1998 NBA draft
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox sports draft The 1998 NBA draft took place on June 24, 1998, at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This draft helped turn around four struggling franchises: the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings, the Boston Celtics, and the Toronto Raptors.
The Vancouver Grizzlies and the Toronto Raptors were not able to win the NBA draft lottery; as they were expansion teams, they were not allowed to select first in this draft.
The Mavericks, despite having a talented nucleus of Jason Kidd, Jamal Mashburn and Jimmy Jackson in the mid-1990s, had not had a winning season since 1989-90, which was also the last time they made the playoffs. By the end of the 1997 season, all three players were traded and it was time to rebuild. With the sixth selection in 1998, they drafted Robert Traylor and quickly traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks for Dirk Nowitzki and Pat Garrity. They then traded Garrity in a package to the Phoenix Suns for Steve Nash. With Nash and Nowitzki, the Mavericks quickly went from a lottery team in the late 1990s to a perennial playoff contender throughout the 2000s. Nowitzki went on to win the 2011 NBA Finals with Dallas without Nash, but with Kidd.
Meanwhile, the Raptors were a recent expansion team that had failed to win more than 30 games in its first three seasons. With the fourth pick they selected Antawn Jamison, whom they quickly dealt to the Golden State Warriors for Vince Carter. Carter went on to win Rookie of the Year.
First overall pick Michael Olowokandi from mid-major University of the Pacific is regarded by Sports Illustrated as one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history.[1] As of February 2019, he is the last top selection to come out of a university that is considered mid-major.
Five players from the 1998 draft class played in the NBA All-Star Game at least once in their careers: Nowitzki, Carter, Jamison, Paul Pierce and Rashard Lewis. All of them except Lewis scored at least 20,000 career points.
Carter retired in 2020, making him the last active player drafted in the 1990s to retire. He set the record for most seasons played in the NBA with 22, becoming the first player to ever appear in NBA games in four different decades. Nowitzki missed the same four-decade status by nine months, retiring from the Mavericks in April 2019 as the first player to ever spend more than 20 NBA seasons with one team.
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 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Clippers | Pacific (Sr.) |
| 1 | 2 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Vancouver Grizzlies | Arizona (So.) |
| 1 | 3 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C/F | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets | Kansas (Sr.) |
| 1 | 4 | Script error: No such module "Sort".+ | F | Template:Flagu | Toronto Raptors (traded to Golden State) | North Carolina (Jr.) |
| 1 | 5 | Script error: No such module "Sort".^~ | SF/SG | Template:Flagu | Golden State Warriors (traded to Toronto) | North Carolina (Jr.) |
| 1 | 6 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | F/C | Template:Flagu | Dallas Mavericks (traded to Milwaukee) | Michigan (Jr.) |
| 1 | 7 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Sacramento Kings | Florida (Jr.) |
| 1 | 8 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Philadelphia 76ers | Saint Louis (Fr.) |
| 1 | 9 | Script error: No such module "Sort".^ | PF | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks (traded to Dallas) | DJK Würzburg (Germany, 2nd division) |
| 1 | 10 | Script error: No such module "Sort".^ | SF/SG | Template:Flagu | Boston Celtics | Kansas (Jr.) |
| 1 | 11 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | G/F | Template:Flagu | Detroit Pistons | Ball State (Sr.) |
| 1 | 12 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Orlando Magic | Utah (Sr.) |
| 1 | 13 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | F/C | Template:Flagu | Orlando Magic (from Washington via Golden State) | UNLV (Sr.) |
| 1 | 14 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Houston Rockets | Arizona (Sr.) |
| 1 | 15 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | F/G | Template:Flagu | Orlando Magic (from New Jersey) | Georgia Tech (Sr.) |
| 1 | 16 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Houston Rockets (from New York via Portland and Toronto) | Valparaiso (Sr.) |
| 1 | 17 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Minnesota Timberwolves | Kinder Bologna (Italy) |
| 1 | 18 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Script error: No such module "flag". | Houston Rockets (from Portland via Toronto) | Efes Pilsen (Turkey) |
| 1 | 19 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks (from Cleveland, traded to Phoenix) | Notre Dame (Sr.) |
| 1 | 20 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Atlanta Hawks | Duke (Sr.) |
| 1 | 21 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | G/F | Template:Flagu | Charlotte Hornets | Iowa (Fr.) |
| 1 | 22 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | F/C | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Clippers (from Miami) | Baylor (Sr.) |
| 1 | 23 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets (from Phoenix traded to L.A. Lakers) | Nebraska (Jr.) |
| 1 | 24 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Script error: No such module "flag". | San Antonio Spurs (traded to Vancouver) | St. John's (Sr.) |
| 1 | 25 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | F | Template:Flagu | Indiana Pacers | St. Patrick's High School (Elizabeth, New Jersey) |
| 1 | 26 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Lakers | Minnesota (Sr.) |
| 1 | 27 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagicon Georgia | Seattle SuperSonics | Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) |
| 1 | 28 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Chicago Bulls | Oregon State (So.) |
| 1 | 29 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C/F | Template:Flagu | Utah Jazz (traded to Philadelphia) | Kentucky (Jr.) |
| 2 | 30 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Dallas Mavericks (from Toronto) | Mississippi (Sr.) |
| 2 | 31 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Lakers (from Vancouver) | Cincinnati (Sr.) |
| 2 | 32 | Script error: No such module "Sort".+ | PF | Template:Flagu | Seattle SuperSonics (from Denver) | Alief Elsik HS (Houston, Texas) |
| 2 | 33 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | F/C | Template:Flagu | Seattle SuperSonics (from L.A. Clippers) | UCLA (Jr.) |
| 2 | 34 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Chicago Bulls (from Golden State) | North Carolina (Sr.) |
| 2 | 35 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Dallas Mavericks | Split (Croatia) |
| 2 | 36 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Sacramento Kings | Florida A&M (Jr.) |
| 2 | 37 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Philadelphia 76ers | Toledo (Sr.) |
| 2 | 38 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | New York Knicks (from Boston) | Charlotte (Sr.) |
| 2 | 39 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks | Fresno State (Jr.) |
| 2 | 40 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Detroit Pistons | Hargrave Military Academy |
| 2 | 41 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Houston Rockets | Rhode Island (Sr.) |
| 2 | 42 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Orlando Magic | Arizona (Sr.) |
| 2 | 43 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | F/C | Template:Flagu | Washington Wizards | Georgetown (Sr.) |
| 2 | 44 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | New York Knicks | California (Sr.) |
| 2 | 45 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Lakers (from New Jersey) | UCLA (Sr.) |
| 2 | 46 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Minnesota Timberwolves | Indiana (Sr.) |
