5 biggest surprises in NBA Draft history

2 of 5

Los Angeles Clippers player Michael Olowokandi works the baseline on the Sacramento Kings player Keon Clark during the 1st half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Biggest surprises in NBA Draft history: 4. Michael Olowokandi

1998 NBA Draft: Round 1, pick 1 (Los Angeles Clippers)

Point guard Mike Bibby seemed to be locked in as the number one overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. The NCAA Champion, PAC-10 Player of the Year, and consensus All-American was viewed as a near lock to be a valuable player at the next level.

However, the Los Angeles Clippers wanted to get a superstar. So, they pivoted and rolled the dice on center Michael Olowokandi, who was projected to be the second player off the board.

“It was a tough decision,” Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor said. “When you look at Bibby, you know he’s going to be a very fine point guard in this league.”

Bibby had an underrated career, scoring 14,698 career points. In 2005-06, he averaged a career-high 21.1 points and 5.4 assists in 82 games.

Meanwhile, Olowokandi did not reach his superstar ceiling. He played five seasons for the Clippers; he averaged 9.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks, while shooting 43.3 percent from the floor.

Home/NBA Draft