On this day in history, 1996, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Allen Iverson from Georgetown with the No. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA Draft.
At the time, the 96 Draft class was known as one of the deepest in recent memory with a couple of stand-out high school kids. Now, it’s known as arguably the greatest draft class ever with arguably the greatest shooter (Ray Allen), shooting guard (Kobe), and pound-for-pound player (Iverson).
This class also has 1 of the 12 players ever to win back-to-back MVP awards (Steve Nash) and a Point God with statues and a museum in China (Stephon Marbury).
The class was so great that they could even claim 4-time Defensive Player Of The Year Ben Wallace as part of it, despite being undrafted.
TOP 10 1996 NBA DRAFT PICKS
- Allen Iverson, Phi
- Marcus Camby, Tor
- Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Van
- Stephon Marbury, Mil
- Ray Allen, Min
- Antoine Walker, Bos
- Lorenzen Wright, Lac
- Kerry Kittles, NJ
- Samaki Walker, Dal
- Erick Dampier, Ind
Other Notables: Kobe Bryant (13), Peja Stojakovic (14), Steve Nash (15), Jermaine O’Neal (17), Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20), Derek Fisher (24), Ben Wallace (undrafted)
NBA DRAFT HIGHLIGHTS (35 MINS)