1975 NBA draft

Basketball player selection August 2023 1975 NBA draft Basketball May 29, 1975 New York City, New York NBA 174 10 David Thompson, Atlanta Hawks 1 G David Thompson 1974 1976 The 1975 NBA draft was the 29th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on May 29, 1975, before the 1975–76 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international 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.http://www.nba.com/history/draft_evolution.html Evolution of the Draft and Lottery NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc July 16, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100722183245/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_evolution.html July 22, 2010 dead The Atlanta Hawks, 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 Los Angeles Lakers were awarded the second pick. Prior to the draft, the Kansas City-Omaha Kings were renamed to just the Kansas City Kings due to the completion of the Kemper Arena.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XR8qAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9ygEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4808,4261618 https://archive.today/20120629141919/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XR8qAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9ygEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4808,4261618 dead June 29, 2012 Kings Drop Omaha From Name March 18, 1975 The Milwaukee Journal Newspaper, Inc July 16, 2010 Before the draft, 18 college underclassmen and 2 high school players were declared eligible for selection under the "hardship" rule, marking the first time since the days of the Basketball Association of America and National Basketball League operating as separate leagues when high schoolers were allowed to play professionally there.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mtoxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H-UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5979,1285813 Burden, Dantley top list May 9, 1975 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Lawrence, Kansas The World Company July 16, 2010 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.http://www.nba.com/history/players/haywood_bio.html Spencer Haywood Bio NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc July 16, 2010 This was the most recent NBA draft to be held in a month other than June until 2020, but the off-season was earlier at the time. The league also hosted a supplementary draft for American Basketball Association (ABA) players who never were never drafted by the NBA teams on December 30, 1975. 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. Draft selections and draftee career notes David Thompson from North Carolina State University was selected first overall by the Atlanta Hawks. He was also drafted first overall in the 1975 ABA Draft by the Virginia Squires, before the Squires traded his draft rights to the Denver Nuggets. He opted to join the ABA with the Nuggets before moving to the NBA in 1976 after both leagues merged.http://www.nba.com/history/thompson_bio.html David Thompson Bio NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100716190318/http://www.nba.com/history/thompson_bio.html July 16, 2010 dead During his first and only season in the ABA, he won the ABA All-Star Game MVP and ABA Rookie of the Year, as well as selected to the ABA All-Star Game and All-ABA Team. His NBA achievements include two All-NBA Team selections and four NBA All-Star Game selections.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompda01.html David Thompson Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100721215130/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompda01.html July 21, 2010 live For his achievements, he has been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame.https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100710191430/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html July 10, 2010 live Marvin Webster, the 3rd pick, also opted to join the ABA with the Nuggets before moving to the NBA in 1976.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/webstma01.html Marvin Webster Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 Thompson and Webster were the only first-round picks from the draft who declined to play in the NBA and opted to play in the ABA. Coincidentally, Webster was also drafted by the Hawks, which means that both the Hawks' first-round picks did not play with them. Instead, both signed to play for the Nuggets in the ABA.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4sscAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oFsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6932,2272971 Thompson Is Highest Paid Rookie Star July 12, 1975 The Victoria Advocate Victoria, Texas July 17, 2010 Gus Williams, the 20th pick, joined the Seattle SuperSonics after two seasons with the Golden State Warriors. He then won the NBA championship with the Sonics in 1979. He was also selected to two All-NBA Team and two All-Star Games.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willigu01.html Gus Williams Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100701111413/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willigu01.html July 1, 2010 live World B. Free (then known as Lloyd Free), the 23rd pick, played for five teams in his 13-year career and was selected to one All-NBA Team and one All-Star Game.