Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Sports

NBA draft quiz: name every No. 1 overall pick

Quick, free NBA draft trivia to test your recall of No. 1 picks. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Lovely Joy ReputolaUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration with basketballs picks trades icons on dark blue background for NBA draft pick quiz

This NBA draft quiz helps you name every No. 1 overall pick and remember notable draft-day moves. Test your recall across eras, spot the gaps, and pick up quick facts as you play. When you want more hoops practice, try the NBA MVP quiz, check the NBA champions quiz, or take a break with NBA trivia.

Who was selected first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft?
Carmelo Anthony
Chris Bosh
Dwyane Wade
LeBron James
LeBron James was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft. He entered the league directly from St. Vincent - St. Mary High School and immediately made an impact. James has gone on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Who was the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft?
Ja Morant
Zion Williamson
RJ Barrett
Deandre Ayton
Zion Williamson was selected first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 after a standout freshman season at Duke. His combination of athleticism and strength made him a clear top pick. Williamson's draft status was effectively locked in after his dominant collegiate performances.
Which player was selected #1 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft?
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Bradley Beal
Damian Lillard
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis was picked first overall by the New Orleans Hornets in 2012 after an outstanding career at Kentucky, including an NCAA championship. Davis was widely regarded for his defensive versatility and shot-blocking. He has since become one of the NBA's premier big men.
Who was chosen #1 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft?
LaMelo Ball
James Wiseman
Obi Toppin
Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards was selected first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2020 after a freshman season at Georgia. The guard impressed scouts with his athleticism and scoring ability. Edwards has since established himself as a franchise cornerstone.
Who was the #1 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft?
Kobe Bryant
Ray Allen
Steve Nash
Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson was selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 NBA Draft. He had a prolific college career at Georgetown and became known for his scoring and quickness. Iverson went on to win the NBA MVP in 2001.
Who was the first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft?
Ricky Rubio
Blake Griffin
James Harden
Stephen Curry
Blake Griffin was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2009 draft, though he missed his first season due to injury. His highlight-reel dunks and athleticism made him one of the league's most exciting players once he debuted. Griffin earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2011.
Who was selected #1 overall in the 2004 NBA Draft?
Dwight Howard
Ben Gordon
Jameer Nelson
Emeka Okafor
Dwight Howard was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in 2004 out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Known for his rebounding and shot-blocking, he became one of the NBA's premier centers. Howard later won three Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Which player was the top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft?
Kemba Walker
Kyrie Irving
Kawhi Leonard
Derrick Williams
Kyrie Irving was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011 after a standout freshman year at Duke. His ball-handling and scoring ability made him a franchise cornerstone. Irving went on to hit the championship-winning shot in 2016 for the Cavaliers.
Which European player was selected #1 overall in the 2006 NBA Draft?
Tony Parker
Pau Gasol
Andrea Bargnani
Dirk Nowitzki
Andrea Bargnani became the first European player ever selected first overall when the Toronto Raptors picked him in 2006. The Italian forward/center was known for his shooting touch at seven feet tall. Bargnani's selection marked a shift towards international prospects at the top of the draft.
Who was the #1 pick in the 1990 NBA Draft?
Derrick Coleman
Glenn Rice
Gary Payton
David Robinson
Derrick Coleman was selected first overall by the New Jersey Nets in 1990 after a stellar career at Syracuse University. He was known for his rebounding prowess and versatility. Coleman's career included an All-Star appearance in 1994.
Which player was selected #1 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft?
Joel Embiid
Jahlil Okafor
Andrew Wiggins
Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns was selected first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2015 following a dominant freshman season at Kentucky. Towns immediately became the face of the franchise with his scoring and rebounding. He won Rookie of the Year in 2016.
Who was picked first overall in the 1998 NBA Draft?
Michael Olowokandi
Vince Carter
Antawn Jamison
Paul Pierce
Michael Olowokandi was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in 1998 after playing two seasons at the University of the Pacific. He was known for his shot-blocking and defensive presence. Olowokandi's career didn't match the high expectations, making him one of the more debated #1 picks.
Which #1 overall pick never won an NBA championship during their playing career?
Tim Duncan
Allen Iverson
Shaquille O'Neal
David Robinson
Allen Iverson, the 1996 #1 pick, never won an NBA championship despite his MVP season in 2001. He led the league in scoring multiple times but his teams fell short in the playoffs. Iverson is often cited as one of the greatest players without a title.
Which college produced the most first overall NBA draft picks as of 2021?
University of Kentucky
Duke University
University of Kansas
University of North Carolina
As of 2021, the University of Kentucky has produced the most #1 overall picks with John Wall (2010), Anthony Davis (2012), Karl-Anthony Towns (2015), and others. Kentucky's program consistently develops NBA-ready talent. No other school has matched that total of top picks.
Who is the only #1 overall pick to have won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award?
Dwight Howard
David Robinson
Tim Duncan
Hakeem Olajuwon
Dwight Howard won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2009, 2010, and 2011. He was the #1 overall pick in 2004 by the Orlando Magic and dominated interior defense. No other top pick has claimed that honor.
Which #1 overall pick was traded on draft night in 1993?
Greg Oden
Penny Hardaway
Shawn Bradley
Chris Webber
Chris Webber was selected first by the Orlando Magic in 1993 but was traded minutes later to the Golden State Warriors for Penny Hardaway and three future first-round picks. The trade is one of the most famous draft-day deals in NBA history. Webber went on to become a star forward for several teams.
Which Hall of Famer was selected #1 overall in the 1958 NBA Draft?
Bill Russell
Oscar Robertson
Elgin Baylor
Wilt Chamberlain
Elgin Baylor was picked first overall by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1958 after a standout career at Seattle University. He revolutionized the forward position with his athleticism and scoring. Baylor was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.
Which #1 overall pick has scored the most career points in NBA history?
LeBron James
Shaquille O'Neal
Tim Duncan
Kevin Durant
LeBron James, the 2003 #1 pick, surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record in 2023. He is the highest-scoring #1 overall pick and also holds the NBA all-time points record. His longevity and scoring versatility have defined his career.
Who was selected #1 overall in 1968 after a coin flip decided the pick?
Earl Monroe
Wes Unseld
Walt Bellamy
Elvin Hayes
In 1968 the NBA awarded the first pick to the winner of a coin flip between the Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks; Milwaukee won and selected Wes Unseld first overall. Unseld went on to win Rookie of the Year and the Finals MVP in his first season with the Baltimore Bullets. His selection by coin flip remains a unique draft moment.
0
{"name":"Who was selected first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Who was selected first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft?, Who was the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft?, Which player was selected #1 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Impact of Top Picks -

