View source for 1979 NBA draft

{{short description|Basketball player selection}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox sports draft
| name        = 1979 NBA draft
| image       = 
| caption     = 
| logo        = 
| logosize    = 
| sport       = Basketball
| date        = June 25, 1979
| location    = [[Plaza Hotel]] ([[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]])
| network     = 
| league      = NBA
| teams       = 
| overall     = 202
| rounds      = 10
| first       = [[Magic Johnson]] ([[Los Angeles Lakers]])
| hofnum      = {{Collapsible list
| title = 3
|1 = G [[Magic Johnson]]
|2 = G [[Sidney Moncrief]]
|3 = G [[Nikos Galis]]}}
| prev        = [[1978 NBA draft|1978]]
| next        = [[1980 NBA draft|1980]]
}}
The '''1979 NBA draft''' was the 33rd annual [[NBA draft|draft]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), held at the [[Plaza Hotel]] in [[New York City]] on Monday, June 25<!--, 1979, before the [[1979–80 NBA season|1979–80 season]]-->.<ref name=wwgsec>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CdszAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MeIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6612%2C7623044 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=Who will go second in NBA draft? |date=June 24, 1979 |page=4F}}</ref><ref name=lapxmg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bQNMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JPkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5864%2C2461108 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=L.A. picks "Magic" |date=June 25, 1979 |page=21}}</ref> In this draft, the 22 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. [[college basketball]] players and other [[Eligibility for the NBA Draft|eligible players]], including international players; it went ten rounds and selected 202&nbsp;players.

The first two picks in the draft belonged to the teams that finished last in each conference, with the order determined by a [[Coin flipping|coin flip]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/draft_evolution.html|title=Evolution of the Draft and Lottery|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=October 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927173723/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_evolution.html|archive-date=27 September 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[1979–80 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]], who obtained the [[New Orleans Jazz (NBA team)|New Orleans Jazz]]' first-round pick in a trade, won the coin flip and were awarded the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks|first overall pick]], while the [[1979–80 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago Bulls]] were awarded the second pick. The remaining first-round picks and the subsequent rounds were assigned to teams in reverse order of their win–loss record in the [[1978–79 NBA season|previous season]]. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility was eligible for selection.

If a player left college early, he would not be eligible for selection until his college class graduated. [[Larry Bird]] would have been eligible to join this draft class because his "junior eligible" draft status from being taken by Boston in [[1978 NBA draft|1978]] would expire the minute the 1979 draft began, but Bird and the Celtics agreed on a five-year contract on June&nbsp;8 to avoid that.<ref name=clndbr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dyxHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PfgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1610%2C1503176 |work=The Day |location=(New London, Connecticut) |agency=Associated Press |last=Braude |first=Dick |title=For $3.25 million, Celtics land Bird |date=June 8, 1979 |page=33}}</ref> Before the draft, five college [[wikt:underclassman|underclassmen]] were declared eligible for selection under the "hardship" rule.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/news/lottery02_earlyentry_history.html|title=Early Entry Candidate History|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=October 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914112043/http://www.nba.com/news/lottery02_earlyentry_history.html|archive-date=September 14, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> These players had applied and gave evidence of financial hardship to the league, which granted them the right to start earning their living by starting their professional careers earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/haywood_bio.html|title=Spencer Haywood Bio|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=October 21, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101119165820/http://www.nba.com/history/players/haywood_bio.html| archive-date= 19 November 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Prior to the draft, the Jazz relocated from [[1977–78 New Orleans Jazz season|New Orleans]] to [[Salt Lake City]] and became the [[1979–80 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/this_date_june.html|title=This Date in History–June|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=October 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119022331/http://www.nba.com/history/this_date_june.html|archive-date=19 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Draft selections and draftee career notes==
[[Magic Johnson]] from [[1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game|NCAA champion]] [[1978–79 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team|Michigan State University]], one of the "hardship" players, was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.<ref name=lapxmg/> Johnson, who had just finished his [[College sophomore|sophomore]] season in college, became the first underclassman to be drafted first overall.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8HoRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2515,1070550|title=Olajuwon should go first in today's draft|date=June 19, 1984|newspaper=Gainesville Sun|location=(Florida) |agency=Associated Press |page=1C |access-date=October 28, 2010}}</ref> He went on to win the [[List of NBA champions|NBA championship]] with the Lakers in his rookie season. He also won the [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals Most Valuable Player Award]], becoming the first rookie ever to win the award. He spent his entire 13-year career with the Lakers and won five NBA championships. He also won three [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Awards]], three Finals Most Valuable Player Awards, ten consecutive [[All-NBA Team]] selections and twelve [[List of NBA All-Stars|All-Star Game selections]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/johnsonm_bio.html|title=Magic Johnson Bio|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=October 21, 2010}}</ref> For his achievements, he has been inducted to the [[Basketball Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html|title=Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 21, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913063921/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html| archive-date= 13 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> He was also named to the list of the [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History]] announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html|title=The NBA's 50 Greatest Players|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=October 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918202136/http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html|archive-date=18 September 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> After retiring as a player, Johnson went on to have a brief coaching career as an interim head coach of the Lakers in {{nbay|1993|end}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/johnsma02c.html|title=Magic Johnson Coaching Record|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 21, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100925023639/http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/johnsma02c.html| archive-date= 25 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

