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1972 NBA draft

{{short description|Basketball player selection}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox sports draft

| name = 1972 NBA draft

| image =

| caption =

| logo =

| logosize =

| sport = Basketball

| date = April 10, 1972 (first 10 rounds)
April 15, 1972 (remaining rounds)

| location = New York City, New York

| network =

| league = NBA

| teams =

| overall = 198

| rounds = 18

| first = LaRue Martin, Portland Trail Blazers

| hofnum = {{Collapsible list

| title = 3

|1 = F Bob McAdoo

|2 = G Paul Westphal

|3 = G Julius Erving}}

| prev = 1971

| next = 1973

}}

The 1972 NBA draft was the 26th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on April 10 and 15, 1972, before the 1972–73 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players. The first two picks in the draft belonged to the teams that finished last in each conference, with the order determined by a coin flip.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/draft_evolution.html|title=Evolution of the Draft and Lottery|access-date=March 20, 2010|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100321141751/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_evolution.html|archive-date=21 March 2010|url-status=dead}} The Portland Trail Blazers won the coin flip and were awarded the first overall pick, while the Buffalo Braves were awarded the second pick. The remaining first-round picks and the subsequent rounds were assigned to teams in reverse order of their win–loss record in the previous season. As a result of last year's supplemental hardship draft, the Cincinnati Royals, the Atlanta Hawks, the Golden State Warriors and the Baltimore Bullets forfeited their first-round picks, while the Los Angeles Lakers forfeited their fourth round pick.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8N0OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tEsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3980,5316381|title=5 Players Chosen In Hardship Draft|date=September 11, 1971|newspaper=Ludington Daily News|location=Ludington, Michigan|publisher=Ludington Daily News, Inc.|access-date=March 29, 2010}} Prior to the start of the season, the Cincinnati Royals relocated and became the Kansas City-Omaha Kings. The draft consisted of 18 rounds comprising the selection of 198 players.

Draft selections and draftee career notes

A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility was eligible for selection. If a player left college early, he would not be eligible for selection until his college class graduated. Before the draft, eight college underclassmen were declared eligible for selection under the "hardship" rule, a similar case in which Spencer Haywood successfully argued in his court case against the NBA which allowed him to play in the NBA before his college class graduated.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SgUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-5cFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2780,4741922|title=Off-Court Action Heavy|newspaper=Reading Eagle|location=Reading, Pennsylvania|date=April 7, 1972|access-date=April 1, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/steve_aschburner/03/16/haywood/|title=Haywood made a stand, and today's players benefit from it|date=March 16, 2010|first=Steve|last=Aschburner|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=April 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108130034/http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/steve_aschburner/03/16/haywood/|archive-date=2012-11-08|url-status=dead}} These players had applied and gave evidence of financial hardship to the league, which granted them the right to start earning their living by starting their professional careers earlier.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/haywood_bio.html|title=Spencer Haywood Bio|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=April 11, 2010}} This was the first draft where college underclassmen were allowed to enter.

LaRue Martin from Loyola University Chicago was selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. Bob McAdoo, a college junior from the University of North Carolina, was selected second by the Buffalo Braves, and went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award in his first season.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/awards_rookieofyear.html|title=Rookie of the Year|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=April 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307081705/http://www.nba.com/history/awards_rookieofyear.html|archive-date=7 March 2009|url-status=dead}} McAdoo, 10th pick Paul Westphal, and 12th pick Julius Erving have been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame,{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html|title=Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 1, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100510070651/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html| archive-date= 10 May 2010 | url-status= live}} and Erving was also named to the list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html|title=The NBA's 50 Greatest Players|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=April 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405004357/http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html|archive-date=5 April 2010|url-status=dead}} McAdoo was a 3-time NBA Scoring champion, and NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982 and 1985. He won the Most Valuable Player Award in 1975, had two All-NBA Team selections, and was a five-time All-Star.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/mcadoo_bio.html|title=Bob McAdoo Bio|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=April 1, 2010}} Erving had left college in 1971 to play professionally in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the Virginia Squires. He joined the NBA in 1976 after both leagues merged, playing 11 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. An NBA champion in 1983, he was MVP in 1981, won three ABA Most Valuable Player Awards, was All-ABA five times and All-NBA seven, and an ABA All-Star five times and NBA All-Star eleven.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/erving_bio.html|title=Julius Erving Bio|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=April 1, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100317150711/http://www.nba.com/history/players/erving_bio.html| archive-date= 17 March 2010 | url-status= live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ervinju01.html|title=Julius Erving Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=June 10, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100608235040/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ervinju01.html| archive-date= 8 June 2010 | url-status= live}}

