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Over the years, the top picks of the NBA draft have come from multiple places. There are some cases where the first selection played professionally overseas, while most spent their time playing college basketball.
In recent history, a handful of top programs have produced multiple first-round picks a year. Nevertheless the top NBA draft pick from some years came from programs typically known for producing high-end talent.
Here's a full breakdown of recent No. 1 picks and where they played before entering the league.
Colleges of the last 10 No. 1 picks in the NBA Draft
2023: Victor Wembanyama, overseas
Starting things off is one of the most hyped draft prospects in history, Victor Wembanyama. He did not play in college, as he was playing professionally overseas before being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs this offseason.
2022: Paolo Banchero, Duke
Next up is reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero. Before he was selected by the Orlando Magic, Banchero played for one of the most historic college basketball programs.
In his lone season at Duke, the 6-foot-10 forward averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
2021: Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
Cade Cunningham is one of the more recent examples where the top NBA draft pick didn't go to a top program. He decided to play his lone college season at Oklahoma State.
Cunningham thrived at Oklahoma State before being drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2021. He appeared in 27 games and averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
2020: Anthony Edwards, Georgia
Like Cunningham, Anthony Edwards went to a lesser-known program in Georgia. That has not stopped in from becoming one of the brightest young stars in the NBA today.
Before being a top pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Edwards shone in college with averages of 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
2019: Zion Williamson, Duke
Zion Williamson had a lot of hype coming out of high school, and it only grew when he decided to go to Duke. Joined by RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish, they formed one of the top freshman trios college basketball had seen in some time.
During his lone season at Duke, Williamson averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds before the New Orleans Pelicans drafted him.
2018: Deandre Ayton, Arizona
Arizona has been known to produce good NBA players but never a top pick. That changed in 2018 when the Phoenix Suns rolled the dice on Deandre Ayton.
Ayton impressed during his lone college season, averaging a double-double (20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds). His steller play led to him being drafted over players like Luka Doncic and Trae Young.
2017: Markelle Fultz, Washington
Before being the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft in 2017, Markelle Fultz looked like he was going to be a future star. He played his college ball at Washington, where he was one of the top scorers in the country.
Fultz finished his freshman season with averages of 23.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists. The start of his pro career was rocky, but the young guard has overcome multiple hurdles with the Orlando Magic.
2016: Ben Simmons, LSU
Ben Simmons was never shy about his thoughts on college basketball, but he still played in the NCAA before going pro.
He went to LSU, where he became the school's first top pick since Shaquille O'Neal. Simmons played 33 games and ended his freshman season with averages of 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
2015: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky
Kentucky has produced a plethora of first-round picks in the last decade, but their most recent No. 1 pick is Karl-Anthony Towns. The sharpshooting big man is one of many future NBA players on his team.
Towns was named SEC Rookie of the Year after averaging 10.3 points and 6.7 rebounds.
2014: Andrew Wiggins, Kansas
Finishing off the list is Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins. He was also flanked by another top pick in his lone college season, sharing the floor with Joel Embiid at Kansas.
Wiggins put together an impressive freshman season before being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 35 games, he averaged 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
