NBA Draft picks since the coin flip system was introduced in 1966. An "R" after the player's name denotes that he was also chosen as the recipient of the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
No. 1 NBA Draft Choices
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2002 Yao Ming*, Houston Rockets
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2001 Kwame Brown **, Washington Wizards
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2000 Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets
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1999 Elton Brand (R), Chicago Bulls
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1998 Michael Olowokandi, L.A. Clippers
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1997 Tim Duncan (R), San Antonio Spurs
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1996 Allen Iverson (R), Philadelphia 76ers
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1995 Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors
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1994 Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks
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1993 Chris Webber (R), Orlando Magic
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1992 Shaquille O'Neal (R), Orlando Magic
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1991 Larry Johnson (R), Charlotte Hornets
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1990 Derrick Coleman (R), New Jersey Nets
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1989 Pervis Ellison, Sacramento Kings
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1988 Danny Manning, L.A. Clippers
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1987 David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
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1986 Brad Daugherty, Cleveland Cavaliers
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1985 Patrick Ewing (R), New York Knicks
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1984 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
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1983 Ralph Sampson (R), Houston Rockets
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1982 James Worthy, L.A. Lakers
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1981 Mark Aguirre, Dallas Mavericks
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1980 Joe Barry Carroll, Golden State Warriors
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1979 Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers
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1978 Mychal Thompson, Portland Trailblazers
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1977 Kent Benson, Milwaukee Bucks
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1976 John Lucas , Houston Rockets
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1975 David Thompson, Atlanta Hawks
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1974 Bill Walton, Portland Trailblazers
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1973 Doug Collins , Philadelphia 76ers
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1972 LaRue Martin , Portland Trailblazers
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1971 Austin Carr , Cleveland Cavaliers
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1970 Bob Lanier , Detroit Pistons
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1969 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, (R) Milwaukee Bucks
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1968 Elvin Hayes, Houston Rockets
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1967 Jimmy Walker, Detroit Pistons
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1966 Cazzie Russell, New York Knicks
*only foreigner (non-American) to be selected first in the draft in NBA history
** first high-schooler to be chosen with the top draft pick in NBA history (from Glynn Academy HS)