Paul Westphal, the 10th pick, was named All-NBA four times, an All-Star five, and on the 1974 NBA championship Boston Celtics.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westppa01.html|title=Paul Westphal Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 1, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100413232940/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westppa01.html| archive-date= 13 April 2010 | url-status= live}} After retiring as a player, he went on to coach three NBA teams, most recently the Sacramento Kings.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/westppa01c.html |title=Paul Westphal Coaching Record |work=basketball-reference.com |access-date=April 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407061709/http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/westppa01c.html |archive-date=7 April 2010 |url-status=dead }} The 16th pick, Jim Price, and 34th pick, Don Buse, were also selected to an All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/priceji01.html|title=Jim Price Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 7, 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/busedo01.html|title=Don Buse Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 7, 2010}} Chris Ford, the 17th pick, won the NBA championship in 1981 with the Celtics.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fordch01.html|title=Chris Ford Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 8, 2010}} After retiring as a player, he went on to coach four NBA teams, including the Celtics.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/fordch01c.html|title=Chris Ford Coaching Record|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 8, 2010}} Ralph Simpson, the 11th pick, had left college in 1970 to play professionally in the ABA with Denver Rockets. He was selected to five ABA All-Star Games and four All-ABA Teams before he joined the NBA in 1976.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simpsra01.html|title=Ralph Simpson Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 1, 2010}}

LaRue Martin is considered one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=schoenfield/060427|title=The 100 worst draft picks ever|first=David|last=Schoenfield|date=April 26, 2006|access-date=April 1, 2010|work=ESPN.com}}{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2003/draft/news/2003/06/21/draft_busts/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629144702/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2003/draft/news/2003/06/21/draft_busts/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=The 10 biggest draft flops in NBA history|first=John|last=Hollinger|date=June 26, 2003|magazine=Sports Illustrated|publisher=Time Warner Company|access-date=April 1, 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/NBA-DRAFT-All-time-busts-2658951.php|title=NBA Draft: All-time busts|first=Jake|last=Curtis|date=June 29, 2005|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=April 1, 2010}} Martin only lasted four seasons in the league with a career scoring average of 5.3.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/martila01.html|title=LaRue Martin Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 1, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100502011858/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/martila01.html| archive-date= 2 May 2010 | url-status= live}} Martin and eight other first-round picks all had insignificant contributions to the league; none of them had career scoring averages above 9 points per game and only one of them lasted more than six seasons in the NBA. Two of the first-round picks, Erving and Simpson, had already played in the ABA before the draft. They stayed there until both leagues merged in 1976 and only Simpson played for the team that he got drafted to.

In the tenth round, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Krešimir Ćosić from Brigham Young University with the 144th pick. However, he opted to play another season in college before returning to Yugoslavia in 1973. Ćosić, who was also selected in the fifth round of the 1973 draft, had a successful career in Europe, winning numerous league and club titles, as well as six gold medals with the Yugoslavian national team. For his achievements, he has been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to the FIBA Hall of Fame.{{cite web|url=http://www.halloffame.fiba.com/pages/eng/hof/indu/p/lid_9024_newsid/18008/playBio.html |title=Krešimir Ćosić Bio |date=February 24, 2007 |publisher=FIBA |access-date=November 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419103436/http://www.halloffame.fiba.com/pages/eng/hof/indu/p/lid_9024_newsid/18008/playBio.html |archive-date=April 19, 2010 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html|title=Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=November 29, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101205010924/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html| archive-date= 5 December 2010 | url-status= live}}

Key

class="wikitable"

|width="50"|Pos.

width="50"|Gwidth="50"|Fwidth="50"|C
PositionGuardForwardCenter

{{NBA Draft legend|1=y|2=y|3=y|5=y}}

Draft

File:LaRue Martin (2).jpg was the first overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers.]]