[[Sidney Moncrief]], the fifth pick, won two [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year Awards]] and was selected to five consecutive All-NBA Teams, five consecutive [[NBA All-Defensive Team|All-Defensive Teams]] and  five consecutive All-Star Games. In "The Book of Basketball", [[Bill Simmons]] noted that then-Lakers head coach [[Jerry West]] had actually wanted to trade down from the #1 pick and use it to get Moncrief along with more players and picks, but Jerry Buss vetoed West's plans because Buss wanted Magic to be the new face of the team he was just finishing his full purchase of.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/moncrsi01.html|title=Sidney Moncrief Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 22, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100922182232/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/moncrsi01.html| archive-date= 22 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> [[Jim Paxson]], the twelfth pick, was selected to one All-NBA Team and two All-Star Games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/paxsoji02.html|title=Jim Paxson Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 22, 2010}}</ref> [[Bill Cartwright]], the third pick, won [[Three-peat|three consecutive]] NBA championships with the [[Chicago Bulls]] from {{nbay|1990|end}} through {{nbay|1992|end}}. He also had one All-Star Game selection, which occurred in his rookie season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cartwbi01.html|title=Bill Cartwright Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 22, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100927055311/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cartwbi01.html| archive-date= 27 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> He then became the Bulls' head coach for three seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/cartwbi01c.html|title=Bill Cartwright Coaching Record|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 22, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100906231751/http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/cartwbi01c.html| archive-date= 6 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> [[Bill Laimbeer]], the 65th pick, won two NBA championships with the [[Detroit Pistons]] in {{nbay|1988|end}} and {{nbay|1989|end}} and was selected to four All-Star Games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/laimbbi01.html|title=Bill Laimbeer Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 22, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100925041355/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/laimbbi01.html| archive-date= 25 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> After retiring, he coached the [[Detroit Shock]] of the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] (WNBA) for eight seasons, leading them to three [[WNBA Finals|WNBA championships]] in [[2003 WNBA season|2003]], [[2006 WNBA season|2006]] and [[2008 WNBA season|2008]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wnba.com/coachfile/bill_laimbeer/index.html|title=Bill Laimbeer Bio|work=WNBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=October 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012013811/http://www.wnba.com/coachfile/bill_laimbeer/index.html|archive-date=2011-10-12|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Mark Eaton]], who had only completed one year of college basketball, was selected by the [[Phoenix Suns]] with the 107th pick.<ref name="eaton">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068337/1/index.htm|title=Big Man On The Block|first=Hank|last=Hersch|date=May 1, 1989|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=October 25, 2010|archive-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330072554/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068337/1/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> He opted to return to college basketball and later joined the NBA in {{nbay|1982|start}}, after he was drafted again by the Utah Jazz in the [[1982 NBA draft|1982 draft]]. During his eleven-year career with the Jazz, he won two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and was selected to five consecutive All-Defensive Team and one All-Star Game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/eatonma01.html|title=Mark Eaton Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 22, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100925050642/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/eatonma01.html| archive-date= 25 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Two other players from this draft, eighth pick [[Calvin Natt]] and 73rd pick [[James Donaldson (basketball)|James Donaldson]], were also selected to one All-Star Game each.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nattca01.html|title=Calvin Natt Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 22, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100925045203/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nattca01.html| archive-date= 25 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/donalja01.html|title=James Donaldson Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 22, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100910062709/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/donalja01.html| archive-date= 10 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

In the fourth round, the [[Boston Celtics]] selected [[Nikos Galis|Nick Galis]] from [[Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball|Seton Hall University]] with the 68th pick. However, he suffered a serious injury in the training camp and was waived by the Celtics before the season started. Galis, who was born in the United States to Greek parents, opted to play in Greece. He never played in the NBA and spent all of his professional career in Greece, where he helped the country emerge as an international basketball power. He won a [[Eurobasket]] title, 8 [[ESAKE A1 Ethniki|Greek championships]], 7 [[Greek Basketball Cup|Greek cups]] as well as numerous personal honors and awards. He has been inducted into both the [[FIBA Hall of Fame]] and the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fwcm/event-guide/p/nid/41921/legend-bio.html|title=Greece – Nick Galis|date=July 20, 2010|publisher=FIBA|access-date=November 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107144242/http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fwcm/event-guide/p/nid/41921/legend-bio.html|archive-date=2010-11-07|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/19052994/tracy-mcgrady-bill-self-rebecca-lobo-headline-2017-basketball-hall-fame-class|title = McGrady, Self, Lobo headline 2017 HOF class|date = April 2017}}</ref>

