The 1979 NBA draft was the 33rd annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA), held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Monday, June 25.[1][2] In this draft, the 22 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players; it went ten rounds and selected 202 players.
The first two picks in the draft belonged to the teams that finished last in each conference, with the order determined by a coin flip.[3] The Los Angeles Lakers, who obtained the New Orleans Jazz' first-round pick in a trade, won the coin flip and were awarded the first overall pick, while the Chicago Bulls were awarded the second pick. The remaining first-round picks and the subsequent rounds were assigned to teams in reverse order of their win–loss record in the previous season. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility was eligible for selection.
If a player left college early, he would not be eligible for selection until his college class graduated. Larry Bird would have been eligible to join this draft class because his "junior eligible" draft status from being taken by Boston in 1978 would expire the minute the 1979 draft began, but Bird and the Celtics agreed on a five-year contract on June 8 to avoid that.[4] Before the draft, five college underclassmen were declared eligible for selection under the "hardship" rule.[5] These players had applied and gave evidence of financial hardship to the league, which granted them the right to start earning their living by starting their professional careers earlier.[6] Prior to the draft, the Jazz relocated from New Orleans to Salt Lake City and became the Utah Jazz.[7]
Draft selections and draftee career notes
[edit]
Magic Johnson from NCAA champion Michigan State University, one of the "hardship" players, was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.[2] Johnson, who had just finished his sophomore season in college, became the first underclassman to be drafted first overall.[8] He went on to win the NBA championship with the Lakers in his rookie season. He also won the Finals Most Valuable Player Award, becoming the first rookie ever to win the award. He spent his entire 13-year career with the Lakers and won five NBA championships. He also won three Most Valuable Player Awards, three Finals Most Valuable Player Awards, ten consecutive All-NBA Team selections and twelve All-Star Game selections.[9] For his achievements, he has been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame.[10] He was also named to the list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996.[11] After retiring as a player, Johnson went on to have a brief coaching career as an interim head coach of the Lakers in 1994.[12]
Sidney Moncrief, the fifth pick, won two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and was selected to five consecutive All-NBA Teams, five consecutive All-Defensive Teams and five consecutive All-Star Games. In "The Book of Basketball", Bill Simmons noted that then-Lakers head coach Jerry West had actually wanted to trade down from the #1 pick and use it to get Moncrief along with more players and picks, but Jerry Buss vetoed West's plans because Buss wanted Magic to be the new face of the team he was just finishing his full purchase of.[13] Jim Paxson, the twelfth pick, was selected to one All-NBA Team and two All-Star Games.[14] Bill Cartwright, the third pick, won three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls from 1991 through 1993. He also had one All-Star Game selection, which occurred in his rookie season.[15] He then became the Bulls' head coach for three seasons.[16] Bill Laimbeer, the 65th pick, won two NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990 and was selected to four All-Star Games.[17] After retiring, he coached the Detroit Shock of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for eight seasons, leading them to three WNBA championships in 2003, 2006 and 2008.[18] Mark Eaton, who had only completed one year of college basketball, was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 107th pick.[19] He opted to return to college basketball and later joined the NBA in 1982, after he was drafted again by the Utah Jazz in the 1982 draft. During his eleven-year career with the Jazz, he won two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and was selected to five consecutive All-Defensive Team and one All-Star Game.[20] Two other players from this draft, eighth pick Calvin Natt and 73rd pick James Donaldson, were also selected to one All-Star Game each.[21][22]
In the fourth round, the Boston Celtics selected Nick Galis from Seton Hall University with the 68th pick. However, he suffered a serious injury in the training camp and was waived by the Celtics before the season started. Galis, who was born in the United States to Greek parents, opted to play in Greece. He never played in the NBA and spent all of his professional career in Greece, where he helped the country emerge as an international basketball power. He won a Eurobasket title, 8 Greek championships, 7 Greek cups as well as numerous personal honors and awards. He has been inducted into both the FIBA Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[23][24]
Draft
[edit]Magic Johnson was selected 1st overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.Bill Cartwright was selected 3rd overall by the New York Knicks.Sidney Moncrief was selected 5th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks.Jim Paxson was selected 12th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.Bill Laimbeer was selected 65th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.James Donaldson was selected 73rd overall by the Seattle SuperSonics.
Pos.
