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We ranked every NBA No. 1 draft pick since 2000. Who made the biggest impact?
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- We ranked every NBA No. 1 draft pick since 2000. Who made the biggest impact?
Editor's note: This is a part of an occasional USA TODAY Sports series on the best moments, teams, players and figures in sports over the last 25 years.
Cooper Flagg has a lot to live up to after the Dallas Mavericks selected the Duke All American and Naismith College Player of the Year winner with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft .
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There's a long legacy of Hall of Famers produced from that spot atop the draft order, with players like Elgin Baylor (1958), Oscar Robertson (1960), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969), Magic Johnson (1979), Shaquille O'Neal (1992) and Tim Duncan (1997) among those who serve as proof of what can happen to a franchise when it gets the No. 1 pick right. There have also been plenty of busts born from terrible injury luck or a team's front office making the wrong choice.
Flagg is in the unusual position of playing a big role for a potential contender immediately as a rookie, rather than learning the NBA with a rebuilding team like most recent No. 1 picks are forced to do. With the 2025-26 NBA season fast approaching, USA TODAY Sports ranked all the No. 1 picks since 2000 as Flagg prepares to begin his rookie campaign.
Flagg and all No. 1 picks before the 2000 NBA draft were not included in this exercise. Here's how the rankings turned out:
BEST NBA PLAYERS? We ranked the top 25 for 2025-26 season
25. Anthony Bennett , 2013
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Career: 4 seasons, 151 games
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Stats: 4.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.5 assists
What's worse for a team than a No. 1 pick who didn't live up to the billing because of injury? A No. 1 pick who didn't live up to the billing because the team completely bungled the evaluation process. That's the fate of Anthony Bennett after the Cavaliers shocked everyone when it chose the the UNLV forward with the No. 1 pick only for him to be discarded by the team the next year. Bennett ended up playing four NBA seasons with four different franchises and has since carved out a lengthy career in the G league and overseas.
24. Greg Oden , 2007
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Career: 3 seasons, 114 games
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Stats: 8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks
Oden missed more NBA seasons than he played after being drafted No. 1 in 2007 as a one-and-done star from Ohio State. He played in 61 games in his 2008-09 rookie season (after sitting out his first season following the draft), and then appeared in just 44 games the rest of his career due to foot and knee injuries.
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23. Markelle Fultz , 2017
Philadelphia 76ers
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Career: 9th season, 270 games
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Stats: 10.4 points, 4.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals
A mysterious shoulder ailment that affected Fultz's shooting motion fundamentally altered the trajectory of his career and led to a failed stint with the Sixers after Philadelphia used the No. 1 pick on him. Fultz forged a rotation role with the Orlando Magic in recent seasons and played 21 games with the Sacramento Kings last year. He is currently a free agent.
22. Kwame Brown, 2001
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Career: 12 seasons, 625 games
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Stats: 6.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists
Michael Jordan's notorious No. 1 pick with the Wizards wound up playing for seven teams in the NBA after coming to the league straight from high school. His best statistical season came playing alongside Jordan with the Wizards, and he was later a rotation player on Lakers ' playoff teams starring Kobe Bryant .
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21. Zaccharie Risacher , 2024
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Career: 2nd season, 75 games
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Stats: 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 12.2 PER
It's tough to judge the Hawks' top pick based off one season. The intriguing wing was a solid defender and more efficient offensively after the All-Star break, showing enough flashes to make the all-rookie team in 2025.
20. Andrea Bargnani , 2006
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Career: 10 seasons, 561 games
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Stats: 14.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Bargnani settled in as more of a role player after the Raptors used the No. 1 pick on him. The Italian 7-footer had three-straight seasons in which he averaged at least 15 points per game while shooting better than 34.5% from 3-point range.
19. DeAndre Ayton , 2018
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Career: 8th season, 443 games
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Stats: 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 blocks, 20.0 PER
Ayton is already on his third team and getting another fresh start with the Los Angeles Lakers this season. He made the NBA Finals with Phoenix in 2020, but this 7-footer with a wealth of offensive tools has yet to fully realize that potential. He had an underwhelming campaign with the Portland Trail Blazers last year before negotiating a buyout.
