1997 NBA Draft

The 1997 NBA Draft took place on 25 June 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although the Celtics had the worst record in the 1996-97 season and the best odds (36 percent) of winning the lottery with two picks, the Spurs, usually a model of winning and consistency, lost David Robinson to an injury early in the season and finished with the third worst record, subsequently winning the lottery. Leading up to the draft, there was no doubt that Tim Duncan would be selected at No. 1 by the Spurs [ [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2007/05/21/luck_of_draw_went_spurs_way_in_97_with_duncan "Boston Globe"] ] . The Celtics would end up with the third and sixth picks selecting Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer, both of whom were traded in the next two years. Although the draft class only produced three All-Stars (Duncan, Billups, and Tracy McGrady), the latter two are serious Hall of Fame candidates while Duncan is virtually guaranteed entry, having been a 4-time NBA Champion, a 3-time NBA Finals MVP, a perennial All-Star, and 2-time MVP.

Round one

Notable undrafted players

All players are American unless otherwise indicated.

References

External links

* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1997.html 1997 NBA Draft]