1997 NBA draft
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox sports draft The 1997 NBA draft took place on June 25, 1997, at Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Vancouver Grizzlies had the highest probability to win the NBA draft lottery, but since they were an expansion team along with the Toronto Raptors they were not allowed to select first in this draft. Although the Boston Celtics had the second-worst record in the 1996–97 season and the best odds (36 percent) of winning the lottery with two picks, the Spurs lost David Robinson and Sean Elliott to injury early in the season, finished with the third-worst record, and subsequently won the lottery. Leading up to the draft, there was no doubt that Tim Duncan would be selected at No. 1 by the Spurs as he was considered to be far and away the best prospect. After Duncan, the rest of the draft was regarded with some skepticism.[1] The Celtics had the third and sixth picks, selecting Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer, both of whom were traded in the next two years.
Duncan became the Spurs' franchise player and in a 19-year career spent entirely in San Antonio, he led the Spurs to five NBA championships, winning NBA Finals MVP in three of those campaigns. In addition, Duncan was a two-time NBA MVP, 15-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA and 15-time All-Defensive team selection. Billups went on to earn five All-Star selections and won Finals MVP honors in Template:Nbafy with the Detroit Pistons. The ninth pick, Tracy McGrady, captured two NBA scoring titles and was named to seven All-Star and All-NBA teams.
The Washington Wizards forfeited their 1997 first-round pick in connection with the signing of Juwan Howard. (Washington would have had the 17th pick.) Thus, the draft only had 28 first-round selections and 57 selections overall.
Draft selections
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| PG | Point guard | SG | Shooting guard | SF | Small forward | PF | Power forward | C | Center |
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NationalityTemplate:Refn | NBA team | School/Club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Tim Duncan^~ | PF/C | Script error: No such module "flag".Template:Refn | San Antonio Spurs | Wake Forest (Sr.) |
| 1 | 2 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Philadelphia 76ers | Utah (Sr.) |
| 1 | 3 | Script error: No such module "Sort".^ | PG | Template:Flagu | Boston Celtics | Colorado (So.) |
| 1 | 4 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Vancouver Grizzlies | Bowling Green (Sr.) |
| 1 | 5 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C/F | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets | Texas Tech (Jr.) |
| 1 | 6 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Boston Celtics (from Dallas) | Kentucky (So.) |
| 1 | 7 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | New Jersey Nets | Villanova (Fr.) |
| 1 | 8 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Golden State Warriors | Colgate (Jr.) |
| 1 | 9 | Script error: No such module "Sort".^ | SG/SF | Template:Flagu | Toronto Raptors | Mt. Zion Christian Academy (Durham, North Carolina) |
| 1 | 10 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks | Cincinnati (Jr.) |
| 1 | 11 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Script error: No such module "flag". | Sacramento Kings | San Jose State (Sr.) |
| 1 | 12 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Indiana Pacers | Providence (Sr.) |
| 1 | 13 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Cleveland Cavaliers | Kentucky (Sr.) |
| 1 | 14 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Clippers | Michigan (Jr.) |
| 1 | 15 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Dallas Mavericks (from Minnesota) | Iowa State (Jr.) |
| 1 | 16 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Cleveland Cavaliers (from Phoenix) | Stanford (Sr.) |
| 1 | 17 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Orlando Magic | Chattanooga (Sr.) |
| 1 | 18 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Script error: No such module "flag". | Portland Trail Blazers | SE Melbourne Magic (Australia) |
| 1 | 19 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Detroit Pistons | Kansas (Sr.) |
| 1 | 20 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Minnesota Timberwolves (from Charlotte via Milwaukee and Portland) | Wisconsin (Sr.) |
| 1 | 21 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | New Jersey Nets (from L.A. Lakers) | Bradley (Sr.) |
