2003 NBA draft
General information
SportBasketball
Date(s)June 26, 2003
LocationThe Theater at Madison Square Garden (New York City, New York)
Network(s)ESPN
Overview
58 total selections in 2 rounds
LeagueNBA
First selectionLeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)

The 2003 NBA draft was held on June 26, 2003, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The NBA announced that 41 college and high school players and a record 31 international players had filed as early-entry candidates for the 2003 NBA draft.[1] The Cleveland Cavaliers, who had a 22.50 percent probability of obtaining the first selection, won the NBA draft lottery on May 22, and Cleveland chairman Gordon Gund said afterward his team would select LeBron James.[2] The Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets were second and third, respectively. This draft was the first draft to be aired on ESPN after they picked up the license from TNT.

The 2003 draft is known for having one of the deepest talent pools in NBA history. The draft contained 15 players who combined for 26 championships. Four of the top five picks are NBA All-Stars and "Redeem Team" Olympic Gold Medalists: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James (the former three went on to become teammates with LeBron in the NBA as well at certain points in their careers). Many players have been in the starting line-ups of their respective teams; nine have participated in an All-Star Game, Dwyane Wade was named NBA Finals MVP in 2006 and won NBA championships with the Miami Heat in 2006, 2012 and 2013, as well as the NBA All Star Game MVP in 2010. Boris Diaw won the Most Improved Player Award in 2006, Jason Kapono won the three point shootout in back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008, James Jones won the three point shootout in 2011, Leandro Barbosa won the Sixth Man Award in 2007, Kyle Korver set the NBA record for three point shooting percentage in 2010 (53.6%), and in the 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013 seasons, LeBron James won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, and the NBA Finals MVP in 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2020. Carmelo Anthony won the 2013 NBA scoring title and was the only player in NBA history to win at least three Olympic gold medals[3] until Kevin Durant won his third one in 2021. Zaza Pachulia and David West won NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. Matt Bonner won NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs in 2007 and 2014. Dahntay Jones and Mo Williams won the NBA championship in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Luke Walton won three NBA championships, two as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 and one as an assistant coach with the Warriors in 2015. Chris Bosh left the Toronto Raptors in 2010 as its all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, double doubles, free throws made and attempted, and minutes played; he went on to win championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013.

The 2003 draft class has drawn comparisons to the 1984 and 1996 NBA draft classes[4] but is also known for the Detroit Pistons' selection of Darko Miličić with the second overall pick over other prospects who went on to have much more success in the league.[4] As of 2024, James is the only remaining active player from the 2003 draft class.

Eleven of the players selected in this draft never played in an NBA game throughout their professional basketball careers. Two of those players were the sole selection of the draft by their respective teams: Malick Badiane (Houston's only pick) and Paccelis Morlende (Philadelphia's only pick).

