1979 NBA draft

Basketball player selection August 2023 1979 NBA draft Basketball June 25, 1979 Plaza Hotel (New York City, New York) NBA 202 10 Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers) 3 G Magic Johnson G Sidney Moncrief G Nikos Galis 1978 1980 The 1979 NBA draft was the 33rd annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA), held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Monday, June 25.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CdszAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MeIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6612%2C7623044 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Who will go second in NBA draft? June 24, 1979 4Fhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bQNMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JPkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5864%2C2461108 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Associated Press L.A. picks "Magic" June 25, 1979 21 In this draft, the 22 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players; it went ten rounds and selected 202 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 October 21, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100927173723/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_evolution.html 27 September 2010 dead The Los Angeles Lakers, who obtained the New Orleans Jazz's first-round pick in a trade, won the coin flip and were awarded the first overall pick, while the Chicago Bulls were awarded the second pick. The remaining first-round picks and the subsequent rounds were assigned to teams in reverse order of their win–loss record in the previous season. 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. Larry Bird would have been eligible to join this draft class because his "junior eligible" draft status from being taken by Boston in 1978 would expire the minute the 1979 draft began, but Bird and the Celtics agreed on a five-year contract on June 8 to avoid that.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dyxHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PfgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1610%2C1503176 The Day New London, Connecticut Associated Press Braude Dick For $3.25 million, Celtics land Bird June 8, 1979 33 Before the draft, five college underclassmen were declared eligible for selection under the "hardship" rule.http://www.nba.com/news/lottery02_earlyentry_history.html Early Entry Candidate History NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc October 21, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20090914112043/http://www.nba.com/news/lottery02_earlyentry_history.html September 14, 2009 dead 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 October 21, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101119165820/http://www.nba.com/history/players/haywood_bio.html 19 November 2010 live Prior to the draft, the Jazz relocated from New Orleans to Salt Lake City and became the Utah Jazz.http://www.nba.com/history/this_date_june.html This Date in History–June NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc October 21, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101119022331/http://www.nba.com/history/this_date_june.html 19 November 2010 dead Draft selections and draftee career notes Magic Johnson from NCAA champion Michigan State University, one of the "hardship" players, was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson, who had just finished his sophomore season in college, became the first underclassman to be drafted first overall.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8HoRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2515,1070550 Olajuwon should go first in today's draft June 19, 1984 Gainesville Sun Florida Associated Press 1C October 28, 2010 He went on to win the NBA championship with the Lakers in his rookie season. He also won the Finals Most Valuable Player Award, becoming the first rookie ever to win the award. He spent his entire 13-year career with the Lakers and won five NBA championships. He also won three Most Valuable Player Awards, three Finals Most Valuable Player Awards, ten consecutive All-NBA Team selections and twelve All-Star Game selections.http://www.nba.com/history/players/johnsonm_bio.html Magic Johnson Bio NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc October 21, 2010 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 October 21, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100913063921/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html 13 September 2010 live He was also named to the list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996.http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html The NBA's 50 Greatest Players NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc October 21, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100918202136/http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html 18 September 2010 dead After retiring as a player, Johnson went on to have a brief coaching career as an interim head