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/freewo01.html World B. Free Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100717062538/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/freewo01.html July 17, 2010 live Dan Roundfield, the 28th pick, was also drafted in the 1975 ABA Draft. He opted to join the ABA with the Indiana Pacers before moving to the NBA in 1976. His achievements include one All-NBA Team selection, three NBA All-Star Game selections, three NBA All-Star Game selections and four NBA All-Defensive Team selections.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roundda01.html Dan Roundfield Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100628184635/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roundda01.html June 28, 2010 live Alvan Adams from the University of Oklahoma, who went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award in his first season, was selected 4th by the Phoenix Suns.http://www.nba.com/history/awards_rookieofyear.html Rookie of the Year NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100706182127/http://www.nba.com/history/awards_rookieofyear.html July 6, 2010 dead Adams and 6th pick Lionel Hollins are the only other players from this draft who was selected to an All-Star Game.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsal01.html Alvan Adams Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hollili01.html Lionel Hollins Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100731012608/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hollili01.html July 31, 2010 live After retiring as a player, Hollins went on to have a coaching career. He was twice named as the interim head coach for the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies in 1999 and 2004 before becoming a permanent head coach in 2009.https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/hollili01c.html Lionel Hollins Coaching Record basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 Darryl Dawkins, the 5th pick, and Bill Willoughby, the 19th pick, became the first two high school players to directly enter the NBA after their high school graduation.https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/16/sports/why-pros-spent-20-years-shunning-high-schoolers.html Why Pros Spent 20 Years Shunning High Schoolers Chris Broussard November 16, 2003 The New York Times Company July 17, 2010 They also became the second and third players to go directly from high school basketball to professional league, after Moses Malone in the 1974 ABA Draft.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1094638/index.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20100419004517/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1094638/index.htm dead April 19, 2010 Bounding Into Prominence Frank Deford February 19, 1979 Sports Illustrated Time Warner Company July 16, 2010 They also became the second and third high school players ever drafted in the NBA, after Reggie Harding in the 1962 draft. However, because the rules prevented Harding from playing in the league until one year after his high school class graduated, he had to wait a year before entering the league in 1963.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-j0yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W-UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4020,137498 Pistons Can't Use 7-Foot Prep July 3, 1962 Lawrence Journal-World Lawrence, Kansas The World Company July 17, 2010http://www.nba.com/suns/news/oneononedebate_080711.html Doesn't the Extra Year Help Teams? Dan Hilton July 14, 2008 NBA.com/Suns Turner Sports Interactive, Inc July 17, 2010 Dawkins played 14 seasons in the NBA with four different NBA teams, while Willoughby played 8 seasons with six teams.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dawkida01.html Darryl Dawkins Statistics basketball-reference.com July 26, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100714062155/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dawkida01.html July 14, 2010 livehttps://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willobi01.html Bill Willoughby Statistics basketball-reference.com July 26, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140409123109/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willobi01.html April 9, 2014 In the tenth round, the New Orleans Jazz selected a Soviet basketball player Alexander Belov with the 161st pick. Belov, who was playing with Spartak Leningrad before the draft, stayed with the club until the end of his career. He had a successful career, winning two European Cup Winners' Cup and one Soviet Union championship, as well as four gold medals with the Soviet Union national team. For his achievements, he has been inducted by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to the FIBA Hall of Fame.http://www.halloffame.fiba.com/pages/eng/hof/indu/p/lid_9024_newsid/18006/playBio.html Aleksander Belov Bio February 24, 2007 FIBA November 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110711001617/http://www.halloffame.fiba.com/pages/eng/hof/indu/p/lid_9024_newsid/18006/playBio.html July 11, 2011 dead Key Pos.GFCPositionGuardForwardCenter y y y y y Draft upright|thumb|150px|Darryl Dawkins was selected fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.