G
F
C
Position
Guard
Forward
Center
^
Denotes player who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
*
Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game and All-NBA Team
+
Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game
#
Denotes player who has never appeared in an NBA regular-season or playoff game
Rnd.
Pick
Player
Pos.
Nationality[n 1]
Team
School / club team
1
1
Magic Johnson^
G/F
United States
Los Angeles Lakers (from Utah)[a]
Michigan State (So.)
1
2
David Greenwood
F/C
United States
Chicago Bulls
UCLA (Sr.)
1
3
Bill Cartwright+
C
United States
New York Knicks (from Boston)[b]
San Francisco (Sr.)
1
4
Greg Kelser
F
United States
Detroit Pistons
Michigan State (Sr.)
1
5
Sidney Moncrief^
G
United States
Milwaukee Bucks (from Cleveland)
Arkansas (Sr.)
1
6
James Bailey
F/C
United States
Seattle SuperSonics (from New York)[d]
Rutgers (Sr.)
1
7
Vinnie Johnson
G
United States
Seattle SuperSonics (from New Jersey via New York)[e]
Baylor (Sr.)
1
8
Calvin Natt+
F
United States
New Jersey Nets (from Indiana via Milwaukee)[f]
Northeast Louisiana (Sr.)
1
9
Larry Demic
F/C
United States
New York Knicks (from Golden State via Boston)[b]
Arizona (Sr.)
1
10
Roy Hamilton
G
United States
Detroit Pistons (from Milwaukee via San Diego)[g]
UCLA (Sr.)
1
11
Cliff Robinson
F
United States
New Jersey Nets (from San Diego)[h]
USC (So.)
1
12
Jim Paxson*
G/F
United States
Portland Trail Blazers
Dayton (Sr.)
1
13
Dudley Bradley
G/F
United States
Indiana Pacers (from Atlanta)[i]
North Carolina (Sr.)
1
14
Brad Holland
G
United States
Los Angeles Lakers
UCLA (Sr.)
1
15
Phil Hubbard
F/C
United States
Detroit Pistons (from Denver)[j]
Michigan (Sr.)
1
16
Jim Spanarkel
G/F
United States
Philadelphia 76ers
Duke (Sr.)
1
17
Lee Johnson
F
United States
Houston Rockets
East Texas State (Sr.)
1
18
Reggie King
F
United States
Kansas City Kings
Alabama (Sr.)
1
19
Wiley Peck
G
United States
San Antonio Spurs
Mississippi State (Sr.)
1
20
Larry Knight#
F
United States
Utah Jazz (from Phoenix)[k]
Loyola (IL) (Sr.)
1
21
Sly Williams
G/F
United States
New York Knicks (from Seattle via Boston)[b]
Rhode Island (Jr.)
1
22
Kyle Macy
G
United States
Phoenix Suns (from Washington)[l]
Kentucky (Sr.)
2
23
Tico Brown#
G
United States
Utah Jazz
Georgia Tech (Sr.)
2
24
Johnny High
G
United States
Phoenix Suns (from Boston)[m]
Nevada (Sr.)
2
25
Oliver Mack
G
United States
Los Angeles Lakers (from Detroit via Denver)
East Carolina (Sr.)
2
26
Bruce Flowers
F
United States
Cleveland Cavaliers
Notre Dame (Sr.)
2
27
Reggie Carter
G
United States
New York Knicks
St. John's (Sr.)
2
28
Danny Salisbury#
F
United States
Golden State Warriors (from Chicago)
Pan American (Sr.)
2
29
Tony Price
G
United States
Detroit Pistons (from New Jersey)
Pennsylvania (Sr.)
2
30
Gary Garland
G
United States
Denver Nuggets (from Golden State via San Diego)
DePaul (Sr.)
2
31
Edgar Jones
F/C
United States
Milwaukee Bucks
Nevada (Sr.)
2
32
Tony Zeno
F
United States
Indiana Pacers
Arizona State (Sr.)
2
33
Lawrence Butler#
G
United States
Chicago Bulls (from San Diego via Denver)
Idaho State (Sr.)
2
34
Kim Goetz#
F
United States
New York Knicks (from Portland)
San Diego State (Sr.)
2
35
James Bradley#
F
United States
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis State (Sr.)
2
36
Clint Richardson
G
United States
Philadelphia 76ers (from Denver via New Jersey)
Seattle (Sr.)
2
37
Bernard Toone
F
United States
Philadelphia 76ers
Marquette (Sr.)
