, born in 1990 and thus 21 years old, who declared to pursue NBA opportunities after success in European competitions. Similarly, Turkish center Enes Kanter, also 19, entered early after limited professional experience in the Turkish league starting at age 16 with Fenerbahçe Ülker.[10][16][17][18] International entrants in 2011 faced unique challenges stemming from discrepancies between FIBA and NBA eligibility standards, particularly regarding amateurism and professional play. For instance, Kanter's participation in professional Turkish leagues as a minor violated NCAA rules on impermissible benefits, rendering him ineligible for the University of Kentucky despite his commitment, and forcing a direct path to the NBA draft under international early entry provisions. FIBA permitted such early pro contracts, highlighting broader rule differences that complicated transitions for European and other overseas prospects. Visa processing for non-U.S. players also posed logistical hurdles, requiring timely approvals under P-1 or similar athletic visas to enable pre-draft workouts and eventual NBA relocation.[19][20]Draft Lottery
Lottery Procedure
The NBA draft lottery determines the order of the first 14 picks among the 14 teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs, with selections assigned based on the inverse order of their regular-season winning percentages to discourage intentional poor performance. Instituted in 1985 following concerns over teams deliberately tanking to secure higher draft positions, the system awards the team with the league's worst record the highest probability of landing the top pick, specifically 250 out of 1,000 possible combinations.[21][22] The lottery procedure involves a mechanical drawing using 14 ping-pong balls numbered 1 through 14, placed in a clear pneumatic machine that mixes them thoroughly. Four balls are drawn without replacement, forming a combination corresponding to one of 1,000 assigned outcomes out of the C(14,4) = 1001 possible unique sets of four balls (one combination left unassigned). Each non-playoff team is pre-assigned a proportional share of these combinations based on their reverse record order, with the drawing repeated three times to set the Nos. 1 through 4 picks; the remaining positions 5 through 14 follow the inverse record order unless altered by the lottery results.[23][24] The event is held annually in Secaucus, New Jersey, at the NBA's headquarters and televised live, with representatives from each participating team present to witness the drawing conducted by independent auditors. In cases of tied regular-season records among non-playoff teams, the NBA conducts random drawings—often coin flips or similar—to establish the exact order and allocate any uneven distribution of combinations. For the 2011 lottery, multiple such drawings resolved ties, such as those involving teams like Sacramento and New Jersey, ensuring fair positioning before the main ping-pong ball selection.[25][26] This format, in place through the 2018 draft, allowed for significant upward mobility for lower-seeded teams but drew criticism for incentivizing tanking; it preceded major reforms approved in 2017 and implemented starting in 2019, which flattened odds and limited the worst teams to no better than the No. 5 pick.[27]2011 Odds and Results
The 2011 NBA draft lottery was held on May 17, 2011, at the NBA's headquarters in Secaucus, New Jersey, to determine the order of the first 14 picks among the league's 14 non-playoff teams from the 2010–11 season.[28] The Cleveland Cavaliers entered with the second-highest odds for the No. 1 pick at 19.9%, but their total probability increased to 22.7% due to also owning the Los Angeles Clippers' pick, which carried an additional 2.8% chance. This lottery came in the wake of significant upheaval for several teams, notably the Cavaliers, who had endured a 19–63 season following LeBron James' departure to the Miami Heat in free agency the previous summer.[29] The odds for the No. 1 overall selection were distributed based on inverse regular-season records, with the worst-performing team receiving the highest probability and decreasing incrementally for each subsequent position, using a total of 1,000 possible combinations drawn via ping-pong balls. The following table outlines the pre-lottery positions, teams, records, and percentages for landing the top pick:| Pre-Lottery Position | Team | Record | Odds for No. 1 Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 17–65 | 25.0% |
| 2 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 19–63 | 19.9% |
| 3 | Toronto Raptors | 22–60 | 15.6% |
| 4 | Washington Wizards | 23–59 | 11.9% |
| 5 | Sacramento Kings | 24–58 | 7.6% |
| 6 | New Jersey Nets | 24–58 | 7.5% |
| 7 | Detroit Pistons | 30–52 | 4.3% |
| 8 | Los Angeles Clippers | 32–50 | 2.8% |
| 9 | Charlotte Bobcats | 34–48 | 1.7% |
| 10 | Milwaukee Bucks | 35–47 | 1.1% |
| 11 | Golden State Warriors | 36–46 | 0.8% |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | 39–43 | 0.7% |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | 40–42 | 0.6% |