|alt=A man, wearing a blue shirt and black cap, is posing for a photo. upright|thumb|150px|Lionel Hollins was selected 6th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. upright|thumb|150px|Joe Bryant was selected 14th overall by the Golden State Warriors.|alt=A man, wearing a black suit, white shirt and white tie, is standing in front of a crowd. upright|thumb|150px|Gus Williams was selected 20th overall by the Golden State Warriors. upright|thumb|150px|Lloyd Free (later World B. Free) was selected 23rd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. Round Pick Player Pos. Nationality Team School/club team11David Thompson David Thompson (basketball)^ G/F United States Atlanta Hawks (from New Orleans)Note1 a a 1 North Carolina State (Sr.)12 David Meyers David Meyers (basketball) F/C United States Los Angeles Lakers UCLA (Sr.)13 Marvin Webster C United States Atlanta Hawks Morgan State (Sr.)14Alvan Adams+~ F/C United States Phoenix Suns Oklahoma (Jr.)15 Darryl Dawkins C United States Philadelphia 76ers Maynard Evans HS (Florida) (HS Sr.)16Lionel Hollins+ G United States Portland Trail Blazers Arizona State (Sr.)17 Rich Kelley F/C United States New Orleans Jazz (from Milwaukee)Note2 b b 1 Stanford (Sr.)18 Junior Bridgeman G/F United States Los Angeles Lakers (from Cleveland)Note3 c c Louisville (Sr.)19 Gene Short F United States New York Knicks Jackson State (Jr.)110 Bill Robinzine F United States Kansas City Kings (from Detroit via New York and New Orleans)Note4 d d DePaul (Sr.)111 Joe Meriweather F/C United States Houston Rockets Southern Illinois (Sr.)112 Frank Oleynick G United States Seattle SuperSonics Seattle (Jr.)113 Bob Bigelow G/F United States Kansas City Kings Pennsylvania (Sr.)114 Joe Bryant F/C United States Golden State Warriors (from Chicago)Note5 e e La Salle (Jr.)115 John Lambert John Lambert (basketball) F/C United States Cleveland Cavaliers (from Golden State)Note6 f f 1 USC (Sr.)116 Ricky Sobers G United States Phoenix Suns (from Buffalo)Note7 g g UNLV (Sr.)117 Tom Boswell Tom Boswell (basketball) F/C United States Boston Celtics South Carolina (Sr.)118 Kevin Grevey G/F United States Washington Bullets Kentucky (Sr.)219 Bill Willoughby F/C United States Atlanta Hawks (from New Orleans)Note1 a 2 Dwight Morrow HS (New Jersey) (HS Sr.)220Gus Williams Gus Williams (basketball)* G United States Golden State Warriors (from Los Angeles)Note8 h h USC (Sr.)221 Bruce Seals F United States Seattle SuperSonics (from Atlanta) Utah Stars (ABA)https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sealsbr01.html Bruce Seals Statistics basketball-reference.com July 18, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100702061349/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sealsbr01.html July 2, 2010 live222 Clyde Mayes F United States Milwaukee Bucks (from Phoenix via New Orleans)Note2 b 2 Furman (Sr.)223Lloyd Free World B. Free*1 G United States Philadelphia 76ers Guilford (Jr.)224 Cornelius Cash F United States Milwaukee Bucks Bowling Green (Sr.)225 Bob Gross G/F United States Portland Trail Blazers Long Beach State (Sr.)226 Luther Burden G United States New York Knicks Utah (Jr.)227 Walter Luckett# G United States Detroit Pistons Ohio (Jr.)228Dan Roundfield* F/C United States Cleveland Cavaliers Central Michigan (Sr.)229 Jim Blanks# G/F United States Houston Rockets Gardner–Webb (Sr.)230 Steve Green Steve Green (basketball) F United States Chicago Bulls (from Seattle)Note9 i i Indiana (Sr.)231 Glenn Hansen G United States Kansas City Kings LSU (Sr.)232 John Laskowski G United States Chicago Bulls Indiana (Sr.)233 Mel Utley# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers (from Golden State)Note6 f 2 St. John's (Sr.)234 Larry Fogle G United States New York Knicks (from Buffalo via Chicago)Note10 j j Canisius (Jr.)235 Allen Murphy G United States Phoenix Suns (from Washington)Note11 k k Louisville (Sr.)236 Jimmy Dan Conner# G United States Phoenix Suns (from Boston)Note12 l l Kentucky (Sr.)337 Rudy Hackett F United States New Orleans Jazz Syracuse (Sr.)338 Jim McElroy G United States New Orleans Jazz (from Los Angeles)Note13 m m Central Michigan (Sr.)339 Jimmie Baker basketball# F United States Philadelphia 76ers Hawaii (Sr.)340 Otis Johnson 1# F United States Golden State Warriors Stetson (Sr.)341 Charles Cleveland basketball# G United States Philadelphia 76ers Alabama (Sr.)342 Tom Roy 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Maryland (Sr.)343 Brian Hammel# G United States Milwaukee Bucks Bentley (Sr.)344 Pete Trgovich# G United States Detroit Pistons UCLA (Sr.)345 Ted Hathaway 1# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland State (Sr.)346 John Ramsay 1# F United States New York Knicks Seton Hall (Sr.)347 Rudy White G United States Houston Rockets Arizona State (Sr.)348 Tom Kropp G United States Washington Bullets (from Seattle)Note14 n n Kearney State (Sr.)349 Bob Guyette# F United States Kansas City Kings Kentucky (Sr.)350 Gus Gerard G/F United States Portland Trail Blazers (from Chicago)Note15 o o Spirits of St. Louis (ABA)https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gerargu01.html Gus Gerard Statistics basketball-reference.com July 18, 2010351 Robert Hawkins Robert Hawkins (basketball) G United States Golden State Warriors Illinois State (Jr.)352 George Bucci# G United States Buffalo Braves Manhattan (Sr.)353 Jerome Anderson basketball G United States Boston Celtics West Virginia (Sr.)354 Bayard Forrest C United States Phoenix Suns (from Washington)Note16 p p Grand Canyon (Jr.)455 Mack Coleman# F United States New Orleans Jazz Houston Baptist (Sr.)456 C. J. Kupec F/C United States Los Angeles Lakers Michigan (Sr.)457 Monte Towe G United States Atlanta Hawks NC State (Sr.)458 Sam McCants 1# G United States Phoenix Suns Oral Roberts (Sr.)459 Louis Dunbar# F United States Philadelphia 76ers Houston (Sr.)460 Bill Campion# C United States Milwaukee Bucks Manhattan (Sr.)461 Phil Hicks F United States Portland Trail Blazers Tulane (Sr.)462 Eric Fernsten F/C United States Cleveland Cavaliers San Francisco (Sr.)463 David Vaughn Jr.