Draft selections

LeBron James was one of the most anticipated first overall draft picks in the history of any sport. He is the second high school draftee to be a first overall pick, the first being Kwame Brown in 2001, and was followed by Dwight Howard in 2004.[5]
Carmelo Anthony was selected 3rd overall by the Denver Nuggets.
Chris Bosh, selected 4th overall by the Toronto Raptors, was the first member of the draft class to be elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Dwyane Wade was selected 5th overall by the Miami Heat.
Chris Kaman was selected 6th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.
David West was selected 18th overall by the New Orleans Hornets.
Josh Howard was selected 29th overall by the Dallas Mavericks.
Mo Williams was selected 47th overall by the Utah Jazz.
Kyle Korver was selected 51st overall by the New Jersey Nets (traded to the Philadelphia 76ers).
PGPoint guard SGShooting guard SFSmall forward PFPower forward CCenter
^ Denotes player who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game and All-NBA Team
+ Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game
# Denotes player who has never appeared in an NBA regular season or playoff game
~ Denotes player who has been selected as Rookie of the Year
Round Pick Player Position Nationality[n 1] Team School/Club Team
11LeBron James*~SF/PF United StatesCleveland CavaliersSt. Vincent–St. Mary HS (Akron, Ohio)
12Darko MiličićC Serbia and MontenegroDetroit Pistons (from Memphis)[6]Hemofarm Vršac (Serbia and Montenegro)
13Carmelo Anthony*SF/PF United StatesDenver NuggetsSyracuse (Fr.)
14Chris Bosh^PF/C United StatesToronto RaptorsGeorgia Tech (Fr.)
15Dwyane Wade^SG United StatesMiami HeatMarquette (Jr.)
16Chris Kaman+C United StatesLos Angeles ClippersCentral Michigan (Jr.)
17Kirk HinrichPG United StatesChicago BullsKansas (Sr.)
18T. J. FordPG United StatesMilwaukee Bucks (from Atlanta)[7]Texas (So.)
19Michael SweetneyPF United StatesNew York KnicksGeorgetown (Jr.)
110Jarvis HayesF/G United StatesWashington WizardsGeorgia (Jr.)
111Mickaël PiétrusG/F FranceGolden State WarriorsPau-Orthez (France)
112Nick CollisonPF United StatesSeattle SuperSonicsKansas (Sr.)
113Marcus BanksPG United StatesMemphis Grizzlies (from Houston,[8] traded to Boston)[9]UNLV (Sr)
114Luke RidnourPG United StatesSeattle SuperSonics (from Milwaukee)[10]Oregon (Jr)
115Reece GainesF/G United StatesOrlando MagicLouisville (Sr)
116Troy BellPG United StatesBoston Celtics (traded to Memphis)[9]Boston College (Sr)
117Žarko ČabarkapaSF Serbia and MontenegroPhoenix SunsBudućnost Podgorica (Serbia and Montenegro and Adriatic League)
118David West+PF United StatesNew Orleans HornetsXavier (Sr)
119Sasha PavlovićF/G Serbia and MontenegroUtah JazzBudućnost Podgorica (Serbia and Montenegro and Adriatic League)
120Dahntay JonesSG United StatesBoston Celtics (from Philadelphia,[11] traded to Memphis)[9]Duke (Sr)
121Boris DiawPF FranceAtlanta Hawks (from Indiana)[12]Pau-Orthez (France)
122Zoran PlaninićG/F CroatiaNew Jersey NetsCibona Zagreb (Croatia and Adriatic League)
123Travis OutlawSF United StatesPortland Trail BlazersStarkville HS (Starkville, Mississippi)
124Brian CookPF United StatesLos Angeles LakersIllinois (Sr)
125Carlos DelfinoSG ArgentinaDetroit PistonsSkipper Bologna (Italy)
126Ndudi EbiSF United Kingdom
 Nigeria
Minnesota TimberwolvesWestbury Christian HS (Houston, Texas)
127Kendrick PerkinsC United StatesMemphis Grizzlies (from Sacramento via Orlando,[13] traded to Boston)[9]Ozen HS (Beaumont, Texas)
128Leandro BarbosaSG BrazilSan Antonio Spurs (traded to Phoenix)[14]Bauru Tilibra (Brazil)
129Josh Howard+F/G United StatesDallas MavericksWake Forest (Sr)
230Maciej LampePF PolandNew York Knicks (from Denver)[15]Complutense University of Madrid (Spain)
231Jason KaponoF/G United StatesCleveland CavaliersUCLA (Sr)
232Luke WaltonSF United StatesLos Angeles Lakers (from Toronto)[16]Arizona (Sr)
233Jerome BeasleyPF United StatesMiami HeatNorth Dakota (Sr)
234Sofoklis Schortsanitis#C GreeceLos Angeles ClippersIraklis BC (Greece)
235Szymon Szewczyk#PF PolandMilwaukee Bucks (from Memphis)[17]Braunschweig (Germany)
236Mario Austin#PF United StatesChicago BullsMississippi State (Jr)
237Travis HansenSG United StatesAtlanta HawksBYU (Sr)
238Steve BlakePG United StatesWashington WizardsMaryland (Sr)
239Slavko VranešC Serbia and MontenegroNew York KnicksBudućnost Podgorica (Serbia and Montenegro and Adriatic League)
240Derrick ZimmermanPG United StatesGolden State WarriorsMississippi State (Sr)
241Willie GreenSG United StatesSeattle SuperSonics (traded to Philadelphia)[18]Detroit (Sr)
242Zaza PachuliaPF GeorgiaOrlando MagicÜlkerspor (Turkey)
243Keith BogansSG United StatesMilwaukee Bucks (traded to Orlando)[19]Kentucky (Sr)
244Malick Badiane#PF SenegalHouston RocketsLangen (Germany)
245Matt BonnerF United StatesChicago Bulls (from Phoenix,[20] traded to Toronto)[21]Florida (Sr)
246Sani Bečirović#SG SloveniaDenver Nuggets (from Boston)[22]Virtus Bologna (Italy)
247Mo Williams+PG United StatesUtah JazzAlabama (So)
248James LangC United StatesNew Orleans HornetsCentral Park Christian HS (Birmingham, Alabama)
249James JonesSF United StatesIndiana PacersMiami (Florida) (Sr)
250Paccelis Morlende#PG FrancePhiladelphia 76ers (traded to Seattle)[18]Dijon (France)
251Kyle Korver+SG United StatesNew Jersey Nets (traded to Philadelphia)[23]Creighton (Sr)
252Remon van de HareC NetherlandsToronto Raptors (from Los Angeles Lakers)[16]FC Barcelona (Spain)
253Tommy Smith#PF United StatesChicago Bulls (from Detroit via Miami)[24]Arizona State (Sr)
254Nedžad Sinanović#C Bosnia and HerzegovinaPortland Trail BlazersBrotnjo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
255Rick Rickert#PF United StatesMinnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota (So)
256Brandon HunterPF United StatesBoston Celtics (from Sacramento)[25]Ohio (Sr)
257Xue Yuyang#C ChinaDallas Mavericks (traded to Denver)[26]Hong Kong Flying Dragons (China)
258Andreas GlyniadakisC GreeceDetroit Pistons (from San Antonio)[27]AEK (Greece)
  1. 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.