File:Mcadoo 1973.jpg was selected 2nd overall by the Buffalo Braves.]]

File:Paul Westphal 1975 press photo.jpg was selected 10th overall by the Boston Celtics.|alt=A man with long hair wearing a basketball jersey smiles.]]

File:Erving Lipofsky.jpg was selected 12th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks.|alt=A basketball player, wearing a red jersey with the word "SIXERS" on the front, is looking to his right side.]]

File:Brian Dwight Taylor (cropped).jpg was selected 23rd overall by the Seattle SuperSonics.|alt=A man, wearing a black jacket with blue shirt, is standing in the middle of a classroom.]]

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left"

!scope="col" style="width:20px;"| {{tooltip|Rnd.|Draft round}}

!scope="col" style="width:20px;"| {{tooltip|Pick|Overall pick number}}

!scope="col" style="width:120px;"| Player

!scope="col" style="width:20px;"| {{tooltip|Pos.|Position(s) played}}

!scope="col" style="width:100px;"| {{tooltip|Nationality|Player's representative nationality}}

{{refn|group=n|name=nationality|Nationality indicates the player's national team or representative nationality. If a player has not competed at the international level, then the nationality indicates the national team which the player is eligible to represent according to FIBA rules.}}

!scope="col" style="width:300px;"| Team

!scope="col" style="width:150px;"| {{tooltip|School / club team|Most recent school attended or team played for before the draft}}

align=center|1

| align=center|1

| {{sortname|LaRue|Martin}}

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Loyola (Illinois) {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|2

| bgcolor="#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Bob|McAdoo}}^

| F/C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| North Carolina {{small|(Jr.)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|3

| {{sortname|Dwight|Davis|Dwight Davis (basketball)}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cleveland Cavaliers

| Houston {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|4

| {{sortname|Corky|Calhoun}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns {{small|(from Detroit via Houston)}}{{ref label|Note1|a|a}}

| Penn {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|5

| {{sortname|Fred|Boyd|Fred Boyd (basketball)}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Philadelphia 76ers

| Oregon State {{small|(Sr.)}}

bgcolor="lightgray"

|style="text-align:center;"|1

!scope="row" colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | Cincinnati Royals {{small|(forfeited due to participation in the 1971 hardship draft)}}{{cite web |title=1972 NBA DRAFT |url=https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=828:1972-nba-draft&catid=15&Itemid=370 |website=The Draft Review |access-date=October 18, 2024}}

align=center|1

| align=center|6

| {{sortname|Russ|Lee}}

| G/F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Milwaukee Bucks {{small|(from Houston)}}{{ref label|Note2|b|b}}

| Marshall {{small|(Sr.)}}

bgcolor="lightgray"

|style="text-align:center;"|1

!scope="row" colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | Atlanta Hawks {{small|(forfeited due to participation in the 1971 hardship draft)}}

bgcolor="lightgray"

|style="text-align:center;"|1

!scope="row" colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | Baltimore Bullets {{small|(forfeited due to participation in the 1971 hardship draft)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|7

| {{sortname|Isaac|Stallworth}}

| G/F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Kansas {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|8

| {{sortname|Tom|Riker}}

| F/C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| South Carolina {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|9

| {{sortname|Bob|Nash|Bob Nash (basketball)}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Detroit Pistons {{small|(from Phoenix)}}{{ref label|Note3|c|c}}

| Hawaii {{small|(Sr.)}}

bgcolor="lightgray"

|style="text-align:center;"|1

!scope="row" colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | Golden State Warriors {{small|(forfeited due to participation in the 1971 hardship draft)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|10

| bgcolor="#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Paul|Westphal}}^

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| USC {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|11

| {{sortname|Ralph|Simpson}}

| G/F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Denver Rockets {{small|(ABA)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|12

| bgcolor="#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Julius|Erving}}^

| G/F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Milwaukee Bucks

| Virginia Squires {{small|(ABA)}}

align=center|1

| align=center|13

| {{sortname|Travis|Grant}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Los Angeles Lakers

| Kentucky State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|14

| {{sortname|Bob|Davis|Bob Davis (basketball player)}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Weber State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|15

| {{sortname|Harold|Fox|Harold Fox (basketball)}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| Jacksonville {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|16

| bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|Jim|Price|Jim Price (basketball)}}+