==Draft==
[[File:Magic Lipofsky.jpg|upright|thumb|150px|[[Magic Johnson]] was selected 1st overall by the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].]]
[[File:Bill Cartwright - Chicago Bulls, March 28, 1991 (cropped).jpg|upright|thumb|150px|[[Bill Cartwright]] was selected 3rd overall by the [[New York Knicks]].]]
[[File:Sidney_Moncrief_Arkansas.jpg|upright|thumb|150px|[[Sidney Moncrief]] was selected 5th overall by the [[Milwaukee Bucks]].]]
[[File:Jim Paxson.jpg|upright|thumb|150px|[[Jim Paxson]] was selected 12th overall by the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].]]
[[File:Bill Laimbeer.jpg|upright|thumb|150px|alt=A man, wearing a black suit, is standing and laughing in front of spectators.|[[Bill Laimbeer]] was selected 65th overall by the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]].]]
[[File:James Donaldson 01A.jpg|upright|thumb|150px|alt=A man, wearing a yellow T-shirt, is standing and pointing to the camera.|[[James Donaldson (basketball)|James Donaldson]] was selected 73rd overall by the [[Seattle SuperSonics]].]]
{| class="wikitable"
|width="50"|'''Pos.'''||width="50"|G||width="50"|F||width="50"|C
|-
|[[Basketball position|Position]]||Guard||Forward||Center
|}
{{NBA Draft legend|1=y|2=y|3=y|5=y}}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left"
!scope="col" style="width:20px;"| {{tooltip|Rnd.|Draft round}}
!scope="col" style="width:20px;"| {{tooltip|Pick|Overall pick number}}
!scope="col" style="width:120px;"| Player
!scope="col" style="width:20px;"| {{tooltip|Pos.|Position(s) played}}
!scope="col" style="width:120px;"| {{tooltip|Nationality|Player's representative nationality}}{{refn|group=n|name=nationality|Nationality indicates the player's national team or representative nationality. If a player has not competed at the international level, then the nationality indicates the national team which the player is eligible to represent according to [[FIBA]] rules.}}
!scope="col" style="width:300px;"| Team
!scope="col" style="width:150px;"| {{tooltip|School / club team|Most recent school attended or team played for before the draft}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|1
| bgcolor="#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Magic|Johnson}}^
| G/F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Lakers]] {{small|(from [[Utah Jazz|Utah]])}}{{ref label|Note1|a|a}}
| [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]] {{small|([[College sophomore|So.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|2
| {{sortname|David|Greenwood}}
| F/C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
| [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|3
| bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|Bill|Cartwright}}<sup>+</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]] {{small|(from [[Boston Celtics|Boston]])}}{{ref label|Note2|b|b 1}}
| [[San Francisco Dons men's basketball|San Francisco]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|4
| {{sortname|Greg|Kelser}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]]
| [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|5
| bgcolor="#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Sidney|Moncrief}}^
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]] {{small| (from [[Cleveland Cavaliers|Cleveland]])}}
| [[Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball|Arkansas]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|6
| {{sortname|James|Bailey|dab=basketball}}
| F/C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Seattle SuperSonics]] {{small|(from [[New York Knicks|New York]])}}{{ref label|Note4|d|d}}
| [[Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball|Rutgers]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|7
| {{sortname|Vinnie|Johnson}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Seattle SuperSonics]] {{small|(from [[New Jersey Nets|New Jersey]] via [[New York Knicks|New York]])}}{{ref label|Note5|e|e}}
| [[Baylor Bears men's basketball|Baylor]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|8
| bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|Calvin|Natt}}<sup>+</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]] {{small|(from [[Indiana Pacers|Indiana]] via [[Milwaukee Bucks|Milwaukee]])}}{{ref label|Note6|f|f}}
| [[Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks men's basketball|Northeast Louisiana]]<!--University of Louisiana at Monroe was called Northeast Louisiana University until 1999.--> {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|9
| {{sortname|Larry|Demic}}
| F/C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]] {{small|(from [[Golden State Warriors|Golden State]] via [[Boston Celtics|Boston]])}}{{ref label|Note2|b|2}}
| [[Arizona Wildcats men's basketball|Arizona]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|10
| {{sortname|Roy|Hamilton|dab=basketball}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]] {{small|(from [[Milwaukee Bucks|Milwaukee]] via [[Los Angeles Clippers|San Diego]])}}{{ref label|Note7|g|g}}
| [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|11
| {{sortname|Cliff|Robinson|Cliff Robinson (basketball, born 1960)}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]] {{small|(from [[Los Angeles Clippers|San Diego]])}}{{ref label|Note8|h|h}}
| [[USC Trojans men's basketball|USC]] {{small|([[College sophomore|So.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|12
| bgcolor="#FBCEB1"| {{sortname|Jim|Paxson}}*
| G/F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| [[Dayton Flyers men's basketball|Dayton]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|13
| {{sortname|Dudley|Bradley}}
| G/F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Indiana Pacers]] {{small|(from [[Atlanta Hawks|Atlanta]])}}{{ref label|Note9|i|i}}
| [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|14
| {{sortname|Brad|Holland}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
| [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|15
| {{sortname|Phil|Hubbard}}
| F/C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]] {{small|(from [[Denver Nuggets|Denver]])}}{{ref label|Note10|j|j}}
| [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|Michigan]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|16
| {{sortname|Jim|Spanarkel}}
| G/F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|17
| {{sortname|Lee|Johnson|dab=basketball}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Houston Rockets]]
| [[Texas A&M–Commerce Lions|East Texas State]]<!--Texas A&M University–Commerce was called East Texas State University until 1996.--> {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|18
| {{sortname|Reggie|King}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Kansas City Kings]]
| [[Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball|Alabama]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|19
| {{sortname|Wiley|Peck}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]]
| [[Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball|Mississippi State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|20
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Larry|Knight}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]] {{small|(from [[Phoenix Suns|Phoenix]])}}{{ref label|Note11|k|k}}
| [[Loyola Ramblers men's basketball|Loyola (IL)]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|21
| {{sortname|Sly|Williams}}
| G/F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]] {{small|(from [[Seattle SuperSonics|Seattle]] via [[Boston Celtics|Boston]])}}{{ref label|Note2|b|3}}
| [[Rhode Island Rams men's basketball|Rhode Island]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|1
| align=center|22
| {{sortname|Kyle|Macy}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Phoenix Suns]] {{small|(from [[Washington Wizards|Washington]])}}{{ref label|Note12|l|l}}
| [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|23
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tico|Brown}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]]
| [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball|Georgia Tech]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|24
| {{sortname|Johnny|High}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Phoenix Suns]] {{small|(from [[Boston Celtics|Boston]])}}{{ref label|Note13|m|m}}
| [[Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball|Nevada]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|25
| {{sortname|Oliver|Mack}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Lakers]] {{small|(from [[Detroit Piston|Detroit]] via [[Denver Nuggets|Denver]])}}
| [[East Carolina Pirates men's basketball|East Carolina]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|26
| {{sortname|Bruce|Flowers}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
| [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball|Notre Dame]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|27
| {{sortname|Reggie|Carter}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| [[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|28
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Danny|Salisbury}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]] {{small|(from [[Chicago Bulls|Chicago]])}}
| [[Texas–Pan American Broncs men's basketball|Pan American]]<!--University of Texas–Pan American was called Pan American College until 1988.--> {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|29
| {{sortname|Tony|Price|dab=basketball}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]] {{small|(from [[New Jersey Nets|New Jersey]])}}
| [[Penn Quakers men's basketball|Pennsylvania]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|30
| {{sortname|Gary|Garland}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Denver Nuggets]] {{small|(from [[Golden State Warriors|Golden State]] via [[Los Angeles Clippers|San Diego]])}}
| [[DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball|DePaul]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|31
| {{sortname|Edgar|Jones|dab=basketball}}
| F/C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| [[Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball|Nevada]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|32
| {{sortname|Tony|Zeno}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Indiana Pacers]]
| [[Arizona State Sun Devils|Arizona State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|33
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Lawrence|Butler|dab=basketball}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]] {{small|(from [[Los Angeles Clippers|San Diego]] via [[Denver Nuggets|Denver]])}}
| [[Idaho State Bengals men's basketball|Idaho State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|34
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Kim|Goetz}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]] {{small|(from [[Portland Trail Blazers|Portland]])}}
| [[San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball|San Diego State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|35
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|James|Bradley|dab=basketball}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|Memphis State]]<!--University of Memphis was called Memphis State University until 1994.--> {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|36
| {{sortname|Clint|Richardson}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]] {{small|(from [[Denver Nuggets|Denver]] via [[New Jersey Nets|New Jersey]])}}
| [[Seattle Redhawks men's basketball|Seattle]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|37
| {{sortname|Bernard|Toone}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball|Marquette]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|38
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Larry|Wilson|dab=basketball}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Atlanta Hawks]] {{small|(from [[Houston Rockets|Houston]])}}
| [[Nicholls State Colonels men's basketball|Nicholls State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|39
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Victor|King}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
| [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball|Louisiana Tech]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|40
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Andrew|Fields}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]] {{small|(from [[San Antonio Spurs|San Antonio]] via [[Seattle SuperSonics|Seattle]])}}
| [[Cheyney University of Pennsylvania#Athletics|Cheyney State]]<!--Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was called Cheyney State College until 1983.--> {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|41
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mark|Young|dab=basketball}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Lakers]] {{small|(from [[Kansas City Kings|Kansas City]] via [[Denver Nuggets|Denver]])}}
| [[Fairfield Stags men's basketball|Fairfield]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|42
| {{sortname|Paul|Mokeski}}
| F/C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Houston Rockets]] {{small|(from [[Phoenix Suns|Phoenix]] via [[Seattle SuperSonics|Seattle]])}}
| [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|Kansas]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|43
| {{sortname|Johnny|Moore|dab=basketball}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Seattle SuperSonics]]
| [[Texas Longhorns men's basketball|Texas]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|2