# C United States New York Knicks Virginia Squires (ABA)464 Lindsay Hairston F/C United States Detroit Pistons Michigan State (Sr.)465 Ken Smith basketball, born 1953# F United States Houston Rockets Tulsa (Sr.)466 Jimmy Moore basketball, born 1952# F United States Seattle SuperSonics Utah State (Sr.)467 Kevin Cluess 1# G United States Kansas City Kings St. John's (Sr.)468 Ron Haigler# F United States Chicago Bulls Penn (Sr.)469 Billy Taylor 1# G United States Golden State Warriors La Salle (Sr.)470 Bob Fleischer 1# F United States Buffalo Braves Blue (Sr.)471 Fessor Leonard# C United States Washington Bullets Furman (Sr.)472 Cyrus Mann# C United States Boston Celtics Illinois State (Fr.)573 Andre Hampton 1# C United States New Orleans Jazz Kentucky State (Sr.)574 Charles Russell 1# G United States Los Angeles Lakers Alabama (Sr.)575 Wilbur Holland G United States Atlanta Hawks New Orleans (Sr.)576 Joe Pace basketball C United States Phoenix Suns Coppin State (Jr.)577 Ken Tyler 1# G United States Philadelphia 76ers Gonzaga (Sr.)578 Maurice Presley 1# C United States Portland Trail Blazers Houston (Sr.)579 Jim Lee 1# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers Syracuse (Sr.)580 Donald Washington basketball# F United States New York Knicks Denver Nuggets (ABA)581 Cliff Pratt 1# G United States Detroit Pistons Shaw College (Sr.)582 Mike Odemns 1# C United States Cleveland Cavaliers Western Kentucky (Sr.)583 Rick Whitlow 1# G United States Houston Rockets Illinois State (Sr.)584 Dwain Govan 1# G United States Seattle SuperSonics Bishop (Sr.)585 Ed Stahl 1# F United States Kansas City Kings North Carolina (Sr.)586 Bob Iverson 1# F United States Chicago Bulls North Texas (Sr.)587 Larry Pounds 1# F United States Golden State Warriors Washington (Sr.)588 Sam Berry 1# F United States Buffalo Braves Armstrong Atlantic State (Sr.)589 Darryl Brown 1# C United States Boston Celtics Fordham (Sr.)590 Rich Jones 1# G United States Washington Bullets VCU (Sr.)691 Rick Schmidt 1# F United States New Orleans Jazz Illinois (Sr.)692 Don Ford F United States Los Angeles Lakers UC Santa Barbara (Sr.)693 Danny Williams 1# F United States Atlanta Hawks Mississippi College (Sr.)694 Biff Burrell 1# G United States Phoenix Suns USC (Sr.)695 Ken Alston 1# F United States Philadelphia 76ers Valdosta State (Sr.)696 Oliver Purnell# G United States Milwaukee Bucks Old Dominion (Sr.)697 Gerald Willett 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Oregon (Sr.)698 Allen Spruill 1# F United States Detroit Pistons North Carolina A&T (Sr.)699 Henry Ward Henry Ward (basketball) G/F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Jackson State (Sr.)6100 Hank Williams basketball# F United States New York Knicks Utah Stars (ABA)6101 William Johnson 1# F United States Houston Rockets Texas Tech (Sr.)6102 Larry Smith 1# F United States Seattle SuperSonics North Carolina A&T (Jr.)6103 Clint Chapman 1# F United States Kansas City Kings USC (Sr.)6104 Bill Andreas 1# F United States Chicago Bulls Ohio State (Sr.)6105 Tony Styles 1# G United States Golden State Warriors San Francisco (Sr.)6106 George Jackson 1# G United States Buffalo Braves Charlotte (Sr.)6107 John Garrett 1# C United States Washington Bullets Purdue (Sr.)6108 Rick Coleman 1# G United States Boston Celtics Jacksonville (Sr.)7109 Bill Higgins basketball# G United States New Orleans Jazz Virginia Squires (ABA)7110 Rick Suttle 1# F United States Los Angeles Lakers Kansas (Sr.)7111 Gus Johnson 1# F United States Atlanta Hawks Winona State (Sr.)7112 Dave Edmonds 1# G United States Phoenix Suns West Georgia (Sr.)7113 Mike Flynn Mike Flynn (basketball) G United States Philadelphia 76ers Kentucky (Sr.)7114 Steve Fields 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Miami (Ohio) (Sr.)7115 Wilbur Thomas basketball# F United States Milwaukee Bucks American (Sr.)7116 Shawn Leftwich 1# F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Jacksonville (Sr.)7117 Pete Davis 1# G United States New York Knicks Michigan State (Sr.)7118 Ike Williams 1# G United States Detroit Pistons Armstrong Atlantic State (Sr.)7119 Nate Barnett# G United States Houston Rockets Akron (Sr.)7120 Hollis Miller 1# F United States Seattle SuperSonics Drury (Sr.)7121 Wayne Croft 1# F United States Kansas City Kings Clemson (Sr.)7122 John Grochowalski 1# F United States Chicago Bulls Assumption (Sr.)7123 Stan Boyer 1# F United States Golden State Warriors Wyoming (Sr.)7124 Mike Franklin 1# F United States Buffalo Braves Cincinnati (Sr.)7125 Al Boswell 1# G United States Boston Celtics Oral Roberts (Sr.)7126 Fletcher Johnson 1# F United States Washington Bullets Randolph–Macon (Sr.)8127 Harvey Carmichael 1# G United States New Orleans Jazz Kentucky State (Sr.)8128 Mike