coach of the Lakers in 1993 end.https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/johnsma02c.html Magic Johnson Coaching Record basketball-reference.com October 21, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925023639/http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/johnsma02c.html 25 September 2010 live Sidney Moncrief, the fifth pick, won two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and was selected to five consecutive All-NBA Teams, five consecutive All-Defensive Teams and five consecutive All-Star Games. In "The Book of Basketball", Bill Simmons noted that then-Lakers head coach Jerry West had actually wanted to trade down from the #1 pick and use it to get Moncrief along with more players and picks, but Jerry Buss vetoed West's plans because Buss wanted Magic to be the new face of the team he was just finishing his full purchase of.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/moncrsi01.html Sidney Moncrief Statistics basketball-reference.com October 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100922182232/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/moncrsi01.html 22 September 2010 live Jim Paxson, the twelfth pick, was selected to one All-NBA Team and two All-Star Games.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/paxsoji02.html Jim Paxson Statistics basketball-reference.com October 22, 2010 Bill Cartwright, the third pick, won three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls from 1990 end through 1992 end. He also had one All-Star Game selection, which occurred in his rookie season.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cartwbi01.html Bill Cartwright Statistics basketball-reference.com October 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100927055311/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cartwbi01.html 27 September 2010 live He then became the Bulls' head coach for three seasons.https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/cartwbi01c.html Bill Cartwright Coaching Record basketball-reference.com October 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100906231751/http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/cartwbi01c.html 6 September 2010 live Bill Laimbeer, the 65th pick, won two NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons in 1988 end and 1989 end and was selected to four All-Star Games.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/laimbbi01.html Bill Laimbeer Statistics basketball-reference.com October 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925041355/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/laimbbi01.html 25 September 2010 live After retiring, he coached the Detroit Shock of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for eight seasons, leading them to three WNBA championships in 2003, 2006 and 2008.http://www.wnba.com/coachfile/bill_laimbeer/index.html Bill Laimbeer Bio WNBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc October 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20111012013811/http://www.wnba.com/coachfile/bill_laimbeer/index.html 2011-10-12 dead Mark Eaton, who had only completed one year of college basketball, was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 107th pick.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068337/1/index.htm Big Man On The Block Hank Hersch May 1, 1989 Sports Illustrated October 25, 2010 March 30, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120330072554/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068337/1/index.htm dead He opted to return to college basketball and later joined the NBA in 1982 start, after he was drafted again by the Utah Jazz in the 1982 draft. During his eleven-year career with the Jazz, he won two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and was selected to five consecutive All-Defensive Team and one All-Star Game.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/eatonma01.html Mark Eaton Statistics basketball-reference.com October 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925050642/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/eatonma01.html 25 September 2010 live Two other players from this draft, eighth pick Calvin Natt and 73rd pick James Donaldson, were also selected to one All-Star Game each.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nattca01.html Calvin Natt Statistics basketball-reference.com October 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925045203/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nattca01.html 25 September 2010 livehttps://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/donalja01.html James Donaldson Statistics basketball-reference.com October 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100910062709/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/donalja01.html 10 September 2010 live In the fourth round, the Boston Celtics selected Nick Galis from Seton Hall University with the 68th pick. However, he suffered a serious injury in the training camp and was waived by the Celtics before the season