18. Kenyon Martin , 2000
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Career: 15 seasons, 869 games
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Stats: 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks, 15.0 PER
Martin was a one-time All-Star and a key starter on a Nets team that went to the NBA Finals in back-to-back seasons. He carved out a 15-year career as a role player coveted for his interior defense, rebounding and toughness.
17. Ben Simmons , 2016
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Career: 8th season, 422 games
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Stats: 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.5 steals
The toll Simmons' injury issues, outside shooting woes and attitude concerns have taken on his reputation have overshadowed some of the productive seasons he had after being selected No. 1 by the Sixers. The 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year earned one All-NBA nod, led the league in steals in 2020 and was named to the NBA All-Defensive teams twice. He played for the Los Angeles Clippers last season and remains a free agent after indicating on social media recent retirement rumors were inaccurate .
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16. Andrew Wiggins , 2014
Cleveland Cavaliers (traded to Minnesota Timberwolves )
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Career: 12th season, 810 games
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Stats: 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 14.7 PER
Drafted No. 1 by Cleveland and then included in the trade that sent LeBron James back to the Cavaliers, Wiggins is now on his third team (the Miami Heat ) since starting his career with the Timberwolves. The 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year was a key starter on the Golden State Warriors ' 2022 championship team.
15. Zion Williamson , 2019
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Career: 7th season, 214 games
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Stats: 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 25.1 PER
Williamson is lower than some of his relative peers on this list ‒ despite better production when he actually plays ‒ since the two-time All-Star has yet to make an All-NBA team with the Pelicans because of his injury and availability issues. An in-shape Williamson could be poised to make a leap this season.
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14. Andrew Bogut , 2005
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Career: 14 seasons, 783 games
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Stats: 9.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 blocks, 16.4 PER
The Australian center once led the league in blocks (2011) and eventually earned a third-team All-NBA nod and a spot on the All-Defensive team after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Bucks. He was also a prominent role player on the Golden State Warriors when they won the 2015 NBA championship.
13. Cade Cunningham , 2021
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Career: 5th season, 214 games
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Stats: 22.1 points, 7.5 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 16.9 PER
Cunningham enjoyed a breakthrough in his fourth season in Detroit in 2025, earning third-team All-NBA honors while leading the Pistons to a playoff win for the first time since 2008.
12. Paolo Banchero , 2022
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Career: 4th season, 210 games
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Stats: 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 17.1 PER
The sophomore campaign for the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year was rockier than expected due to injury, but Banchero is already one of the league's most promising inside-outside threats and has been the leading scorer of a postseason team both seasons since being drafted No. 1 by the Magic.
11. John Wall , 2010
Washington Wizards
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Career: 11 seasons, 684 games
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Stats: 18.7 points, 8.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals
Wall led the Wizards past the first round of the playoffs three times in four years during his prime after the franchise had accomplished the feat just once in the previous 30 years. The athletic point guard, who last played in an NBA game in January 2023 and officially announced his retirement last month , earned All-NBA and All-Defense honors one time apiece during his career.
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10. Victor Wembanyama , 2023
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Career: 3rd season, 117 games
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Stats: 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.7 blocks, 23.5 PER
If Wembanyama lives up to the hype and potential of his first two seasons, he could quickly leap into the top-5 of this list. Nonetheless, Wembanyama was already the Rookie of the Year and a member of the NBA's All-Defensive team with the Spurs in 2024, and he's led the league in blocks twice. Getting San Antonio to the playoffs is the next step now that the 7-foot-3 center has been medically cleared after deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder cut last season short.
9. Yao Ming, 2002
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Career: 8 seasons, 514 games
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Stats: 19 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.6 assists, 23.0 PER
The 7-foot-6 Chinese center became one of the best centers in the NBA with the Rockets but had his run as an elite player cut short due to injury. Ming earned All-NBA honors five times but only once did his teams in Houston advance past the first round of the playoffs.
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8. Karl-Anthony Towns , 2015
Minnesota Timberwovles
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Career: 11th season, 695 games
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Stats: 23.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, 23.8 PER
The 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year earned third-team All-NBA honors last season for the third time in his 10-year career. One of the best 3-point shooting big men in league history, Towns helped the Timberwolves win a playoff series for the first time in 20 years and was a force on the New York Knicks ' team that made a run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025. He's poised to move up this list with the Knicks expected to contend for a title again.