Cashman 1# F United States Los Angeles Lakers Willamette (Sr.)8129 Oscar Jackson 1# G United States Atlanta Hawks Duquesne (Sr.)8130 Jack Schrader 1# F United States Phoenix Suns Arizona State (Sr.)8131 Freeman Blade 1# G United States Philadelphia 76ers Eastern Montana (Jr.)8132 Bob McCurdy# F United States Milwaukee Bucks Richmond (Sr.)8133 Charlie Neal 1# G United States Portland Trail Blazers Oregon State (Sr.)8134 Jerry Homan 1# F United States New York Knicks Marquette (Sr.)8135 John Kelley 1# G United States Detroit Pistons Dillard (Sr.)8136 Andre McCarter G United States Cleveland Cavaliers UCLA (Jr.)8137 Leon Johnson 1# F United States Houston Rockets Centenary (Sr.)8138 Ken McKenzie basketball# C Canada Seattle SuperSonics Montana (Sr.)8139 Jim Bostic F United States Kansas City Kings New Mexico State (Sr.)8140 John Murphy 1# F United States Chicago Bulls UMass (Sr.)8141 Mike Rozenski 1# F United States Golden State Warriors Saint Mary's (California) (Sr.)8142 Allan Jones 1# F United States Buffalo Braves San Diego (Sr.)8143 Bruce Hamming 1# C United States Washington Bullets Augustana College (Illinois) (Sr.)8144 Roger Morningstar 1# F United States Boston Celtics Kansas (Sr.)9145 Fred Stokes 1# G United States New Orleans Jazz Barber–Scotia (Sr.)9146 Dave Schlesser 1# C United States Atlanta Hawks Morningside (Sr.)9147 Owen Brown 1# F United States Phoenix Suns Maryland (Sr.)9148 Larry Haralson 1# F United States Philadelphia 76ers Drake (Sr.)9149 Quentin Braxton 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Portland (Sr.)9150 Eric Hayes 1# G United States Milwaukee Bucks Montana (Sr.)9151 Terry Thomas Terry Thomas (basketball) F United States Detroit Pistons Detroit (Sr.)9152 Skip Howard 1# F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Bowling Green (Sr.)9153 Tim van Blommesteyn 1# G United States New York Knicks Princeton (Sr.)9154 Steve Strother 1# G United States Houston Rockets Providence (Sr.)9155 Rich Haws 1# F United States Seattle SuperSonics Utah State (Sr.)9156 Gary Tomaszewski 1# F United States Chicago Bulls St. Mary's (Texas) (Sr.)9157 Scott Trobbe 1# F United States Golden State Warriors Stanford (Sr.)9158 George Rautins 1# G Canada Buffalo Braves Niagara (Sr.)9159 Robert Rhodes 1# F United States Boston Celtics Albany State (Sr.)9160 Doug Brookins 1# F United States Washington Bullets Creighton (Sr.)10 Chicago Bulls (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player)n The Bulls attempted to draft Moses Malone, who at the time was playing for the Utah Stars of the rivaling American Basketball Association via the 1974 ABA draft directly from Petersburg High School in Petersburg, Virginia. However, Deputy NBA Commissioner Simon Gourdine informed the Bulls that Malone had not made himself eligible for the hardship draft and thus was not eligible for the draft this year. In an effort to protect the integrity of the draft, Gourdine marked the selection as a pass instead.https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3389:moses-malone&catid=638&Itemid=342 Moses Malone - Ineligible Draftees The Draft Review He would later be selected in the supplementary draft near the end of the year by the New Orleans Jazz.10161 Alexander Belov# F Soviet Union New Orleans Jazz Spartak Leningrad (Soviet Union)10162 Vic Kelly 1# G United States Atlanta Hawks Hawaii (Sr.)10163 Mike Moon 1# G United States Phoenix Suns Arizona State (Sr.)10164 Ric Reed 1# G United States Philadelphia 76ers Azusa Pacific (Sr.)10165 Romie Thomas 1# G United States Milwaukee Bucks Wisconsin–Eau Claire (Sr.)10166 Tyree Foster 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Portland State (Sr.)10167 Eric Anderson 1# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers Macalester (Sr.)10168 Moe Rivers 1# G United States New York Knicks NC State (Sr.)10169 Mickey Fox# G United States Detroit Pistons Saint Mary's (Halifax) (Sr.)10170 Jerry Bellotti 1# F United States Seattle SuperSonics Santa Clara (Sr.)10171 Maurice Harper 1# G United States Golden State Warriors Saint Mary's (California) (Sr.)10172 Art Allen 1# G United States Buffalo Braves Pepperdine (Jr.)10173 Mike Fahey 1# G United States Washington Bullets Brandeis (Sr.)10174 Bill Endicott 1# G United States Boston Celtics UMass (Sr.) Notable undrafted players List of undrafted NBA players These players were not selected in the 1975 draft but played at least one game in the NBA. Player Pos. Nationality School/club team Robin Jones basketball F United States Saint Louis (Sr.) Irv Kiffin F United States Oklahoma Baptist (Sr.) Trades Note1 a a 1Note1 a 2 On May 20, 1974, the Atlanta Hawks acquired Bob Kauffman, Dean Meminger, 1974 and 1975 first-round picks, 1975 and 1976 second-round picks, and a 1980 third-round pick from the New Orleans Jazz in exchange for Pete Maravich.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/maravpe01.html Pete Maravich Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100808020446/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/maravpe01.html August 8, 2010 live The Hawks used the picks to draft David Thompson and Bill Willoughby. Note2 b b 1Note2 b 2 On October 8, 1974, the New Orleans Jazz acquired Russ Lee and a first-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Steve Kuberski and a second-round pick.