started. Galis, who was born in the United States to Greek parents, opted to play in Greece. He never played in the NBA and spent all of his professional career in Greece, where he helped the country emerge as an international basketball power. He won a Eurobasket title, 8 Greek championships, 7 Greek cups as well as numerous personal honors and awards. He has been inducted into both the FIBA Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fwcm/event-guide/p/nid/41921/legend-bio.html Greece – Nick Galis July 20, 2010 FIBA November 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101107144242/http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fwcm/event-guide/p/nid/41921/legend-bio.html 2010-11-07 deadhttps://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/19052994/tracy-mcgrady-bill-self-rebecca-lobo-headline-2017-basketball-hall-fame-class McGrady, Self, Lobo headline 2017 HOF class April 2017 Draft thumb|218x218px|Magic Johnson was selected 1st overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. upright|thumb|150px|Bill Cartwright was selected 3rd overall by the New York Knicks. upright|thumb|150px|Sidney Moncrief was selected 5th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. upright|thumb|150px|Jim Paxson was selected 12th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. upright|thumb|150px|alt=A man, wearing a black suit, is standing and laughing in front of spectators.|Bill Laimbeer was selected 65th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. upright|thumb|150px|alt=A man, wearing a yellow T-shirt, is standing and pointing to the camera.|James Donaldson was selected 73rd overall by the Seattle SuperSonics. Pos.GFCPositionGuardForwardCenter y y y y Rnd. Draft round Pick Overall pick number Player Pos. Position(s) played Nationality Player's representative nationalityn nationality Nationality indicates the player's national team or representative nationality. If a player has not competed at the international level, then the nationality indicates the national team which the player is eligible to represent according to FIBA rules. Team School / club team Most recent school attended or team played for before the draft11 Magic Johnson^ G/F United States Los Angeles Lakers (from Utah)Note1 a a Michigan State (So.)12 David Greenwood F/C United States Chicago Bulls UCLA (Sr.)13 Bill Cartwright+ C United States New York Knicks (from Boston)Note2 b b 1 San Francisco (Sr.)14 Greg Kelser F United States Detroit Pistons Michigan State (Sr.)15 Sidney Moncrief^ G United States Milwaukee Bucks (from Cleveland) Arkansas (Sr.)16 James Bailey basketball F/C United States Seattle SuperSonics (from New York)Note4 d d Rutgers (Sr.)17 Vinnie Johnson G United States Seattle SuperSonics (from New Jersey via New York)Note5 e e Baylor (Sr.)18 Calvin Natt+ F United States New Jersey Nets (from Indiana via Milwaukee)Note6 f f Northeast Louisiana (Sr.)19 Larry Demic F/C United States New York Knicks (from Golden State via Boston)Note2 b 2 Arizona (Sr.)110 Roy Hamilton basketball G United States Detroit Pistons (from Milwaukee via San Diego)Note7 g g UCLA (Sr.)111 Cliff Robinson Cliff Robinson (basketball, born 1960) F United States New Jersey Nets (from San Diego)Note8 h h USC (So.)112 Jim Paxson* G/F United States Portland Trail Blazers Dayton (Sr.)113 Dudley Bradley G/F United States Indiana Pacers (from Atlanta)Note9 i i North Carolina (Sr.)114 Brad Holland G United States Los Angeles Lakers UCLA (Sr.)115 Phil Hubbard F/C United States Detroit Pistons (from Denver)Note10 j j Michigan (Sr.)116 Jim Spanarkel G/F United States Philadelphia 76ers Duke (Sr.)117 Lee Johnson basketball F United States Houston Rockets East Texas State (Sr.)118 Reggie King F United States Kansas City Kings Alabama (Sr.)119 Wiley Peck G United States San Antonio Spurs Mississippi State (Sr.)120 Larry Knight# F United States Utah Jazz (from Phoenix)Note11 k k Loyola (IL) (Sr.)121 Sly Williams G/F United States New York Knicks (from Seattle via Boston)Note2 b 3 Rhode Island (Jr.)122 Kyle Macy G United States Phoenix Suns (from Washington)Note12 l l Kentucky (Sr.)223 Tico Brown# G United States Utah Jazz Georgia Tech (Sr.)224 Johnny High G United States Phoenix Suns (from Boston)Note13 m m Nevada (Sr.)225 Oliver Mack G United States Los Angeles Lakers (from Detroit via Denver) East Carolina (Sr.)226 Bruce Flowers F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Notre Dame (Sr.)227 Reggie Carter G United States New York Knicks St. John's (Sr.)228 Danny Salisbury# F United States Golden State Warriors (from Chicago) Pan American (Sr.)229 Tony Price basketball G United States Detroit Pistons (from New Jersey) Pennsylvania (Sr.)230 Gary Garland G United States Denver Nuggets (from Golden State via San Diego) DePaul (Sr.)231 Edgar Jones basketball F/C United States Milwaukee Bucks Nevada (Sr.)232 Tony Zeno F United States Indiana Pacers Arizona State (Sr.)233 Lawrence Butler basketball# G United States Chicago Bulls (from San Diego via Denver) Idaho State (Sr.)234 Kim Goetz# F United States New York Knicks (from Portland) San Diego