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NBA Draft: College programs with the most No. 1 picks
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NBA Draft: College programs with the most No. 1 picks

  • Jun 21, 2018
  • Jun 21, 2018 Updated Jun 21, 2022

With the NBA Draft coming up on Thursday, the Arizona Wildcats could have their first No. 1 pick in program history if the Phoenix Suns select Deandre Ayton. 

Here's the company UA would join should Ayton go No. 1.

By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star

Kentucky, 3

NBA Draft Basketball

John Wall, of Kentucky, spears to reporters after going first overall in 2010.

Craig Ruttle / AP Photo

Who they are:

  • Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves (2015)
  • Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets (2012)
  • John Wall, Washington Wizards (2010)

Duke, 3

SPORT SPORTS BASKETBALL NBA DRAFT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION COLLEGE NCAA PLAYER

Elton Brand was chosen as the No. 1 draft pick in the 1999 draft.

Nuccio Dinuzzo / Associated Press

Who they are: 

  • Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers (2011)
  • Elton Brand, Chicago Bulls (1999)
  • Art Heyman, New York Knicks (1963)

LSU, 2

NBA Draft Basketball

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, greets Ben Simmons as the top pick to the 76ers in 2016.

Frank Franklin II / AP Photo

Who they are:

  • Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers (2016)
  • Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic (1992)

Kansas, 2

Blatt now with Cavaliers

The Cavaliers made Andrew Wiggins the No. 1 selection in 2014.

Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal

Who they are:

  • Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers (2014)
  • Danny Manning, Los Angeles Clippers (1988)

UNLV, 2

Anthony Bennett

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anthony Bennett Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, in Independence, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Mark Duncan

Who they are:

  • Anthony Bennett, Cleveland Cavaliers (2013)
  • Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets (1990)

Cincinnati, 2

SPORT NBA

Kenyon Martin was the first off the board in 2000 to the Nets.

Ray Stubblebine / AP Photo

Who they are:

  • Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets (2000)
  • Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals (1960)

Georgetown, 2

SPORT NBA

Allen Iverson became a member of the 76ers when they took him with the No. 1 pick in 1996.

Jeff Topping/AP Photo

Who they are:

  • Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers (1996)
  • Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks (1985)

Maryland, 2

Joe Smith, David Stern

Maryland's Joe Smith pats NBA commissioner David Stern on the back after being picked by the Golden State Warriors in the 1995 NBA Draft.

Bill Sikes

Who they are:

  • Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors (1995)
  • John Lucas, Houston Rockets (1976)

Purdue, 2

ROBINSON MILLER

Glenn Robinson (13) went to the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 1 in 1994.

MORRY GASH

Who they are:

  • Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks (1994)
  • Joe Barry Carroll, Golden State Warriors (1980)

Michigan, 2

Chris Webber and Anfernee Hardaway 1993

Chris Webber, left, of Michigan and Anfernee Hardaway, right, from Memphis State, pose following a trade after they were selected in the NBA Draft.

Lennox Mclendon/AP Photo

Who they are:

  • Chris Webber, Orlando Magic (1993)
  • Cazzie Russell, New York Knicks (1966)

North Carolina, 2

James Worthy

Shown in photo are head and shoulder shots of James Worthy, Los Angeles Lakers basketball team shown in 1982. (AP Photo)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Who they are:

  • Brad Daugherty, Cleveland Cavaliers (1986)
  • James Worthy, Los Angeles Lakers (1982)

Houston, 2

Hakeem Olajuwon

University of Houston basketball star Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon announced that he would skip his senior year with the Cougars to play pro basketball in the NBA at a campus news conference in Houston, Tex., April 28, 1984. Olajuwon played on three Final Four teams in his college career. (AP Photo/F. Carter Smith)

F. Carter Smith

Who they are:

  • Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets (1984)
  • Elvin Hayes, San Diego Rockets (1968)

Indiana, 2

Kent Benson, Rick Robey, Bob Guyette

Indiana's Kent Benson (54) was first off the board in 1977 to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Charles Knoblock

Who they are: 

  • Kent Benson, Milwaukee Bucks (1977)
  • Walt Bellamy, Washington Wizards (1961)

UCLA, 2

Bill Walton

Former UCLA and Los Angeles Lakers greats Bill Walton, left, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sit at the broadcasting table during an NCAA college basketball game between UCLA and Oregon State in Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013. UCLA won 74-64. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Reed Saxon

Who they are: 

  • Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazers (1974)
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks (1969)

Utah, 2

Lute Olson's 1,000th win

Utah's Andrew Bogut tries to get a pass past Arizona's Isaiah Fox during the second half of a game at McKale Center, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004. Photo by Chris Richards / Arizona Daily Star.

