Top NBA draft picks from Louisiana

Written by:
April 6, 2022
Canva

Top NBA draft picks from Louisiana

Summer may not be professional basketball season, but there is one thing that brings fans, teams, and college ball players the same excitement and anticipation as any headline matchup—the National Basketball Association's annual Draft.

The draft has evolved over the years from the sort of thing you'd read about in the newspaper to a fully televised event that has become a significant draw for the NBA, both from a revenue and brand reinforcement standpoint. The draft's key role for teams is to allow them to pinpoint their deficiencies in order to identify precisely what kind of player they need coming out of the annual raffle, and also to effect strategic trades either for (or with) draft picks to plan for the future.

The draft's impact at the college level is even bigger. Since it is the ambition of most college ball players to go pro, each year's draft presents them with a new chance to level up. Now that high school players cannot qualify except after a gap year (of either college ball or not) due to 2006's "one-and-done rule," the annual pool of eligible college players is the NBA's best source of fresh talent.

In summer 2022, colleges and universities across the country will see their top players try to fulfill their dream of playing at the professional level. Many schools are known for their basketball programs, and many more seem to slip under the radar while surprising teams and fans alike by producing some of the greatest players ever to take the court. For every Reggie Miller (UCLA), there's a Stephen Curry (Davidson College). That's what makes the draft so exciting for sports fans—they get to bear witness to dreams coming true and potential being rewarded. After more than 70 years, the NBA Draft retains its power to change the face of the game and help teams transform themselves into championship contenders.

With the next draft set for June 23, 2022, Stacker compiled a list of the highest NBA draft picks from [university], using data from Basketball-Reference.com. Before the 2022 draft class is decided, take a look back at the top picks from your favorite college team down through NBA history.

#10. De'Aaron Fox (PG)
- Born: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Draft pick: #5 overall in 2017
- Drafted by: Sacramento Kings
- School: Kentucky
- Years in NBA: 5

#9. Jackie Moreland (PF/SF)
- Born: Minden, Louisiana
- Draft pick: #4 overall in 1960
- Drafted by: Detroit Pistons
- School: Louisiana Tech
- Years in NBA: 5

#8. Antawn Jamison (PF/SF)
- Born: Shreveport, Louisiana
- Draft pick: #4 overall in 1998
- Drafted by: Toronto Raptors
- School: UNC
- Years in NBA: 16

#7. Tyrus Thomas (PF/C)
- Born: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Draft pick: #4 overall in 2006
- Drafted by: Portland Trail Blazers
- School: LSU
- Years in NBA: 8

#6. Marques Johnson (SF/SG)
- Born: Natchitoches, Louisiana
- Draft pick: #3 overall in 1977
- Drafted by: Milwaukee Bucks
- School: UCLA
- Years in NBA: 11

#5. Benoit Benjamin (C)
- Born: Monroe, Louisiana
- Draft pick: #3 overall in 1985
- Drafted by: Los Angeles Clippers
- School: Creighton
- Years in NBA: 15

#4. Bob Pettit (PF/C)
- Born: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Draft pick: #2 overall in 1954
- Drafted by: Milwaukee Hawks
- School: LSU
- Years in NBA: 11

#3. Bill Russell (C)
- Born: Monroe, Louisiana
- Draft pick: #2 overall in 1956
- Drafted by: St. Louis Hawks
- School: San Francisco
- Years in NBA: 13

#2. Stromile Swift (PF/C)
- Born: Shreveport, Louisiana
- Draft pick: #2 overall in 2000
- Drafted by: Vancouver Grizzlies
- School: LSU
- Years in NBA: 9

#1. Elvin Hayes (PF/C)
- Born: Rayville, Louisiana
- Draft pick: #1 overall in 1968
- Drafted by: San Diego Rockets
- School: Houston
- Years in NBA: 16

Explore by Metro

Acadia Parish

Explore

Alexandria

Explore

Allen Parish

Explore

Ascension Parish

Explore

Assumption Parish

Explore

Avoyelles Parish

Explore

Baton Rouge

Explore

Beauregard Parish

Explore

Bienville Parish

Explore

Bossier Parish

Explore

Caddo Parish

Explore

Calcasieu Parish

Explore

Caldwell Parish

Explore

Cameron Parish

Explore

Catahoula Parish

Explore

Claiborne Parish

Explore

Concordia Parish

Explore

De Soto Parish

Explore

East Baton Rouge Parish

Explore

East Carroll Parish

Explore

East Feliciana Parish

Explore

Evangeline Parish

Explore

Franklin Parish

Explore

Grant Parish

Explore

Hammond

Explore

Houma

Explore

Iberia Parish

Explore

Iberville Parish

Explore

Jackson Parish

Explore

Jefferson Davis Parish

Explore

Jefferson Parish

Explore

LaSalle Parish

Explore

Lafayette

Explore

Lafayette Parish

Explore

Lafourche Parish

Explore

Lake Charles

Explore

Lincoln Parish

Explore

Livingston Parish

Explore

Madison Parish

Explore

Monroe

Explore

Morehouse Parish

Explore

Natchitoches Parish

Explore

New Orleans

Explore

Ouachita Parish

Explore

Plaquemines Parish

Explore

Pointe Coupee Parish

Explore

Rapides Parish

Explore

Red River Parish

Explore

Richland Parish

Explore

Sabine Parish

Explore

Shreveport

Explore

St. Bernard Parish

Explore

St. Charles Parish

Explore

St. Helena Parish

Explore

St. James Parish

Explore

St. John the Baptist Parish

Explore

St. Landry Parish

Explore

St. Martin Parish

Explore

St. Mary Parish

Explore

St. Tammany Parish

Explore

Tangipahoa Parish

Explore

Tensas Parish

Explore

Terrebonne Parish

Explore

Union Parish

Explore

Vermilion Parish

Explore

Vernon Parish

Explore

Washington Parish

Explore

Webster Parish

Explore

West Baton Rouge Parish

Explore

West Carroll Parish

Explore

West Feliciana Parish

Explore

Winn Parish

Explore

Trending Now