2
38
Larry Wilson#
F
United States
Atlanta Hawks (from Houston)
Nicholls State (Sr.)
2
39
Victor King#
F
United States
Los Angeles Lakers
Louisiana Tech (Sr.)
2
40
Andrew Fields#
F
United States
Portland Trail Blazers (from San Antonio via Seattle)
Cheyney State (Sr.)
2
41
Mark Young#
F
United States
Los Angeles Lakers (from Kansas City via Denver)
Fairfield (Sr.)
2
42
Paul Mokeski
F/C
United States
Houston Rockets (from Phoenix via Seattle)
Kansas (Sr.)
2
43
Johnny Moore
G
United States
Seattle SuperSonics
Texas (Sr.)
2
44
Joe DeSantis#
G
United States
Washington Bullets
Fairfield (Sr.)
3
45
Arvid Kramer
C
United States
Utah Jazz
Augustana (SD) (Sr.)
3
46
Andrew Parker#
G
United States
Washington Bullets
Iowa State (Sr.)
3
47
Calvin Garrett
F
United States
Chicago Bulls (from Cleveland)
Oral Roberts (Sr.)
3
48
Terry Duerod
G
United States
Detroit Pistons
Detroit (Sr.)
3
49
Cedrick Hordges
F/C
United States
Chicago Bulls
South Carolina (Sr.)
3
50
Geoff Huston
G
United States
New York Knicks
Texas Tech (Sr.)
3
51
John Gerdy#
G
United States
New Jersey Nets
Davidson (Sr.)
3
52
Larry Gibson#
C
United States
Milwaukee Bucks
Maryland (Sr.)
3
53
Wayne Kreklow
G
United States
Boston Celtics (from Indiana)
Drake (Sr.)
3
54
Lynbert Johnson
G/F
United States
Golden State Warriors
Wichita State (Sr.)
3
55
Tom Channel#
G
United States
San Diego Clippers
Boston University (Sr.)
3
56
Mickey Fox#
G
United States
Portland Trail Blazers
Saint Mary's University (Canada) (Sr.)
3
57
Donnie Marsh#
G
United States
Atlanta Hawks
Franklin & Marshall (Sr.)
3
58
Earl Cureton
F/C
United States
Philadelphia 76ers
Detroit (Sr.)
3
59
Ricardo Brown#
G
United States[n 2]
Houston Rockets
Pepperdine (Sr.)
3
60
Walter Daniels#
G
United States
Los Angeles Lakers
Georgia (Sr.)
3
61
Ernesto Malcolm#
G
Panama
Boston Celtics
Briar Cliff (Sr.)
3
62
Terry Crosby
G
United States
Kansas City Kings
Tennessee (Sr.)
3
63
Sylvester Norris
C
United States
San Antonio Spurs
Jackson State (Sr.)
3
64
Al Green#
G
United States[n 3]
Phoenix Suns
LSU (Sr.)
3
65
Bill Laimbeer+
C
United States
Cleveland Cavaliers (from Seattle)
Notre Dame (Sr.)
3
66
Charles Floyd#
F
United States
Washington Bullets
High Point (Sr.)
4
67
Greg Deane
G
United States
Utah Jazz
Utah (Sr.)
4
68
Nikos Galis^#
G
United States[n 4]
Boston Celtics
Seton Hall (Sr.)
4
69
Eugene Robinson#
C
United States
Milwaukee Bucks
Louisiana–Monroe (Sr.)
4
70
Rick Swing#
G
United States
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Citadel (Sr.)
4
71
Larry Rogers#
F
United States
New York Knicks
U.S. Armed Forces (AAU)
4
72
George Maynor#
G
United States
Chicago Bulls
East Carolina (Sr.)
4
73
James Donaldson+
C
United States[n 5]
Seattle SuperSonics (from New Jersey)
Washington State (Sr.)
4
74
Don Newman#
G
United States
Indiana Pacers
Idaho (Jr.)
4
75
Ron Ripley#
F
United States
Golden State Warriors
Green Bay (Sr.)
4
76
Sammy Drummer#
G
United States
Houston Rockets
Georgia Tech (Sr.)
4
77
Lionel Garrett#
F
United States
San Diego Clippers
Southern (Sr.)
4
78
Darryl Robinson#
G
United States
Portland Trail Blazers
Appalachian State (Sr.)
4
79
Ray White#
G
United States
Los Angeles Lakers
Mississippi State (Sr.)