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kuberst01.html Steve Kuberski Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 Previously, the Jazz acquired Neal Walk and the pick on September 16, 1974, from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Dennis Awtrey, Nate Hawthorne, Curtis Perry and a 1976 first-round pick.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/walkne01.html Neal Walk Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 The Jazz used the pick to draft Rich Kelley. The Bucks used the pick to draft Clyde Mayes. Note3 c c On May 17, 1974, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired a first-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Jim Chones.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/choneji01.html Jim Chones Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 The Lakers used the pick to draft Junior Bridgeman. Note4 d d On May 28, 1975, the Kansas City Kings acquired the tenth pick from the New Orleans Jazz in exchange for Ron Behagen and a 1976 second-round pick.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/behagro01.html Ron Behagen Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 Previously the Jazz acquired Henry Bibby and a first-round pick on February 1, 1975, from the New York Knicks in exchange for Jim Barnett and Neal Walk. Previously the Knicks acquired the pick on December 26, 1974, from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Howard Porter.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/porteho01.html Howard Porter Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 The Kings used the pick to draft Bill Robinzine. Note5 e e On September 3, 1974, the Golden State Warriors acquired Clifford Ray and a first-round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Nate Thurmond.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thurmna01.html Nate Thurmond Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100716123818/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thurmna01.html July 16, 2010 live The Warriors used the pick to draft Joe Bryant. Note6 f f 1Note6 f 2 On the draft-day, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Butch Beard, a first-round pick and a second-round pick from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Dwight Davis.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/beardbu01.html Butch Beard Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 The Cavaliers used the picks to draft John Lambert and Mel Utley. Note7 g g On the draft-day, the Phoenix Suns acquired a first-round pick from the Buffalo Braves in exchange for a 1976 first-round pick.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dantlad01.html Adrian Dantley Statistics basketball-reference.com July 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100717045945/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dantlad01.html July 17, 2010 live The Suns used the pick to draft Ricky Sobers. Note8 h h On September 24, 1974, the Golden State Warriors acquired a second-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Zelmo Beaty.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/beatyze01.html Zelmo Beaty Statistics basketball-reference.com July 18, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100603070125/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/beatyze01.html June 3, 2010 live The Warriors used the pick to draft Gus Williams. Note9 i i On January 7, 1974, the Chicago Bulls acquired a second-round pick from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for John Hummer.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hummejo01.html John Hummer Statistics basketball-reference.com July 18, 2010 The Bulls used the pick to draft Steve Green. Note10 j j On May 28, 1974, the New York Knicks acquired Howard Porter and a second-round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for a 1974 first-round pick. Previously the Bulls acquired John Hummer, the pick and a 1974 second-round pick on September 10, 1973, from the Buffalo Braves in exchange for Gar Heard and Kevin Kunnert. The Knicks used the pick to draft Larry Fogle. Note11 k k On September 6, 1974, the Phoenix Suns acquired Dave Stallworth and a second-round pick from the Washington Bullets in exchange for Clem Haskins.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haskicl01.html Clem Haskins Statistics basketball-reference.com July 18, 2010 The Suns used the pick to draft Allen Murphy. Note12 l l On May 23, 1975, the Phoenix Suns acquired Paul Westphal, 1975 and 1976 second-round picks from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Charlie Scott.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/scottch01.html Charlie Scott Statistics basketball-reference.com July 18, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100727233355/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/scottch01.html July 27, 2010 live The Suns used the pick to draft Jimmy Dan Conner. Note13 m m On December 6, 1974, the New Orleans Jazz acquired a third-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Stu Lantz.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lantzst01.html Stu Lantz Statistics basketball-reference.com July 18, 2010 The Jazz used the pick to draft Jim McElroy. Note14 n n On August 20, 1974, the Washington Bullets acquired Dick Gibbs and a third-round pick from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Archie Clark.