2002 NBA draft
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox sports draft The 2002 NBA draft was held on June 26, 2002, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. In this draft, National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from non-North American leagues.[1] This was the last draft that was broadcast on TNT, as ESPN obtained the rights for the 2003 draft via its incoming deal (which it retains to this day). The NBA announced that about 42 college and high school players, and five international players, had filed as early-entry candidates for the draft.[2] The Chicago Bulls and the Golden State Warriors each had a 22.5% chance of acquiring the first pick, but the Houston Rockets, with just an 8.9% probability, won the NBA draft lottery on May 19.[3][4] The Bulls and Warriors were second and third, respectively. As punishment for salary-cap violations during the 2001-02 season, the Minnesota Timberwolves forfeited their first-round draft pick.
The 2002 draft set a record of 17 international selections, with six of them coming in the first round.[5]
Two months after the conclusion of his rookie season, number-two pick Jay Williams nearly lost his life in a motorcycle crash that shattered his pelvis, severed a main nerve in his leg and tore three ligaments in his left knee, including his ACL. Despite intense rehabilitation, Williams never played a game in the NBA again. When it became clear Williams could not return to the Bulls because of his injuries, the team waived him. The Bulls could have voided Williams' contract because it prohibited riding a motorcycle. However, the franchise bought out his contract for $3 million in 2004 instead of having him walk away with nothing.[6]
The draft class was relatively weak outside of the top prospects. Several players selected early had promising careers that ended prematurely due to injury, including Yao Ming, Williams and Dajuan Wagner. Nevertheless, Yao was named a Hall of Famer—a selection predicated as much on his role in popularizing basketball in China as it was for his on-court play. Three players selected in this draft - including Yao, second-round pick Carlos Boozer and Rookie of the Year Amar'e Stoudemire - would be named to the All-NBA Team during their careers. Caron Butler was the only other player to become an All-Star. First-round pick Tayshaun Prince was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Team four times.
As of the end of the 2022–23 NBA season, Udonis Haslem was the last remaining active draft-eligible player from the 2002 class, though he went undrafted (he made his NBA debut the following season). He stopped playing after the 2022–23 season.
Nine of the players selected in this draft never played in an NBA game throughout their professional basketball careers. Three of those players were the sole selection of the draft from their respective teams: Peter Fehse (Seattle's only pick), Marcus Taylor (Minnesota's only pick) and Mladen Šekularac (Dallas' only pick).
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 | Team | School or club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Script error: No such module "Sort".^* | C | Template:Flagu | Houston Rockets | Shanghai Sharks (China) |
| 1 | 2 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Chicago Bulls | Duke (Jr.) |
| 1 | 3 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF/SG | Template:Flagu | Golden State Warriors | Duke (Jr.) |
| 1 | 4 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF/C | Template:Flagu | Memphis Grizzlies | Kansas (Jr.) |
| 1 | 5 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF/C | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets | Benetton Treviso (Italy) |
| 1 | 6 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Cleveland Cavaliers | Memphis (Fr.) |
| 1 | 7 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C/PF | Template:Flagu | New York Knicks (traded to Denver)[7] | Vasco da Gama (Brazil) |
| 1 | 8 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF/C | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Clippers (from Atlanta) | Maryland (So.) |
| 1 | 9 | Script error: No such module "Sort".*~ | PF/C | Template:Flagu | Phoenix Suns | Cypress Creek HS (Orlando, Florida) |
| 1 | 10 | Script error: No such module "Sort".+ | SF | Template:Flagu | Miami Heat | Connecticut (So.) |
| 1 | 11 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF/C | Template:Flagu | Washington Wizards | Indiana (So.) |
| 1 | 12 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C/PF | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Clippers | Fresno State (Sr.) |
| 1 | 13 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks | Tennessee (Jr.) |
| 1 | 14 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Indiana Pacers | Oregon (Sr.) |
| 1 | 15 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF/PF | Script error: No such module "flag". | Houston Rockets (from Toronto) | Benetton Treviso (Italy) |
| 1 | 16 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG/SF | Script error: No such module "flag". | Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Golden State) | Union Olimpija (Slovenia and Adriatic League) |
| 1 | 17 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Washington Wizards (from New Orleans) | Maryland (Sr.) |
| 1 | 18 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Orlando Magic (traded to Utah) | Stanford (Jr.) |