Chris Richards / Arizona Daily Star

Who they are:

  •  Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks (2005)
  • Bill McGill, Chicago Zephyrs (1962) 

Duquesne, 2

Pettit Paxson Ricketts

Dick Ricketts (24) was the No. 1 pick in 1955.

The Associated Press

Who they are:

  • Si Green, Sacramento Kings (1956)
  • Dick Ricketts, Atlanta Hawks (1955)

West Virginia, 2

"Hot Rod" Hundley

Former West Virginia player "Hot Rod" Hundley acknowledges the crowd during a ceremony to retire his number during halftime of an NCAA college basketball game in Morgantown, W.Va. on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/David Smith)

David Smith

Who they are:

  • Hot Rod Hundley, Cincinnati Royals (1957)
  • Mark Workman, Atlanta Hawks (1952)

Arizona, 1

Who they are:

  • Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns (2018)

Oklahoma, 1

Blake Griffin

Oklahoma's Blake Griffin takes questions in the interview room after being selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the No. 1 overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft Thursday, June 25, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

Jason DeCrow

Who they are:

  • Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers (2009)

Memphis, 1

Derrick Rose, Channing Frye

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is fouled by Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Chicago. The Orlando Magic won 121-114. (AP Photo/Andrew A. Nelles) 

Andrew Nelles

Who they are:

  • Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (2008)

Ohio State, 1

DRAFT-DURANT (copy)

The Trailblazers chose Greg Oden, right, over the likes of Texas' Kevin Durant.

Kathy Willens/AP Photo

Who they are:

  • Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers (2007)

Pacific, 1

Michael Olowokandi

Michael Olowokandi, the first pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, holds a Los Angeles Clippers jersey during a news conference.

Nick Ut

Who they are:

  •  Michael Olowokandi, Los Angeles Clippers (1998)

Wake Forest, 1

Spurs Duncan Retires Basketball

Tim Duncan played 19 seasons after the Spurs picked him in 1997.

David J. Phillip

Who they are:

  •  Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs (1997)

Syracuse, 1

Derrick Coleman, Jerry Cohen, David Stern

First NBA Draft pick Derrick Coleman of Syracuse, right, displays his New Jersey Nets jacket.

Susan Ragan/AP

Who they are:

  •  Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets (1990)

Louisville, 1

Pervis Ellison

Sacramento Kings Jim Kerman, left, smiles as the NBA's No.1 draft choice, Pervis Ellison, adjusts his new cap at the NBA Draft in New York, June 28, 1989. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)

Ron Frehm

Who they are:

  • Pervis Ellison, Sacramento Kings (1989)

Navy, 1

David Robinson

David Robinson of the Navy basketball team is pictured in 1987. (AP Photo)

STR

Who they are:

  • David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs (1987)

Virginia, 1

Ralph Sampson, Charlie Thomas, Larry O'Brien

Ralph Sampson, center, holds the jersey presented to him by the owner of the Houston Rockets Charlie Thomas, left, after being drafted by the team at the NBA draft in New York, June 28, 1983. Larry O'Brien, NBA commissioner, right, joins in the photo session. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)

Marty Lederhandler

Who they are:

  •  Ralph Sampson, Houston Rockets (1983)

DePaul, 1

Mark Aguirre and Isiah Thomas

DePaul’s Mark Aguirre, drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in Tuesday’s National Basketball Association draft, and Isiah Thomas of Indiana, right, drafted by the Detroit Pistons, talk basketball prior to news conference in Chicago on Wednesday, June 10, 1981. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)

Fred Jewell

Who they are:

  •  Mark Aguirre, Dallas Mavericks (1981)

Michigan State, 1

Magic Johnson

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, second from left, holds a Los Angeles uniform after he was selected by the Lakers.

Marty Lederhandler

Who they are:

  •  Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers (1979)

Minnesota, 1

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lew Alcindor, Mychal Thompson

Former No. 1 overall picks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) and Mychal Thompson (43).