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Los Angeles Lakers {{small|(from Cleveland)}}{{ref label|Note4|d|d}}

| Louisville {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|17

| {{sortname|Chris|Ford}}

| G/F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Detroit Pistons

| Villanova {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|18

| {{sortname|Joby|Wright}}

| F/C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics {{small|(from Philadelphia)}}{{ref label|Note5|e|e}}

| Indiana {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|19

| {{sortname|Sam|Sibert}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cincinnati Royals

| Kentucky State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|20

| {{sortname|John|Gianelli}}

| F/C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Houston Rockets

| Pacific {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|21

| {{sortname|Steve|Bracey}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Atlanta Hawks

| Tulsa {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|22

| {{sortname|Paul|Stovall}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Los Angeles Lakers {{small|(from Baltimore)}}{{ref label|Note6|f|f}}

| Arizona State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|23

| {{sortname|Brian|Taylor|Brian Taylor (basketball)}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Princeton {{small|(Jr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|24

| {{sortname|Steve|Hawes}}

| F/C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cleveland Cavaliers {{small|(from New York)}}{{ref label|Note7|g|g}}

| Washington {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|25

| {{sortname|Tom|Patterson|Tom Patterson (basketball)}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets {{small|(from Phoenix)}}{{ref label|Note8|h|h}}

| Ouachita Baptist {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|26

| {{sortname|Dave|Twardzik}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers {{small|(from Golden State)}}{{ref label|Note9|i|i}}

| Old Dominion {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|27

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Dennis|Wuycik}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| North Carolina {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|28

| {{sortname|Mike|Ratliff}}

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cincinnati Royals {{small|(from Chicago)}}{{ref label|Note10|j|j 1}}

| Eau Claire State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|29

| {{sortname|Chuck|Terry}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Milwaukee Bucks

| Long Beach State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|2

| align=center|30

| {{sortname|Ollie|Johnson|Ollie Johnson (basketball, born 1949)}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers {{small|(from Los Angeles)}}{{ref label|Note11|k|k}}

| Temple {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|31

| {{sortname|Lloyd|Neal}}

| F/C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Tennessee State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|32

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bob|Morse}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| Penn {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|33

| {{sortname|Scott|English|Scott English (basketball)}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns {{small|(from Cleveland)}}{{ref label|Note12|l|l}}

| Texas-El Paso {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|34

| bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|Don|Buse}}+

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns {{small|(from Detroit)}}

| Evansville {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|35

| {{sortname|Frank|Russell|Frank Russell (basketball)}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls {{small|(from Cincinnati)}}{{ref label|Note10|j|2}}

| Detroit {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|36

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Charlie|Tharpe|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Philadelphia 76ers

| Belhaven {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|37

| {{sortname|Eric|McWilliams}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Houston Rockets

| Long Beach State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|38

| {{sortname|Ron|Riley|dab=basketball, born 1950}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cincinnati Royals {{small|(from Atlanta)}}{{ref label|Note13|m|m}}

| Southern California {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|39

| {{sortname|Kevin|Porter|dab=basketball, born 1950}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Saint Francis (PA) {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|40

| {{sortname|Jim|Creighton|Jim Creighton (basketball)}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Colorado {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|41

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ansley|Truitt}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| California {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|42

| {{sortname|Claude|Terry}}

| G/F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| Stanford {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|43

| {{sortname|Bill|Chamberlain}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Golden State Warriors

| North Carolina {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|44

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Wayne|Grabiec|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| Michigan {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|45

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Chuck|Jura}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Nebraska {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|46

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|George|Adams|dab=basketball}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Milwaukee Bucks

| Gardner–Webb {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|3

| align=center|47

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Gregg|Northington}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| Alabama State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|48

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Gary|Stewart|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Canisius {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|49

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|George|Bryant|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| Eastern Kentucky {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|50

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Hank|Siemiontkowski}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cleveland Cavaliers

| Villanova {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|51

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ernie|Fleming|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Detroit Pistons

| Jacksonville {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|52

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Marshall|Wingate|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Philadelphia 76ers

| Niagara {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|53

| {{sortname|Frank|Schade}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cincinnati Royals

| Eau Claire State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|54

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Wil|Robinson}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Houston Rockets

| West Virginia {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|55

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Reggie|Bird|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Atlanta Hawks

| Princeton {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|56

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Al|Sanders|dab=basketball}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| LSU {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|57

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Joe|Mackey|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| USC {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|58

| {{sortname|Henry|Bibby}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| UCLA {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|59

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Matt|Gantt|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| St. Bonaventure {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|60

| {{sortname|John|Tschogl}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Golden State Warriors

| UC Santa Barbara {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|61

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Nate|Stephens|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| Long Beach State {{small|(Jr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|62

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ted|Martiniuk|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Saint Peter's {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|4

| align=center|63

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Art|White|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Milwaukee Bucks

| Georgetown {{small|(Sr.)}}

bgcolor="lightgray"

|style="text-align:center;"|4

!scope="row" colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | Los Angeles Lakers {{small|(forfeited due to participation in the 1971 hardship draft)}}{{cite web |title=1972 NBA Draft 3rd-4th Rounds |url=https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4680&Itemid=103 |website=The Draft Review |access-date=October 18, 2024}}

align=center|5

| align=center|64

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Michael|Reid|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| UC Riverside {{small|(So.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|65

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Arnie|Berman|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| Brown {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|66

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Sam|Cash}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cleveland Cavaliers

| UC Riverside {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|67

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ernest|Pettis|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Detroit Pistons

| Western Michigan {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|68

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Dave|Bustion}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Denver {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|69

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Joe|Bynes|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Philadelphia 76ers

| Arkansas–Pine Bluff {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|70

| {{sortname|James|Silas}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Houston Rockets

| Stephen F. Austin {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|71

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bob|Lackey}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Atlanta Hawks

| Marquette {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|72

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Walter|Jones|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| LIU {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|73

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Gary|Ladd|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Seattle {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|74

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bob|Ford|dab=basketball}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| Purdue {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|75

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Wardell|Dyson|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| Shaw College {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|76

| {{sortname|Charles|Dudley|Charles Dudley (basketball)}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Golden State Warriors

| Washington {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|77

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bryan|Adrian|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| Davidson {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|78

| {{sortname|Rowland|Garrett}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Florida State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|79

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ron|Harris|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Milwaukee Bucks

| Wichita State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|5

| align=center|80

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Glen|Summors|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Los Angeles Lakers

| Gannon {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|81

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Joe|Gaines|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Belmont {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|82

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ed|Czernota|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| Sacred Heart {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|83

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tom|Parker|dab=basketball}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cleveland Cavaliers

| Kentucky {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|84

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Terry|Benton|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Detroit Pistons

| Wichita State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|85

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|John|Glover|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Philadelphia 76ers

| Wiley {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|86

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jerry|Crocker|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Guilford {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|87

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mike|Collins|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Houston Rockets

| Seattle {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|88

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Randy|Noll|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Atlanta Hawks

| Marshall {{small|(Jr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|89

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Dwaine|Dillard}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Eastern Michigan {{small|(So.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|90

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ron|Thomas|dab=basketball}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Louisville {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|91

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Greg|Cluess|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| St. John's {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|92

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Charles|Edge|dab=basketball}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| LeMoyne–Owen {{small|(Jr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|93

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Henry|Bacon|dab=basketball}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Golden State Warriors

| Louisville {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|94

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Don|Holcomb|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| Memphis {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|95

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mike|Stewart|dab=basketball}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Santa Clara {{small|(Jr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|96

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Wally|Rice|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| Widener {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|6

| align=center|97

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Sam|Simmons|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Los Angeles Lakers

| Bradley {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|98

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bob|Lynn|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Long Beach State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|99

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Greg|Kohls|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| Syracuse {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|100

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Steve|Davidson|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cleveland Cavaliers

| West Texas State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|101

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bruce|Anderson|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Detroit Pistons

| Arizona {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|102

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mike|Sneed|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Fayetteville State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|103