| 14 | Houston Rockets | 43–39 | 0.5% |
Pre-Draft Events
NBA Draft Combine
The 2011 NBA Draft Combine, officially known as the 2011 Chicago Pre-Draft Combine, was held from May 18 to May 22, 2011, at the Attack Athletics facility in Chicago, Illinois.[31] This annual event served as a key evaluative platform for prospective players, featuring a series of athletic tests, medical examinations, team interviews, and competitive scrimmages to assess their physical attributes, skills, and potential NBA readiness. Approximately 60 college and international players received invitations.[32] Athletic testing during the combine included standard measurements such as height, weight, wingspan, standing reach, vertical jump, bench press repetitions, and agility drills like the 3/4 court sprint and lane agility test. For instance, Duke guard Kyrie Irving, a projected top pick, measured 6 feet 2 inches tall in socks with a 6-foot-4 wingspan.[33] Other standout performances featured Kentucky's Brandon Knight achieving a 37.5-inch max vertical jump[34] and Washington forward Isaiah Thomas posting a quick 3.14-second 3/4 sprint, highlighting their explosiveness and speed.[35] These metrics provided scouts with quantifiable data to evaluate prospects' athleticism beyond game film. The combine's purpose extended beyond physical assessments, influencing pre-draft evaluations through on-court scrimmages and private interviews that revealed players' basketball IQ and personality. Concerns arose over Kentucky center Enes Kanter's reported weight of approximately 260 pounds for his 6-foot-11 frame, which was closer to expectations for his physical readiness.[33] Overall, the event helped refine team scouting reports, with top performers like Irving solidifying their status while others faced scrutiny that shaped early lottery projections.Invited Attendees
The NBA invites a select group of top draft prospects to attend the first round of the draft in a designated "green room" at the event venue, providing them a space to wait with family and agents while awaiting their selection announcements. For the 2011 NBA draft, held on June 23 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, invitations were extended to 15 players based on scouting reports, mock draft projections, and expectations of being lottery picks or selected in the top 20 overall.[36] The invited players were:| Player | College/Country |
|---|---|
| Kyrie Irving | Duke |
| Derrick Williams | Arizona |
| Enes Kanter | Turkey |
| Brandon Knight | Kentucky |
| Kemba Walker | UConn |
| Jonas Valančiūnas | Lithuania |
| Jan Veselý | Czech Republic |
| Kawhi Leonard | San Diego State |
| Chris Singleton | Florida State |
| Klay Thompson | Washington State |
| Tristan Thompson | Texas |
| Jimmer Fredette | BYU |
| Marcus Morris | Kansas |
| Alec Burks | Colorado |
| Markieff Morris | Kansas |
Draft Selections
First Round Selections
The first round of the 2011 NBA draft featured 30 selections made by NBA teams based on the prior season's standings and lottery results, with the order of the first 14 picks determined by the draft lottery and picks 15-30 assigned in reverse order of the previous season's regular-season record, emphasizing high-upside talents like point guards and versatile forwards to address roster needs. Held on June 23, 2011, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the round highlighted a mix of American college standouts and international prospects, with teams prioritizing athleticism, skill, and immediate fit potential.[1] The selections are summarized in the following table:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School/Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Kyrie Irving | PG | Duke (USA) |
| 2 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Derrick Williams | PF | Arizona (USA) |
| 3 | Utah Jazz | Enes Freedom | C | Turkey |
| 4 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Tristan Thompson | PF/C | Texas (USA) |
| 5 | Toronto Raptors | Jonas Valančiūnas | C | Lithuania |
| 6 | Washington Wizards | Jan Veselý | PF | Czech Republic |
| 7 | Sacramento Kings | Bismack Biyombo | C | DR Congo |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Brandon Knight | PG | Kentucky (USA) |
| 9 | Charlotte Bobcats | Kemba Walker | PG | UConn (USA) |
| 10 | Milwaukee Bucks | Jimmer Fredette | PG | BYU (USA) |
| 11 | Golden State Warriors | Klay Thompson | SG | Washington State (USA) |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Alec Burks | SG | Colorado (USA) |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Markieff Morris | PF | Kansas (USA) |
| 14 | Houston Rockets | Marcus Morris | PF | Kansas (USA) |
| 15 | Indiana Pacers | Kawhi Leonard | SF | San Diego State (USA) |
| 16 | Philadelphia 76ers | Nikola Vučević | C | USC (USA) |
| 17 | New York Knicks | Iman Shumpert | SG | Georgia Tech (USA) |
| 18 | Washington Wizards | Chris Singleton | SF | Florida State (USA) |
| 19 | Charlotte Bobcats | Tobias Harris | SF/PF | Tennessee (USA) |
| 20 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Donatas Motiejūnas | PF | Lithuania |
