1978 NBA draft

Basketball player selection August 2023 1978 NBA draft Basketball June 9, 1978 Plaza Hotel (New York City, New York) NBA 202 10 Mychal Thompson (Portland Trail Blazers) 3 F Larry Bird G Maurice Cheeks G Michael Cooper 1977 1979 The 1978 NBA draft was the 32nd annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on June 9, 1978, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York,Robert D. Bradley https://books.google.com/books?id=m99DCaqGoQ8C&pg=PA252 The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts Scarecrow Press May 2, 2013 9780810890695 June 23, 2020 before the 1978–79 season. In this draft, 22 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 September 27, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100927173723/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_evolution.html 27 September 2010 dead The Indiana Pacers won the coin flip and were awarded the first overall pick, while the Kansas City Kings, who obtained the New Jersey Nets' first-round pick in a trade, were awarded the second pick.2024-02-27 Pacers Beat Kings in NBA Draft Flip, Hope Bird Is Up For Early Flight https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1978/04/14/pacers-beat-kings-in-nba-draft-flip-hope-bird-is-up-for-early-flight/47905c2b-3f42-4a64-9122-e0e2ff885a28/?isMobile=1,1 2024-09-27 Washington Post en-US 0190-8286 The Pacers then traded the first pick to the Portland Trail Blazers before the draft. 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. 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 September 27, 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 September 27, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100901171704/http://www.nba.com/history/players/haywood_bio.html 1 September 2010 live Prior to the start of the season, the Buffalo Braves relocated to San Diego and became the San Diego Clippers.http://www.nba.com/history/this_date_july.html This Date in History–July NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc September 27, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101119022333/http://www.nba.com/history/this_date_july.html November 19, 2010 dead The draft consisted of 10 rounds comprising the selection of 202 players. Draft selections and draftee career notes Mychal Thompson from the University of Minnesota was selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. Thompson, who was born in the Bahamas, became the first foreign-born player to be drafted first overall.http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Yao_Ready_For_This-47036-34.html Yao Ready For This? June 25, 2002 NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc September 27, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100901021150/http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Yao_Ready_For_This-47036-34.html 1 September 2010 live Phil Ford from the University of North Carolina was selected second by the Kansas City Kings. He went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award and was also selected to the All-NBA Second Team in his rookie season.http://www.nba.com/history/awards_rookieofyear.html Rookie of the Year NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc September 27, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100913080450/http://www.nba.com/history/awards_rookieofyear.html 13 September 2010 deadhttps://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fordph01.html Phil Ford Statistics basketball-reference.com September 27, 2010 A college underclassman from Indiana State University, Larry Bird, was selected sixth by the Boston Celtics. However, he opted to return to Indiana State for his senior season before entering the league in 1979. He won the Rookie of the Year Award and was also selected to both the All-NBA First Team and the All Star Game in his rookie season. Bird spent his entire 13-year career with the Celtics and won three NBA championships. He also won three consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards and two Finals Most Valuable Player Awards. He was also selected to ten All-NBA Teams and thirteen consecutive All-Star Games.http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_bio.html Larry Bird Bio NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc September 27, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100901165029/http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_bio.html 1 September 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 September 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100913063921/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html 13 September 2010 live Bird 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 September 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100918202136/http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html 18 September 2010 dead After retiring as a player, Bird went on to have a coaching career. He