# 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.

*By YPB Team · Published October 21, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-16-best-no-1-overall-picks-in-nba-draft-history*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **LeBron James** — score 1000/1000
   No. 1 pick in 2003 and four-time champion.
2. **Yao Ming** — score 551/1000
   No. 1 pick in 2002 and Chinese Hall of Fame center.
3. **Magic Johnson** — score 551/1000
   No. 1 pick in 1979 and Lakers showtime point guard.
4. **Allen Iverson** — score 494/1000
   No. 1 pick in 1996 and fearless MVP guard.
5. **Andrew Wiggins** — score 494/1000
   No. 1 pick in 2014 and 2022 champion.
6. **Zion Williamson** — score 428/1000
   No. 1 pick in 2019 and explosive Pelicans forward.
7. **Ben Simmons** — score 428/1000
   No. 1 pick in 2016 and versatile point forward.
8. **Cooper Flagg** — score 350/1000
   No. 1 pick in 2025 and Dallas rookie sensation.
9. **Tim Duncan** — score 350/1000
   No. 1 pick in 1997 and five-time champion with the Spurs.
10. **Dwight Howard** — score 350/1000
   No. 1 pick in 2004 and three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
11. **Shaquille O'Neal** — score 257/1000
   No. 1 pick in 1992 and dominant big man.
12. **Kareem Abdul-Jabbar** — score 257/1000
   No. 1 pick in 1969 and six-time MVP.
13. **Kyrie Irving** — score 257/1000
   No. 1 pick in 2011 and ball-handling wizard.
14. **Hakeem Olajuwon** — score 0/1000
   No. 1 pick in 1984 and two-time champion with Houston.
15. **Anthony Davis** — score 0/1000
   No. 1 pick in 2012 and Lakers champion.
16. **Karl-Anthony Towns** — score 0/1000
   No. 1 pick in 2015 and shooting big.

Tags: basketball, players, nba, legends, draft