| 1 | 22 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG/SG | Template:Flagu | Atlanta Hawks | California (Sr.) |
| 1 | 23 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Seattle SuperSonics | Minnesota (Sr.) |
| 1 | 24 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Houston Rockets | USC (Sr.) |
| 1 | 25 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | New York Knicks | Minnesota (Sr.) |
| 1 | 26 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Miami Heat | New Mexico (Sr.) |
| 1 | 27 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Utah Jazz | Kansas (Sr.) |
| 1 | 28 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Chicago Bulls | Maryland (Sr.) |
| 2 | 29 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | C | Template:Flagu | Houston Rockets (from Vancouver) | North Carolina (Sr.) |
| 2 | 30 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SF/PF | Template:Flagu | Miami Heat (from Boston) | Washington (Jr.) |
| 2 | 31 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Detroit Pistons (from San Antonio) | UCLA (Sr.) |
| 2 | 32 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets | Long Beach State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 33 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG/SG | Script error: No such module "flag". | Philadelphia 76ers | Smelt Olimpija (Slovenia) |
| 2 | 34 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF/PF | Template:Flagu | Dallas Mavericks | Austin Peay (Sr.) |
| 2 | 35 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF/PF | Template:Flagu | Philadelphia 76ers (from New Jersey Nets) | Cal State Bakersfield (Sr.) |
| 2 | 36 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG/SG | Template:Flagu | Philadelphia 76ers(from Toronto) | Florida State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 37 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF/PF | Template:Flagu | Golden State Warriors | Temple (Sr.) |
| 2 | 38 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks | Tulane (Sr.) |
| 2 | 39 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG/SG | Template:Flagu | Sacramento Kings | College of Charleston (Sr.) |
| 2 | 40 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SF | Template:Flagu | Seattle SuperSonics(from L.A. Clippers) | Georgia Tech (Sr.) |
| 2 | 41 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets(from Indiana) | Villanova (Sr.) |
| 2 | 42 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Phoenix Suns | Butler CC (Sr.) |
| 2 | 43 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SF | Template:Flagu | Minnesota Timberwolves | West Virginia (Sr.) |
| 2 | 44 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Cleveland Cavaliers | Memphis (Sr.) |
| 2 | 45 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Washington Bullets | Providence (So.) |
| 2 | 46 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Orlando Magic(traded to Denver) | Alabama (Sr.) |
| 2 | 47 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Portland Trail Blazers | Villanova (Sr.) |
| 2 | 48 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Washington Bullets (from Charlotte) | KK Partizan (Yugoslavia) |
| 2 | 49 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SG | Template:Flagu | Atlanta Hawks(from Detroit) | ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne (France) |
| 2 | 50 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Atlanta Hawks | Marquette (Sr.) |
| 2 | 51 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Lakers | Louisville (Sr.) |
| 2 | 52 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PG/SG | Template:Flagu | Vancouver Grizzlies(from Houston) | Indian Hills CC (So.) |
| 2 | 53 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | C | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Lakers (from New York) | Gonzaga (Sr.) |
| 2 | 54 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Seattle SuperSonics | Pittsburgh (So.) |
| 2 | 55 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | C | Template:Flagu | Boston Celtics (from Miami) | Newcastle Falcons (Australia) |
| 2 | 56 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SG | Template:Flagu | Utah Jazz | Oklahoma (Senior) |
| 2 | 57 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Chicago Bulls | FC Barcelona (Spain) |
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
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Notable undrafted players
Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". These players eligible for the 1997 NBA Draft were not selected but played in the NBA.