coached the Indiana Pacers for three seasons, leading them to an NBA Finals appearance.https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/birdla01c.html Larry Bird Coaching Record basketball-reference.com October 6, 2010 He also won the Coach of the Year Award in 1998.http://www.nba.com/history/awards_coachofyear.html Coach of the Year NBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc October 6, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100915001144/http://www.nba.com/history/awards_coachofyear.html 15 September 2010 dead Before the draft, Larry Bird had just finished his junior year at Indiana State. However, he was eligible to be drafted without applying for "hardship" because his original college class at Indiana University had graduated.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UZsSAAAAIBAJ&pg=6476,1347273 If Blazers draft Bird, they won't wait year to sign him June 6, 2010 The Bulletin Bend, Oregon October 1, 2010June 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes He initially enrolled at Indiana University in 1974 but dropped out before the season began. After sitting out a year, he enrolled at Indiana State.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1998/bird/flashbacks/1988flash.html A Player for the Ages Frank Deford March 21, 1988 Sports Illustrated Time Warner Company October 1, 2010 September 30, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130930041901/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1998/bird/flashbacks/1988flash.html dead Despite being eligible for the draft, he stated that he would return to college for his senior season. His hometown team, the Indiana Pacers, initially held the first overall pick. However, when they failed to persuade him to leave college early, they traded the first pick to the Blazers, who also failed to convince him into signing.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z_ceAAAAIBAJ&pg=4896,1533338 Thompson picked first Alex Sachare June 11, 1978 Daily News Bowling Green, Kentucky October 1, 2010https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KMkmAAAAIBAJ&pg=1801,1597729 Blazers Get No. 1 Pick June 9, 2010 Sarasota Journal Sarasota, Florida Lindsay Newspapers Inc October 1, 2010 Five teams, including the Pacers who held the third pick, passed on Bird until the Celtics used the sixth pick to draft him. They drafted him even though they knew that they might lose the exclusive rights to him if he didn't sign before the next draft. He could reenter the draft in 1979 and sign with the other team that drafted him, and in negotiations with Red Auerbach Bird's agent Bob Woolf bluntly dismissed Red's lowball salary offers (he said that he would not offer Bird a contract that paid him more than the $400,000 annual salary of the team's highest-paid player at the time, Dave Cowens) and made it clear that Bird would enter the 1979 Draft without any regrets if Boston didn't change its plans. Nevertheless, in April 1979, he signed a five-year, US$3.25-million contract with the Celtics, which made him the highest-paid rookie in the history of team sport at that time.https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014096.html Plain and simple, Bird one of the best Larry Schwartz ESPN.com October 1, 2010 Maurice Cheeks, the 36th pick, was selected to four All-Star Games and five consecutive All-Defensive Teams.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cheekma01.html Maurice Cheeks Statistics basketball-reference.com September 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100906104213/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cheekma01.html 6 September 2010 live After retiring as a player, he coached the Portland Trail Blazers and the Philadelphia 76ers for four and a half seasons each. He then coached the Detroit Pistons for the first portion of the 2013/14 NBA season but was fired before finishing his first season with the team.https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/cheekma01c.html Maurice Cheeks Coaching Record basketball-reference.com October 6, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100901003125/http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/cheekma01c.html 1 September 2010 live Micheal Ray Richardson, the fourth pick, Larry Bird, the sixth pick, Reggie Theus, the ninth pick, and Mike Mitchell, the fifteenth pick, are the only other players from this draft who were selected to an All-Star Game.