1991 NBA draft


The 1991 NBA draft took place on June 26, 1991, in New York City, New York. Dikembe Mutombo is regarded as the best overall pick in this draft, becoming one of the greatest defensive centers in the history of the league. He was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner and an eight-time All-Star, and played in the league for 18 seasons.
Larry Johnson won the 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year award and was a two-time All-Star, the first player to represent the Charlotte Hornets franchise at an All-Star game. However, early in his professional career ongoing back problems decreased his effectiveness and caused his numbers to decline dramatically. Due to his chronic back problems, he retired in 2001.
Other notable picks include Kenny Anderson, Steve Smith, Terrell Brandon, Dale Davis and Chris Gatling, who all made All-Star appearances, but with the exception of Brandon at two, each only appeared once.
The remaining picks in the first round failed to make an impact. Billy Owens was selected by the Sacramento Kings but refused to sign with them. He was traded to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for high-scoring guard Mitch Richmond, a trade that has been regarded as one of the most lopsided in NBA history. Owens was solid but unspectacular in his career, while Richmond was a six-time All-Star and was the 1989 NBA Rookie of the Year. Luc Longley was a three-time NBA Championship winner with the Chicago Bulls and held the record for playing the most NBA games by an Australian.
As of 2011, two players are deceased: Bobby Phills and Bison Dele. Phills died in a car accident involving teammate David Wesley. Dele disappeared in the South Pacific in July 2002, with French authorities claiming that Dele's brother had killed Dele and his girlfriend and thrown them overboard the catamaran they were travelling on. Dele's brother committed suicide in September 2002.
This was the last draft held in New York City until 2001.

Draft

PGPoint guardSGShooting guardSFSmall forwardPFPower forwardCCenter

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityNBA TeamSchool/Club Team
11*PFUnited StatesCharlotte HornetsUNLV
12+PGUnited StatesNew Jersey NetsGeorgia Tech
13SFUnited StatesSacramento Kings Syracuse
14^CZaireDenver NuggetsGeorgetown
15+SGUnited StatesMiami HeatMichigan State
16PFUnited StatesDallas MavericksMissouri
17CAustraliaMinnesota TimberwolvesNew Mexico
18SGUnited StatesDenver Nuggets Temple
19Stacey AugmonSG/SFUnited StatesAtlanta Hawks UNLV
110PF/CUnited StatesOrlando MagicArizona
111+PGUnited StatesCleveland CavaliersOregon
112PGUnited StatesNew York KnicksUNLV
113+PFUnited StatesIndiana PacersClemson
114CUnited StatesSeattle SuperSonicsNebraska
115PFUnited StatesAtlanta HawksSeton Hall
116+PFUnited StatesGolden State Warriors Old Dominion
117CUnited StatesGolden State WarriorsIowa State
118SFUnited StatesMilwaukee BucksSouthwestern Louisiana
119SGUnited StatesWashington Bullets Louisville
120PFUnited StatesHouston RocketsPhillips
121PGUnited StatesUtah JazzProvidence
122PFUnited StatesLos Angeles Clippers Syracuse
123CUnited StatesOrlando Magic Real Madrid
124SFCanadaBoston CelticsNorth Carolina
125#PFUnited StatesGolden State Warriors Colorado
126PFUnited StatesChicago BullsKansas
127PFUnited StatesSacramento Kings North Carolina
228G/FUnited StatesCharlotte Hornets Minnesota
229#C/PFUnited StatesMiami HeatUNLV
230G/FUnited StatesAtlanta Hawks NC State
231PGUnited StatesSacramento Kings New Mexico State
232CUnited StatesPhoenix Suns Creighton
233CUnited StatesDallas MavericksTemple
234GUnited StatesMinnesota TimberwolvesSlippery Rock
235GUnited StatesDallas Mavericks Saint Francis
236GUnited StatesOrlando MagicNC State
237PGUnited StatesLos Angeles ClippersMemphis State
238#PFUnited StatesLos Angeles Clippers Miami
239G/FUnited StatesCleveland Cavaliers Purdue
240PGUnited StatesDetroit Pistons La Salle
241F/GUnited StatesIndiana PacersIona
242#SFUnited StatesSacramento Kings James Madison
243GUnited StatesGolden State WarriorsChristopher Newport
244#CPhiladelphia 76ersHouston
245SGUnited StatesMilwaukee BucksSouthern
246FUnited StatesPhoenix Suns Hapoel Holon
247#PFUnited StatesHouston RocketsRutgers
248CUnited StatesUtah JazzArizona State
249GUnited StatesSan Antonio SpursOral Roberts
250#SGUnited StatesPhoenix SunsTexas
251CHouston Rockets KK Split
252#SFUnited StatesLos Angeles LakersOral Roberts
253#SGUnited StatesNew Jersey Nets Milwaukee
254#PFUnited StatesPortland Trail BlazersEastern Michigan

Notable undrafted players

These eligible players were not selected in the 1991 NBA draft but have played at least one game in the NBA.
PlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
PGUnited StatesFayetteville State
PGUnited StatesVirginia
CUnited StatesMinnesota–Duluth
FUnited StatesUCLA
PGUnited StatesUSC
CUnited StatesStetson