1991 NBA draft
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Infobox sports draft The 1991 NBA draft took place on June 26, 1991, in New York City, New York. Larry Johnson was selected first overall; he won the 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year award and as a two-time All-Star, was the first player to represent the Charlotte Hornets franchise at an All-Star game.
Dikembe Mutombo was selected fourth overall, and became one of the greatest defensive centers in the history of the league. He was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner and an eight-time All-Star, and played in the league for 18 seasons.[1]
Other notable picks include Kenny Anderson, Steve Smith, Terrell Brandon, Dale Davis and Chris Gatling, who all made All-Star appearances, but with the exception of Brandon at two, each only appeared once.
The remaining picks in the first round failed to make an impact. Billy Owens was selected by the Sacramento Kings but refused to sign with them. He was traded to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for high-scoring guard Mitch Richmond.[2] Owens was solid but unspectacular in his career, while Richmond was a six-time All-Star and was the 1989 NBA Rookie of the Year.[2] Luc Longley was a three-time NBA Championship winner with the Chicago Bulls and held the record for playing the most NBA games by an Australian (broken by Andrew Bogut during the 2015–16 season).
As of 2024, three players are deceased: Bobby Phills, Bison Dele, and Dikembe Mutombo. Phills died in a car accident involving teammate David Wesley. Dele disappeared in the South Pacific in July 2002, with French authorities claiming that Dele's brother had killed Dele and his girlfriend and thrown them overboard the catamaran they were travelling on. Dele's brother committed suicide in September 2002. Mutombo died from brain cancer on September 30, 2024.
This was the last draft held in New York City until 2001.
Draft
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| PG | Point guard | SG | Shooting guard | SF | Small forward | PF | Power forward | C | Center |
| <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Rnd.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />PickScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Player | <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />NationalityScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Refn | Team | <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />School / club teamScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Script error: No such module "Sort".* | PF | Template:Flagu | Charlotte Hornets | UNLV (Sr.) |
| 1 | 2 | Script error: No such module "Sort".+ | PG | Template:Flagu | New Jersey Nets | Georgia Tech (So.) |
| 1 | 3 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Sacramento Kings (traded to Golden State) | Syracuse (Jr.) |
| 1 | 4 | Script error: No such module "Sort".^ | C | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets | Georgetown (Sr.) |
| 1 | 5 | Script error: No such module "Sort".+ | SG | Template:Flagu | Miami Heat | Michigan State (Sr.) |
| 1 | 6 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Dallas Mavericks | Missouri (Sr.) |
| 1 | 7 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Minnesota Timberwolves | New Mexico (Sr.) |
| 1 | 8 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets (from Washington) | Temple (Sr.) |
| 1 | 9 | Stacey Augmon | SG/SF | Template:Flagu | Atlanta Hawks (from L.A. Clippers) | UNLV (Sr.) |
| 1 | 10 | Script error: No such module "Sort".<templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>[Note 1] | PF/C | Template:Flagu | Orlando Magic | Arizona (Jr.) |
| 1 | 11 | Script error: No such module "Sort".+ | PG | Template:Flagu | Cleveland Cavaliers | Oregon (Jr.) |
| 1 | 12 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | New York Knicks | UNLV (Sr.) |
| 1 | 13 | Script error: No such module "Sort".+ | PF | Template:Flagu | Indiana Pacers | Clemson (Sr.) |
| 1 | 14 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Seattle SuperSonics | Nebraska (Sr.) |
| 1 | 15 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Atlanta Hawks | Seton Hall (Sr.) |
| 1 | 16 | Script error: No such module "Sort".+ | PF | Template:Flagu | Golden State Warriors (from Philadelphia) | Old Dominion (Sr.) |
| 1 | 17 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Golden State Warriors | Iowa State (Sr.) |
| 1 | 18 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks | Southwestern Louisiana (Sr.) |
| 1 | 19 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Washington Bullets (from Detroit via Dallas and Denver) | Louisville (Sr.) |
| 1 | 20 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Houston Rockets | Phillips (Sr.) |
| 1 | 21 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Utah Jazz | Providence (Sr.) |
| 1 | 22 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Clippers (from Phoenix via Seattle) | Syracuse (Sr.) |
| 1 | 23 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Orlando Magic (from San Antonio) | Real Madrid (Spain) |
| 1 | 24 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Boston Celtics | North Carolina (Sr.) |
| 1 | 25 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PF | Template:Flagu | Golden State Warriors (from L.A. Lakers) | Colorado (Sr.) |
| 1 | 26 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Chicago Bulls | Kansas (Sr.) |
| 1 | 27 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Sacramento Kings (from Portland) | North Carolina (Sr.) |
| 2 | 28 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | G/F | Template:Flagu | Charlotte Hornets (from Denver) | Minnesota (Sr.) |
| 2 | 29 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | C/PF | Template:Flagu | Miami Heat | UNLV (Sr.) |
| 2 | 30 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | G/F | Template:Flagu | Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento) | NC State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 31 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Sacramento Kings (from New Jersey) | New Mexico State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 32 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Phoenix Suns (from Charlotte) | Creighton (Sr.) |
| 2 | 33 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Dallas Mavericks | Temple (Jr.) |
| 2 | 34 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | G | Template:Flagu | Minnesota Timberwolves | Slippery Rock (Sr.) |
| 2 | 35 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | G | Template:Flagu | Dallas Mavericks (from Washington via Sacramento) | Saint Francis (PA) (Sr.) |
| 2 | 36 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | G | Template:Flagu | Orlando Magic | NC State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 37 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Clippers | Memphis State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 38 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PF | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Clippers (from Cleveland) | Miami (FL) (Sr.) |
| 2 | 39 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | G/F | Template:Flagu | Cleveland Cavaliers (from New York via Charlotte) | Purdue (Sr.) |
| 2 | 40 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Detroit Pistons (from Seattle) | La Salle (Sr.) |
| 2 | 41 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | F/G | Template:Flagu | Indiana Pacers | Iona (Sr.) |
| 2 | 42 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SF | Template:Flagu | Sacramento Kings (from Atlanta) | James Madison (Sr.) |
| 2 | 43 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | G | Template:Flagu | Golden State Warriors | Christopher Newport (Sr.) |