State (Sr.)235 James Bradley basketball# F United States Atlanta Hawks Memphis State (Sr.)236 Clint Richardson G United States Philadelphia 76ers (from Denver via New Jersey) Seattle (Sr.)237 Bernard Toone F United States Philadelphia 76ers Marquette (Sr.)238 Larry Wilson basketball# F United States Atlanta Hawks (from Houston) Nicholls State (Sr.)239 Victor King# F United States Los Angeles Lakers Louisiana Tech (Sr.)240 Andrew Fields# F United States Portland Trail Blazers (from San Antonio via Seattle) Cheyney State (Sr.)241 Mark Young basketball# F United States Los Angeles Lakers (from Kansas City via Denver) Fairfield (Sr.)242 Paul Mokeski F/C United States Houston Rockets (from Phoenix via Seattle) Kansas (Sr.)243 Johnny Moore basketball G United States Seattle SuperSonics Texas (Sr.)244 Joe DeSantis# G United States Washington Bullets Fairfield (Sr.)345 Arvid Kramer C United States Utah Jazz Augustana (SD) (Sr.)346 Andrew Parker 1# G United States Washington Bullets Iowa State (Sr.)347 Calvin Garrett F United States Chicago Bulls (from Cleveland) Oral Roberts (Sr.)348 Terry Duerod G United States Detroit Pistons Detroit (Sr.)349 Cedrick Hordges F/C United States Chicago Bulls South Carolina (Sr.)350 Geoff Huston basketball G United States New York Knicks Texas Tech (Sr.)351 John Gerdy 1# G United States New Jersey Nets Davidson (Sr.)352 Larry Gibson 1# C United States Milwaukee Bucks Maryland (Sr.)353 Wayne Kreklow G United States Boston Celtics (from Indiana) Drake (Sr.)354 Lynbert Johnson G/F United States Golden State Warriors Wichita State (Sr.)355 Tom Channel 1# G United States San Diego Clippers Boston University (Sr.)356 Mickey Fox# G United States Portland Trail Blazers Saint Mary's University (Canada) (Sr.)357 Donnie Marsh# G United States Atlanta Hawks Franklin & Marshall (Sr.)358 Earl Cureton F/C United States Philadelphia 76ers Detroit (Sr.)359 Ricardo Brown basketball# G United Statesn Brown later became a Filipino citizen and played for the Philippines national team. Houston Rockets Pepperdine (Sr.)360 Walter Daniels 1# G United States Los Angeles Lakers Georgia (Sr.)361 Ernesto Malcolm 1# G Panama Boston Celtics Briar Cliff (Sr.)362 Terry Crosby G United States Kansas City Kings Tennessee (Sr.)363 Sylvester Norris basketball C United States San Antonio Spurs Jackson State (Sr.)364 Al Green basketball# G United Statesn Green later became an Australian citizen. Phoenix Suns LSU (Sr.)365 Bill Laimbeer+ C United States Cleveland Cavaliers (from Seattle) Notre Dame (Sr.)366 Charles Floyd 1# F United States Washington Bullets High Point (Sr.)467 Greg Deane G United States Utah Jazz Utah (Sr.)468Nikos Galis^# G United Statesn Galis became a naturalized Greek citizen and played for the Greece national team.Greeks Pin Basketball Hopes On U.S. Talent https://www.newspapers.com/article/indian-river-press-journal-greeks-pin-ba/159372292/ November 19, 2024 Indian River Press Journal December 18, 1985 22 Newspapers.com Boston Celtics Seton Hall (Sr.)469 Eugene Robinson 1# C United States Milwaukee Bucks Louisiana–Monroe (Sr.)470 Rick Swing 1# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers The Citadel (Sr.)471 Larry Rogers 1# F United States New York Knicks U.S. Armed Forces (AAU)472 George Maynor 1# G United States Chicago Bulls East Carolina (Sr.)473 James Donaldson basketball+ C United Statesn Donaldson was born in the United Kingdom. Seattle SuperSonics (from New Jersey) Washington State (Sr.)474 Don Newman basketball# G United States Indiana Pacers Idaho (Jr.)475 Ron Ripley 1# F United States Golden State Warriors Green Bay (Sr.)476 Sammy Drummer 1# G United States Houston Rockets Georgia Tech (Sr.)477 Lionel Garrett 1# F United States San Diego Clippers Southern (Sr.)478 Darryl Robinson 1# G United States Portland Trail Blazers Appalachian State (Sr.)479 Ray White 1# G United States Los Angeles Lakers Mississippi State (Sr.)480 Lionel Green 1# F United States Houston Rockets LSU (Sr.)481 Ricky Reed 1# G United States Los Angeles Lakers Temple (Sr.)482 Jerry Sichting G United States Golden State Warriors (from Denver) Purdue (Sr.)483 Mike Niles F United States Philadelphia 76ers Cal State Fullerton (Sr.)484 Al Daniel 1# G United States San Antonio Spurs Furman (Sr.)485 John McCullough basketball G United States Kansas City Kings Oklahoma (Sr.)486 Malcolm Cesare 1# F United States Phoenix Suns Florida (Sr.)487 Richie Allen 1# F United States Seattle SuperSonics Cal State Dominguez Hills (Sr.)488 Lamont Reid 1# G United States Washington Bullets Oral Roberts (Sr.)589 Wolfe Perry# G United States Utah Jazz Stanford (Sr.)590 Jimmy Allen 1# G United States Boston Celtics New Haven (Sr.)591 Matt Simpkins 1# F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Georgia Southern (Sr.)592 Flintie Ray Williams 1# G United States Detroit Pistons UNLV (Sr.)593 Larry Washington 1# G United States Chicago Bulls Drury (Sr.)594 Johnny Green 1# F United States New York Knicks UC Riverside (Sr.)595 Jim Abromaitis 1# F United States New Jersey Nets UConn (Sr.)596 George Lett 1# F United States Golden State Warriors Centenary (Sr.)597 Jim Tillman # G United States Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Kentucky (Jr.)598 Billy Reid basketball G United States Indiana Pacers San Francisco (Jr.)599 Greg Joyner 1# F United States San Diego Clippers Middle Tennessee (Sr.)5100 Matthew White basketball# C United States Portland Trail Blazers Penn (Sr.)5101 Kendal Pinder# F Bahamasn Pinder possessed Australian citizenship from 1986 until it was revoked in 2007. Atlanta Hawks NC State (Sr.)5102 Larry Williams 1# F United States Denver Nuggets Louisville (Sr.)5103 Carl McPipe 1# F United States Philadelphia 76ers Nebraska (Sr.)5104 Allen Leavell G United States Houston Rockets Oklahoma City (Sr.)5105 Curtis Watkins 1# F United States Kansas City Kings DePaul (Sr.)5106 Steve Schall 1# F United States San Antonio Spurs Arkansas (Jr.)5107 Mark Eaton+ C United States Phoenix Suns Cypress JC (Fr.)n Even though Mark Eaton was a freshman, he was eligible to be drafted because he was already four years out of high school and therefore he did not need to apply for early entry.5108 Marshall Ashford 1# G United States Washington Bullets Virginia Tech (Sr.)6109 Ernie Cobb 1# G United States Utah Jazz Boston College (Sr.)6110 Marvin Delph# G United States Boston Celtics Athletes in Action6111 Truman Claytor 1# G United States Detroit Pistons Kentucky (Sr.)6112 Jon Manning 1# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers North Texas (Sr.)6113 Phil Abney 1# G United States New York Knicks New Mexico (Sr.)6114 Steve Smith 1# G United States Chicago Bulls USC (Sr.)6115 Tony Smith 1# G United States New Jersey Nets UNLV (Sr.)6116 Derrick Mayes 1# G United States Milwaukee Bucks Illinois State (Sr.)6117 Greg Guye 1# F United States Indiana Pacers Stetson (Sr.)6118 Jim Mitchem 1# C United States Golden State Warriors DePaul (Sr.)6119 Bob Bender# G United States San Diego Clippers Duke (Sr.)6120 Ray Ellis 1# C United States Portland Trail Blazers Pepperdine (Sr.)6121 Dwight Williams 1# G United States Atlanta Hawks Gardner–Webb (Sr.)6122 Odell Ball 1# F United States Denver Nuggets Marquette (Sr.)6123 Dan Hartshorne 1# C United States Philadelphia 76ers Oregon (Sr.)6124 Collie Davis 1# F United States Houston Rockets Southern (Sr.)6125 Terry Knight 1# G United States San Antonio Spurs Pittsburgh (Sr.)6126 Bob Roma 1# F United States Kansas City Kings Princeton (Sr.)6127 Dale Shackleford 1# F United States Phoenix Suns Syracuse (Sr.)6128 Garcia Hopkins 1# F United States Washington Bullets Morgan State (So.)7129 Paul Poe 1# F United States Utah Jazz Louisiana College (Sr.)7130 Steve Castellan 1# F United States Boston Celtics Virginia (Sr.)7131 Steve Skaggs 1# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers Ohio (Sr.)7132 Ken Jones 1# G United States Detroit Pistons Saint Mary's (Sr.)7133 Mike Eversley 1# F United States Chicago Bulls Chicago State (Sr.)7134 Marc Coleman 1# G United States New York Knicks Seton Hall (Sr.)7135 Jim Strickland 1# C United States New Jersey Nets South Carolina (Jr.)7136 Dirk Ewing 1# G United States Indiana Pacers Stetson (Sr.)7137 Ren Watson 1# F United States Golden State Warriors VCU (Sr.)7138 Stan Ray 1# C United States Milwaukee Bucks Cal State Fullerton (Sr.)7139 Jene Grey 1# F United States San Diego Clippers Le Moyne (Sr.)7140 Jeff Tropf 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Central Michigan (Sr.)7141 Tim Waterman 1# F United States Atlanta Hawks St. Bonaventure (Sr.)7142 Bobby Willis 1# G United States Philadelphia 76ers Penn (Sr.)7143 Rich Valavicius 1# F United States Houston Rockets Auburn (Jr.)7144 John Johnson 1# G United States Denver Nuggets Creighton (Sr.)7145 Nick Daniels 1# F United States Kansas City Kings Xavier (Sr.)7146 Tyrone Branyan 1# F United States San Antonio Spurs Texas (Sr.)7147 Ollie Matson Jr. 1# F United States Phoenix Suns Pepperdine (Sr.)7 Washington Bullets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player)n The Washington Bullets selected Conrad Whisenton who was a graduate student at the University of Alabama and had last played basketball at Fisk University in 1978. Whisenton had graduated from high school in 1974 which would have made him automatically eligible four years later for the 1978 NBA draft where he was not selected. The NBA originally upheld the Bullets' selection of Whisenton but it was deemed ineligible several weeks later.Conrad Whisenton - Ineligible Draftees https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9833 The Draft Review October 19, 20248148 Keith McDonald 1# G United States Utah Jazz Utah State (Sr.)8149 Glenn Sudhop 1# C United States Boston Celtics NC State (Sr.)8150 Rodney Lee 1# F United States Detroit Pistons Memphis (Sr.)8151 Mark Haymore 1# F United States Cleveland Cavaliers UMass (Sr.)8152 Billy Tucker 1# G United States New York Knicks Tennessee State (Sr.)8153 Tony Warren 1# G United States Chicago Bulls NC State (Sr.)8154 Henry Hollingsworth 1# G United States New Jersey Nets Hofstra (Sr.)8155 Mario Butler# F Panama Golden State Warriors Briar Cliff (Sr.)8156 Larry Spicer 1# F United States Milwaukee Bucks