| align=center|44
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Joe|DeSantis}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Washington Bullets]]
| [[Fairfield Stags men's basketball|Fairfield]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|45
| {{sortname|Arvid|Kramer}}
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]]
| [[Augustana (South Dakota) Vikings|Augustana (SD)]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|46
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Andrew|Parker|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Washington Bullets]]
| [[Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball|Iowa State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|47
| {{sortname|Calvin|Garrett}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]] {{small|(from [[Cleveland Cavaliers|Cleveland]])}}
| [[Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball|Oral Roberts]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|48
| {{sortname|Terry|Duerod}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]]
| [[Detroit Titans men's basketball|Detroit]]<!--University of Detroit Mercy was called University of Detroit until 1990, and to this day brands itself as "Detroit" for athletics purposes.--> {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|49
| {{sortname|Cedrick|Hordges}}
| F/C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball|South Carolina]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|50
| {{sortname|Geoff|Huston|dab=basketball}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| [[Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball|Texas Tech]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|51
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|John|Gerdy|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| [[Davidson Wildcats men's basketball|Davidson]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|52
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Larry|Gibson|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| [[Maryland Terrapins men's basketball|Maryland]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|53
| {{sortname|Wayne|Kreklow}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Boston Celtics]] {{small|(from [[Indiana Pacers|Indiana]])}}
| [[Drake Bulldogs men's basketball|Drake]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|54
| {{sortname|Lynbert|Johnson}}
| G/F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]]
| [[Wichita State Shockers men's basketball|Wichita State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|55
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tom|Channel|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]
| [[Boston University Terriers men's basketball|Boston University]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|56
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mickey|Fox|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| [[Saint Mary's Huskies|Saint Mary's University (Canada)]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|57
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Don|Marsh|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| [[Franklin & Marshall College|Franklin & Marshall]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|58
| {{sortname|Earl|Cureton}}
| F/C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[Detroit Titans men's basketball|Detroit]]<!--University of Detroit Mercy was called University of Detroit until 1990, and to this day brands itself as "Detroit" for athletics purposes.--> {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|59
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ricardo|Brown|dab=basketball}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}{{refn|group=n|Brown later became a Filipino citizen and played for the [[Philippines men's national basketball team|Philippines national team]].}}
| [[Houston Rockets]]
| [[Pepperdine Waves|Pepperdine]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|60
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Walter|Daniels|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
| [[Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball|Georgia]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|61
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ernesto|Malcolm|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|Panama}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| [[Briar Cliff University|Briar Cliff]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|62
| {{sortname|Terry|Crosby}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Kansas City Kings]]
| [[Tennessee Volunteers basketball|Tennessee]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|63
| {{sortname|Sylvester|Norris|dab=basketball}}
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]]
| [[Jackson State Tigers basketball|Jackson State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|64
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Al|Green|dab=basketball}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}{{refn|group=n|Green later became an Australian citizen.}}
| [[Phoenix Suns]]
| [[LSU Tigers men's basketball|LSU]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|65
| bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|Bill|Laimbeer}}<sup>+</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] {{small|(from [[Seattle SuperSonics|Seattle]])}}
| [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball|Notre Dame]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|3
| align=center|66
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Charles|Floyd|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Washington Bullets]]
| [[High Point Panthers men's basketball|High Point]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|67
| {{sortname|Greg|Deane}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]]
| [[Utah Utes men's basketball|Utah]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|68
| bgcolor="#FFFF99"|{{sortname|Nikos|Galis}}<sup>^#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}{{refn|group=n|Galis became a naturalized Greek citizen and played for the [[Greece men's national basketball team|Greece national team]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Greeks Pin Basketball Hopes On U.S. Talent |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/indian-river-press-journal-greeks-pin-ba/159372292/ |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=Indian River Press Journal |date=December 18, 1985 |page=22 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| [[Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball|Seton Hall]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|69
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Eugene|Robinson|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| [[Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks men's basketball|Louisiana–Monroe]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|70
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Rick|Swing|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
| [[The Citadel Bulldogs basketball|The Citadel]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|71
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Larry|Rogers|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| U.S. Armed Forces {{small|([[Amateur Athletic Union|AAU]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|72
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|George|Maynor|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
| [[East Carolina Pirates men's basketball|East Carolina]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|73
| bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|James|Donaldson|dab=basketball}}<sup>+</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}{{refn|group=n|Donaldson was born in the United Kingdom.}}
| [[Seattle SuperSonics]] {{small|(from [[New Jersey Nets|New Jersey]])}}
| [[Washington State Cougars men's basketball|Washington State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|74
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Don|Newman|dab=basketball}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Indiana Pacers]]
| [[Idaho Vandals men's basketball|Idaho]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|75
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ron|Ripley|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]]
| [[Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball|Green Bay]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|76
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Sammy|Drummer|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Houston Rockets]]
| [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball|Georgia Tech]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|77
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Lionel|Garrett|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]
| [[Southern Jaguars basketball|Southern]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|78
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Darryl|Robinson|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| [[Appalachian State Mountaineers men's basketball|Appalachian State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|79
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ray|White|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
| [[Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball|Mississippi State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|80
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Lionel|Green|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Houston Rockets]]
| [[LSU Tigers men's basketball|LSU]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|81
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ricky|Reed|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
| [[Temple Owls men's basketball|Temple]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|82
| {{sortname|Jerry|Sichting}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]] {{small|(from [[Denver Nuggets|Denver]])}}
| [[Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball|Purdue]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|83
| {{sortname|Mike|Niles}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[Cal State Fullerton Titans|Cal State Fullerton]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|84
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Al|Daniel|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]]
| [[Furman Paladins men's basketball|Furman]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|85
| {{sortname|John|McCullough|dab=basketball}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Kansas City Kings]]
| [[Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball|Oklahoma]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|86
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Malcolm|Cesare|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Phoenix Suns]]
| [[Florida Gators men's basketball|Florida]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|87
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Richie|Allen|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Seattle SuperSonics]]
| [[Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros|Cal State Dominguez Hills]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|4
| align=center|88
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Lamont|Reid|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Washington Bullets]]
| [[Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball|Oral Roberts]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|89
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Wolfe|Perry}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]]
| [[Stanford Cardinal men's basketball|Stanford]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|90
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jimmy|Allen|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| [[New Haven Chargers|New Haven]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|91
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Matt|Simpkins|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
| [[Georgia Southern Eagles men's basketball|Georgia Southern]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|92
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Flintie Ray|Williams|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]]
| [[UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball|UNLV]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|93
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Larry|Washington|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
| [[Drury Panthers|Drury]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|94
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Johnny|Green|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| [[UC Riverside Highlanders men's basketball|UC Riverside]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|95
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jim|Abromaitis|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| [[UConn Huskies men's basketball|UConn]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|96
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|George|Lett|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]]
| [[Centenary Gentlemen basketball|Centenary]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|97
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| 
[[James “Turk” Tillman|Jim Tillman]]<!-- sort key -->{{DEFAULTSORT:Tillman, Jim}}
<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| [[Eastern Kentucky Colonels men's basketball|Eastern Kentucky]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|98
| {{sortname|Billy|Reid|dab=basketball}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Indiana Pacers]]
| [[San Francisco Dons men's basketball|San Francisco]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|99
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Greg|Joyner|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]
| [[Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders men's basketball|Middle Tennessee]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|100
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Matthew|White|dab=basketball}}<sup>#</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| [[Penn Quakers men's basketball|Penn]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|101
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Kendal|Pinder}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|Bahamas}}{{refn|group=n|Pinder possessed Australian citizenship from 1986 until it was revoked in 2007.}}
| [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| [[NC State Wolfpack men's basketball|NC State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|102
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Larry|Williams|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Denver Nuggets]]
| [[Louisville Cardinals men's basketball|Louisville]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|103
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Carl|McPipe|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball|Nebraska]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|104
| {{sortname|Allen|Leavell}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Houston Rockets]]
| [[Oklahoma City Stars men's basketball|Oklahoma City]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|105
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Curtis|Watkins|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Kansas City Kings]]
| [[DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball|DePaul]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|106
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Steve|Schall|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]]
| [[Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball|Arkansas]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|107
| bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|Mark|Eaton}}<sup>+</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Phoenix Suns]]
| [[Cypress College|Cypress JC]] {{small|([[Freshman|Fr.]])}}{{refn|group=n|Even though Mark Eaton was a freshman, he was eligible to be drafted because he was already four years out of high school and therefore he did not need to apply for early entry.<ref name="eaton"/>}}
|-
| align=center|5
| align=center|108
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Marshall|Ashford|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Washington Bullets]]
| [[Virginia Tech Hokies men's basketball|Virginia Tech]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|109
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ernie|Cobb|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]]
| [[Boston College Eagles men's basketball|Boston College]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|110
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Marvin|Delph}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| [[Athletes in Action]]
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|111
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Truman|Claytor|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]]
| [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|112
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jon|Manning|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
| [[North Texas Mean Green men's basketball|North Texas]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|113
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Phil|Abney|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| [[New Mexico Lobos men's basketball|New Mexico]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|114
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Steve|Smith|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
| [[USC Trojans men's basketball|USC]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|115
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tony|Smith|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| [[UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball|UNLV]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|116
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Derrick|Mayes|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| [[Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball|Illinois State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|117
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Greg|Guye|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Indiana Pacers]]
| [[Stetson Hatters men's basketball|Stetson]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|118
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jim|Mitchem|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]]
| [[DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball|DePaul]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|119
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bob|Bender}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]
| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|120
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ray|Ellis|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| [[Pepperdine Waves men's basketball|Pepperdine]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|121
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Dwight|Williams|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| [[Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs men's basketball|Gardner–Webb]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|122
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Odell|Ball|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Denver Nuggets]]
| [[Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball|Marquette]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|123
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Dan|Hartshorne|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Oregon]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|124
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Collie|Davis|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Houston Rockets]]
| [[Southern Jaguars basketball|Southern]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|125
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Terry|Knight|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]]
| [[Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball|Pittsburgh]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|126
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bob|Roma|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Kansas City Kings]]
| [[Princeton Tigers men's basketball|Princeton]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|127
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Dale|Shackleford|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Phoenix Suns]]
| [[Syracuse Orange men's basketball|Syracuse]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|6
| align=center|128
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Garcia|Hopkins|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Washington Bullets]]
| [[Morgan State Bears men's basketball|Morgan State]] {{small|([[Sophomore|So.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|129
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Paul|Poe|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]]
| [[Louisiana Christian Wildcats and Lady Wildcats|Louisiana College]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|130
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Steve|Castellan|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| [[Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball|Virginia]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|131
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Steve|Skaggs|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
| [[Ohio Bobcats men's basketball|Ohio]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|132
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ken|Jones|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]]
| [[Saint Mary's Gaels men's basketball|Saint Mary's]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|133
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mike|Eversley|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
| [[Chicago State Cougars men's basketball|Chicago State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|134
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Marc|Coleman|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| [[Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball|Seton Hall]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|135
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jim|Strickland|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball|South Carolina]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|136
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Dirk|Ewing|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Indiana Pacers]]
| [[Stetson Hatters men's basketball|Stetson]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|137
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ren|Watson|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]]
| [[VCU Rams men's basketball|VCU]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|138
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Stan|Ray|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| [[Cal State Fullerton Titans men's basketball|Cal State Fullerton]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|139
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jene|Grey|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]
| [[Le Moyne Dolphins|Le Moyne]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|140
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jeff|Tropf|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| [[Central Michigan Chippewas men's basketball|Central Michigan]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|141
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tim|Waterman|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| [[St. Bonaventure Bonnies men's basketball|St. Bonaventure]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|142
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bobby|Willis|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[Penn Quakers men's basketball|Penn]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|143
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Rich|Valavicius|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Houston Rockets]]
| [[Auburn Tigers men's basketball|Auburn]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|144
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|John|Johnson|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Denver Nuggets]]
| [[Creighton Bluejays men's basketball|Creighton]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|145
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Nick|Daniels|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Kansas City Kings]]
| [[Xavier Musketeers men's basketball|Xavier]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|146
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tyrone|Branyan|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]]
| [[Texas Longhorns men's basketball|Texas]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|7
| align=center|147
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ollie|Matson Jr.|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Phoenix Suns]]
| [[Pepperdine Waves men's basketball|Pepperdine]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-bgcolor="lightgray"
|style="text-align:center;"|7 <!-- in this position to match NBA's official table -->
!scope="row" colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | [[Washington Bullets]] {{small|(forfeited due to selection of ineligible player)}}{{refn|group=n|The Washington Bullets selected Conrad Whisenton who was a graduate student at the [[University of Alabama]] and had last played basketball at [[Fisk University]] in 1978. Whisenton had graduated from high school in 1974 which would have made him automatically eligible four years later for the [[1978 NBA draft]] where he was not selected. The NBA originally upheld the Bullets' selection of Whisenton but it was deemed ineligible several weeks later.<ref>{{cite web |title=Conrad Whisenton - Ineligible Draftees |url=https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9833 |website=The Draft Review |access-date=October 19, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|148
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Keith|McDonald|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]]
| [[Utah State Aggies men's basketball|Utah State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|149