| 2 | 47 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Toronto Raptors | Rhode Island (Sr.) |
| 2 | 48 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Cleveland Cavaliers | South Carolina (Sr.) |
| 2 | 49 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Atlanta Hawks | Texas Tech (Sr.) |
| 2 | 50 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Charlotte Hornets | Long Beach State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 51 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PG | Template:Flagu | Miami Heat | Oklahoma (Sr.) |
| 2 | 52 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | San Antonio Spurs | Eastern Michigan (Sr.) |
| 2 | 53 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Dallas Mavericks (from Phoenix) | Clemson (Sr.) |
| 2 | 54 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets (from Indiana) | Fresno State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 55 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets (from Seattle) | Iowa (Sr.) |
| 2 | 56 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Vancouver Grizzlies (from L.A. Lakers) | UCLA (Sr.) |
| 2 | 57 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Utah Jazz | Xavier (Sr.) |
| 2 | 58 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Chicago Bulls | Michigan (Sr.) |
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Notable undrafted players
Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". These players eligible for the 1998 NBA Draft were not selected but played at least one game in the NBA.
| Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Eastern Michigan (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Pepperdine (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Hawaii (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Charlotte (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF/C | Template:Flagu | Princeton (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | St. John's (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Florida State (Jr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Duquesne (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagcountry | Maryland (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | LIU Brooklyn (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | UCF (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Southern Miss (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Script error: No such module "flag". | Budivelnyk Kyiv (Ukraine) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort".+ | C | Template:Flagu | Purdue (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Script error: No such module "flag". | North Carolina (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | UNLV (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Saint Vincent (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | G | Template:Flagu | Kentucky (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Kansas (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF/SG | Script error: No such module "flag". | Marinos (Venezuela) |
Early entrants
College underclassmen
Much like last year, this year initially saw 40 total players classified as underclassmen entering the NBA draft. However, seven players from this year's draft would later withdraw their names from entry, with Bud Eley from Southeast Missouri State University, Rico Harris from Los Angeles City College, the Yugoslavian-Greek born Marko Jarić from the Peristeri B.C. of Greece, the Bosnian-Greek born Saša Marković-Theodorakis from the Panionios B.C. in Athens, Greece, Lee Nailon from Texas Christian University, Lamar Odom from the University of Rhode Island, and the Greek born Dimitrios Papanikolaou from the Olympiacos Piraeus B.C. in Greece all withdrawing their entries into this year's draft. Including four different players that came directly from high school into the NBA draft (three of which actually became drafted) and three overseas players that successfully stayed into the NBA draft, the number of underclassmen would jump up from 26 total college players to 33 overall. Regardless, the following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[2]
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- Template:Flagicon Rafer Alston – G, Fresno State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Corey Benjamin – G, Oregon State (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Mike Bibby – G, Arizona (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Chandar Bingham – F, Virginia Union (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Marcus Bullard – G, Auburn Montgomery (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Vince Carter – F/G, North Carolina (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Wayne Clark – G, Park (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Tim Cole – G, Northeast Mississippi CC (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Peter Cornell – C, Loyola Marymount (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Arthur Davis – G, St. Joseph's (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Ricky Davis – F/G, Iowa (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Tremaine Fowlkes – F, Fresno State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Larry Hughes – G, Saint Louis (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Randell Jackson – F, Florida State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Jerome James – C, Florida A&M (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Antawn Jamison – F, North Carolina (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Tyronn Lue – G, Nebraska (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Jelani McCoy – F/C, UCLA (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Mark Miller – G, UIC (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Nazr Mohammed – F/C, Kentucky (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Paul Pierce – G/F, Kansas (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Adam Roberts – G, San Francisco State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon James Spears – F, Shaw (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Robert Traylor – F, Michigan (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Winfred Walton – F, Fresno State (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Jason Williams – G, Florida (sophomore)
High school players
Had Lamar Odom declared entry into this year's draft like he planned on doing, he would not have represented St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, Connecticut due to him already declaring entry into college this year, but having academic troubles to qualify for collegiate play. That being said, this would be the fourth year in a row where at least one high school player would declare entry into the NBA draft after previously only doing it back in 1975. The following high school players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[2]
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- Template:Flagicon Al Harrington – F, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, New Jersey)
- Template:Flagicon Rashard Lewis – F, Alief Elsik HS (Houston, Texas)
- Template:Flagicon Ellis Richardson – G, Polytechnic (Los Angeles, California)
- Template:Flagicon Korleone Young – F, Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Virginia)
International players
In addition to the players below, three more players from Greece initially declared entry for this year's draft, but ultimately withdrew their names for one reason or another. The following international players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[2]
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See also
References
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External links
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- 1998 NBA Draft at Basketball-Reference.com
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