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Curtis|Pritchett|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Philadelphia 76ers

| St. Augustine's {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|104

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mike|Jackson|dab=basketball}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Houston Rockets

| Cal State Los Angeles {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|105

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Billy|Pleas|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Atlanta Hawks

| Detroit {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|106

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Marvin|Brown|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Jackson State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|107

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jerry|Dunn|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Western Kentucky {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|108

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tracy|Tripucka|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| Lafayette {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|109

| {{sortname|Bernie|Fryer}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| Brigham Young {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|110

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bill|Franklin|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Golden State Warriors

| Purdue {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|111

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Steve|Previs}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| North Carolina {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|112

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jerry|Pender}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Fresno State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|7

| align=center|113

| {{sortname|Mickey|Davis}}

| G/F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Milwaukee Bucks

| Pittsburgh Condors {{small|(ABA)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|114

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ruben|Vance|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Kent State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|115

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Andy|Denny|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| South Alabama {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|116

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Roger|Evans|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cleveland Cavaliers

| Kent State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|117

| {{sortname|Ben|Kelso}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Detroit Pistons

| Central Michigan {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|118

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jim|Kopp|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Philadelphia 76ers

| Rockhurst {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|119

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jerry|Clack|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Oklahoma State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|120

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Henry|Harris|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Houston Rockets

| Auburn {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|121

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Oscar|Evans|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Atlanta Hawks

| Butler {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|122

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|James|Floyd|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Shaw College {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|123

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Willie|Stoudamire|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Portland State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|124

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tom|Corde|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| Ohio {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|125

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Russell|Golden|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| Jackson State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|126

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|John|Burks|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Golden State Warriors

| San Francisco {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|127

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Sam|McCamey|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| Oral Roberts {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|128

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Cavin|Andersen|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Valley City State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|8

| align=center|129

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Charles|Kirkland}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Milwaukee Bucks

| Cheyney {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|130

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Scott|McCandlish|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Virginia {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|131

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|John|Collins|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| Brockport {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|132

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Greg|Starrick|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cleveland Cavaliers

| Southern Illinois {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|133

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jesse|Mangham|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Detroit Pistons

| Ferris State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|134

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Steve|McMahon|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Merrimack {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|135

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Rod|Murray|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Philadelphia 76ers

| Cal State Los Angeles {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|136

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Larry|Strozier|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Atlanta Hawks

| Morehouse {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|137

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ruppert|Breedlove|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Oglethorpe {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|138

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Dwight|Holiday|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Hawaii {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|139

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tom|Sullivan|dab=basketball}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| Fordham {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|140

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bill|Kennedy|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| Arizona State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|141

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bill|Duwe|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Golden State Warriors

| California {{small|(Sr.)}}

bgcolor="lightgray"

|style="text-align:center;"|9

!scope="row" colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | Boston Celtics {{small|(forfeited due to selection of ineligible player)}}{{refn|group=n|The Celtics selected Mark Wagar of the Ohio State Buckeyes who was a junior and ineligible for the draft. The Celtics mistakenly submitted the wrong name and had instead meant to select Wagar's teammate, Mark Minor. The NBA informed the Celtics that they had to forfeit their choice of Wagar.{{cite web |title=Mark Wagar - Ineligible Draftees |url=https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11531 |website=The Draft Review |access-date=October 18, 2024}}}}

align=center|9

| align=center|142

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ralph|Houston|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| West Texas State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|9

| align=center|143

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jim|Regenold|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Milwaukee Bucks

| Ball State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|144

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Krešimir|Ćosić}}#

| C

| {{flagu|Yugoslavia}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| BYU {{small|(Jr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|145

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Kent|Martens|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cleveland Cavaliers

| Abilene Christian {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|146

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Kent|Hollenbeck|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Detroit Pistons

| Kentucky {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|147

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Gary|Watson|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Philadelphia 76ers

| Wisconsin {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|148

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|David|Hall|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Kansas State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|149

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jim|Clesson|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Atlanta Hawks

| Tulsa {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|150

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Wilbert|Loftin|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Southwestern Louisiana {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|151

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Dan|Steward|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Washington State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|152

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Richie|Garner}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| Manhattan {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|153

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Al|Vilcheck|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| Louisville {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|154

