# The 16 Best Players from the 2005 NBA Draft

> One of the deepest guard classes in modern memory, stacked with Hall of Fame floor generals, late-round steals and explosive fan favorites. Who tops the class?

*By YPB Team · Published July 13, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-16-best-players-from-the-2005-nba-draft*

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## Current results (1 vote)

1. **Chris Paul** — score 1000/1000
   Selected 4th overall, the 12-time All-Star point guard became the clear best player of the class and a future Hall of Famer.
2. **Lou Williams** — score 600/1000
   Drafted 45th overall, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year and one of the best bench scorers in NBA history.
3. **Monta Ellis** — score 551/1000
   A high-scoring guard taken 40th overall who developed into one of the league's most dynamic scorers.
4. **Gerald Green** — score 551/1000
   The 18th overall pick, a Slam Dunk Contest champion famed for his highlight-reel athleticism.
5. **Deron Williams** — score 350/1000
   Taken 3rd overall, the three-time All-Star point guard was Chris Paul's chief rival early in their careers.
6. **Andrew Bogut** — score 350/1000
   The No. 1 overall pick, an elite defensive center who anchored the 2015 champion Golden State Warriors.
7. **Andrew Bynum** — score 350/1000
   The 10th overall pick, an All-Star center who won two titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
8. **Channing Frye** — score 350/1000
   Drafted 8th overall, a stretch big man who won a title with the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers.
9. **Jarrett Jack** — score 350/1000
   A steady combo guard drafted 22nd overall who spent over a decade as a valuable rotation player.
10. **Raymond Felton** — score 350/1000
   A durable starting point guard drafted 5th overall who played over a decade in the league.
11. **Rudy Fernandez** — score 350/1000
   Drafted 24th overall, a Spanish sharpshooting guard and Olympic medalist who later starred in Europe.
12. **David Lee** — score 257/1000
   A two-time All-Star power forward drafted 30th overall who thrived as a double-double machine.
13. **Ersan Ilyasova** — score 257/1000
   Drafted 36th overall, a Turkish stretch forward who enjoyed a long, productive NBA career.
14. **Amir Johnson** — score 257/1000
   The 56th overall pick who became a durable, energetic frontcourt player over a 14-year career.
15. **Danny Granger** — score 143/1000
   Drafted 17th overall, an All-Star forward who became the scoring focal point of the Indiana Pacers.
16. **Nate Robinson** — score 143/1000
   The 21st overall pick and a three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion known for explosive athleticism.

Tags: 2000s, basketball, players, nba