4
80
Lionel Green#
F
United States
Houston Rockets
LSU (Sr.)
4
81
Ricky Reed#
G
United States
Los Angeles Lakers
Temple (Sr.)
4
82
Jerry Sichting
G
United States
Golden State Warriors (from Denver)
Purdue (Sr.)
4
83
Mike Niles
F
United States
Philadelphia 76ers
Cal State Fullerton (Sr.)
4
84
Al Daniel#
G
United States
San Antonio Spurs
Furman (Sr.)
4
85
John McCullough
G
United States
Kansas City Kings
Oklahoma (Sr.)
4
86
Malcolm Cesare#
F
United States
Phoenix Suns
Florida (Sr.)
4
87
Richie Allen#
F
United States
Seattle SuperSonics
Cal State Dominguez Hills (Sr.)
4
88
Lamont Reid#
G
United States
Washington Bullets
Oral Roberts (Sr.)
5
89
Wolfe Perry#
G
United States
Utah Jazz
Stanford (Sr.)
5
90
Jimmy Allen#
G
United States
Boston Celtics
New Haven (Sr.)
5
91
Matt Simpkins#
F
United States
Cleveland Cavaliers
Georgia Southern (Sr.)
5
92
Flintie Ray Williams#
G
United States
Detroit Pistons
UNLV (Sr.)
5
93
Larry Washington#
G
United States
Chicago Bulls
Drury (Sr.)
5
94
Johnny Green#
F
United States
New York Knicks
UC Riverside (Sr.)
5
95
Jim Abromaitis#
F
United States
New Jersey Nets
UConn (Sr.)
5
96
George Lett#
F
United States
Golden State Warriors
Centenary (Sr.)
5
97
Jim Tillman #
G
United States
Milwaukee Bucks
Eastern Kentucky (Jr.)
5
98
Billy Reid
G
United States
Indiana Pacers
San Francisco (Jr.)
5
99
Greg Joyner#
F
United States
San Diego Clippers
Middle Tennessee (Sr.)
5
100
Matthew White#
C
United States
Portland Trail Blazers
Penn (Sr.)
5
101
Kendal Pinder#
F
Bahamas[n 6]
Atlanta Hawks
NC State (Sr.)
5
102
Larry Williams#
F
United States
Denver Nuggets
Louisville (Sr.)
5
103
Carl McPipe#
F
United States
Philadelphia 76ers
Nebraska (Sr.)
5
104
Allen Leavell
G
United States
Houston Rockets
Oklahoma City (Sr.)
5
105
Curtis Watkins#
F
United States
Kansas City Kings
DePaul (Sr.)
5
106
Steve Schall#
F
United States
San Antonio Spurs
Arkansas (Jr.)
5
107
Mark Eaton+
C
United States
Phoenix Suns
Cypress JC (Fr.)[n 7]
5
108
Marshall Ashford#
G
United States
Washington Bullets
Virginia Tech (Sr.)
6
109
Ernie Cobb#
G
United States
Utah Jazz
Boston College (Sr.)
6
110
Marvin Delph#
G
United States
Boston Celtics
Athletes in Action
6
111
Truman Claytor#
G
United States
Detroit Pistons
Kentucky (Sr.)
6
112
Jon Manning#
G
United States
Cleveland Cavaliers
North Texas (Sr.)
6
113
Phil Abney#
G
United States
New York Knicks
New Mexico (Sr.)
6
114
Steve Smith#
G
United States
Chicago Bulls
USC (Sr.)
6
115
Tony Smith#
G
United States
New Jersey Nets
UNLV (Sr.)
6
116
Derrick Mayes#
G
United States
Milwaukee Bucks
Illinois State (Sr.)
6
117
Greg Guye#
F
United States
Indiana Pacers
Stetson (Sr.)
6
118
Jim Mitchem#
C
United States
Golden State Warriors
DePaul (Sr.)
6
119
Bob Bender#
G
United States
San Diego Clippers
Duke (Sr.)
6
120
Ray Ellis#
C
United States
Portland Trail Blazers
Pepperdine (Sr.)
6
121
Dwight Williams#
G
United States
Atlanta Hawks
Gardner–Webb (Sr.)
6
122
Odell Ball#
F
United States
Denver Nuggets
Marquette (Sr.)
6
123
Dan Hartshorne#
C
United States
Philadelphia 76ers
Oregon (Sr.)
