NBA Draft History: Complete list of overall #1 picks since 1947

In the world of professional basketball, few moments are as eagerly anticipated as the NBA Draft's number one pick. This top spot isn't just about talent, it's a game-changing decision that can shape a team's future. This year the Mavericks defied the NBA Draft odds and landed Cooper Flagg. 

Cooper Flagg is ‘going to be amazing’, Will he have an immediate impact on the Mavs? | The Herd

LeBron James said that Cooper Flagg is "going to be amazing". Colin Cowherd discusses Flagg’s potential in the NBA and if he’ll have an immediate impact with the Dallas Mavericks if they select him.

Take a look at all the #1 overall draft picks from 1947:

NBA Draft #1 Picks

• 2025: Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)
• 2024: Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks)
• 2023: Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
• 2022: Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
• 2021: Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
• 2020: Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• 2019: Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
• 2018: Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns)
• 2017: Markelle Fultz (Philadelphia 76ers)
• 2016: Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
• 2015: Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• 2014: Andrew Wiggins (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 2013: Anthony Bennett (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 2012: Anthony Davis (New Orleans Hornets)
• 2011: Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 2010: John Wall (Washington Wizards)
• 2009: Blake Griffin (LA Clippers)
• 2008: Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
• 2007: Greg Oden (Portland Trail Blazers)
• 2006: Andrea Bargnani (Toronto Raptors)
• 2005: Andrew Bogut (Milwaukee Bucks)
• 2004: Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
• 2003: LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 2002: Yao Ming (Houston Rockets)
• 2001: Kwame Brown (Washington Wizards)
• 2000: Kenyon Martin (New Jersey Nets)
• 1999: Elton Brand (Chicago Bulls)
• 1998: Michael Olowokandi (LA Clippers)
• 1997: Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
• 1996: Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers)
• 1995: Joe Smith (Golden State Warriors)
• 1994: Glenn Robinson (Milwaukee Bucks)
• 1993: Chris Webber (Orlando Magic)
• 1992: Shaquille O’Neal (Orlando Magic)
• 1991: Larry Johnson (Charlotte Hornets)
• 1990: Derrick Coleman (New Jersey Nets)
• 1989: Pervis Ellison (Sacramento Kings)
• 1988: Danny Manning (LA Clippers)
• 1987: David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs)
• 1986: Brad Daugherty (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 1985: Patrick Ewing (New York Knicks)
• 1984: Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)
• 1983: Ralph Sampson (Houston Rockets)
• 1982: James Worthy (Los Angeles Lakers)
• 1981: Mark Aguirre (Dallas Mavericks)
• 1980: Joe Barry Carroll (Golden State Warriors)
• 1979: Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers)
• 1978: Mychal Thompson (Portland Trail Blazers)
• 1977: Kent Benson (Milwaukee Bucks)
• 1976: John Lucas (Houston Rockets)
• 1975: David Thompson (Atlanta Hawks)
• 1974: Bill Walton (Portland Trail Blazers)
• 1973: Doug Collins (Philadelphia 76ers)
• 1972: LaRue Martin (Portland Trail Blazers)
• 1971: Austin Carr (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 1970: Bob Lanier (Detroit Pistons)
• 1969: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee Bucks)
• 1968: Elvin Hayes (San Diego Rockets)
• 1967: Jimmy Walker (Detroit Pistons)
• 1966: Cazzie Russell (New York Knicks)
• 1965: Fred Hetzel (San Francisco Warriors)
• 1964: Jim Barnes (New York Knicks)
• 1963: Art Heyman (New York Knicks)
• 1962: Bill McGill (Chicago Zephyrs)
• 1961: Walt Bellamy (Chicago Zephyrs)
• 1960: Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati Royals)
• 1959: Bob Boozer (Cincinnati Royals)
• 1958: Elgin Baylor (Minneapolis Lakers)
• 1957: Hot Rod Hundley (Cincinnati Royals)
• 1956: Si Green (Rochester Royals)
• 1955: Dick Ricketts (St. Louis Hawks)
• 1954: Frank Selvy (Baltimore Bullets)
• 1953: Ray Felix (Baltimore Bullets)
• 1952: Mark Workman (Milwaukee Hawks)
• 1951: Gene Melchiorre (Baltimore Hawks)
• 1950: Chuck Share (Boston Celtics)
• 1949: Howie Shannon (Providence Steam Rollers)
• 1948: Andy Tonkovich (Providence Steam Rollers)
• 1947: Clifton McNeeley (Pittsburgh Ironmen)