The 1993-1994 NBA season was a unique one, as Michael Jordan had abruptly retired before it began, leading to a new champion in the form of the Houston Rockets. As teams navigated the post-Jordan era (or so they thought, as Jordan would return at the tail end of the next season), they hoped that the 1994 NBA Draft would guide them to a better path in the midst of the changing power dynamics in the league.
Who was in the 1994 NBA Draft class? Notable stars who were drafted in the 1994 NBA Draft include Glenn Robinson, Jason Kidd, Grant Hill, Juwan Howard, and Eddie Jones.
Who was the first overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft?
The first overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft was Glenn Robinson, a forward from Purdue University selected by the Milwaukee Bucks. Robinson was arguably the best scorer in college, averaging over 30 points per game in his junior year, along with 11 rebounds a game. Robinson played for the Bucks from 1994 to 2002, and after a stint with a few teams, retired in 2005. Robinson averaged 20.7 points and 6.1 rebounds in his career, and was voted to the All-Star Game twice.
Who was the last overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft?
The last overall pick (#54) in the 1994 NBA Draft was Željko Rebrača, a Serbian center selected by the Seattle Supersonics. Rebrača never played for the Sonics, but had short stints with the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and the Los Angeles Clippers. His last appearance in the NBA was in 2007.
Which member of the 1994 NBA Draft class won the Rookie of the Year award?
Two rookies shared the Rookie of the Year award: Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. Jason Kidd averaged 11.7 points, 7.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game for the Mavericks, while also leading the league in triple doubles as a rookie. Grant Hill had 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Detroit Pistons. He also had 1.8 steals per game and .9 blocks per game. Both rookies had an excellent campaign, which led to them being named NBA Co-Rookies of the Year.
Which members of the 1994 NBA Draft Class were given All- Rookie NBA First Team honors?
The 5 members of the 1994 NBA Draft class to receive All-Rookie NBA First Team honors were Jason Kidd, Grant Hill, Glenn Robinson, Eddie Jones, and Brian Grant.
How many members of the 1994 NBA Draft class never played in the NBA?
Out of 54 picks, 9 players did not play in a regular season or post-season NBA game.
How many undrafted players were there in the 1994 NBA Draft?
While the total number of undrafted players is unclear, the number of players who went undrafted but ended up playing at least one NBA game is 12.
Which members of the 1994 NBA Draft class were inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame?
Two members of the 1994 NBA Draft class that were inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame, both in the Class of 2018. Jason Kidd, a guard from the University of California Berkeley, was the 2nd overall pick selected by the Dallas Mavericks. After 2 seasons with the Mavericks, he had successful stints with the Phoenix Suns and the New Jersey Nets, before returning to the Mavericks for a few seasons, where he won a championship. Kidd retired after one season with the Knicks in 2013, with a stacked resume: 1x NBA champion, 10x NBA All-Star, 5x All-NBA First Team, 4x NBA All-Defensive Team, NBA Co-Rookie of the Year, and 4x NBA seasons assists leader, among other honors.
Grant Hill was a forward from Duke University, drafted with the #3 overall pick by the Detroit Pistons. After a few seasons with the Pistons, Hill was traded to the Orlando Magic, followed by some time with the Phoenix Suns. After a short stint with the Los Angeles Clippers, Hill retired in 2013. Hill was seen as potentially the next big superstar of the NBA, but injuries derailed his career. However, his accomplishments, including 7x NBA All-Star Game appearances, 1 All-NBA First Team honor, 4x All-NBA Second Team honors, and NBA Co-Rookie of the Year, as well as an impressive collegiate resume, earned him a place in the Hall of Fame.
Which members of the 1994 NBA Draft class were given All-NBA Team honors?
Along with Jason Kidd and Grant Hill, each of who received multiple All-NBA Team honors, two other members of the 1994 NBA Draft class were given All-NBA team honors. Juwan Howard, a forward from Michigan, was selected by the Washington Bullets with the 5th overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft. He was selected for the All-NBA Third Team in 1996. Eddie Jones was the 10th overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft, picked by the Los Angeles Lakers. A guard out of Temple University, he received All-NBA Third Team honors in 2000.
Which members of the 1994 NBA Draft class made an appearance in the NBA All-Star Game?
5 members of the 1994 NBA Draft class were chosen for at least one NBA All-Star Game. Kidd and Hill were perennial All-Stars; Kidd was a 10x NBA All-Star and Hill was a 7x NBA All-Star. Eddie Jones made 3 NBA All-Star appearances, while Glenn Robinson had 2. Juwan Howard’s sole NBA All-Star Game was in 1996.
The 1994 NBA Draft led to about 51 players, a mix of drafted and undrafted, working their way onto the court. From those, 2 became Hall of Fame players, and a further 3 became stars in their own right. The reality of the draft is that most picks don’t pan out, but some turn out to live up to the hype. The 1994 NBA Draft will be remembered for gifting the league with 3 athletic, versatile players (who were also the first 3 picks in the draft) with a special element to their game: Robinson, Kidd, and Hill. Sadly, all 3 players were afflicted with injuries throughout their careers, cutting short what could’ve been even greater careers.