^ a: Chris Kaman was born in the United States, but also has German citizenship through his great-grandparents and competes internationally for Germany.[28]

Notable undrafted players

These players were not selected in the 2003 NBA draft, but have played at least one game in the NBA.

Player Position Nationality School/club team
Earl Barron C  United States Memphis (Sr.)
Kevin Burleson PG  United States Minnesota (Sr.)
José Calderón PG  Spain Tau Cerámica (Spain)
Matt Carroll SG  United States Notre Dame (Sr.)
Marquis Daniels SG  United States Auburn (Sr.)
Ronald Dupree SF  United States LSU (Sr.)
Noel Felix PF  United States
 Belize
Fresno State (Sr.)
Hiram Fuller PF  United States
 Libya
Fresno State (Sr.)
Britton Johnsen SF/PF  United States Utah (Sr.)
Desmond Penigar PF  United States Utah State (Sr.)
Kirk Penney SG/SF  New Zealand Wisconsin (Sr.)
Josh Powell PF  United States NC State (So.)
Kasib Powell SF  United States Texas Tech (Sr.)
Quinton Ross SG  United States SMU (Sr.)
Melvin Sanders SG/SF  United States Oklahoma State (Sr.)
James Singleton SF/PF  United States Murray State (Sr.)
Theron Smith SF/PF  United States Ball State (Sr.)