| 21 | Portland Trail Blazers | Nolan Smith | PG | Duke (USA) |
| 22 | Denver Nuggets | Kenneth Faried | PF | Morehead State (USA) |
| 23 | Houston Rockets | Nikola Mirotić | PF | Spain |
| 24 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Reggie Jackson | PG | Boston College (USA) |
| 25 | Boston Celtics | MarShon Brooks | SG | Providence (USA) |
| 26 | Dallas Mavericks | Jordan Hamilton | SF | Texas (USA) |
| 27 | New Jersey Nets | JaJuan Johnson | PF | Purdue (USA) |
| 28 | Chicago Bulls | Norris Cole | PG | Cleveland State (USA) |
| 29 | San Antonio Spurs | Cory Joseph | PG | Texas (USA) |
| 30 | Chicago Bulls | Jimmy Butler | SF | Marquette (USA) |
Second Round Selections
The second round of the 2011 NBA Draft, encompassing picks 31 through 60, shifted focus from the first round's emphasis on polished, NBA-ready talents to higher-risk, higher-reward prospects with significant developmental potential. Teams prioritized players offering upside in athleticism, skill projection, or international experience over immediate rotation contributions, reflecting the draft's overall depth and the value available late in the selection process. This approach was particularly evident in the selection of versatile forwards and guards who could evolve into role players or specialists, such as the Houston Rockets' choice of Chandler Parsons, a 6'9" wing from the University of Florida known for his passing and shooting, at the 38th pick.[1] A distinctive feature of the 2011 second round was its pronounced international presence, with 10 non-U.S. college players selected, many of whom were "stashed" overseas to continue developing in professional leagues before transitioning to the NBA. This strategy allowed teams to secure cost-controlled rights to promising talents without immediate roster pressure, exemplified by the Miami Heat's 31st overall selection of Croatian forward Bojan Bogdanović, who spent several seasons in Europe honing his scoring ability. Similarly, the Indiana Pacers drafted Latvian forward Dāvis Bertāns at 42nd, a sharpshooting prospect who remained abroad initially to build strength and experience. The trend peaked in the draft's final picks, where six consecutive international selections from picks 54 to 59 highlighted teams' global scouting reach.[1][42] Among the domestic picks, the Sacramento Kings closed the draft by selecting point guard Isaiah Thomas from the University of Washington with the 60th overall pick, a diminutive but explosive scorer whose quickness and playmaking belied his 6'0" frame, representing a classic second-round gamble on untapped potential. Other notable selections included the Washington Wizards' choice of guard Shelvin Mack from Butler at 34th, a steady ball-handler with college tournament pedigree, and the Detroit Pistons' double-dip with Duke forward Kyle Singler at 33rd and Florida forward Vernon Macklin at 52nd, both valued for their toughness and perimeter skills. These picks underscored the second round's role in unearthing overlooked gems amid the draft's standard 60-pick structure, unaltered by expansion teams that year.[1]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School/Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Miami Heat | Bojan Bogdanović | SF | Croatia |
| 32 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Justin Harper | PF | Richmond |
| 33 | Detroit Pistons | Kyle Singler | SF | Duke |
| 34 | Washington Wizards | Shelvin Mack | PG | Butler |
| 35 | Sacramento Kings | Tyler Honeycutt | SF | UCLA |
| 36 | New Jersey Nets | Jordan Williams | PF | Maryland |
| 37 | Los Angeles Clippers | Trey Thompkins | PF | Georgia |
| 38 | Houston Rockets | Chandler Parsons | SF | Florida |
| 39 | Charlotte Bobcats | Jeremy Tyler | C | USA (Tokyo Apache) |
| 40 | Milwaukee Bucks | Jon Leuer | PF | Wisconsin |
| 41 | Los Angeles Lakers | Darius Morris | PG | Michigan |
| 42 | Indiana Pacers | Dāvis Bertāns | SF | Latvia |
| 43 | Chicago Bulls | Malcolm Lee | SG | UCLA |
| 44 | Golden State Warriors | Charles Jenkins | PG | Hofstra |
| 45 | New Orleans Hornets | Josh Harrellson | PF | Kentucky |
| 46 | Los Angeles Lakers | Andrew Goudelock | PG | College of Charleston |
| 47 | Los Angeles Clippers | Travis Leslie | SG | Georgia |
| 48 | Atlanta Hawks | Keith Benson | C | Oakland |
| 49 | Memphis Grizzlies | Josh Selby | SG | Kansas |
| 50 | Philadelphia 76ers (from MEM via trade) | Lavoy Allen | PF | Temple |
| 51 | Portland Trail Blazers | Jon Diebler | SG | Ohio State |
| 52 | Detroit Pistons (from DEN via trade) | Vernon Macklin | PF | Florida |
| 53 | Orlando Magic | DeAndre Liggins | SG | Kentucky |
| 54 | Cleveland Cavaliers (from OKC via trade) | Milan Mačvan | PF | Serbia |
| 55 | Boston Celtics (from CHI via trade) | E'Twaun Moore | SG | Purdue |
| 56 | Los Angeles Lakers (from BOS via trade) | Chukwudiebere Maduabum | PF | Nigeria |
| 57 | Dallas Mavericks | Tanguy Ngombo | SF | Republic of the Congo |
| 58 | Los Angeles Lakers (from SAS via trade) | Ater Majok | PF | Sudan |
| 59 | San Antonio Spurs (from LAL via trade) | Ádám Hanga | SG | Hungary |
| 60 | Sacramento Kings | Isaiah Thomas | PG | Washington |