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Glenn|Sudhop|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| [[NC State Wolfpack men's basketball|NC State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|150
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Rodney|Lee|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]]
| [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|Memphis]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|151
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mark|Haymore|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
| [[UMass Minutemen basketball|UMass]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|152
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Billy|Tucker|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| [[Tennessee State Tigers basketball|Tennessee State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|153
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tony|Warren|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
| [[NC State Wolfpack men's basketball|NC State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|154
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Henry|Hollingsworth|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| [[Hofstra Pride men's basketball|Hofstra]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|155
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mario|Butler}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|Panama}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]]
| [[Briar Cliff University|Briar Cliff]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|156
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Larry|Spicer|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| [[UAB Blazers men's basketball|UAB]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|157
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Brian|Magid|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Indiana Pacers]]
| [[George Washington Revolutionaries men's basketball|George Washington]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|158
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Renaldo|Lawrence|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]
| [[Appalachian State Mountaineers men's basketball|Appalachian State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|159
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Willie|Pounds|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| [[Chaminade Silverswords|Chaminade]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|160
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|John|Goedeke|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| [[UMBC Retrievers men's basketball|UMBC]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|161
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Delbert|Watson|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Houston Rockets]]
| [[East Tennessee State Buccaneers men's basketball|East Tennessee State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|162
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Matt|Teahan|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Denver Nuggets]]
| [[Denver Pioneers men's basketball|Denver]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|163
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Rick|Raivio}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[Portland Pilots men's basketball|Portland]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-bgcolor="lightgray"
|style="text-align:center;"|8 <!-- in this position to match NBA's official table -->
!scope="row" colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | [[San Antonio Spurs]] {{small|(forfeited due to selection of ineligible player)}}{{refn|group=n|The San Antonio Spurs attempted to select [[Ed "Too Tall" Jones]] who was a professional boxer and former football player at the time of drafting. The NBA disallowed the pick because Jones had been out of college for more than five years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ed "Too Tall" Jones - Ineligible Draftees |url=https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9834 |website=The Draft Review |access-date=October 19, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|164
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tony|Vann|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Kansas City Kings]]
| [[Alabama–Huntsville Chargers|Alabama–Huntsville]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|165
| {{sortname|Charles|Jones|dab=basketball, born 1957}}
| F/C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Phoenix Suns]]
| [[Albany State University|Albany State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|8
| align=center|166
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jo Jo|Walters|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Washington Bullets]]
| [[Manhattan Jaspers men's basketball|Manhattan]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|167
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Milt|Huggins|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]]
| [[Southern Illinois Salukis men's basketball|Southern Illinois]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|168
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Kevin|Sinnett|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| [[Navy Midshipmen men's basketball|Navy]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|169
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tim|Joyce|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
| [[Ohio Bobcats men's basketball|Ohio]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|170
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Val|Bracey}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]]
| [[Central Michigan Chippewas men's basketball|Central Michigan]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|171
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|James|Jackson|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
| [[Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball|Minnesota]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|172
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Brett|Wyatt|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| [[New Jersey City University|New Jersey City]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|173
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ricky|Free|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| [[Columbia Lions men's basketball|Columbia]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|174
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Roger|Lapham|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| [[Maine Black Bears men's basketball|Maine]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|175
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Gene|Ransom}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]]
| [[California Golden Bears men's basketball|California]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|176
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mike|Dodd}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]
| [[San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball|San Diego State]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|177
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Stan|Eckwood|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| [[Harding Bisons|Harding]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|178
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Cedric|Oliver|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| [[Hamilton College|Hamilton]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|179
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Emmett|Lewis|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Denver Nuggets]]
| [[Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball|Colorado]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|180
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Coby|Leavitt|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[Utah Utes men's basketball|Utah]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|181
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Gary|Wilson|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Kansas City Kings]]
| [[Southern Illinois Salukis men's basketball|Southern Illinois]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|182
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Eddie|McLeod|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]]
| [[UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball|UNLV]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|183
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Hosea|Champine|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Phoenix Suns]]
| [[Robert Morris Colonials men's basketball|Robert Morris]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|9
| align=center|184
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Gary Ray|Hooker|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Washington Bullets]]
| [[Murray State Racers men's basketball|Murray State]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|185
| {{sortname|Paul|Dawkins}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]]
| [[Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball|Northern Illinois]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|186
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Alton|Byrd}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}{{refn|group=n|Byrd gained British citizenship in 1984 and played for the [[England men's national basketball team|England national team]].}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| [[Columbia Lions men's basketball|Columbia]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|187
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Willie|Polk|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]]
| [[Grand Canyon Antelopes men's basketball|Grand Canyon]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|188
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Terry|Peavy|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
| [[Point Park University|Point Park]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|189
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Gordon|Thomas|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| [[St. John's Redmen basketball|St. John's]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|190
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Marvin|Thomas|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
| [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|191
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Eric|Fleisher|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| [[Tulane Green Wave men's basketball|Tulane]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|192
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Kevin|Heenan|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]]
| [[Cal State Fullerton Titans men's basketball|Cal State Fullerton]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|193
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Chris|Fahrbach|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| [[North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's basketball|North Dakota]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|194
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Greg|Hunter|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]
| [[Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball|Loyola Marymount]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|195
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Kelvin|Small|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Oregon]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|196
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Chad|Nelson|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| C
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| [[Drake Bulldogs men's basketball|Drake]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|197
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Cortez|Collins|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
| [[Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles men's basketball|Southern Indiana]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|198
| {{sortname|Keith|McCord}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[UAB Blazers men's basketball|UAB]] {{small|([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|199
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Glenn|Fine}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]]
| [[Harvard Crimson men's basketball|Harvard]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|200
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Russell|Saunders|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Kansas City Kings]]
| [[New Mexico Lobos men's basketball|New Mexico]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|201
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Korky|Nelson|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Phoenix Suns]]
| [[Santa Clara Broncos men's basketball|Santa Clara]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|-
| align=center|10
| align=center|202
| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Steve|Martin|nolink=1}}<sup>#</sup>
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Washington Bullets]]
| [[Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball|Georgetown]] {{small|([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])}}
|}