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/richami01.html Micheal Ray Richardson Statistics basketball-reference.com September 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100915075117/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/richami01.html 15 September 2010 livehttps://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/theusre01.html Reggie Theus Statistics basketball-reference.com September 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100915071739/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/theusre01.html 15 September 2010 livehttps://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchmi01.html Mike Mitchell Statistics basketball-reference.com September 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925024646/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchmi01.html 25 September 2010 live Michael Cooper, the 60th pick, won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1987 and was selected to eight consecutive All-Defensive Teams. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers and won five NBA championships.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/coopemi01.html Michael Cooper Statistics basketball-reference.com September 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100927061001/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/coopemi01.html 27 September 2010 live After retiring, he coached the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for eight seasons, leading them to two consecutive WNBA championships in 2001 and 2002.http://www.wnba.com/coachfile/michael_cooper/index.html Michael Cooper Bio WNBA.com Turner Sports Interactive, Inc October 7, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20091002074330/http://www.wnba.com/coachfile/michael_cooper/index.html 2009-10-02 dead He also served as an interim head coach of the Denver Nuggets in the 2004 y season.https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/coopemi01c.html Michael Cooper Coaching Record basketball-reference.com October 6, 2010 Four other players drafted also went on to have coaching careers in the NBA: Reggie Theus, 21st pick Mike Evans, 53rd pick Randy Ayers and 55th pick Marc Iavaroni.https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/theusre01c.html Reggie Theus Coaching Record basketball-reference.com October 6, 2010https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/evansmi01c.html Mike Evans Coaching Record basketball-reference.com October 6, 2010https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/ayersra99c.html Randy Ayers Coaching Record basketball-reference.com October 6, 2010https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/iavarma01c.html Marc Iavaroni Coaching Record basketball-reference.com October 6, 2010 Key Pos.GFCPositionGuardForwardCenter y y y y y Draft upright|thumb|150px|Mychal Thompson was selected 1st overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. upright|thumb|250px|Larry Bird was selected 6th overall by the Boston Celtics. upright|thumb|150px|alt=A man, wearing a black jacket and black T-shirt, is walking onto the basketball court.|Jack Givens was selected 16th overall by the Atlanta Hawks. upright|thumb|150px|Maurice Cheeks was selected 36th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. upright|thumb|150px|Marc Iavaroni was selected 55th overall by the New York Knicks. Round Pick Player Pos. Nationality Team School/club team11 Mychal Thompson F/C Portland Trail Blazers (from Indiana)Note1 a a 1 Minnesota (Sr.)12 Phil Ford basketballx~ G United States Kansas City Kings (from New Jersey)Note2 b b North Carolina (Sr.)13 Rick Robey F/C United States Indiana Pacers (from Buffalo via Portland)Note1 a 2 Kentucky (Sr.)14 Micheal Ray Richardson+ G/F United States New York Knicks (from Houston via Buffalo and New Jersey)Note3 c c 1 Montana (Sr.)15 Purvis Short G/F United States Golden State Warriors (from Kansas City via Los Angeles)Note4 d d 1 Jackson State (Sr.)16 Larry Bird^~ F United States Boston Celtics Indiana State (Jr.)117 Ron Brewer G United States Portland Trail Blazers (from Detroit via Seattle)Note5 e e Arkansas (Sr.)18 Freeman Williams G/F United States Boston Celtics (from New Orleans via Los Angeles)Note6 f f 1 Portland State (Sr.)19 Reggie Theus+ G United States Chicago Bulls UNLV (Jr.)110 Butch Lee G Atlanta Hawks Marquette (Sr.)111 James Hardy basketball F/C United States New Orleans Jazz (from Golden State)Note7 g g San Francisco (Jr.)112 George Johnson George L. Johnson (basketball) F/C United States Milwaukee Bucks (from Cleveland)Note8 h h St. John's (Sr.)113 Winford Boynes G/F United States New Jersey Nets (from New York)Note3 c 2 San Francisco (Jr.)114 Roger Phegley G/F United States Washington Bullets Bradley (Sr.)115 Mike Mitchell basketball, born 1956+ F United States Cleveland Cavaliers (from Milwaukee)Note9 i i Auburn (Sr.)116 Jack Givens G/F United States Atlanta Hawks (from Los Angeles via New Orleans)Note6 f 2 Kentucky (Sr.)117 Rod Griffin basketball# F United States Denver Nuggets (from Seattle)Note10 j j Wake Forest (Sr.)118 Dave Corzine C United States Washington Bullets (from Denver)Note11 k k DePaul (Sr.)119 Marty Byrnes F United States Phoenix Suns Syracuse (Sr.)120 Frankie Sanders G/F United States San Antonio Spurs Southern (Jr.)121 Mike Evans basketball G United States Denver Nuggets (from Philadelphia)Note12 l l Kansas State (Sr.)122 Raymond Townsend G United States Golden State Warriors (from Portland)Note13 m m UCLA (Sr.)223 Terry Tyler G/F United States Detroit Pistons (from New Jersey) Detroit (Sr.)224 Keith Herron G/F United States Portland Trail Blazers (from Buffalo via Atlanta) Villanova (Sr.)225 Rick Wilson basketball G United States Atlanta Hawks (from Houston) Louisville (Sr.)226 Ron Carter basketball G United States Los Angeles Lakers (from Kansas City)Note4 d 2 VMI (Sr.)227 Wayne Radford basketball G United States Indiana Pacers Indiana (Sr.)228 Buster Matheney# F United States Houston Rockets (from Boston) Utah (Sr.)229 John Long basketball, born 1956 G/F United States Detroit Pistons Detroit (Sr.)230 Jeff Judkins G/F United States Boston Celtics (from New Orleans) Utah (Sr.)231 Marvin Johnson basketball# F United States Chicago Bulls New Mexico (Sr.)232 John Rudd basketball F United States New York Knicks (from Atlanta) McNeese State (Sr.)233 Harry Davis basketball F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Florida State (Sr.)234 Greg Bunch F United States New York Knicks Cal State Fullerton (Sr.)235 Tommie Green G United States New Orleans Jazz (from Golden State) Southern (Sr.)236 Maurice Cheeks^ G United States Philadelphia 76ers (from Milwaukee) West Texas State (Sr.)237 Terry Sykes# F United States Washington Bullets Grambling State (Sr.)238 Lew Massey# G United States Los Angeles Lakers UNC Charlotte (Sr.) 239 James Lee basketball# F United States Seattle SuperSonics Kentucky (Sr.)240 Wayne Cooper basketball F/C United States Golden State Warriors (from Denver) New Orleans (Sr.)241 Jerome Whitehead F/C United States Buffalo Braves (from Phoenix) Marquette (Sr.)242 Keven McDonald# F United States Seattle SuperSonics (from San Antonio) Pennsylvania (Sr.)243 Glenn Hagan G United States Philadelphia 76ers St. Bonaventure (Sr.)244 Clemon Johnson F/C United States Portland Trail Blazers Florida A&M (Sr.)345 Mike Phillips basketball# F United States New Jersey Nets Kentucky (Sr.)346 Hollis Copeland F United States Denver Nuggets (from Buffalo) Rutgers (Sr.)347 Billy Ray Bates G United States Houston Rockets Kentucky State (Sr.)348 Mike Santos 1# F United States San Diego Clippers Utah State (Sr.)349 Jeff Cook basketball F/C United States Kansas City Kings Idaho State (Sr.)350 Dana Skinner 1# G United States Boston Celtics Merrimack (Sr.)351 Ricky Gallon 1# C United States San Diego Clippers Louisville (Sr.)352 Mike Russell 1# F United States Kansas City Kings Texas Tech (Sr.)353 Randy Ayers# G United States Chicago Bulls Miami (Ohio) (Sr.)354 Steve Grant 1# F United States Atlanta Hawks Manhattan (Sr.)355 Marc Iavaroni F United States New York Knicks Virginia (Sr.)356 Steve Neff 1# C United States Golden State Warriors Southern Nazarene (Sr.)357 Kenny Higgs G United States Cleveland Cavaliers LSU(Sr.)358 Rick Apke 1# F United States Washington Bullets Creighton (Sr.)359 Pat Cummings F/C United States Milwaukee Bucks Cincinnati (Sr.)360 Michael Cooper^ G/F United States Los Angeles Lakers New Mexico (Sr.)361 Dave Baxter 1# G United States Seattle SuperSonics Michigan (Sr.)362 Dave Batton C United States New Jersey Nets (from Denver) Notre Dame (Sr.)363 Joel Kramer F/C United States Phoenix Suns San Diego State (Sr.)364 Gerald Henderson G United States San Antonio Spurs VCU (Sr.)365 Marvin Delph# G United States San Diego Clippers Arkansas (Sr.)366 Sterling Edmonds 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Dartmouth (Sr.)467 Jackie Robinson basketball, born 1955 F United States Houston Rockets (from New Jersey) UNLV (Sr.)468 Jim Boylan# G United States San Diego Clippers Marquette (Sr.)469 Joel Thompson 1# F United States Houston Rockets Michigan (Sr.)470 Geoff Crompton C United States Kansas City Kings North Carolina (Sr.)471 Rickey Lee 1# F United States Indiana Pacers Oregon State (Sr.)472 Dave Nelson David Stergakos#2 F United StatesGreece Boston Celtics Bloomfield (Sr.)473 Larry Harris 1# F United States San Diego Clippers Pittsburgh (Sr.)474 Mel Davis 1# F United States New Orleans Jazz North Texas (Sr.)475 Jeff Covington 1# F United States New Orleans Jazz Youngstown State (Sr.)476 Leroy McDonald 1# G United States San Diego Clippers Wake Forest (Sr.)477 Derrick Jackson 1# G United States Golden State Warriors Georgetown (Sr.)478 Stan Rome# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers Clemson (Sr.)479 Erving Giddings 1# F United States New York Knicks Dayton (Sr.)480 Otis Howard F United States Milwaukee Bucks Austin Peay (Sr.)481 Lawrence Boston F United States Washington Bullets Maryland (Sr.)482 Harold Robertson 1# G United States Los Angeles Lakers Lincoln (Missouri) (Sr.)483 Billy Lewis 1# F United States Seattle SuperSonics Illinois State (Sr.)484 Walter Jordan F United States New Jersey Nets (from Denver) Purdue (Sr.)485 Bob Miller basketball F United States Phoenix Suns Cincinnati (Sr.)486 Rich Adams# F United States San Antonio Spurs Illinois (Sr.)487 Brett Vroman C United States Philadelphia 76ers UNLV (Sr.)488 Wayne Smith 1# G United States Phoenix Suns UC Irvine (Sr.)589 Cecil Rose 1# G Bahamas New Jersey Nets Houston (Sr.)590 David Thompson 1# F United States San Diego Clippers Florida State (Sr.)591 Gary Goodner 1# F United States Houston Rockets Texas (Sr.)592 James Sparrow 1# F United States Indiana Pacers North Carolina A&T (Sr.)593 Derrick Clairborne 1# G United States Kansas City Kings UMass (Sr.)594 Greg Tynes 1# G United States Boston Celtics Seton Hall (Sr.)595 Dave Caligaris# G United States Detroit Pistons Northeastern (Sr.)596 Duck Williams G United States New Orleans Jazz Notre Dame (Sr.)597 Ron Anthony 1# F United States Chicago Bulls Jacksonville (Sr.)598 Chris Potter 1# F United States Atlanta Hawks Holy Cross (Sr.)599 Ken Koenigs 1# F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Kansas (Sr.)5100 Greg Green 1# G United States New York Knicks Southern (Sr.)5101 Bubba Wilson G United States Golden State Warriors Western Carolina (Sr.)5102 Roger Dickens 1# G United States Washington Bullets Towson (Sr.)5103 Russ Coleman 1# F United States Milwaukee Bucks Pacific (Sr.)5104 Carlos Terry G/F United States Los Angeles Lakers Winston-Salem State (Sr.)5105 Ralph Drollinger C United States Seattle SuperSonics Athletes in Action5106 Michael Edwards 1# F United States Denver Nuggets Pan American (Sr.)5107 Andre Wakefield G United States Phoenix Suns Loyola (Illinois) (Sr.)5108 Eugene Parker sports agent# G United States San Antonio Spurs Purdue (Sr.)5109 Mark Haymore 1# F United States Philadelphia 76ers UMass (Jr.)5110 Clay Johnson basketball G United States Portland Trail Blazers Missouri (Sr.)6111 Golie Augustus 1# F United States New Jersey Nets South Carolina (Sr.)6112 Bob Misevicius 1# F United States San Diego Clippers Providence (Sr.)6113 Eddie Joe Chavez 1# G United States Houston Rockets Santa Clara (Sr.)6114 Jim Krivacs# G United States Kansas City Kings Texas (Sr.)6115 Sherman Dillard# G United States Indiana Pacers James Madison (Sr.)6116 Dave Winey 1# F United States Boston Celtics Minnesota (Sr.)6117 Audie Matthews 1# G United States Detroit Pistons Illinois (Sr.)6118 John Douglas basketball G United States New Orleans Jazz Kansas (Sr.)6119 John Shoemaker# G United States Chicago Bulls Miami (Ohio) (Sr.)6120 Gerald Glover 1# F United States Atlanta Hawks Howard (Sr.)6121 Eddie Warren 1# G Panama New York Knicks Briar Cliff (Sr.)6122 Buzz Harnett 1# F United States Golden State Warriors San Diego (Sr.)6123 Ron Bell 1# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers Virginia Tech (Sr.)6124 Dave Kyle 1# F United States Milwaukee Bucks Cleveland State (Sr.)6125 Archie Aldridge# F United States Washington Bullets Miami (Ohio) (Sr.)6126 Kim Stewart 1# F United States Los Angeles Lakers Washington (Sr.)6127 Robert Heard 1# F United States Denver Nuggets Columbus State (Sr.)6128 Charles Thompson 1# F Bahamas Phoenix Suns Houston (Sr.)6129 Harry Morgan 1# F United States San Antonio Spurs Indiana State (Sr.)6130 Osborne Lockhart 1# G Bahamas Philadelphia 76ers Minnesota (Sr.)6131 Tim Evans 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Puget Sound (Sr.)7132 Doug Jemison 1# F United States New Jersey Nets San Francisco (Sr.)7133 Stan Pietkiewicz G/F United States Buffalo Braves Auburn (Sr.)7134 Stan Stewart 1# G United States Houston Rockets Loyola Marymount (Sr.)7135 Ollie Matson Jr. 1# F United States Indiana Pacers Pepperdine (Jr.)7136 Charles McMillian 1# G United States Kansas City Kings North Texas (Sr.)7137 Steve Balkun 1# F United States Boston Celtics Fairfield (Sr.)7138 Herb Entzminger 1# F United States Detroit Pistons Johnson C. Smith (Sr.)7139 Willie Howard 1# F United States New Orleans Jazz New Mexico (Sr.)7140 Jarvis Reynolds 1# F United States Chicago Bulls West Georgia (Sr.)7141 Jim DeWeese 1# F United States Atlanta Hawks Gonzaga (Sr.)7142 Rick Bernard 1# G United States Golden State Warriors Saint Mary's (Sr.)7143 Tony Smith 1# G United States Cleveland Cavaliers UNLV (Jr.)7144 Gary Pember 1# F United States New York Knicks Nasson (Sr.)7145 Ed Hopkins 1# F United States Washington Bullets Georgetown (Sr.)7146 Kim Anderson basketball F United States Milwaukee Bucks Libertas Forli (Italy)7147 Larry Paige 1# F United States Los Angeles Lakers Colorado State (Sr.)7148 Jack Gilloon 1# G United States Denver Nuggets South Carolina (Sr.)7149 Steve Malovic C United States Phoenix Suns San Diego State (Jr.)7150 Hector Olivencia 1# G United States San Antonio Spurs Sacred Heart (Sr.)7151 Anthony Murray 1# G United States Philadelphia 76ers Alabama (Sr.)7152 Walter Reason 1# G United States Portland Trail Blazers Pacific (Sr.)8153 Bruce Campbell 1# F United States New Jersey Nets Providence (Sr.)8154 Felton Young 1# C United States San Diego Clippers Jacksonville (Sr.)8155 Ron Hammye 1# F United States Kansas City Kings Bowling Green (Sr.)8156 Kim Fisher 1# G United States Boston Celtics Fairfield (Sr.)8157 Earl Evans basketball F United States Detroit Pistons UNLV (Jr.)8158 Carl Kilpatrick C United States New Orleans Jazz Northeast Louisiana (Sr.)8159 Chubby Cox G United States Chicago Bulls San Francisco (Sr.)8160 Ed Murphy basketball, born 1956# F United States Atlanta Hawks Merrimack (Sr.)8161 Roland Martin 1# F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Missouri Southern (Sr.)8162 Greg Sanders 1# F United States New York Knicks St. Bonaventure (Sr.)8163 Tony Searcy 1# F United States Golden State Warriors Appalachian State (Sr.)8164 Tom Zaliagiris 1# G United States Milwaukee Bucks North Carolina (Sr.)8165 Nestor Cora 1# F Puerto Rico Washington Bullets St. Francis Brooklyn (Sr.)8166 Larry Vaculik 1# F United States Denver Nuggets Colorado (Sr.)8167 George Fowler 1# C United States Phoenix Suns Pacific (Sr.)8168 Henry Taylor 1# F United States San Antonio Spurs UT Rio Grande Valley (Sr.)8169 Alan Cunningham 1# F United States Philadelphia 76ers Colorado State (Sr.)8170 Mark Wickman 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Linfield (Sr.)9171 Frank Sowinski# F United States New Jersey Nets Princeton (Sr.)9172 Bobby White 1# F United States San Diego Clippers Centenary (Sr.)9173 Les Anderson 1# F United States Boston Celtics George Washington (Sr.)9174 Ulice Payne 1# F United States Detroit Pistons Marquette (Sr.)9175 Chad Nelson 1# C United States New Orleans Jazz Drake (Jr.)9176 Joe Ponsetto 1# F United States Chicago Bulls DePaul (Sr.)9177 Maurice Robinson 1# C United States Atlanta Hawks West Virginia (Sr.)9178 Denny Fields 1# F United States New York Knicks UNC Wilmington (Sr.)9179 Bobby Humbles 1# G United States Golden State Warriors Bradley (Sr.)9180 Steve Bayless 1# F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Central State (Sr.)9181 Tim Claxton 1# G United States Washington Bullets Temple (Sr.)9182 Gary Rosenberger 1# G United States Milwaukee Bucks Marquette (Sr.)9183 Thomas Schneeberger# F United States Denver Nuggets Air Force (Sr.)9184 Nate Stokes 1# G United States Phoenix Suns Grand Canyon (Sr.)9185 Rick Taylor 1# G United States San Antonio Spurs Arizona State (Sr.)9186 Paul Cozens 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers George Fox (Sr.)10187 Michael Vicens# G Puerto Rico New Jersey Nets Holy Cross (Sr.)10188 Walter Harrigan 1# F United States Boston Celtics Brandeis (Sr.)10189 Dave Grauzer 1# G United States Detroit Pistons Central Michigan (Sr.)10190 Rickey Williams G United States New Orleans Jazz Long Beach State (Sr.)10191 Mark Tucker 1# G United States Chicago Bulls Oklahoma State (Sr.)10192 Marshall Lester 1# F United States Atlanta Hawks Florida Southern (Sr.)10193 Mike Muff 1# F United States Golden State Warriors Murray State (Sr.)10194 Gary Winton# F United States Cleveland Cavaliers Army (Sr.)10195 Ernest Simons 1# G United States New York Knicks Pace (Sr.)10196 Tom Anderson 1# G United States Milwaukee Bucks Green Bay (Sr.)10197 Steve Connor 1# G United States Washington Bullets Boise State (Sr.)10198 Phil Taylor 1# F United States Denver Nuggets Arizona (Sr.)10199 Lewis Cohen 1# G United States Phoenix Suns Cal Poly (Sr.)10200 Larry Brewster 1# C United States San Antonio Spurs Florida (Sr.)10201 Dennis James 1# F United States Philadelphia 76ers Widener (Sr.)10202 Tim Warkentin 1# F United States Portland Trail Blazers Biola (Sr.) Notable undrafted players List of undrafted NBA players These players were not selected in the 1978 draft but played at least one game in the NBA. Player Pos. Nationality School/club team Del Beshore G United States California (Pennsylvania) (Sr.) Mike Davis basketball, born 1956 C United States Maryland (Sr.) Rock Lee basketball C United States San Diego State (Sr.) Myles Patrick F United States Auburn (Sr.) Sam Pellom C United States Buffalo (Sr.) Jim Zoet C Lakehead (Sr.) Trades Note1 a a 1Note1 a 2 On June 8, 1978, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired the first pick from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Johnny Davis and the third overall pick.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisjo01.html Johnny Davis Statistics basketball-reference.com October 2, 2010 Previously, the Blazers acquired a first-round pick on October 18, 1976, from the Buffalo Braves in exchange for Moses Malone.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonmo01.html Moses Malone Statistics basketball-reference.com October 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100901152924/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonmo01.html 1 September 2010 live The Blazers used the pick to draft Mychal Thompson. The Pacers used the pick to draft Rick Robey. Note2 b b On September 10, 1976, the Kansas City Kings acquired Jim Eakins, Brian Taylor, 1977 and 1978 first-round picks from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Nate Archibald.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/architi01.html Tiny Archibald Statistics basketball-reference.com October 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925014444/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/architi01.html 25 September 2010 live The Kings used the pick to draft Phil Ford. Note3 c c 1Note3 c 2 On June 8, 1978, the New York Knicks acquired the fourth pick and a 1979 first-round pick from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Phil Jackson, the thirteenth 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 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100901004615/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksph01.html 1 September 2010 livehttps://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 Company October 2, 2010 Previously, the Nets acquired George E. Johnson, the pick and a 1979 first-round pick on September 1, 1977, from the Buffalo Braves in exchange for Nate Archibald. Previously, the Braves acquired the pick and a 1977 first-round pick on October 24, 1976, from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Moses Malone. The Knicks used the pick to draft Micheal Ray Richardson. The Nets used the pick to draft Winford Boynes. Note4 d d 1Note4 d 2 On September 14, 1977, the Golden State Warriors acquired a first-round pick and cash considerations from the Los Angeles Lakers. This trade was arranged as compensation when the Lakers signed Jamaal Wilkes on July 11, 1977.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wilkeja01.html Jamaal Wilkes Statistics basketball-reference.com October 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100906110411/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wilkeja01.html 6 September 2010 livehttp://www.nba.com/warriors/media/0910_GSWMG_DraftTransactions.pdf Golden State Warriors 2009–10 Media Guite: Draft & Transactions NBA.com/Warriors Turner Sports Interactive, Inc October 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100409213137/http://www.nba.com/warriors/media/0910_GSWMG_DraftTransactions.pdf 2010-04-09 dead Previously, the Lakers acquired Ollie Johnson, the pick and a second-round pick on June 1, 1977, from the Kansas City Kings in exchange for Lucius Allen.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/allenlu01.html Lucius Allen Statistics basketball-reference.com October 2, 2010 The Warriors used the pick to draft Purvis Short. The Lakers used the pick to draft Ron Carter. Note5 e e On November 11, 1977, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a 1978 first-round pick and a 1979 second-round pick from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Wally Walker.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/walkewa01.html Wally Walker Statistics basketball-reference.com October 2, 2010 Previously, the Sonics acquired the pick on September 25, 1975, from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Archie Clark.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/clarkar01.html Archie Clark Statistics basketball-reference.com October 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925020107/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/clarkar01.html 25 September 2010 live The Blazers used the pick to draft Ron Brewer. Note6 f f 1Note6 f 2 On December 27, 1977, the Boston Celtics acquired Don Chaney, Kermit Washington and a first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Charlie Scott.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/scottch01.html Charlie Scott Statistics basketball-reference.com October 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100927062414/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/scottch01.html 27 September 2010 live On October 13, 1977, the Atlanta Hawks acquired a first-round pick from the New Orleans Jazz in exchange for Joe Meriweather.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/meriwjo01.html Joe Meriweather Statistics basketball-reference.com October 2, 2010 Previously, the Lakers acquired 1977, 1978 and 1979 first-round picks, and a 1980 second-round pick on August 5, 1976, from the 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 2, 2010 The Celtics used the pick to draft Freeman Williams. The Hawks used the pick to draft Jack Givens. Note7 g g On October 3, 1977, the New Orleans Jazz acquired a first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors as compensation for the signing of E. C. Coleman as a free agent.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/colemec01.html E. C. Coleman Statistics basketball-reference.com October 7, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925030242/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/colemec01.html 25 September 2010 live The Jazz used the pick to draft James Hardy. Note8 h h On January 13, 1977, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Rowland Garrett, 1977 and 1978 first-round picks from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Elmore Smith and Gary Brokaw.