LaRue Martin (left) towers over Coach George Ireland of the Loyola University basketball team in Ireland’s office in Chicago on April 10, 1972. Martin, 6’10, was the first man chosen in the NBA Draft in New York by the Portland Trailblazers. Martin averaged over 18 points and 16 rebounds per game for Loyola (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Edward Kitch).
10 Biggest Draft Day Blunders in NBA History
RegalMag.com hates to throw shade at people who at one time were the best in their business.
And although it is time for the 2017 NFL Draft, it is also the best time of the year for basketball with March Madness and the NBA playoffs fast approaching.
While teams like the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are thinking about winning championships, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are thinking about winning the NBA Draft Lottery and the number one overall pick.
With such a mediocre 2016-17 NBA rookie class, RegalMag.com decided to look back at some of the biggest busts in NBA Draft history. Some were complete duds while others fell victim to the injury bug.
Nevertheless, it is what it is and unfortunately some teams made a draft day blunder multiple times.
Check out the list and let RegalMag.com know who needs to be deleted from the list and who needs to be added to the list.
All statistics are courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com. Points per game are PPG. Rebounds per game are RBG. Blocks per game are BPG. And assists per game are APG.
LaRue Martin (Portland Trailblazers, 1972; Loyola University of Chicago)—played four seasons with career averages of 5.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG and o.7 APG
Greg Oden (Portland Trailblazers, 2007; Ohio State)—played three total seasons in injury plagued career with career averages of 8.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 1.2 BPG
Anthony Bennett (Cleveland Cavaliers, 2013; UNLV)—currently in fourth NBA season with career averages of 4.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG and 0.5 APG
Michael Olowokandi (Los Angeles Clippers, 1998; Pacific)—in 10 NBA seasons averaged 8.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG and 1.4 BPG
Kwame Brown (Washington Wizards, 2001; Glynn Academy/Ga.)—in 13 NBA seasons averaged 6.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 0.9 APG
Pervis Ellison (Sacramento Kings, 1989; Louisville)—in 11 seasons averaged 9.5 PPG, 6.7 RBG and 1.5 APG
Kent Bentson (Milwaukee Bucks, 1977; Indiana)—in 11 seasons had career averages of 9.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 1.8 APG
Dick Ricketts (St. Louis Hawks, 1955; Duquesne)—from 1955-1958 averaged 9.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 2.1 APG
Mark Workman (Milwaukee Hawks, 1952; West Virginia)—from 1952-1954 averaged 4.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG and 0.6 APG
Andy Tonkovich (Providence Steam Rollers, 1948; Marshall)—played only 17 games in one season with career averages of 2.6 PPG, 0.6 APG with 26.8 FG percentage