==Notable undrafted players==
{{further|List of undrafted NBA players}}
These players were not selected in the 1979 draft but played at least one game in the NBA.
{| class="wikitable sortable sortable"
|-
!style="width:19%;"| Player
!style="width:1%;"| Pos.
!style="width:16%;"| Nationality
!style="width:20%;"| School/club team
|-
| {{sortname|Norman|Black}}
| G/F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball|Saint Joseph's]] <small>([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])</small>
|-
| {{sortname|Alan|Hardy|dab=basketball}}
| G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|Michigan]] <small>([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])</small>
|-
| {{sortname|Bill|Mayfield}}
| F
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball|Iowa]] <small>([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])</small>
|}

==Trades==
*{{note label|Note1|a|a}} On August 5, 1976, the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] acquired 1977, 1978 and 1979 first-round picks, and a 1980 second-round pick from the [[New Orleans Jazz (NBA team)|New Orleans Jazz]] in exchange for a 1978 first-round pick and a 1977 second-round pick. This trade was arranged as compensation when the Jazz signed [[Gail Goodrich]] on July 19, 1976.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/carrke01.html|title=Kenny Carr Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> The Lakers used the pick to draft Magic Johnson.
*{{note label|Note2|b|b 1}}{{note label|Note2|b|2}}{{note label|Note2|b|3}} On February 12, 1979, the [[New York Knicks]] acquired three first-round picks from the [[Boston Celtics]] in exchange for [[Bob McAdoo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcadobo01.html|title=Bob McAdoo Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101204233753/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcadobo01.html| archive-date= 4 December 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Previously, the Celtics acquired a first-round pick on January 30, 1979, from the [[Golden State Warriors]] in exchange for [[Jo Jo White]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/whitejo01.html|title=Jo Jo White Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100915071744/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/whitejo01.html| archive-date= 15 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Celtics also acquired a first-round pick on January 17, 1979, from the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] in exchange for [[Dennis Awtrey]].<ref name="awtrey">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/awtrede01.html|title=Dennis Awtrey Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> The Knicks used the picks to draft Bill Cartwright, Larry Demic and Sly Williams.
*{{note label|Note3|c|c 1}}{{note label|Note3|c|2}} On the draft-day, the [[Detroit Pistons]] acquired the fifth pick from the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in exchange for the sixth pick and cash considerations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kelsegr01.html|title=Greg Kelser Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> Previously, the Bucks acquired the pick from the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] on June 1, 1978, in exchange for a 1978 first-round pick.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchmi01.html|title=Mike Mitchell Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100925024646/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchmi01.html| archive-date= 25 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Pistons used the pick to draft Greg Kelser. The Bucks used the pick to draft Sidney Moncrief
*{{note label|Note4|d|d}} On October 24, 1975, the Seattle SuperSonics acquired [[Gene Short]] and a first-round pick from the New York Knicks in exchange for [[Spencer Haywood]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywosp01.html|title=Spencer Haywood Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100925003508/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywosp01.html| archive-date= 25 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Sonics used the pick to draft James Bailey.
*{{note label|Note5|e|e}} On October 4, 1978, the Seattle SuperSonics acquired [[Lonnie Shelton]] and a 1979 first-round pick from the New York Knicks in exchange for a 1981 first-round pick. This trade was arranged as compensation when the Knicks signed [[Marvin Webster]] on September 29, 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sheltlo01.html|title=Lonnie Shelton Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> Previously, the Knicks acquired the 1978 and 1979 first-round picks on June 8, 1978, from the [[New Jersey Nets]] in exchange for [[Phil Jackson]], a 1978 first-round pick and US$3.2-million settlement of their indemnification debt to the Knicks.<ref name="archibald">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksph01.html|title=Phil Jackson Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0615FE3B5513728DDDA00894DE405B888BF1D3|title=Nets Get Phil Jackson as Part Of a Settlement With Knicks; Nets' Other Concessions Another Indemnity Nets Sign Jackson as Part Of a Settlement With Knicks Top Choices|first=Sam|last=Goldaper|date=June 9, 1978|work=The New York Times |access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> The Sonics used the pick to draft Vinnie Johnson.
*{{note label|Note6|f|f}} On May 31, 1979, the New Jersey Nets acquired [[John Gianelli]] and the eighth pick from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for [[Harvey Catchings]].<ref name="gianelli">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gianejo01.html|title=John Gianelli Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> Previously, the Bucks acquired the pick on June 8, 1978, from the [[Indiana Pacers]] as compensation for the signing of [[Alex English]] as a free agent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/englial01.html|title=Alex English Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> The Nets used the pick to draft Calvin Natt.
*{{note label|Note7|g|g}} On November 23, 1977, the Detroit Pistons acquired [[Gus Gerard]], [[John Shumate]] and 1979 first-round pick from the [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]] in exchange for [[Marvin Barnes]], a 1978 second-round pick and a 1978 fourth-round pick.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barnema01.html|title=Marvin Barnes Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> Previously, the Clippers acquired the pick on September 2, 1977, from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for John Gianelli.<ref name="gianelli"/> The Pistons used the pick to draft Roy Hamilton.
*{{note label|Note8|h|h}} On September 1, 1977, the New Jersey Nets acquired [[George E. Johnson (basketball)|George E. Johnson]], 1978 and 1979 first-round picks from the San Diego Clippers in exchange for [[Nate Archibald]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/architi01.html|title=Tiny Archibald Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100925014444/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/architi01.html| archive-date= 25 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Nets used the pick to draft Cliff Robinson.
*{{note label|Note9|i|i}} On June 9, 1978, the Indiana Pacers acquired a first-round pick from the [[Atlanta Hawks]] as compensation for the signing of [[Dan Roundfield]] as a free agent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roundda01.html|title=Dan Roundfield Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100925002012/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roundda01.html| archive-date= 25 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Pacers used the pick to draft Dudley Bradley.
*{{note label|Note10|j|j}} On February 1, 1978, the Detroit Pistons acquired [[Jim Price (basketball)|Jim Price]] and a first-round pick from the [[Denver Nuggets]] in exchange for [[Ralph Simpson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simpsra01.html|title=Ralph Simpson Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100925050705/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simpsra01.html| archive-date= 25 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Pistons used the pick to draft Phil Hubbard.
*{{note label|Note11|k|k}} On January 12, 1979, the Utah Jazz acquired [[Marty Byrnes]], [[Ron Lee]], 1979 and 1980 first-round picks from the [[Phoenix Suns]] in exchange for [[Truck Robinson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robintr01.html|title=Truck Robinson Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100925003125/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robintr01.html| archive-date= 25 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Jazz used the pick to draft Larry Knight.
*{{note label|Note12|l|l}} On June 22, 1979, the Phoenix Suns acquired the 22nd pick and a 1980 third-round pick from the [[Washington Bullets]] in exchange for [[Steve Malovic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malovst01.html|title=Steve Malovic Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> The Suns used the pick to draft Kyle Macy.
*{{note label|Note13|m|m}} On October 11, 1978, the Phoenix Suns acquired a second-round pick from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Dennis Awtrey.<ref name="awtrey"/> The Suns used the pick to draft Johnny High.