UAB (Jr.)8157 Brian Magid 1# G United States Indiana Pacers George Washington (Sr.)8158 Renaldo Lawrence 1# G United States San Diego Clippers Appalachian State (Sr.)8159 Willie Pounds 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Chaminade (Sr.)8160 John Goedeke 1# F United States Atlanta Hawks UMBC (Sr.)8161 Delbert Watson 1# G United States Houston Rockets East Tennessee State (Sr.)8162 Matt Teahan 1# F United States Denver Nuggets Denver (Sr.)8163 Rick Raivio# G United States Philadelphia 76ers Portland (Jr.)8 San Antonio Spurs (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player)n The San Antonio Spurs attempted to select Ed "Too Tall" Jones who was a professional boxer and former football player at the time of drafting. The NBA disallowed the pick because Jones had been out of college for more than five years.Ed "Too Tall" Jones - Ineligible Draftees https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9834 The Draft Review October 19, 20248164 Tony Vann 1# F United States Kansas City Kings Alabama–Huntsville (Sr.)8165 Charles Jones basketball, born 1957 F/C United States Phoenix Suns Albany State (Sr.)8166 Jo Jo Walters 1# G United States Washington Bullets Manhattan (Sr.)9167 Milt Huggins 1# G United States Utah Jazz Southern Illinois (Sr.)9168 Kevin Sinnett# F United States Boston Celtics Navy (Sr.)9169 Tim Joyce 1# F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Ohio (Sr.)9170 Val Bracey# G United States Detroit Pistons Central Michigan (Sr.)9171 James Jackson 1# G United States Chicago Bulls Minnesota (Sr.)9172 Brett Wyatt 1# G United States New York Knicks New Jersey City (Sr.)9173 Ricky Free 1# G United States New Jersey Nets Columbia (Sr.)9174 Roger Lapham 1# F United States Milwaukee Bucks Maine (Sr.)9175 Gene Ransom# G United States Golden State Warriors California (Sr.)9176 Mike Dodd# G United States San Diego Clippers San Diego State (Sr.)9177 Stan Eckwood 1# G United States Portland Trail Blazers Harding (Sr.)9178 Cedric Oliver 1# G United States Atlanta Hawks Hamilton (Sr.)9179 Emmett Lewis 1# G United States Denver Nuggets Colorado (Sr.)9180 Coby Leavitt 1# F United States Philadelphia 76ers Utah (Jr.)9181 Gary Wilson 1# F United States Kansas City Kings Southern Illinois (Sr.)9182 Eddie McLeod 1# F United States San Antonio Spurs UNLV (Sr.)9183 Hosea Champine 1# G United States Phoenix Suns Robert Morris (Sr.)9184 Gary Hooker# F United States Washington Bullets Murray State (Jr.)10185 Paul Dawkins F United States Utah Jazz Northern Illinois (Sr.)10186 Alton Byrd# G United Statesn Byrd gained British citizenship in 1984 and played for the England national team. Boston Celtics Columbia (Sr.)10187 Willie Polk 1# G United States Detroit Pistons Grand Canyon (Sr.)10188 Terry Peavy 1# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers Point Park (Sr.)10189 Gordon Thomas 1# G United States New York Knicks St. John's (Sr.)10190 Marvin Thomas 1# G United States Chicago Bulls UCLA (Sr.)10191 Eric Fleisher 1# G United States New Jersey Nets Tulane (Sr.)10192 Kevin Heenan 1# G United States Golden State Warriors Cal State Fullerton (Sr.)10193 Chris Fahrbach 1# F United States Milwaukee Bucks North Dakota (Sr.)10194 Greg Hunter 1# F United States San Diego Clippers Loyola Marymount (Sr.)10195 Kelvin Small 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Oregon (Sr.)10196 Chad Nelson 1# C United States Atlanta Hawks Drake (Sr.)10197 Cortez Collins 1# F United States Chicago Bulls Southern Indiana (Sr.)10198 Keith McCord G United States Philadelphia 76ers UAB (Jr.)10199 Glenn Fine# G United States San Antonio Spurs Harvard (Sr.)10200 Russell Saunders 1# G United States Kansas City Kings New Mexico (Sr.)10201 Korky Nelson 1# F United States Phoenix Suns Santa Clara (Sr.)10202 Steve Martin 1# G United States Washington Bullets Georgetown (Sr.) Notable undrafted players List of undrafted NBA players These players were not selected in the 1979 draft but played at least one game in the NBA. Player Pos. Nationality School/club team Norman Black G/F United States Saint Joseph's (Sr.) Alan Hardy basketball G United States Michigan (Sr.) Bill Mayfield F United States Iowa (Sr.) Trades Note1 a a On August 5, 1976, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired 1977, 1978 and 1979 first-round picks, and a 1980 second-round pick from the New Orleans Jazz in exchange for a 1978 first-round pick and a 1977 second-round pick. This trade was arranged as compensation when the Jazz signed Gail Goodrich on July 19, 1976.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/carrke01.html Kenny Carr Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 The Lakers used the pick to draft Magic Johnson. Note2 b b 1Note2 b 2Note2 b 3 On February 12, 1979, the New York Knicks acquired three first-round picks from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Bob McAdoo.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcadobo01.html Bob McAdoo Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101204233753/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcadobo01.html 4 December 2010 live Previously, the Celtics acquired a first-round pick on January 30, 1979, from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Jo Jo White.