Sandwiched between the Kwame Brown shitshow in 2001 and the legendary LeBron James class of 2003 is the 2002 NBA Draft. It’s best known for introducing the league to Yao Ming, Amar’e Stoudemire and a few other talented players.
One of the most unfortunate stories from the 2002 NBA Draft was Jay Williams’ motorcycle accident that essentially ended his career. He was taken second overall that year with his Duke teammate, Mike Dunleavy Jr., selected third.
That feat seems unique but would happen again in 2004 when UConn teammates Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon were taken with the second and third picks. It’s safe to say neither pair were particularly worthy of being drafted that high.
Of course, there is a bunch of other stuff about the 2002 NBA Draft most people probably don’t recall unless they went to Fresno State.
Related: 4 busts selected ahead of Reggie Miller during the 1987 NBA Draft
Things you may not remember about 2002 NBA Draft
Last man standing
Only one player who declared for the 2002 NBA Draft managed to play in a regular season game last year. And as you can tell by the funky way the previous sentence was worded, he wasn’t even drafted. Udonis Haslem is the last player remaining from that year to still be on an active roster. Although his activity is extremely limited these days.
It was a big year for Fresno State
Duke had three players selected in the 2002 NBA Draft which you would expect. Fresno State also had a trio of teammates picked that year which is surprising. Melvin Ely and his all arms jumper was taken with the 12th pick. Chris Jefferies was selected in the first round that year as well.
The final Bulldog picked was Tito Maddox although he didn’t actually play for Fresno State during the 2001-02 season after being found to have accepted illegal benefits from agents. All three did take the court together during the 2000-01 campaign.
Robert Archibald becomes the first Scotsman drafted
The 2002 NBA Draft class included Robert Archibald who taken with the third pick in the second round. He remains the only Scottish player to ever suit up in the league, albeit he only saw action in 44 games across two seasons.
The Knicks become rudderless
Jeff Van Gundy stepped down as head coach of the New York Knicks during the 2001-02 and the team finished 30-52. Instead of hitting the reset button, the franchise became a rudderless ship desperately making moves to try and chart a winning course. New York’s sustained failure leads back to one single move that happened during the 2002 NBA Draft.
The Knicks shipped the seventh pick along with Marcus Camby and Mark Jackson to the Denver Nuggets for Antonio McDyess, the 25th pick and a 2003 second round selection. This trade was a disaster for New York.
McDyess, who had been struggling with a balky knee for some time, reinjured it during his first preseason game with the Knicks and would play in 18 contests for them over the following two seasons. Meanwhile at the Pepsi Center, Denver drafted Nene in 2002 and then Carmelo Anthony one year later.
Only 28 teams had first round picks
Despite the NBA having 29 teams in 2002, there were only 28 first round picks. That is due to the fact Minnesota was stripped of its selection after the Joe Smith salary cap scandal. In total, David Stern took four first round draft picks from the Minnesota Timberwolves who just wanted to give a backup power forward $80 million.
Anyway, every team that would have originally drafted behind the Timberwolves moved up one spot. The team did have a second round pick in 2002 and grabbed Marcus Taylor who never played in a regular season game for them.
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