As the Golden State Warriors sit on the outside of the Orlando Bubble, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr will have a jumpstart preparing for the NBA Draft.
For the first time since 2002, the Warriors will have the opportunity to make a selection in the top-five picks. While it’s still a mystery on whom Golden State could add alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors will have a better idea of whom they can select after August’s NBA Lottery.
With months on the calendar until October’s draft, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight the most memorable selections — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.
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In 1995, the Golden State Warriors were the owners of the top overall selection.
June 28, 1995
After the offseason trade of Chris Webber and the early season resignation of Don Nelson, the 1994-95 Warriors struggled. Despite Latrell Sprewell’s All-Star game nod, The Warriors finished with a 26-56 record. With new head coach Rick Adelman in place, Golden State landed the first overall selection in the lottery.
To open the 1995 NBA Draft, the Warriors selected forward Joe Smith out of the University of Maryland. In his sophomore year with the Terrapins, Smith filled the boxscore, averaging 20.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 1.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
In 1995, Smith earned ACC Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year and AP Player of the Year honors. However, Smith’s Terrapins were eliminated in the Sweet 16 of the 1995 NCAA Tournament.
In 82 starts as a rookie, Smith tallied 15.3 points, 8,7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, one assist and one steal in 34.4 minutes per game. The 20-year-old finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the All-NBA Rookie First Team.
The 6-foot-10 forward doubled-down during his sophomore season, averaging a career-high 18.7 points per game in 1996-97. Despite a pair of impressive seasons, Smith was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1997-1998 season for Clarence Weatherspoon and Jim Jackson.
Over his 16-year-career, Smith wasn’t able to match his production from his first two seasons in Golden State. The 1995 first overall pick bounced around to 12 different teams in his career.
Other notable prospects from the 1995 NBA Draft class included Kevin Garnett, Alabama’s Antonio McDyess, North Carolina’s Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace.
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