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Which school has the most No. 1 overall picks in NBA Draft history?

By Jakob Ashlin

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 15: John Wall (L) #2 of the Washington Wizards and the Eastern Conference talks with Kyrie Irving (R) #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Eastern Conference during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden on February 15, 2015 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 15: John Wall (L) #2 of the Washington Wizards and the Eastern Conference talks with Kyrie Irving (R) #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Eastern Conference during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden on February 15, 2015 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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In NBA Draft history, which college has produced the most No. 1 overall picks?

The 2023 NBA Draft will take place on June 22. French forward Victor Wembanyama is widely expected to be selected with the first-overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs. If that comes to pass he’ll be one of a handful of international players taken with the No. 1 pick but most players taken in the slot have come through the NCAA system.

The inaugural BAA (later renamed the NBA) draft was held in 1947. In the draft’s 76-year history, which college has produced the most first-overall picks? Let’s take a look.

Duke has the most No. 1 overall picks in NBA Draft history

Unsurprisingly, Duke has produced the most first-overall overall picks in NBA Draft history. Five Blue Devils have been taken at the top spot (Art Heyman, Elton Brand, Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson, and Paolo Banchero). Combined, the quintuple has amassed 12 NBA All-Star selections and three NBA Rookie of the Year awards.

Irving has been the most successful alumni. The eight-time All-Star has won an NBA Championship (2016) and an Olympic Gold Medal (2016). Among active players, he is 15th in points (15,712) and 19th in assists (3,834).

Kentucky has the second-most first-overall picks with three (John Wall, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns). Remarkably, Wall, Davis, and Towns were all selected within a six-year span (2010-2015).

The Wildcat trio has been even more successful totaling 16 NBA All-Star selections. Interestingly, Towns is the only Kentucky alumni to win NBA Rookie of the Year.

In third place, a number of colleges have produced two first-overall picks: Cincinnati, Duquesne, Georgetown, Houston, Kansas State, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Purdue, UCLA, UNLV, Utah, and West Virginia.

Next. 5 biggest surprises in NBA Draft history. dark

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