==Early entrants==
===College underclassmen===
For the second year in a row, no underclassmen decided to opt out of the NBA draft, with only four total players deciding to declare entry into this year's draft. The following [[college basketball]] players successfully applied for early draft entrance.<ref>{{cite web |title=1979 Underclassmen |url=https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3026:1979-underclassmen&catid=136&Itemid=384 |website=The Draft Review | date=August 4, 2007 |access-date=December 13, 2022}}</ref>

{{div col}}
* {{flagicon|USA}} Garcia Hopkins – F, [[Morgan State Bears men's basketball|Morgan State]] (sophomore)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Magic Johnson]] – G, [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]] (sophomore)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Cliff Robinson (basketball, born 1960)|Cliff Robinson]] – F, [[USC Trojans men's basketball|USC]] (sophomore)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Sly Williams]] – F/G, [[Rhode Island Rams men's basketball|Rhode Island]] (junior)
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=n}}

==See also==
* [[List of first overall NBA draft picks]]


==References==
;General
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1970s.html|title=Complete First Round Results 1970–79|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=October 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727025331/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1970s.html|archive-date=July 27, 2010|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1979.html|title=1979 NBA Draft|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=October 1, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100910060137/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1979.html| archive-date= 10 September 2010 | url-status= live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.apbr.org/7781drft.html|title=1977–1981 NBA Drafts|publisher=The Association for Professional Basketball Research|access-date=October 1, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100917075528/http://apbr.org/7781drft.html| archive-date= 17 September 2010 | url-status= live}}
{{refend}}

;Specific
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.nba.com/ NBA.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090315112610/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_index.html NBA.com: NBA Draft History]
*{{cite web |title=The NBA decided the 1980s with a coin flip |work=[[SB Nation]] |date=July 5, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfoI5hRXxo8&index=1&list=PLUXSZMIiUfFQlMgY0j31ftjqSqZB5BF3p  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/CfoI5hRXxo8 |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|via=[[YouTube]] }}{{cbignore}}

{{NBA Drafts}}
{{NBA Draft history by team}}
{{1979 NBA draft}}
{{1979–80 NBA season by team}}

[[Category:1979–80 NBA season|Draft]]
[[Category:NBA draft]]
[[Category:June 1979 sports events in the United States|NBA draft]]
[[Category:1979 in sports in New York City|NBA draft]]
[[Category:1970s in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Basketball in New York City]]
[[Category:Sporting events in New York City]]
[[Category:Sports in Manhattan]]