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/whitejo01.html Jo Jo White Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100915071744/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/whitejo01.html 15 September 2010 live The Celtics also acquired a first-round pick on January 17, 1979, from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Dennis Awtrey.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/awtrede01.html Dennis Awtrey Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 The Knicks used the picks to draft Bill Cartwright, Larry Demic and Sly Williams. Note3 c c 1Note3 c 2 On the draft-day, the Detroit Pistons acquired the fifth pick from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for the sixth pick and cash considerations.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kelsegr01.html Greg Kelser Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 Previously, the Bucks acquired the pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 1, 1978, in exchange for a 1978 first-round pick.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchmi01.html Mike Mitchell Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925024646/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchmi01.html 25 September 2010 live The Pistons used the pick to draft Greg Kelser. The Bucks used the pick to draft Sidney Moncrief Note4 d d On October 24, 1975, the Seattle SuperSonics acquired Gene Short and a first-round pick from the New York Knicks in exchange for Spencer Haywood.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywosp01.html Spencer Haywood Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925003508/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywosp01.html 25 September 2010 live The Sonics used the pick to draft James Bailey. Note5 e e On October 4, 1978, the Seattle SuperSonics acquired Lonnie Shelton and a 1979 first-round pick from the New York Knicks in exchange for a 1981 first-round pick. This trade was arranged as compensation when the Knicks signed Marvin Webster on September 29, 1978.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sheltlo01.html Lonnie Shelton Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 Previously, the Knicks acquired the 1978 and 1979 first-round picks on June 8, 1978, from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Phil Jackson, a 1978 first-round pick and US$3.2-million settlement of their indemnification debt to the Knicks.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksph01.html Phil Jackson Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0615FE3B5513728DDDA00894DE405B888BF1D3 Nets Get Phil Jackson as Part Of a Settlement With Knicks; Nets' Other Concessions Another Indemnity Nets Sign Jackson as Part Of a Settlement With Knicks Top Choices Sam Goldaper June 9, 1978 The New York Times October 29, 2010 The Sonics used the pick to draft Vinnie Johnson. Note6 f f On May 31, 1979, the New Jersey Nets acquired John Gianelli and the eighth pick from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Harvey Catchings.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gianejo01.html John Gianelli Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 Previously, the Bucks acquired the pick on June 8, 1978, from the Indiana Pacers as compensation for the signing of Alex English as a free agent.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/englial01.html Alex English Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 The Nets used the pick to draft Calvin Natt. Note7 g g On November 23, 1977, the Detroit Pistons acquired Gus Gerard, John Shumate and 1979 first-round pick from the San Diego Clippers in exchange for Marvin Barnes, a 1978 second-round pick and a 1978 fourth-round pick.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barnema01.html Marvin Barnes Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 Previously, the Clippers acquired the pick on September 2, 1977, from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for John Gianelli. The Pistons used the pick to draft Roy Hamilton. Note8 h h On September 1, 1977, the New Jersey Nets acquired George E. Johnson, 1978 and 1979 first-round picks from the San Diego Clippers in exchange for Nate Archibald.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/architi01.html Tiny Archibald Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925014444/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/architi01.html 25 September 2010 live The Nets used the pick to draft Cliff Robinson. Note9 i i On June 9, 1978, the Indiana Pacers acquired a first-round pick from the Atlanta Hawks as compensation for the signing of Dan Roundfield as a free agent.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roundda01.html Dan Roundfield Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925002012/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roundda01.html 25 September 2010 live The Pacers used the pick to draft Dudley Bradley. Note10 j j On February 1, 1978, the Detroit Pistons acquired Jim Price and a first-round pick from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Ralph Simpson.