The 16 Best No. 1 Overall Picks in NBA Draft History

Going first overall is a promise, and plenty on this list kept it. The debate is over who kept it best.

1. 1
   LeBron James

   No. 1 pick in 2003 and four-time champion.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Yao Ming

   No. 1 pick in 2002 and Chinese Hall of Fame center.
   551pts
3. 3
   Magic Johnson

   No. 1 pick in 1979 and Lakers showtime point guard.
   551pts
4. 4
   Allen Iverson

   No. 1 pick in 1996 and fearless MVP guard.
   494pts
5. 5
   Andrew Wiggins

   No. 1 pick in 2014 and 2022 champion.
   494pts
6. 6
   Zion Williamson

   No. 1 pick in 2019 and explosive Pelicans forward.
   428pts
7. 7
   Ben Simmons

   No. 1 pick in 2016 and versatile point forward.
   428pts
8. 8
   Cooper Flagg

   No. 1 pick in 2025 and Dallas rookie sensation.
   350pts
9. 9
   Tim Duncan

   No. 1 pick in 1997 and five-time champion with the Spurs.
   350pts
10. 10
    Dwight Howard

    No. 1 pick in 2004 and three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
    350pts
11. 11
    Shaquille O'Neal

    No. 1 pick in 1992 and dominant big man.
    257pts
12. 12
    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    No. 1 pick in 1969 and six-time MVP.
    257pts
13. 13
    Kyrie Irving

    No. 1 pick in 2011 and ball-handling wizard.
    257pts
14. 14
    Hakeem Olajuwon

    No. 1 pick in 1984 and two-time champion with Houston.
    0pts
15. 15
    Anthony Davis

    No. 1 pick in 2012 and Lakers champion.
    0pts
16. 16
    Karl-Anthony Towns

    No. 1 pick in 2015 and shooting big.
    0pts

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