Before the Golden State Warriors are on the clock next month, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight some of the most memorable picks — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.
After selecting NBA All-Rookie team member Joe Smith out of Maryland with the first overall selection in the 1995 NBA draft, Rick Adelman and David Twardzik were looking to build on their success in the 1996 draft.
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While they weren’t on the clock at the top of the draft, the Warriors had the opportunity to add another talented youth to their core that featured the former No. 1 overall pick, Latrell Sprewell and Donyell Marshall.
June 26, 1996
The Philadelphia 76ers opened the 1996 edition of the NBA draft with their selection of Georgetown point guard Allen Iverson. Following “AI,” 10 picks went off the board before the Golden State Warriors were officially on the clock.
With the first pick just outside of the top-10, the Golden State Warriors added NC State big man Todd Fuller with the No. 11 overall selection.
Despite future All-Stars like Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Peja Stojaković, Jermain O’Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas still on the board, the tandem of Adelman and Twardzik decided to pass on them for Fuller.
On his way to being named to the All-ACC First Team, Fuller averaged 20.9 points on 50.6% shooting from the field with 9.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per contest.
Although his numbers at the college level were substantial, the 6-foot-11 center had trouble adjusting to professional basketball. During his first season in the Bay Area, Fuller averaged 4.1 points on 42.9 shooting from the field with 3.3 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per contest.
Despite his down numbers in his debut season, Fuller would never go on to top his mark from his rookie year. The big man’s numbers continued to decline in his sophomore season with Golden State.
Watch the moment Fuller was drafted by the Golden State Warriors via YouTube:
After only playing in 57 games in 1997-98, the Warriors traded Fuller to the Utah Jazz in the 1998-99 season. After short stints with the Jazz, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, Fuller opted to play overseas.
After his time in the NBA came to a close, Fuller played professionally in Spain, Poland, and Greece.
Over Fuller’s five seasons in the association, he averaged 3.7 points on 42.4% shooting from the field with 3.0 rebounds per contest in 225 games.
Along with Bryant, Iverson, Nash, Ilgauskas and O’Neal, other standout members of the 1996 draft class included Marcus Camby, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Antoine Walker, Derek Fisher and Kerry Kittles.
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