    Dive into how first overall selections shaped franchise success and influenced team dynamics over the years.

  2. Recall Key Draft Moments -

    Test your memory on iconic picks, major upsets, and game-changing player selections featured in the nba draft pick quiz.

  3. Identify Notable Draft-Day Trades -

    Recognize pivotal trades and understand their ripple effects on team rosters and league history.

  4. Compare Draft Trends Across Eras -

    Spot patterns and shifts in drafting strategies from the 1980s through the modern nba draft era.

  5. Evaluate Player Career Trajectories -

    Assess how well top picks and late-round gems fulfilled expectations based on their draft position.

  6. Apply Draft Trivia to New Scenarios -

    Use insights gained to make informed guesses and boost your score in future nba draft trivia quizzes.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Evolution of the NBA Draft Lottery -

    The modern NBA draft lottery has evolved from a simple coin flip in 1966 to a weighted lottery system established in 2019, giving teams with the worst records higher odds of securing top picks. Remember the "14 balls, 4 drawn" formula to recall how the NBA draft picks quiz often tests lottery probabilities. (Source: NBA.com official rules)

  2. Key Player Metrics for Assessing Prospects -

    Advanced statistics like Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and Win Shares are staples in nba draft trivia and help evaluate a prospect's value beyond points per game. For example, Anthony Davis's 26.4 PER in college signaled his two-way impact long before the 2012 top pick nod. (Source: Basketball-Reference)

  3. Memorable Steals and Trades -

    Iconic draft night deals - like the Hornets trading the second pick in 2002 (Tyson Chandler) or Portland securing CJ McCollum at No. 10 in 2013 - often show up in nba draft trivia quiz questions. Use the "Steal or Deal?" mnemonic to tag each trade as a steal (S) or a deal (D) when practicing. (Source: NBA History Archives)

  4. Decade-by-Decade Top Pick Mnemonics -

    Create decade-themed acronyms to remember the No. 1 selections: e.g., "YOGI" for 2000s (Yao, Oden, Griffin, Irving) to breeze through an nba draft pick quiz. This trick helps you ace chronological recall in both casual trivia and formal quizzes. (Source: University of Michigan Sports Studies)

  5. Success Rates by Draft Position -

    Research from the Journal of Sports Analytics shows that No. 1 picks have a 65% chance of making an All-Star team, while picks 2 - 5 drop to 40 - 50%. Factoring in these probabilities can boost your confidence when tackling nba draft picks quiz questions on career outcomes. (Source: Journal of Sports Analytics, 2021)

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Basketball Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker