The 2001 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 2001 in New York City, New York. Kwame Brown became the first high school player drafted with the first overall pick. Brown's selection by the Washington Wizards over players that have gone on to have more successful NBA careers has been a source of great criticism, with Brown having been widely labeled one of the worst draft busts in NBA history. Several international players, Pau Gasol (Spain), Tony Parker (France) and Mehmet Okur (Turkey) became NBA All-Stars. This was the last draft the Vancouver Grizzlies participated in while in their original city; their move to Memphis was finalized several weeks later.
Minnesota Timberwolves forfeited their first-round pick due to salary cap violations.
Famous quotes containing the word draft:
“Why not draft executive and management brains to prepare and produce the equipment the $21-a-month draftee must use and forget this dollar-a-year tommyrot? Would we send an army into the field under a dollar-a-year General who had to be home Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?”
—Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973)