Nick Ut

Who they are:

  •  Mychal Thompson, Portland Trail Blazers (1978)

N.C. State, 1

Norm Sloan, Dave Thompson

Congratulated by his coach Norman Sloan (left), Dave Thompson, All-America forward, from North Carolina State, was the number one pick of the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA draft in Raleigh, N.C., May 30, 1975. Thompson was chosen the Associated Press Player Of The Year in college basketball. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine)

Harold Valentine

Who they are:

  •  David Thompson, Atlanta Hawks (1975)

Illinois State, 1

Ed Stefanski, Doug Collins

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins makes remarks during a news conference in Philadelphia, Monday, May 24, 2010. Collins is back as an NBA coach after seven seasons as an analyst with TNT. Collins is excited to take over the 76ers, the team that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 1973 draft. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Matt Rourke

Who they are:

  •  Doug Collins, Philadelphia 76ers (1973)

Loyola, 1

LaRue Martin

LaRue Martin, left, towers over Coach George Ireland of Loyola University basketball team in Ireland’s office in Chicago on April 10, 1972. Martin, 6 foot, 10 inchs, was the first man chosen in the NBA draft in New York by the Portland Trail Blazers. Martin averaged over 18 points and 16 rebounds per game. (AP Photo/Edward Kitch)

Edward Kitch

Who they are:

  •  LaRue Martin, Portland Trail Blazers (1972)

Notre Dame, 1

Austin Carr

Austin Carr, center, an All-American selection from Notre Dame, signed, in Cleveland, Ohio, April 5, 1971, with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. Details of the contract were not disclosed. On Carr's right is Cavalier Coach Bill Firch and at his left is Nick Mileti, owner of the team. (AP Photo)

STF

Who they are:

  •  Austin Carr, Cleveland Cavaliers (1971)

St. Bonaventure, 1

Bob Lanier

Detroit Pistons center Bob Lanier rides a trolley outside Detroit's Cobo Hall after a news conference which announced that Lanier had signed a four-year pact making him the highest paid Piston ever, Sept. 19, 1977. The 6"11" star center has been with the club since he was drafted in the 1970. (AP Photo/Richard Sheinwald)

Richard Sheinwald

Who they are:

  •  Bob Lanier, Detroit Pistons (1970)

Davidson, 1

Basketball Pro Games 1968  St. Louis   vs   San Francisco
Associated Press

Who they are:

  •  Fred Hetzel, San Francisco Warriors (1965)

UTEP/Texas Western, 1

Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Jim Barnes, Tom Sanders

New York Knicks Willis Reed gets off pass to teammate Bill Bradley (24) in first period of game between Knicks and Boston Celtics at New York's Madison Square Garden, Jan. 3, 1970. Boston players, from left: Jim Barnes (28) and Tom Sanders (16). Boston won 111-104. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)

Ron Frehm

Who they are:

  •  Jim Barnes, New York Knicks (1964)

Kansas State, 1

Boozer

Bob Boozer of the Chicago Bulls is seen, Jan. 1968. (AP Photo)

Anonymous

Who they are:

  •  Bob Boozer, Cincinnati Royals (1960)

Providence, 1

Basketball Pro NBA Games 1971 Philadelphia 76ers vs  Detroit

Jimmy Walker (24) of the Detroit Pistons and Archie Clark (21) of the Philadelphia 76er’s tangle up as they battle for a rebound in the first half of game in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1970. (AP Photo/RBK)

RBK

Who they are:

  •  Jimmy Walker, Detroit Pistons (1967)

Seattle, 1

Watchf Associated Press Sports NBA Basketball   APHS BASEBALL BAYLOR CLOSE UP 1968

Elgin Baylor, Los Ageles Lakers Player posing January 1968 (AP Photo)

Anonymous

Who they are:

  •  Elgin Baylor, Los Angeles Lakers (1958)

Furman, 1

FRANK SELVY

Frank Selvy poses with a basketball that belongs to his son, Mike, at his home Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, in Simpsonville, S.C. Fifty years after scoring his recorded 100 points against Newberry College, he and his surviving teammates will take part in a ceremony honor that 100-point game on Feb. 21 during Furman's game against The Citadel at Timmons Arena. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

MARY ANN CHASTAIN

Who they are:

  •  Frank Selvy, Baltimore Bullets (1953)

Long Island, 1

National Basketball Assoction Championship

Tom Heinsohn (15) of the Boston Celtics gets off a hook shot as Ray Felix of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts to block in third period of seventh and payoff game for NBA championship tonight in Boston Garden, April 18, 1962. (AP Photo).

Associated Press

Who they are:

  •  Ray Felix, Baltimore Bullets (1953)

Bradley, 1

Baltimore Bullets
Baltimore Bullets logo

Who they are:

  •  Gene Melchiorre, Baltimore Bullets (1951)

Bowling Green, 1

Boston Celtics logo
Boston Celtics logo

Who they are:

  •  Chuck Share, Boston Celtics (1950)

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