Draft Lottery

^ Denotes the actual lottery result
Team 2002–03
record
Lottery Lottery probabilities
1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th10th11th12th13th
Cleveland Cavaliers 17–65225.225^.215.178.357
Denver Nuggets 17–65225.225.188.171^.319.123
Toronto Raptors 24–58157.157.157.156.226^.265.040
Miami Heat 25–57120.120.126.133.099.350^.161.013
Los Angeles Clippers 28–5489.089.097.107.261.360^.084.004
Memphis Grizzlies 28–5464.064.071^.081.440.304.040.001
Chicago Bulls 30–5244.044.049.058.599^.232.018.000
Atlanta Hawks 35–4729.029.022.027.724^.197.011.000
New York Knicks 37-4515.015.022.027.784^.143.005.000
Washington Wizards 37-4514.014.021.025.846^.087.002.000
Golden State Warriors 38–447.007.009.012.907^.063.001
Seattle SuperSonics 40–426.006.008.010.935^.039
Houston Rockets 43–395.005.007.009.960^

Early entrants

College underclassmen

The following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[29]

High school players

The following high school players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[29]

International players

The following international players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[29]

See also

References

  1. "NBA Announces Early-Entry Candidates". NBA. Archived from the original on April 27, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2007.
  2. "Cavaliers Win NBA Draft Lottery 2003". NBA. Archived from the original on December 26, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2007.
  3. "Carmelo Anthony wins third gold medal, says he's finished with Team USA". Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "2003 draft eventually may be best in history". MSNBC. Archived from the original on January 26, 2007. Retrieved April 19, 2007.
  5. "Most anticipated No. 1 draft picks". CBC Sports. July 27, 2005. Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
  6. The Grizzlies traded this pick to the Pistons for Otis Thorpe on August 7, 1997.
    Boeck, Greg (August 8, 1997). "Thorpe trade frees Pistons to chase Bulls' Williams". USA Today. p. 12C.
    Enlund, Tom (June 28, 2003). "Selections have Pistons popping; Sonics also do well on draft day". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3C.
  7. The Hawks traded this pick along with Toni Kukoč and Leon Smith to the Bucks for Glenn Robinson on August 2, 2002.
    Saladino, Tom (August 3, 2002). "Robinson traded by Milwaukee to Hawks for No. 1 pick and Kukoc". The Associated Press State & Local Wire.
  8. The Rockets traded this pick along with Othella Harrington, Brent Price, Antoine Carr, and Michael Dickerson to the Grizzlies as part of a three-way deal in which the Rockets received draft rights to Steve Francis and Tony Massenburg from Grizzlies and Don MacLean and future first-round draft choice from Orlando Magic, and Magic received Michael Smith, Rodrick Rhodes, Lee Mayberry and Makhtar Ndiaye from Grizzlies on August 27, 1999.
    Murphy, Michael (August 27, 1999). "Rockets land Francis, 5 others; Grizzlies get 4 in largest deal in NBA history". The Houston Chronicle. p. 1.
  9. 1 2 3 4 The Grizzlies traded No. 13 and No. 27 picks to the Celtics for No. 16 and No. 20 picks on the draft day.
    Baird, Woody (June 27, 2003). "West wastes no time for draft-night trades". Associated Press.
  10. The Bucks traded this pick along with Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, and Ronald Murray to the SuperSonics for Gary Payton and Desmond Mason on February 20, 2003.
    Ruiz, Don (February 21, 2003). "Goodbye, Glove: Sonics trade Payton; NBA deal: Fan favorite Mason also sent to Milwaukee Bucks". The News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington). p. A01.
  11. The 76ers traded this pick along with Roshown McLeod to the Celtics for Jérôme Moïso on August 3, 2001.
    Doyle, Bill (August 4, 2001). "Celts move forward in Sixers deal; Little-used Moiso swapped for McLeod, future first-round pick". Telegram & Gazette (Massachusetts). p. B1.
  12. The Pacers traded this pick to the Hawks for Jamaal Tinsley on June 27, 2001.
    Marot, Michael (June 28, 2001). "Pacers wait their turn, wind up with 2 guards". The Associated Press State & Local Wire.