6
124
Collie Davis#
F
United States
Houston Rockets
Southern (Sr.)
6
125
Terry Knight#
G
United States
San Antonio Spurs
Pittsburgh (Sr.)
6
126
Bob Roma#
F
United States
Kansas City Kings
Princeton (Sr.)
6
127
Dale Shackleford#
F
United States
Phoenix Suns
Syracuse (Sr.)
6
128
Garcia Hopkins#
F
United States
Washington Bullets
Morgan State (So.)
7
129
Paul Poe#
F
United States
Utah Jazz
Louisiana College (Sr.)
7
130
Steve Castellan#
F
United States
Boston Celtics
Virginia (Sr.)
7
131
Steve Skaggs#
G
United States
Cleveland Cavaliers
Ohio (Sr.)
7
132
Ken Jones#
G
United States
Detroit Pistons
Saint Mary's (Sr.)
7
133
Mike Eversley#
F
United States
Chicago Bulls
Chicago State (Sr.)
7
134
Marc Coleman#
G
United States
New York Knicks
Seton Hall (Sr.)
7
135
Jim Strickland#
C
United States
New Jersey Nets
South Carolina (Jr.)
7
136
Dirk Ewing#
G
United States
Indiana Pacers
Stetson (Sr.)
7
137
Ren Watson#
F
United States
Golden State Warriors
VCU (Sr.)
7
138
Stan Ray#
C
United States
Milwaukee Bucks
Cal State Fullerton (Sr.)
7
139
Jene Grey#
F
United States
San Diego Clippers
Le Moyne (Sr.)
7
140
Jeff Tropf#
F
United States
Portland Trail Blazers
Central Michigan (Sr.)
7
141
Tim Waterman#
F
United States
Atlanta Hawks
St. Bonaventure (Sr.)
7
142
Bobby Willis#
G
United States
Philadelphia 76ers
Penn (Sr.)
7
143
Rich Valavicius#
F
United States
Houston Rockets
Auburn (Jr.)
7
144
John Johnson#
G
United States
Denver Nuggets
Creighton (Sr.)
7
145
Nick Daniels#
F
United States
Kansas City Kings
Xavier (Sr.)
7
146
Tyrone Branyan#
F
United States
San Antonio Spurs
Texas (Sr.)
7
147
Ollie Matson Jr.#
F
United States
Phoenix Suns
Pepperdine (Sr.)
7
Washington Bullets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player)[n 8]
8
148
Keith McDonald#
G
United States
Utah Jazz
Utah State (Sr.)
8
149
Glenn Sudhop#
C
United States
Boston Celtics
NC State (Sr.)
8
150
Rodney Lee#
F
United States
Detroit Pistons
Memphis (Sr.)
8
151
Mark Haymore#
F
United States
Cleveland Cavaliers
UMass (Sr.)
8
152
Billy Tucker#
G
United States
New York Knicks
Tennessee State (Sr.)
8
153
Tony Warren#
G
United States
Chicago Bulls
NC State (Sr.)
8
154
Henry Hollingsworth#
G
United States
New Jersey Nets
Hofstra (Sr.)
8
155
Mario Butler#
F
Panama
Golden State Warriors
Briar Cliff (Sr.)
8
156
Larry Spicer#
F
United States
Milwaukee Bucks
UAB (Jr.)
8
157
Brian Magid#
G
United States
Indiana Pacers
George Washington (Sr.)
8
158
Renaldo Lawrence#
G
United States
San Diego Clippers
Appalachian State (Sr.)
8
159
Willie Pounds#
F
United States
Portland Trail Blazers
Chaminade (Sr.)
8
160
John Goedeke#
F
United States
Atlanta Hawks
UMBC (Sr.)
8
161
Delbert Watson#
G
United States
Houston Rockets
East Tennessee State (Sr.)
8
162
Matt Teahan#
F
United States
Denver Nuggets
Denver (Sr.)
8
163
Rick Raivio#
G
United States
Philadelphia 76ers
Portland (Jr.)
8
San Antonio Spurs (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player)[n 9]
8
164
Tony Vann#
F
United States
Kansas City Kings
Alabama–Huntsville (Sr.)
8
165
Charles Jones
F/C
United States
Phoenix Suns
Albany State (Sr.)
8
166
Jo Jo Walters#
G
United States
Washington Bullets
Manhattan (Sr.)