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/clarkar01.html Archie Clark Statistics basketball-reference.com July 18, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100704123020/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/clarkar01.html July 4, 2010 live The Bullets used the pick to draft Tom Kropp. Note15 o o On September 18, 1974, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a third-round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Mickey Johnson.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsmi01.html Mickey Johnson Statistics basketball-reference.com July 18, 2010 The Blazers used the pick to draft Gus Gerard. Note16 p p On October 9, 1973, the Phoenix Suns acquired 1974 and 1975 third-round picks from the Washington Bullets (as the Capital Bullets) in exchange for Walt Wesley.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/weslewa01.html Walt Wesley Statistics basketball-reference.com July 18, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100701121035/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/weslewa01.html July 1, 2010 live The Suns used the pick to draft Bayard Forrest. Early entrants College underclassmen For the fifth straight year in a row, the NBA would utilize the hardship exception for young underclassmen to enter the NBA draft. For the second straight year in a row, twenty underclassmen initially declared entry for this year's draft, but three of these players in the University of Notre Dame's Adrian Dantley, Morris Brown College's Harry Davis, and Tunxis Community College's Glenn Matthews would later decline entry into this year's draft. The following college basketball players successfully applied for an NBA hardship.1975 Underclassmen Hardship List https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3022:1975-underclassmen&catid=136&Itemid=384 The Draft Review August 4, 2007 December 11, 2022 USA Alvan Adams – C/F, Oklahoma (junior) USA Joe Bryant – F, La Salle (junior) USA Luther Burden – G, Utah (junior) USA Henry Fields – G, Ohio State (freshman) USA Larry Fogle – G, Canisius (junior) USA Bayard Forrest – C, Grand Canyon (junior) USA Lloyd Free – G, Guilford (junior) USA Robert Hawkins – G, Illinois State (junior) USA Walter Luckett – G, Ohio (junior) USA Cyrus Mann – C, Illinois State (freshman) USA Glen Matthews – F, Tunxis CC (junior) USA Frank Oleynick – G, Seattle (junior) USA Joe Pace – C, Coppin State (junior) USA Eugene Short – F, Jackson State (junior) USA Larry Smith – F, North Carolina A&T (junior) High school players This year's draft was also the first one in NBA history to officially allow for high school seniors to enter the NBA draft via hardship exceptions. This year saw two high school players qualify for these hardships. It was also the only NBA draft to see high school declare their entry into the NBA directly from high school until 1995. The following high schoolers successfully applied for an NBA hardship. USA Darryl Dawkins – C, Maynard Evans HS (Orlando, Florida) USA Bill Willoughby – F, Dwight Morrow HS (Englewood, New Jersey) Supplementary draft upright|thumb|150px|Moses Malone was selected by the New Orleans Jazz with the first pick of the supplementary draft involving the ABA's younger players.|alt=A man, wearing a black shirt and blue-red jacket with the logo NBA on it, is sitting on a chair while posing for a photo. He is surrounded by four other men, while a gold trophy is placed on his right. On December 9, 1975, the NBA planned to host a supplementary draft to settle negotiating rights to five ABA players who had never been eligible for the NBA draft because their college classes had not graduated and they had not apply for hardship. The teams selected in reverse order of their win–loss record in the previous season. The team that made a selection must withdraw their equivalent selection in the 1976 draft.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hnc0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=5Z0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6752,1315114 DeBusschere blasts ABA rival December 7, 1975 The Tuscaloosa News Tuscaloosa, Alabama Public Welfare Foundation July 22, 2010 The teams were allowed to not exercise their rights on this hardship draft and thus retained their full selection in the 1976 draft. The draft itself attracted strong opposition from the rivaling ABA, who accused the NBA of trying to reduce confidence in the stability of their own league since they had gone from ten teams to seven in a three month period, with the Virginia Squires also facing significant struggles that saw them be likely to fold next during the season. Despite the initial postponement of the draft, the draft was finally held on December 30, 1975.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MQkuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SNsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2187,2197085 New Orleans must wait for Moses December 9, 1975 Beaver County Times Beaver, Pennsylvania July 21, 2010 The New Orleans Jazz used the first pick to select Moses Malone, a former high school player who went directly to professional basketball after he was drafted in the 1974 ABA draft. The Los Angeles Lakers used the second pick to select Mark Olberding, a college freshman who was drafted in the 1974 ABA draft. Because the Jazz and the Lakers had traded their first-round picks in the 1976 draft, they had to forfeit their first-round pick in the 1977 draft.