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The NBA Draft began in 1947, pre-dating the ABA/NBA merger in 1976 by nearly 30 years. The first-ever No. 1 pick was Clifton McNeely, who was selected by the Pittsburgh Ironmen after playing college ball at Texas Wesleyan.
Since then, there have been 77 No. 1 overall draft picks in NBA history. Twenty of them have been elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame, with more expected to follow once they conclude their playing careers.
Having the most No. 1 overall picks could be a major recruiting tool for college basketball programs. This could be why the Duke Blue Devils have become basketball royalty, and why the program leads the country with the most No. 1 overall picks.
Duke has a chance to increase its lead on the rest as presumed No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg is expected to join the list of Blue Devils to hear their name called first at the NBA Draft.
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Here is a look at what schools have the most No. 1 overall NBA Draft picks.
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No. 1 overall NBA draft picks by school
Entering the 2025 NBA Draft, Duke owns the most No. 1 overall picks with five. If and when Cooper Flagg goes first, that'll be bumped to six.
The next highest is Kentucky with three.
Here is a breakdown of the No. 1 pick in NBA history by school.
| Rank | College | No. 1 overall picks |
| 1 | Duke | 5 |
| 2 | Kentucky | 3 |
| 3 | Cincinnati | 2 |
| Duquesne | 2 | |
| Georgetown | 2 | |
| Houston | 2 | |
| Indiana | 2 | |
| Kansas | 2 | |
| Kansas State | 2 | |
| LSU | 2 | |
| Maryland | 2 | |
| Michigan | 2 | |
| North Carolina | 2 | |
| Purdue | 2 | |
| UCLA | 2 | |
| UNLV | 2 | |
| Utah | 2 | |
| West Virginia | 2 | |
| 19 | Arizona | 1 |
| Bowling Green | 1 | |
| Bradley | 1 | |
| Davidson | 1 | |
| DePaul | 1 | |
| Furman | 1 | |
| Georgia | 1 | |
| Illinois State | 1 | |
| LIU Brooklyn | 1 | |
| Louisville | 1 | |
| Loyola Chicago | 1 | |
| Marshall | 1 | |
| Memphis | 1 | |
| Michigan State | 1 | |
| Minnesota | 1 | |
| Navy | 1 | |
| NC State | 1 | |
| Notre Dame | 1 | |
| Ohio State | 1 | |
| Oklahoma | 1 | |
| Oklahoma State | 1 | |
| Pacific | 1 | |
| Providence | 1 | |
| Seattle | 1 | |
| St. Bonaventure | 1 | |
| Syracuse | 1 | |
| Texas Wesleyan | 1 | |
| Texas Western | 1 | |
| Virginia | 1 | |
| Wake Forest | 1 | |
| Washington | 1 |
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No. 1 draft picks from Duke
Here are the No. 1 draft picks from Duke, heading into the 2025 NBA Draft.
| Player | Year |
| Art Heyman | 1963 |
| Elton Brand | 1999 |
| Kyrie Irving | 2011 |
| Zion Williamson | 2019 |
| Paolo Banchero | 2022 |
Heyman was in the league from 1963-1970. It wasn't a long career for him, but he won the ABA Championship with the Pittsburgh/Minnesota Pipers in 1968. Heyman was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1964 with the Knicks.
Brand had a long career in the NBA, playing for 17 seasons. He started out with the Bulls, but is more known for his seven years with the Clippers from 2001 to 2008, or his stint with the 76ers between 2008 and 2012. Brand was an All-Star in 2002 and 2006, and was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2000.
Irving started his career with the Cavaliers in 2011. He won his lone NBA Championship with Cleveland in 2016. Irving is a nine-time NBA All-Star, and was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2012.
Williamson has spent his entire career so far with the Pelicans. His professional career has been stunted by injuries, but he is a two-time NBA All-Star and made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020.
Banchero hasn't spent much time in the league yet, but that hasn't stopped him from making an impact. He was named the Rookie of the Year in 2023 and an NBA All-Star in 2024 for the Magic.
No. 1 draft picks from Kentucky
Here are the No. 1 draft picks from Kentucky, heading into the 2025 NBA Draft.
| Player | Year |
| John Wall | 2010 |
| Anthony Davis | 2012 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 2015 |
Wall is out of the NBA, as he last played for the Clippers in the 2022-2023 season. He won the Slam Dunk Contest in 2014, was a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2011 and was a five-time All-Star from 2014-2018 when he was with the Wizards.
Davis won the 2020 NBA Championship when he was with the Lakers. He is a 10-time All-Star and was notably part of the blockbuster trade that saw Luka Doncic head to L.A. with Davis heading back to Dallas in the return. He has made the All-NBA First Team four times and has led the league in blocks three times.
Towns spent the start of his career with the Timberwolves, but was traded to the Knicks ahead of the 2025 season. He has been a five-time All-Star and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2016.
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Other schools with several No. 1 picks
Here are the schools with multiple No. 1 overall picks.
| School | No. 1 overall picks | Players |
| Duke | 5 | Art Heyman (1963), Elton Brand (1999), Kyrie Irving (2011), Zion Williamson (2019) and Paolo Banchero (2023). |
| Kentucky | 3 | John Wall (2010), Anthony Davis (2012) and Karl-Anthony Towns (2015). |
| Cincinnati | 2 | Oscar Robertson (1960) and Kenyon Martin (2000) |
| Duquesne | 2 | Dick Rickkets (1955) and Si Green (1956) |
| Georgetown | 2 | Patrick Ewing (1985) and Allen Iverson (1996) |
| Houston | 2 | Elvin Hayes (1968) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1984) |
| Indiana | 2 | Walt Bellamy (1961) and Kent Benson (1977) |
| Kansas | 2 | Danny Manning (1988) and Andrew Wiggins (2014) |
| Kansas State | 2 | Howie Shannon (1949) and Bob Boozer (1959) |
| LSU | 2 | Shaquille O'Neal (1992) and Ben Simmons (2016) |
| Maryland | 2 | John Lucas (1976) and Joe Smith (1995) |
| Michigan | 2 | Cazzie Russell (1966) and Chris Webber (1993) |
| North Carolina | 2 | James Worthy (1982) and Brad Daugherty (1986) |
| Purdue | 2 | Joe Barry Carroll (1980) and Glenn Robinson (1994) |
| UCLA | 2 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969) and Bill Walton (1974) |
| UNLV | 2 | Larry Johnson (1991) and Anthony Bennett (2013) |
| Utah | 2 | Bill McGill (1962) and Andrew Bogut (2005) |
| West Virginia | 2 | Mark Workman (1952) and Hot Rod Hundley (1957) |
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