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simpsra01.html Ralph Simpson Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925050705/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simpsra01.html 25 September 2010 live The Pistons used the pick to draft Phil Hubbard. Note11 k k On January 12, 1979, the Utah Jazz acquired Marty Byrnes, Ron Lee, 1979 and 1980 first-round picks from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Truck Robinson.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robintr01.html Truck Robinson Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925003125/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robintr01.html 25 September 2010 live The Jazz used the pick to draft Larry Knight. Note12 l l On June 22, 1979, the Phoenix Suns acquired the 22nd pick and a 1980 third-round pick from the Washington Bullets in exchange for Steve Malovic.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malovst01.html Steve Malovic Statistics basketball-reference.com October 29, 2010 The Suns used the pick to draft Kyle Macy. Note13 m m On October 11, 1978, the Phoenix Suns acquired a second-round pick from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Dennis Awtrey. The Suns used the pick to draft Johnny High. Early entrants College underclassmen For the second year in a row, no underclassmen decided to opt out of the NBA draft, with only four total players deciding to declare entry into this year's draft. The following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.1979 Underclassmen https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3026:1979-underclassmen&catid=136&Itemid=384 The Draft Review August 4, 2007 December 13, 2022 USA Garcia Hopkins – F, Morgan State (sophomore) USA Magic Johnson – G, Michigan State (sophomore) USA Cliff Robinson – F, USC (sophomore) USA Sly Williams – F/G, Rhode Island (junior) Invited attendees The 1979 NBA draft is considered to be the second ever NBA draft to have utilized what's properly considered the "green room" experience for NBA prospects. The NBA's green room is a staging area where anticipated draftees often sit with their families and representatives, waiting for their names to be called on draft night. Often being positioned either in front of or to the side of the podium (in this case, being positioned in the Plaza Hotel's Grand Ballroomhttps://www.thedraftreview.com/historical-draft-events/green-room/1979-green-room-invites 1979 Green Room Invites - The Draft Review Matthew Maurer September 16, 2023 The Draft Review July 29, 2026), once a player heard his name, he would walk to the podium to shake hands and take promotional photos with the NBA commissioner, Larry O'Brien. From there, the players often conducted interviews with various media outlets while backstage. However, during the late 1970s specifically, these select players were often called to the hotel to take promotional pictures with the NBA commissioner a day or two after the draft concluded. The NBA compiled its list of green room invites through collective voting by the NBA's team presidents and general managers alike, which in this year's case belonged to only what they believed were the top six prospects at the time.https://www.thedraftreview.com/historical-draft-events/green-room Green Room - The Draft Review The Draft Review July 29, 2026 As such, the following players were invited to attend this year's draft festivities live and in person. USA Bill Cartwright – C, San Francisco USA David Greenwood – PF/C, UCLA USA Magic Johnson – PG, Michigan State USA Greg Kelser – SF, Michigan State USA Sidney Moncrief – SG, Arkansas USA Calvin Natt – SF, Northeast Louisiana Notes 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 October 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100727025331/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1970s.html July 27, 2010 dead https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1979.html 1979 NBA Draft basketball-reference.com October 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100910060137/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1979.html 10 September 2010 live https://www.apbr.org/7781drft.html 1977–1981 NBA Drafts The Association for Professional Basketball Research October 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100917075528/http://apbr.org/7781drft.html 17 September 2010 live Specific 30em External links NBA.com NBA.com: NBA Draft History The NBA decided the 1980s with a coin flip SB Nation July 5, 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfoI5hRXxo8&index=1&list=PLUXSZMIiUfFQlMgY0j31ftjqSqZB5BF3p https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/CfoI5hRXxo8 2021-12-13 live YouTube Draft Category:NBA draft NBA draft NBA draft Category:1970s in Manhattan Category:Basketball in New York City Category:Sporting events in New York City Category:Sports in Manhattan