| 1 | 19 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Utah Jazz (traded to Orlando) | Notre Dame (Sr.) |
| 1 | 20 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Toronto Raptors (from Seattle via New York, traded to Los Angeles Lakers) | Missouri (Jr.) |
| 1 | 21 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Portland Trail Blazers | Northeast Mississippi CC (So.) |
| 1 | 22 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Phoenix Suns (from Boston) | Stanford (Jr.) |
| 1 | 23 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Detroit Pistons | Kentucky (Sr.) |
| 1 | 24 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C/PF | Script error: No such module "flag". | New Jersey Nets | Partizan Belgrade (Sinalco Superleague and Adriatic League) |
| 1 | 25 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets (from Dallas, traded to New York)[7] | Illinois (Jr.) |
| 1 | 26 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF/SG | Template:Flagu | San Antonio Spurs (traded to Philadelphia) | Miami (Sr.) |
| 1 | 27 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Los Angeles Lakers (traded to Toronto) | Fresno State (Jr.) |
| 1 | 28 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Sacramento Kings (traded to Atlanta) | Gonzaga (Sr.) |
| 1 | 29 | Forfeited pick | Minnesota Timberwolves (forfeited their first-round pick due to salary cap violations)[8] | |||
| 2 | 30 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PG | Template:Flagu | Golden State Warriors | Cincinnati (Sr.) |
| 2 | 31 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Chicago Bulls | Virginia (Jr.) |
| 2 | 32 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Script error: No such module "flag". | Memphis Grizzlies | Illinois (Sr.) |
| 2 | 33 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Denver Nuggets | Tennessee (Sr.) |
| 2 | 34 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks (from Houston) | UCLA (Sr.) |
| 2 | 35 | Script error: No such module "Sort".* | PF | Template:Flagu | Cleveland Cavaliers | Duke (Jr.) |
| 2 | 36 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PG | Script error: No such module "flag". | New York Knicks | Partizan Belgrade (Sinalco Superleague and Adriatic League) |
| 2 | 37 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Atlanta Hawks | Virtus Bologna (Italy) |
| 2 | 38 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Houston Rockets (from Miami) | Fresno State (So.) |
| 2 | 39 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SG | Template:Flagu | Washington Wizards (from Phoenix via Denver) | Alabama (Jr.) |
| 2 | 40 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Washington Wizards | FC Barcelona (Spain) |
| 2 | 41 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Script error: No such module "flag". | Los Angeles Clippers | Opel Skyliners (Germany) |
| 2 | 42 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks | Shaw (Sr.) |
| 2 | 43 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | C | Template:Flagu | Portland Trail Blazers (from Toronto via Chicago) | Arkansas State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 44 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Chicago Bulls (from Indiana) | Maryland (Sr.) |
| 2 | 45 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PF | Template:Flagu | Philadelphia 76ers | USC (Sr.) |
| 2 | 46 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Memphis Grizzlies (from Orlando) | UCLA (Sr.) |
| 2 | 47 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | Template:Flagu | Utah Jazz (traded to Orlando) | California (Fr.) |
| 2 | 48 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Milwaukee Bucks (from New Orleans, traded to Memphis) | Texas (Sr.) |
| 2 | 49 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PF | Template:Flagu | Seattle SuperSonics | Halle (Germany) |
| 2 | 50 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagcountry | Boston Celtics | Wake Forest (Sr.) |
| 2 | 51 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SF | Script error: No such module "flag". | Portland Trail Blazers | Ourense (Spain) |
| 2 | 52 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | PG | Template:Flagu | Minnesota Timberwolves | Michigan State (So.) |
| 2 | 53 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Miami Heat (from Detroit via Toronto and Houston) | La Salle (Sr.) |
| 2 | 54 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | New Jersey Nets | Marshall (Sr.) |
| 2 | 55 | Script error: No such module "Sort".# | SG | Script error: No such module "flag". | Dallas Mavericks | FMP Železnik (Sinalco Superleague and Adriatic League) |
| 2 | 56 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Script error: No such module "flag". | San Antonio Spurs (from L.A. Lakers) | TAU Cerámica (Spain) |
| 2 | 57 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu File:Flag of Libya (1977–2011).svg Libya |
San Antonio Spurs (traded to Philadelphia) | San Diego State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 58 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Sacramento Kings | Central Connecticut (Sr.) |
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Notable undrafted players
Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". These eligible players were not selected in this draft but played at least one game in the NBA.