| Player | Pos. | Nationality | School/Club team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Liberty (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Beijing Ducks (China) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | F | Template:Flagu | Auburn Montgomery (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Auburn (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Norwich Neptunes (Atlantic Basketball Association) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Texas (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF/C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Providence (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Memphis (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | G | Template:Flagu | Santa Clara (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Illinois (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Missouri (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | G | Template:Flagu | Southern Illinois (Jr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Central Michigan (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | G | Template:Flagu | Houston (Jr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | The College of Saint Rose (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | East Carolina (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | F/C | Template:Flagu | Nebraska (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | F | Template:Flagu | Miami (Ohio) (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Atenas (Argentina) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | G | Template:Flagu | The Master's (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Virginia (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Tulsa (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Louisville (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | F/C | Template:Flagu | California (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Iowa State (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Minnesota (Sr.) |
Early entrants
College underclassmen
This year saw a continued rise of collegiate underclassmen and other players of similar nature declaring entry into the NBA draft. This year initially saw a total of 47 eligible players enter the draft at first, but seven of these players (including Cory Carr from Texas Tech University, former DePaul University player Ronnie Fields from the St. Paul Slam! in the International Basketball Association, the Greek born Dimitrios Papanikolaou of the Olympiacos Piraeus B.C. in Greece, Larell Redic from Utah State University, Dawood Thomas from the California University of Pennsylvania, the Turkish-Yugoslavian born Mirsad Türkcan of the Efes Pilsen in Turkey, and the Argentinian-Spanish born Lucas Victoriano of the Olimpia Venado Tuerto in Argentina) would later decline their entry for this year's draft. Including the likes of high school phenom Tracy McGrady from Mount Zion Christian Academy, the Slovenian born Marko Milič of the Smelt Olimpija in Slovenia, and former Central Connecticut State University player Keith Closs of the Norwich Neptunes from the Atlantic Basketball Association minor league, the number of qualified underclassmen would increase from 37 only in college to 40 total players. Regardless, the following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[2]
<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>
- Template:Flagicon Gracen Averil – G, Texas Tech (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Tony Battie – F/C, Texas Tech (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Chauncey Billups – G, Colorado (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Carl Blanton – F, Sinclair CC (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Mark Blount – C/F, Pittsburgh (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon C. J. Bruton – G, Indian Hills CC (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Dan Buie – F, Washburn (junior)
- Template:Flagicon James Cotton – G, Long Beach State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Tony Doyle – F, Columbia (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Ian Folmar – F, Slippery Rock (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Danny Fortson – F, Cincinnati (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Adonal Foyle – C/F, Colgate (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Darryl Hardy – F, Winston–Salem State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Antjonne Holmes – F, Central Baptist (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Troy Hudson – G, Southern Illinois (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Marc Jackson – F/C, Temple
- Template:Flagicon Stephen Jackson – F/G, Butler CC (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Ed Jenkins – F, Ohio State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Marcus Johnson – F, Long Beach State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Damon Jones – G, Houston (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Nate Langley – G, George Mason (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Keith Love – G, Rosary (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Gordon Malone – F, West Virginia (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Amere May – F, Shaw (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Elgie McCoy – F, Kutztown (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Ron Mercer – G/F, Kentucky (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Victor Page – G, Georgetown (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Shawn Ritzie – G, Norwalk CC (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Paul Rogers – F/C, Gonzaga (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Bryon Ruffner – F, BYU (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Olivier Saint-Jean – San Jose State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Mark Sanford – F, Washington (junior)
- Template:Flagicon God Shammgod – G, Providence (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Maurice Taylor – F, Michigan (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Tim Thomas – F, Villanova (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Mark Young – F, Kansas State (junior)
High school players
This would be the third year in a row where high school players were allowed entry into the NBA draft after previously only doing it back in 1975. However, only one player would go directly from high school to enter the NBA this year. The following high school player successfully applied for early draft entrance.[2]
International players
This year, only one international born player would officially enter the NBA draft after seeing three other international players initially declare their interest in entering this year's draft. The following international player successfully applied for early draft entrance.[2]
Other eligible players
This year marked the third time in NBA history (the first two times being in 1971 and 1987) that an eligible underclassman player of sorts would declare entry for an NBA draft by playing minor league basketball within the U.S.A. first (as well as have it be the first time that it wouldn't involve the Continental Basketball Association or its previous name in the Eastern Basketball Association). It would also be the fourth time that a player would declare entry while also playing in another American basketball league, with the second case of this occurring in 1973 with David Brent being allowed entry into the NBA draft despite him already playing for the Carolina Cougars of the rivaling American Basketball Association at the time.
| Player | <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />TeamScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon Keith Closs | Norwich Neptunes (Atlantic Basketball Association) | Left Central Connecticut in 1996; playing professionally since the 1996–97 season | [3] |
See also
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
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External links
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- 1997 NBA Draft at Basketball-reference
Template:NBA Drafts Template:NBA Draft history by team Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Team roster navbox Template:NBA on TNT