| 2 | 44 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Philadelphia 76ers | Houston (Sr.) |
| 2 | 45 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks | Southern (Sr.) |
| 2 | 46 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | F | Template:Flagu | Phoenix Suns (from Detroit) | Hapoel Holon (Israel) |
| 2 | 47 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PF | Template:Flagu | Houston Rockets | Rutgers (Sr.) |
| 2 | 48 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Utah Jazz | Arizona State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 49 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | G | Template:Flagu | San Antonio Spurs | Oral Roberts (Sr.) |
| 2 | 50 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SG | Template:Flagu | Phoenix Suns | Texas (Sr.) |
| 2 | 51 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag".Template:Refn | Houston Rockets (from Boston via New Jersey and Cleveland) | KK Split (Yugoslavia) |
| 2 | 52 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SF | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Lakers | Oral Roberts (Sr.) |
| 2 | 53 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SG | Template:Flagu | New Jersey Nets (from Chicago) | Milwaukee (Sr.) |
| 2 | 54 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PF | Template:Flagu | Portland Trail Blazers | Eastern Michigan (Sr.) |
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
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Notable undrafted players
Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". These eligible players were not selected in the 1991 NBA draft but have played at least one game in the NBA.
| Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Fayetteville State (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Dartmouth (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Minnesota (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C/PF | Script error: No such module "flag". | Adelaide 36ers (Australia) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Michigan (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Virginia (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG/SF | Template:Flagu | Kentucky Wesleyan (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG/SG | Template:Flagu | Delaware State (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Ole Miss (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Script error: No such module "flag". | S.C. Juventus Phonola Caserta (Italy) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Nebraska (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Minnesota–Duluth (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Kentucky (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Louisville (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | East Tennessee State (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | New Mexico State (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Maryland (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | F | Template:Flagu | UCLA (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | USC (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Coppin State (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Augustana (South Dakota) (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Eastern Michigan (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Eastern Michigan (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Northern Illinois (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF/C | Template:Flagu | Stetson (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | South Carolina State (Sr.) |
Early entrants
College underclassmen
For the ninth year in a row and the thirteenth time in fourteen years, no college underclassman would withdraw their entry into the NBA draft. Not only that, but this would be the second time in NBA history (and the second time in three years) where an international player would be considered a direct underclassman to participate in an NBA draft, with Žan Tabak of the KK POP 84 of the Eastern Bloc nation known as SFR Yugoslavia (now since separated, with Tabak representing Croatia) being the first ever international underclassman to be taken directly from an overseas team without previously going to an American college or playing for any prior American institution (the first being fellow Yugoslavian Vlade Divac). In addition to that, this was also the sixth straight year where at least one player that previously played basketball collegiately would go play professionally overseas, with Richard Dumas from Oklahoma State University would play for Hapoel Holon B.C. in Israel, the Israeli born Nadav Henefeld from the University of Connecticut would play for the rivaling Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. in his home nation, and Stanley Roberts from Louisiana State University would play for Real Madrid Baloncesto in Spain. Including those four people, the total number of underclassmen would increase from ten to fourteen players. Regardless, the following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[3]
<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>
- Template:Flagicon Kenny Anderson – G, Georgia Tech (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Terrell Brandon – G, Oregon (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Tony Farmer – F, Nebraska (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Jerome Harmon – G, Louisville (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Donald Hodge – C, Temple (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Anderson Hunt – G, UNLV (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Raoul Hutchens – G, Whittier (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Ty Moseler – G, Waukesha County Tech (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Chancellor Nichols – F, James Madison (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Billy Owens – F, Syracuse (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Brian Williams – F/C, Arizona (junior)
International players
This would be the second time in NBA history where an international born and raised player would be considered an underclassman in an NBA draft, as well as the second time a player from the now-former nation of SFR Yugoslavia would enter the NBA draft as such a player. The following international player successfully applied for early draft entrance.[3]
Other eligible players
This would be the sixth year in a row with at least one player that previously played in college entering the NBA draft as an underclassman, as well as the first year where multiple underclassmen that went overseas to play professionally would play in the same nation as each other (albeit for different teams).
| Player | <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />TeamScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon Richard Dumas | Hapoel Holon (Israel) | Left Oklahoma State in 1990; playing professionally since the 1990–91 season | [4] |
| Template:Flagicon Nadav Henefeld | Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) | Left UConn in 1990; playing professionally since the 1990–91 season | [5] |
| Template:Flagicon Stanley Roberts | Real Madrid (Spain) | Left LSU in 1990; playing professionally since the 1990–91 season | [6] |
Notes
- <templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^ Brian Williams changed his name to Bison Dele in 1998.[7]
See also
References
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External links
Template:NBA Drafts Template:NBA Draft history by team Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Team roster navbox Template:NBA on TNT Template:NBA Radio Network