| Player | Position | Nationality | School or club team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Oklahoma State (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | St. Bonaventure (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagu | UTSA (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF/SF | Template:Flagu | Wyoming (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Iowa (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG/SF | Script error: No such module "flag". | COC Ribeirão Preto (Brazil) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG/SG | Template:Flagu | Temple (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG/SG | Template:Flagu | NC State (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG/SG | Template:Flagu | Auburn (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG/SG | Template:Flagu | Wingate (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF | Template:Flagu | Florida (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SF | Template:Flagu | Tulane (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Template:Flagcountry | Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | C | File:Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997–2003).svg DR Congo Script error: No such module "flag". |
Leuven Bears (Belgium) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Bowling Green (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:Flagu | Arkansas (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG/SG | Template:Flagu | Fordham (So.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | SG | Script error: No such module "flag". | Hawaii (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PF/SF | Template:Flagu | Arizona State (Sr.) |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | PG | Template:JAP | BYU–Hawaii (Fr.) |
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Early entrants
College underclassmen
This year would mark a bit of a step down in terms of the number of underclassmen entering the NBA draft when compared to last year. While it would be the second time the number of underclassmen would exceed the number of draft picks available in the NBA, this year only saw a total of 72 underclassmen from college and overseas declare their initial entry into the NBA draft. However, it would exceed the amount of withdrawn players with 24 players doing exactly that, leaving a total of 48 eligible underclassmen available for the draft this year. The following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[9]
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- Template:Flagicon Lee Benson – F, Brown Mackie (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Rodney Bias – F, Alabama (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Cordell Billups – G, Pierce (Washington) (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Carlos Boozer – F, Duke (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Curtis Borchardt – C, Stanford (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Caron Butler – F, Connecticut (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Mike Dunleavy Jr. – F, Duke (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Drew Gooden – F, Kansas (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Rod Grizzard – G, Alabama (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Marcus Haislip – F, Tennessee (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Rashid Hardwick – C, Eastern Oklahoma State (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Adam Harrington – G, Auburn (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Casey Jacobsen – G, Stanford (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Chris Jefferies – F, Fresno State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Jared Jeffries – F, Indiana (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Muhammed Lasege – C, Louisville (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Tito Maddox – G, Fresno State (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Kei Madison – F, Okaloosa-Walton (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Roger Mason Jr. – G, Virginia (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Smush Parker – G, Fordham (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Travis Robinson – F, Jacksonville (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Kareem Rush – G, Missouri (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Jamal Sampson – F/C, California (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Jerry Sanders – F, Northern Illinois (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Eddie Shelby – G, Dixie State (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Bobby Smith – G, Robert Morris (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Melvin Steward – G, Eastern New Mexico (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Marcus Taylor – G, Michigan State (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Terrell Taylor – G, Creighton (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Dajuan Wagner – G, Memphis (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Adrian Walton – G, Fordham (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Joseph Ward – F, Fort Hays State (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Omar Weaver – F/G, Riverside CC (freshman)
- Template:Flagicon Chris Wilcox – F, Maryland (sophomore)
- Template:Flagicon Troy Wiley – F, Rhode Island (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Frank Williams – G, Illinois (junior)
- Template:Flagicon George Williams – F, Houston (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Jay Williams – G, Duke (junior)
- Template:Flagicon Qyntel Woods – G/F, Northeast Mississippi CC (sophomore)
High school players
This would be the eighth straight year in a row where at least one high school player would declare their entry into the NBA draft directly out of high school after previously only allowing it one time back in 1975. It would also mark the first time a player directly out of high school would win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award with Amar'e Stoudemire earning the honor one year before LeBron James would enter the NBA. The following high school players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[9]
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- Template:Flagicon DeAngelo Collins – F, Inglewood High School (Inglewood, California)
- Template:Flagicon Lenny Cooke – G, Mott Adult High School (Flint, Michigan)
- Template:Flagicon Giedrius Rinkevicius – C, Bridgton Academy (Bridgton, Maine)
- Template:Flagicon Amar'e Stoudemire – F, Cypress Creek High School (Orlando, Florida)
International players
The following international players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[9]
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See also
References
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- ↑ NBA.com: 2023 Draft Handbook
- ↑ NBA.com. Twenty-Four Early Entry Candidates Withdraw from Draft 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ↑ NBA.com. Ties Broken for NBA Draft Order of Selection. April 24, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Lago, Joe. Draft record set with 17 foreign-born picks. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
- ↑ Nance, Roscoe. Bulls, Jay Williams agree to contract buyout. February 2, 2004. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
- ↑ a b The Knicks traded #7 pick along with Marcus Camby and Mark Jackson to the Nuggets for Antonio McDyess, #25 pick and a 2003 second-round pick.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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