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3IcqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1VoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5756,5668117 Malone Drafted By Jazz December 31, 1975 The Victoria Advocate Victoria, Texas July 21, 2010 The other players selected were Mel Bennett, Skip Wise and Charles Jordan in the second, third and fourth-round respectively. All players, except Wise, were under contract with their ABA team at the time of the draft.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jZUtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9Z0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4335,6050566 Jazz Claims Moses Malone In Supplementary Draft December 31, 1975 Florence Times Tri-Cities Daily Florence, Alabama July 21, 2010 Those same four players also remained with their ABA teams in question until the end of the season as well. After the Virginia Squires folded before the ABA–NBA merger in June 1976, Bennett joined the team that drafted him, the Philadelphia 76ers.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/benneme01.html Mel Bennett Statistics basketball-reference.com July 21, 2010 Under the merger agreement, the Jazz and the Lakers had to yield their rights to Malone and Olberding, but they regained their 1977 first-round picks.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HQU1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=J08KAAAAIBAJ&pg=1111,3629957 ...ABA Gets Wish June 18, 1976 The News and Courier Charleston, South Carolina Evening Post Publishing Company July 21, 2010 Malone was later drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the ABA Dispersal Draft, while Olberding remained with the Spurs who joined the NBA.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonmo01.html Moses Malone Statistics basketball-reference.com July 21, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100712045854/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonmo01.html July 12, 2010 livehttps://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/olberma01.html Mark Olberding Statistics basketball-reference.com July 21, 2010 Mel Bennett would later end up signing a new free agency deal with the Indiana Pacers following the ABA-NBA merger and subsequent ABA dispersal draft due to the Squires folding operations a month before the official merger occurred and Bennett being a proper free agent at the time.Goldaper Sam A.B.A. Drops Squires For a Lack of Funds https://www.nytimes.com/1976/05/11/archives/aba-drops-squires-for-a-lack-of-funds-fitch-to-lakers-aba.html The New York Times April 11, 2025 May 11, 1976 Two other draftees, Wise and Jordan, never played in the NBA, with Wise being waived by the Spurs during the season and never playing professionally again in either league afterward due to drug troubles (primarily with heroin) and Jordan being cut by the Pacers following the eventual ABA-NBA merger and later playing overseas instead.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wisesk01.html Skip Wise Statistics basketball-reference.com July 21, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100819005616/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wisesk01.html August 19, 2010 livehttps://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordach01.html Charles Jordan Statistics basketball-reference.com July 21, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100730185835/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordach01.html July 30, 2010 live Round Pick Player Pos. Nationality Team ABA team11Moses Malone^ F/C United States New Orleans Jazz Spirits of St. Louis12 Mark Olberding F United States Los Angeles Lakers San Antonio Spurs23 Mel Bennett F United States Philadelphia 76ers Virginia Squires34 Skip Wise# G United States Golden State Warriors San Antonio Spurs45 Charles Jordan Charles Jordan (basketball)# F United States Buffalo Braves Indiana Pacers Notes 1 Lloyd Free changed his first name into World, his nickname, in 1981 and is commonly known as World B. Free.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1015220/index.htm World B. Free, NBA Gunner Paul Gutierrez March 8, 1999 Sports Illustrated Time Warner Company July 16, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100708081807/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1015220/index.htm July 8, 2010 dead n See also List of first overall NBA draft picks References General http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1970s.html Complete First Round Results 1970–79 NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc July 16, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100725164450/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1970s.html July 25, 2010 dead https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1975.html 1975 NBA Draft basketball-reference.com July 16, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100714063702/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1975.html July 14, 2010 live http://www.apbr.org/7276drft.html 1972–1976 NBA Drafts The Association for Professional Basketball Research July 16, 2010 Specific 30em External links NBA.com NBA.com: NBA Draft History Draft Category:NBA draft NBA draft NBA draft Category:Basketball in New York City Category:Sporting events in New York City