7. Derrick Rose , 2008
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Career: 15 seasons, 775 games
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Stats: 17.4 points, 5.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 18.0 PER
Rose would be ranked higher based on his brief rise and peak as an NBA player, when he won the 2009 Rookie of the Year award and the 2011 MVP award in his third season after the Bulls took him No. 1 overall. Injuries derailed Rose's time in Chicago after a run to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, though he did carve out a lengthy career as a role player. His only All-NBA honor came during his MVP season.
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6. Blake Griffin , 2009
Los Angeles Clippers
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Career: 13 seasons, 833 games
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Stats: 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 21.0 PER
Griffin didn't play during his first year in the NBA due to injury, but he won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2011 as part of a strong run of seasons during the first portion of his career with the "Lob City" Clippers. Griffin was a five-time All-NBA selection, including one nod later with the Detroit Pistons.
5. Anthony Edwards , 2020
Minnesota Timberwolves
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Career: 6th season, 423 games
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Stats: 23.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 17.7 PER
Edwards is this high in the rankings, in part, because he could be poised to climb even higher based on the potential he showed during his first five years in the NBA. He's already a two-time All-NBA selection and led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals in 2025. The two-way threat is expected to be among the league's elite players for the next decade.
Jan. 13: The Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards celebrates after scoring while being fouled against the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. The Timberwolves won the game, 120-106.
4. Kyrie Irving , 2011
Cleveland Cavaliers
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Career: 15th season, 875 games
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Stats: 23.7 points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 22.2 PER
Irving was the 2012 Rookie of the Year after the Cavaliers chose him with the No. 1 overall pick and then won an NBA championship alongside LeBron James in 2016. He's a three-time All-NBA selection (and did so with three different teams) and made the NBA Finals with the Dallas Mavericks in 2024. Irving will miss the beginning of the 2025-26 season with the Mavericks after suffering a torn ACL last March.
3. Anthony Davis , 2012
New Orleans Hornets
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Career: 14th season, 847 games
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Stats: 24.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks, 26.8 PER
Davis ranks behind Dwight Howard on this list even though he was the NBA Finals MVP on the team Howard won a championship with because of how Davis' tenure with the team that took him No. 1 went. He had one playoff run with New Orleans before demanding a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis nonetheless became arguably the best two-way big man of his generation, and the argument is only due to the injuries that sidelined him over the years. Now entering his first full season with the Dallas Mavericks , Davis is a five-time All-NBA selection (including four first-team nods), a five-time All-Defensive pick and led the NBA in blocks three times.
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2. Dwight Howard, 2004
Orlando Magic
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Career: 18 seasons, 1,367 games
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Stats: 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.3 assists, 21.3 PER
His career numbers don't do justice to his run as one of the league's most dominating players during his prime years after being picked No. 1 by the Magic. The recent Hall of Fame inductee was an 8-time All-NBA selection (including five first-team nods), named Defensive Player of the Year three times, led the league in rebounding five times and led the NBA in blocks twice. Howard won an NBA championship as a role player with LeBron James and the Lakers in 2020 after leading Orlando past James and into the NBA Finals as a star 11 years earlier.
1. LeBron James, 2003
Cleveland Cavaliers
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Career: 23rd season, 1,854 games (regular season plus playoffs)
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Stats: 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 26.9 Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
The NBA's all-time leading scorer is a no-brainer No. 1 choice for the best No. 1 pick since 2000. The four-time MVP, four-time Finals MVP and four-time NBA champion is entering his record-breaking 23rd season in the league and still seems to have more left in the tank. He just earned second team All-NBA honors with the Los Angeles Lakers as a 40-year-old. Though his initial run in Cleveland as its No. 1 pick ended in his controversial "decision" to leave for Miami, James led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals and then returned to Cleveland to win an NBA championship in 2016. He also won consecutive championships with the Heat in 2012 and 2013 and guided the Lakers to the 2020 championship.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA draft No. 1 pick rankings: Best picks, worst busts since 2000