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithel01.html Elmore Smith Statistics basketball-reference.com October 7, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100910053701/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithel01.html 10 September 2010 live The Bucks used the pick to draft George Johnson. Note9 i i On June 1, 1978, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired the 15th pick from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for a 1979 first-round pick.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kelsegr01.html Greg Kelser Statistics basketball-reference.com October 7, 2010 The Cavaliers used the pick to draft Mike Mitchell. Note10 j j On the draft-day, the Denver Nuggets acquired the 17th pick from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Tom LaGarde.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lagarto01.html Tom LaGarde Statistics basketball-reference.com October 7, 2010 The Nuggets used the pick to draft Rod Griffin. Note11 k k On October 11, 1977, the Washington Bullets acquired a first-round pick from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Bo Ellis.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ellisbo02.html Bo Ellis Statistics basketball-reference.com October 7, 2010 The Bullets used the pick to draft Dave Corzine. Note12 l l On the draft-day, the Denver Nuggets acquired the 21st pick from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a 1984 first-round pick.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tDIcAAAAIBAJ&pg=5679,4151521 Thompson Blazers' Top Pick June 8, 1978 The Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania E.W. Scripps Company October 29, 2010https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3KwSAAAAIBAJ&pg=6645,2395979 Knicks Select Montana Star June 9, 1978 Spokane Daily Chronicle Spokane, Washington Cowles Publishing Company October 29, 2010June 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes The Nuggets used the pick to draft Mike Evans. Note13 m m On June 7, 1978, the Golden State Warriors acquired the 22nd pick from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a 1981 first-round pick.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kingal01.html Albert King Statistics basketball-reference.com October 7, 2010 The Warriors used the pick to draft Raymond Townsend. Early entrants College underclassmen This year's draft only saw five total players that qualified as underclassmen entering the draft, with none of them opting to withdraw from this draft year. The following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.1978 Underclassmen https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3025:1978-underclassmen&catid=136&Itemid=384 The Draft Review August 4, 2007 December 13, 2022 USA Winford Boynes – G, San Francisco (junior) USA James Hardy – F, San Francisco (junior) USA James Holley – G, Schenectady County CC (sophomore) USA Frankie Sanders – F, Southern (junior) USA Reggie Theus – G, UNLV (junior) Invited attendees The 1978 NBA draft is considered to be the first official 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 BallroomMaurer Matthew 2023-09-16 1978 Green Room Invites - The Draft Review https://www.thedraftreview.com/historical-draft-events/green-room/1978-green-room-invites 2025-08-20 The Draft Review en-us), 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 five prospects at the time.Green Room - The Draft Review https://www.thedraftreview.com/historical-draft-events/green-room 2025-08-20 The Draft Review en-us As such, the following five players were the first ever invited attendees for the NBA draft's history. USA George L. Johnson – PF/C, San Francisco PUR Butch Lee – PG, Marquette USA Rick Robey – PF/C, Kentucky USA Purvis Short – SG/SF, Jackson State BAH Mychal Thompson – PF/C, Minnesota Notes 1 Even though Larry Bird was a junior, 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. 2 Nelson became known as David Stergakos during his career in Greece.They Call Him 'Stergakos' In Greek Pro Basketball https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montclair-times-they-call-him-sterg/142131849/ February 26, 2024 The Montclair Times January 4, 1979 22 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 September 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100727025331/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1970s.html 27 July 2010 dead https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1978.html 1978 NBA Draft basketball-reference.com September 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100823045310/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1978.html 23 August 2010 live https://www.apbr.org/7781drft.html 1977–1981 NBA Drafts The Association for Professional Basketball Research September 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 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