9
167
Milt Huggins#
G
United States
Utah Jazz
Southern Illinois (Sr.)
9
168
Kevin Sinnett#
F
United States
Boston Celtics
Navy (Sr.)
9
169
Tim Joyce#
F
United States
Cleveland Cavaliers
Ohio (Sr.)
9
170
Val Bracey#
G
United States
Detroit Pistons
Central Michigan (Sr.)
9
171
James Jackson#
G
United States
Chicago Bulls
Minnesota (Sr.)
9
172
Brett Wyatt#
G
United States
New York Knicks
New Jersey City (Sr.)
9
173
Ricky Free#
G
United States
New Jersey Nets
Columbia (Sr.)
9
174
Roger Lapham#
F
United States
Milwaukee Bucks
Maine (Sr.)
9
175
Gene Ransom#
G
United States
Golden State Warriors
California (Sr.)
9
176
Mike Dodd#
G
United States
San Diego Clippers
San Diego State (Sr.)
9
177
Stan Eckwood#
G
United States
Portland Trail Blazers
Harding (Sr.)
9
178
Cedric Oliver#
G
United States
Atlanta Hawks
Hamilton (Sr.)
9
179
Emmett Lewis#
G
United States
Denver Nuggets
Colorado (Sr.)
9
180
Coby Leavitt#
F
United States
Philadelphia 76ers
Utah (Jr.)
9
181
Gary Wilson#
F
United States
Kansas City Kings
Southern Illinois (Sr.)
9
182
Eddie McLeod#
F
United States
San Antonio Spurs
UNLV (Sr.)
9
183
Hosea Champine#
G
United States
Phoenix Suns
Robert Morris (Sr.)
9
184
Gary Hooker#
F
United States
Washington Bullets
Murray State (Jr.)
10
185
Paul Dawkins
F
United States
Utah Jazz
Northern Illinois (Sr.)
10
186
Alton Byrd#
G
United States[n 10]
Boston Celtics
Columbia (Sr.)
10
187
Willie Polk#
G
United States
Detroit Pistons
Grand Canyon (Sr.)
10
188
Terry Peavy#
G
United States
Cleveland Cavaliers
Point Park (Sr.)
10
189
Gordon Thomas#
G
United States
New York Knicks
St. John's (Sr.)
10
190
Marvin Thomas#
G
United States
Chicago Bulls
UCLA (Sr.)
10
191
Eric Fleisher#
G
United States
New Jersey Nets
Tulane (Sr.)
10
192
Kevin Heenan#
G
United States
Golden State Warriors
Cal State Fullerton (Sr.)
10
193
Chris Fahrbach#
F
United States
Milwaukee Bucks
North Dakota (Sr.)
10
194
Greg Hunter#
F
United States
San Diego Clippers
Loyola Marymount (Sr.)
10
195
Kelvin Small#
F
United States
Portland Trail Blazers
Oregon (Sr.)
10
196
Chad Nelson#
C
United States
Atlanta Hawks
Drake (Sr.)
10
197
Cortez Collins#
F
United States
Chicago Bulls
Southern Indiana (Sr.)
10
198
Keith McCord
G
United States
Philadelphia 76ers
UAB (Jr.)
10
199
Glenn Fine#
G
United States
San Antonio Spurs
Harvard (Sr.)
10
200
Russell Saunders#
G
United States
Kansas City Kings
New Mexico (Sr.)
10
201
Korky Nelson#
F
United States
Phoenix Suns
Santa Clara (Sr.)
10
202
Steve Martin#
G
United States
Washington Bullets
Georgetown (Sr.)
Notable undrafted players
[edit] Further information: List of undrafted NBA players
These players were not selected in the 1979 draft but played at least one game in the NBA.
Player
Pos.
Nationality
School/club team
Norman Black
G/F
United States
Saint Joseph's (Sr.)
Alan Hardy
G
United States
Michigan (Sr.)
Bill Mayfield
F
United States
Iowa (Sr.)
