The best NBA Draft pick of all time at every slot

NEW YORK - JUNE 26: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses with his jersey during the 2003/2004 NBA Draft Portrait at Paramount Theatre Madison Square Garden on June 26, 2003 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by: Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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SEATTLE, UNITED STATES: Shawn Kemp (R), of the Seattle SuperSonics, grabs a rebound from Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls 14 June during first half of game five in the NBA Finals at Key Arena in Seattle. The Bulls lead the series 3-1. AFP PHOTO/Dan LEVINE (Photo credit should read DAN LEVINE/AFP/Getty Images) /

17. Shawn Kemp, 1989 NBA Draft, Seattle SuperSonics

With Zion Williamson becoming one of the biggest things in sports this year thanks to his aerial assaults on the rim, it’s as good of a time as ever to reflect on the craze that was the Shawn Kemp era in Seattle. Drafted 17th overall in the 1989 NBA Draft. Kemp was a 1988 McDonald’s All-American who had signed to play at Kentucky, but poor test scores kept him from being eligible to play. He eventually ended up at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas, but he never played and instead waited until 1989 when he was eligible for the NBA draft.

Kemp entered the NBA as the youngest player in the league and was unable to really make his mark as a rookie. In year two, things clicked for the youngster and alongside Gary Payton, Nate McMillan, and Eddie Johnson the SuperSonics quickly became one of the upstart teams in the NBA. The moniker “Regin Man” was bestowed upon Kemp and he quickly elevated into a star, earning invites to play for Team USA and MTV’s Rock N’ Jock celebrity game.

By the 1995-96 season, Seattle made a run all the way to the NBA Finals where they faced off against none other than Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Kemp and Payton were a formidable foe but ultimately could not defeat Chicago in the finals.

As quickly as Kemp and the SuperSonics rose to the top of the league they fell just as fast. Kemp was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1997 and injuries and weight issues would deprive us of the “Reign Man” from that point onward. Though his time amongst the NBA’s elite was short-lived his highlight dunks still stand out as some of the best displays of athleticism the NBA has seen during any era.

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