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Marty|Hunt|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| Kenyon {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|155

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Chuck|Taylor|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| West Liberty State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|10

| align=center|156

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jolly|Spight|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Milwaukee Bucks

| Santa Clara {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|11

| align=center|157

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jimmy|Wilkins|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| San Diego State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|11

| align=center|158

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jim|Prokell|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| Edinboro {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|11

| align=center|159

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Floyd|Mathew|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Northern Arizona {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|11

| align=center|160

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Charles|Allen|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Atlanta Hawks

| Texas Southern {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|11

| align=center|161

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Arvin|Watkins|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Jackson State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|11

| align=center|162

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Steve|Turner|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Vanderbilt {{small|(Jr.)}}

align=center|11

| align=center|163

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Chic|Downing|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| New York Knicks

| Benedictine {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|11

| align=center|164

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|John|Belcher|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| Arkansas State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|11

| align=center|165

| {{sortname|Mark|Minor}}

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| Ohio State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|11

| align=center|166

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Jackie|Young|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Rocky Mountain {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|12

| align=center|167

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Frank|DeWitt|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| Virginia {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|12

| align=center|168

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Len|Baltimore|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| George Washington {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|12

| align=center|169

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|James|Green|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Atlanta Hawks

| Paine {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|12

| align=center|170

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Lloyd|Adams|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Rhode Island {{small|(Jr.)}}

align=center|12

| align=center|171

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Greg|Daust|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| UMSL {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|12

| align=center|172

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mark|Soderberg|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| Utah {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|12

| align=center|173

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Phil|Stephens|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Boston Celtics

| South Carolina State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|12

| align=center|174

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Al|Cotler|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Penn {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|13

| align=center|175

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Larry|Morris|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Tulsa {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|13

| align=center|176

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Kim|Huband|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| North Carolina {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|13

| align=center|177

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Kent|Scott|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Pittsburgh {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|13

| align=center|178

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mike|Krawczyk|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Loyola (Maryland) {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|13

| align=center|179

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Kelly|Utley|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| Shaw University {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|13

| align=center|180

| {{sortname|Mike|Barr|dab=basketball}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Duquesne {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|14

| align=center|181

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Paul|Kelley|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Shaw University {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|14

| align=center|182

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Craig|Corson|nolink=1}}#

| C

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| North Carolina {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|14

| align=center|183

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Bob|Allen|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Missouri {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|14

| align=center|184

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Aubrey|Nash|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Kansas {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|14

| align=center|185

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Cleveland|Hill|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Seattle SuperSonics

| Nicholls {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|14

| align=center|186

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ray|Golson|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Phoenix Suns

| West Texas State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|14

| align=center|187

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Andrew|Pettes|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Oklahoma {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|15

| align=center|188

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Rich|Habegger|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Wake Forest {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|15

| align=center|189

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Paul|Hoffman|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| St. Bonaventure {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|15

| align=center|190

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mike|Jeffries|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Oklahoma State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|15

| align=center|191

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Gary|Handleman|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Baltimore Bullets

| Johns Hopkins {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|15

| align=center|192

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Greg|Lowery|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Texas Tech {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|16

| align=center|193

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mose|Adolph|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Portland Trail Blazers

| Cal State Los Angeles {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|16

| align=center|194

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Norman|Bounds|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Buffalo Braves

| Brockport {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|16

| align=center|195

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mike|Peterson|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kansas City–Omaha Kings

| Nebraska {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|16

| align=center|196

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Charles|Hall|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Western Montana {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|17

| align=center|197

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|John|Thornton|nolink=1}}#

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| South Carolina State {{small|(Sr.)}}

align=center|18

| align=center|198

| bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Ron|Manning|nolink=1}}#

| F

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Chicago Bulls

| Manhattan {{small|(Sr.)}}

Notable undrafted players

{{further|List of undrafted NBA players}}

These players were not selected in the 1972 draft but played at least one game in the NBA.

class="wikitable sortable sortable"
style="width:19%;"| Player

!style="width:1%;"| Pos.