  13. The Kings traded this pick along with Tariq Abdul-Wahad to the Magic for Nick Anderson on August 3, 1999.
    "Magic trades Anderson for Kings' Abdul-Wahad". The Houston Chronicle. August 4, 1999. p. Sports 9.
    The Magic traded this pick along with Mike Miller and Ryan Humphrey to the Grizzlies for Drew Gooden and Gordan Giricek on February 19, 2003.
    Scanlon, Dick (March 7, 2003). "Trade Pays Off Quickly". The Ledger. p. C1.
  14. The Spurs traded this pick to the Suns for a future pick (#30 pick in 2005 NBA draft) on June 26, 2003.
    Badger, T.A. (June 26, 2003). "Spurs select and then trade Brazilian point guard". The Associated Press State & Local Wire.
  15. The Nuggets traded this pick along with Antonio McDyess and the draft rights to Frank Williams to the Knicks for Marcus Camby, Mark Jackson and the draft rights to Maybyner "Nenê" Hilario on June 26, 2002.
    "Knicks blockbuster may be the tip of iceberg". ESPN. June 26, 2002. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  16. 1 2 The Raptors traded No. 32 pick along with Tracy Murray and Kareem Rush to the Lakers for the No. 52 pick, Lindsey Hunter, and Chris Jefferies on June 26, 2002.
    Harris, Beth (June 27, 2002). "Lakers trade Hunter, first-round pick to Toronto for Murray". The Associated Press State & Local Wire.
  17. The Grizzlies traded this pick to the Bucks for Chris Owens on June 26, 2002.
    Finger, Mike (June 27, 2002). "Owens off to Memphis ; Injury didn't scare off teams". San Antonio Express-News.
  18. 1 2 The 76ers traded No. 41 pick to the SuperSonics for the No. 50 pick and cash during the draft.
    "Green has thumb surgery". ESPN. Associated Press. December 5, 2003. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  19. The Bucks traded this pick to the Magic for cash considerations on the draft day.
    Mulhern, Tom (June 27, 2003). "Short, to the Point; Bucks Choose Texas' Ford". Wisconsin State Journal.
  20. The Suns traded this pick along with Soumaila Samake to the Bulls for C Jake Voskuhl on October 29, 2001.
    "Bulls trade Voskuhl to Suns for draft pick". The Associated Press State & Local Wire. October 29, 2001.
  21. The Bulls traded this pick to the Raptors for a future pick (#38 pick in 2004 NBA draft) on the draft day.
    Gray, Kevin (June 27, 2003). "Toronto trades for Bonner". The Union Leader.
  22. The Celtics traded this pick along with Shammond Williams to the Nuggets for Mark Blount and Mark Bryant on February 20, 2003.
    "Celtics add bulk with additions of Blount, Bryant". ESPN. Associated Press. February 20, 2003. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
  23. The Nets traded this pick to the 76ers for cash considerations on the draft day.
    "Korver drafted by Nets, traded to Philadelphia". The Associated Press State & Local Wire. June 27, 2003.
  24. The Pistons traded this pick along with Cedric Ceballos to the Heat for a second-round draft pick (#38 pick in 2002 NBA draft) on November 26, 2000.
    The Heat traded this pick to the Bulls for Sean Lampley on October 2, 2001.
    "Heat acquire F Lampley from Chicago". The Associated Press State & Local Wire. October 2, 2001.
  25. The Kings traded this pick along with a future pick (#53 pick in 2005 NBA draft) to the Celtics for Darius Songaila on June 23, 2003.
    "Celtics Acquire Second round Draft Choice From Sacramento Kings For Rights To Songaila". NBA. June 23, 2003. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2007.
  26. The Mavericks traded this pick to the Nuggets for a future pick (#50 pick in 2004 NBA draft) on the draft day.
    "Xue Yuyang Joins Denver After Dallas Draft". China Internet Information Center. June 28, 2003. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved May 20, 2007.
  27. The Spurs traded this pick to the Pistons for Mengke Bateer on October 3, 2002.
    "Pistons trade Menks to Spurs". The Associated Press State & Local Wire. October 3, 2002.
  28. Clippers' Kaman becomes German citizen for Olympics Archived June 13, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Los Angeles Times. July 3, 2008.
  29. 1 2 3 "2003 Underclassmen". The Draft Review. Retrieved December 23, 2022.

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