Top 10 No. 1 NBA Draft picks who won the championship with the same team that drafted them

LeBron James (#23) of the LA Lakers
LeBron James (#23) of the LA Lakers

#6 James Worthy - LA Lakers

Forward Kiki Vandeweghe of the New York Knicks tries to drive the ball past forward James Worthy of the LA Lakers
Forward Kiki Vandeweghe of the New York Knicks tries to drive the ball past forward James Worthy of the LA Lakers

In another trade that guaranteed the No. 1 pick for the LA Lakers, they selected James Worthy in the 1982 NBA Draft. It was another rare case of a playoff team having the top pick in the draft. Interestingly, the Lakers were the reigning champions too.

Worthy quickly made an impression in the NBA, winning his first title with the Lakers three seasons later. He played all 12 seasons with the Lakers, winning three NBA championships in total.

In his final championship campaign, Worthy was crowned the finals MVP. Although he made four more playoff appearances, he failed to win another NBA title.


#5 Hakeem Olajuwon - Houston Rockets

Hakeem Olajuwon speaks on stage during the 2013 NBA Draft.
Hakeem Olajuwon speaks on stage during the 2013 NBA Draft.

The Houston Rockets selected Hakeem Olajuwon as the No. 1 pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. The famed 1984 draft class also included arguably the greatest NBA player of all time, Michael Jordan, and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.

Olajuwon led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships, besting the legendary Shaquille O'Neal. Those victories in 1994 and 1995 remain the only championships the Rockets have won.

He played 17 of his 18 seasons with the Rockets, and played his final NBA campaign with the Toronto Raptors. His No. 34 jersey hangs in the Toyota Center rafters.


#4 David Robinson - San Antonio Spurs

Former NBA player David Robinson
Former NBA player David Robinson

David Robinson was selected as the top pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1987 NBA Draft. However, he did not make his first appearance in the NBA until 1989, after he ended with his commitment with the Navy.

Robinson's introduction to the NBA was well worth the wait, as he helped the Spurs to their first-ever championship title in 1999. He also retired on a high, winning another title with the Spurs in his final season in the league.

In his rookie season, Robinson averaged 24.3 points and 12 rebounds, playing in all 82 matches. He also averaged the same numbers in the playoffs. To commemorate his efforts for the team, his No. 50 jersey has been retired by the San Antonio Spurs.

Quick Links