Trades
[edit]
a On August 5, 1976, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired 1977, 1978 and 1979 first-round picks, and a 1980 second-round pick from the New Orleans Jazz in exchange for a 1978 first-round pick and a 1977 second-round pick. This trade was arranged as compensation when the Jazz signed Gail Goodrich on July 19, 1976.[28] The Lakers used the pick to draft Magic Johnson.
b 123 On February 12, 1979, the New York Knicks acquired three first-round picks from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Bob McAdoo.[29] Previously, the Celtics acquired a first-round pick on January 30, 1979, from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Jo Jo White.[30] The Celtics also acquired a first-round pick on January 17, 1979, from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Dennis Awtrey.[31] The Knicks used the picks to draft Bill Cartwright, Larry Demic and Sly Williams.
c 12 On the draft-day, the Detroit Pistons acquired the fifth pick from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for the sixth pick and cash considerations.[32] Previously, the Bucks acquired the pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 1, 1978, in exchange for a 1978 first-round pick.[33] The Pistons used the pick to draft Greg Kelser. The Bucks used the pick to draft Sidney Moncrief
d On October 24, 1975, the Seattle SuperSonics acquired Gene Short and a first-round pick from the New York Knicks in exchange for Spencer Haywood.[34] The Sonics used the pick to draft James Bailey.
e On October 4, 1978, the Seattle SuperSonics acquired Lonnie Shelton and a 1979 first-round pick from the New York Knicks in exchange for a 1981 first-round pick. This trade was arranged as compensation when the Knicks signed Marvin Webster on September 29, 1978.[35] Previously, the Knicks acquired the 1978 and 1979 first-round picks on June 8, 1978, from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Phil Jackson, a 1978 first-round pick and US$3.2-million settlement of their indemnification debt to the Knicks.[36][37] The Sonics used the pick to draft Vinnie Johnson.
f On May 31, 1979, the New Jersey Nets acquired John Gianelli and the eighth pick from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Harvey Catchings.[38] Previously, the Bucks acquired the pick on June 8, 1978, from the Indiana Pacers as compensation for the signing of Alex English as a free agent.[39] The Nets used the pick to draft Calvin Natt.
g On November 23, 1977, the Detroit Pistons acquired Gus Gerard, John Shumate and 1979 first-round pick from the San Diego Clippers in exchange for Marvin Barnes, a 1978 second-round pick and a 1978 fourth-round pick.[40] Previously, the Clippers acquired the pick on September 2, 1977, from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for John Gianelli.[38] The Pistons used the pick to draft Roy Hamilton.
h On September 1, 1977, the New Jersey Nets acquired George E. Johnson, 1978 and 1979 first-round picks from the San Diego Clippers in exchange for Nate Archibald.[41] The Nets used the pick to draft Cliff Robinson.
i On June 9, 1978, the Indiana Pacers acquired a first-round pick from the Atlanta Hawks as compensation for the signing of Dan Roundfield as a free agent.[42] The Pacers used the pick to draft Dudley Bradley.
j On February 1, 1978, the Detroit Pistons acquired Jim Price and a first-round pick from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Ralph Simpson.[43] The Pistons used the pick to draft Phil Hubbard.
k On January 12, 1979, the Utah Jazz acquired Marty Byrnes, Ron Lee, 1979 and 1980 first-round picks from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Truck Robinson.[44] The Jazz used the pick to draft Larry Knight.
l On June 22, 1979, the Phoenix Suns acquired the 22nd pick and a 1980 third-round pick from the Washington Bullets in exchange for Steve Malovic.[45] The Suns used the pick to draft Kyle Macy.
m On October 11, 1978, the Phoenix Suns acquired a second-round pick from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Dennis Awtrey.[31] The Suns used the pick to draft Johnny High.
Early entrants
[edit]
College underclassmen
[edit]
For the second year in a row, no underclassmen decided to opt out of the NBA draft, with only four total players deciding to declare entry into this year's draft. The following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[46]
Garcia Hopkins – F, Morgan State (sophomore)
Magic Johnson – G, Michigan State (sophomore)
Cliff Robinson – F, USC (sophomore)
Sly Williams – F/G, Rhode Island (junior)
Invited attendees
[edit]
The 1979 NBA draft is considered to be the second ever NBA draft to have utilized what's properly considered the "green room" experience for NBA prospects. The NBA's green room is a staging area where anticipated draftees often sit with their families and representatives, waiting for their names to be called on draft night. Often being positioned either in front of or to the side of the podium (in this case, being positioned in the Plaza Hotel's Grand Ballroom[47]), once a player heard his name, he would walk to the podium to shake hands and take promotional photos with the NBA commissioner. From there, the players often conducted interviews with various media outlets while backstage. However, during the late 1970s specifically, these select players were often called to the hotel to take promotional pictures with the NBA commissioner a day or two after the draft concluded. The NBA compiled its list of green room invites through collective voting by the NBA's team presidents and general managers alike, which in this year's case belonged to only what they believed were the top six prospects at the time.[48] As such, the following players were invited to attend this year's draft festivities live and in person.[47]
Bill Cartwright – C, San Francisco
David Greenwood – PF/C, UCLA
Magic Johnson – PG, Michigan State
Greg Kelser – SF, Michigan State
Sidney Moncrief – SG, Arkansas
Calvin Natt – SF, Northeast Louisiana
Notes
[edit]
^Nationality indicates the player's national team or representative nationality. If a player has not competed at the international level, then the nationality indicates the national team which the player is eligible to represent according to FIBA rules.
^Brown later became a Filipino citizen and played for the Philippines national team.
^Green later became an Australian citizen.
^Galis became a naturalized Greek citizen and played for the Greece national team.[25]
^Donaldson was born in the United Kingdom.
^Pinder possessed Australian citizenship from 1986 until it was revoked in 2007.
^Even though Mark Eaton was a freshman, he was eligible to be drafted because he was already four years out of high school and therefore he did not need to apply for early entry.[19]
^The Washington Bullets selected Conrad Whisenton who was a graduate student at the University of Alabama and had last played basketball at Fisk University in 1978. Whisenton had graduated from high school in 1974 which would have made him automatically eligible four years later for the 1978 NBA draft where he was not selected. The NBA originally upheld the Bullets' selection of Whisenton but it was deemed ineligible several weeks later.[26]
^The San Antonio Spurs attempted to select Ed "Too Tall" Jones who was a professional boxer and former football player at the time of drafting. The NBA disallowed the pick because Jones had been out of college for more than five years.[27]
^Byrd gained British citizenship in 1984 and played for the England national team.
See also
[edit]
List of first overall NBA draft picks
References
[edit] General
"Complete First Round Results 1970–79". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
"1979 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
"1977–1981 NBA Drafts". The Association for Professional Basketball Research. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
Specific
^"Who will go second in NBA draft?". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. June 24, 1979. p. 4F.
^ ab"L.A. picks "Magic"". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. June 25, 1979. p. 21.
^"Evolution of the Draft and Lottery". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on September 27, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
^Braude, Dick (June 8, 1979). "For $3.25 million, Celtics land Bird". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. p. 33.
^"Early Entry Candidate History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on September 14, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
^"Spencer Haywood Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
^"This Date in History–June". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
^"Olajuwon should go first in today's draft". Gainesville Sun. Florida. Associated Press. June 19, 1984. p. 1C. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
^"Magic Johnson Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
^"Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
^"The NBA's 50 Greatest Players". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
^"Magic Johnson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
^"Sidney Moncrief Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
^"Jim Paxson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
^"Bill Cartwright Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
^"Bill Cartwright Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
^"Bill Laimbeer Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
^"Bill Laimbeer Bio". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 12, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
^ abHersch, Hank (May 1, 1989). "Big Man On The Block". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
^"Mark Eaton Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
^"Calvin Natt Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
^"James Donaldson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
^"Greece – Nick Galis". FIBA. July 20, 2010. Archived from the original on November 7, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
^"McGrady, Self, Lobo headline 2017 HOF class". April 2017.
^"Greeks Pin Basketball Hopes On U.S. Talent". Indian River Press Journal. December 18, 1985. p. 22. Retrieved November 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Conrad Whisenton - Ineligible Draftees". The Draft Review. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
^"Ed "Too Tall" Jones - Ineligible Draftees". The Draft Review. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
^"Kenny Carr Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Bob McAdoo Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Jo Jo White Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^ ab"Dennis Awtrey Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Greg Kelser Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Mike Mitchell Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Spencer Haywood Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Lonnie Shelton Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Phil Jackson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^Goldaper, Sam (June 9, 1978). "Nets Get Phil Jackson as Part Of a Settlement With Knicks; Nets' Other Concessions Another Indemnity Nets Sign Jackson as Part Of a Settlement With Knicks Top Choices". The New York Times. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^ ab"John Gianelli Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Alex English Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Marvin Barnes Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Tiny Archibald Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Dan Roundfield Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Ralph Simpson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Truck Robinson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"Steve Malovic Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^"1979 Underclassmen". The Draft Review. August 4, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
United States 
Panama 
Bahamas[n 6] 
Garcia Hopkins – F, Morgan State (sophomore)