!style="width:16%;"| Nationality

!style="width:20%;"| School/club team

{{sortname|Paul|McCracken|dab=basketball}}

| G

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cal State Northridge {{small|(Sr.)}}

Trades

  • {{note label|Note1|a|a}} On April 7, 1972, the Phoenix Suns acquired the fourth pick from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Otto Moore.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mooreot01.html|title=Otto Moore Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 2, 2010}} Previously, the Rockets acquired a first-round pick on December 10, 1971, from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Jim Davis.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisji01.html|title=Jim Davis Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 2, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pistons/history/transactions_alltime.html|title=Pistons: All-Time Transactions|work=NBA.com/Pistons|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=April 2, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100320040345/http://www.nba.com/pistons/history/transactions_alltime.html| archive-date= 20 March 2010 | url-status= live}} The Suns used the pick to draft Corky Calhoun.
  • {{note label|Note2|b|b}} On December 9, 1971, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Curtis Perry and a first-round pick from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Greg Smith and 1973 third-round pick.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/perrycu01.html|title=Curtis Perry Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 2, 2010}} The Bucks used the pick to draft Russ Lee.
  • {{note label|Note3|c|c}} On April 2, 1971, the Detroit Pistons acquired a first-round pick from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Otto Moore. The Pistons used the pick to draft Bob Nash.
  • {{note label|Note4|d|d}} On October 13, 1971, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired a 1973 first-round pick, 1972 and 1973 second-round picks from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Rick Roberson.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberri01.html|title=Rick Roberson Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 2, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100326154032/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberri01.html| archive-date= 26 March 2010 | url-status= live}} The Lakers used the pick to draft Jim Price.
  • {{note label|Note5|e|e}} On November 25, 1971, the Seattle SuperSonics acquired 1972 and a future second-round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Bob Rule.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rulebo01.html|title=Bob Rule Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 2, 2010}} The Sonics used the pick to draft Joby Wright.
  • {{note label|Note6|f|f}} On November 11, 1970, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired a second-round pick from the Baltimore Bullets in exchange for John Tresvant.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tresvjo01.html|title=John Tresvant Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 2, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100304215813/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tresvjo01.html| archive-date= 4 March 2010 | url-status= live}} The Lakers used the pick to draft Paul Stovall.
  • {{note label|Note7|g|g}} On November 15, 1971, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired a second-round pick and a future pick from the New York Knicks in exchange for Luther Rackley.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rackllu01.html|title=Luther Rackley Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 7, 2010}} The Cavaliers used the pick to draft Steve Hawes.
  • {{note label|Note8|h|h}} On the draft-day, the Baltimore Bullets acquired a second-round pick from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Gus Johnson.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsgu01.html|title=Gus Johnson Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 7, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100410075206/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsgu01.html| archive-date= 10 April 2010 | url-status= live}} The Bullets used the pick to draft Tom Patterson.
  • {{note label|Note9|i|i}} On March 23, 1971, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired 1971 and 1972 second-round picks and a 1971 third-round pick from the Golden State Warriors (as the San Francisco Warriors) in exchange for Jim Barnett.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barneji02.html|title=Shaler Halimon Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 7, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/media/0910_GSWMG_DraftTransactions.pdf|title=Golden State Warriors 2009–10 Media Guite: Draft & Transactions|work=NBA.com/Warriors|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=April 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409213137/http://www.nba.com/warriors/media/0910_GSWMG_DraftTransactions.pdf|archive-date=2010-04-09|url-status=dead}} The Blazers used the pick to draft Dave Twardzik.
  • {{note label|Note10|j|j 1}}{{note label|Note10|j|2}} On November 9, 1971, the Cincinnati Royals acquired Jim Fox and a second-round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Norm Van Lier and a third-round pick.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vanlino01.html|title=Norm Van Lier Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 7, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100317120251/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vanlino01.html| archive-date= 17 March 2010 | url-status= live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/bulls/history/alltime_transactions.html|title=Chicago Bulls All-Time Transactions|work=NBA.com/Bulls|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=April 7, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100409074259/http://www.nba.com/bulls/history/alltime_transactions.html| archive-date= 9 April 2010 | url-status= live}} The Royals used the pick to draft Mike Ratliff. The Bulls used the pick to draft Frank Russell.
  • {{note label|Note11|k|k}} On September 11, 1971, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a second-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for LeRoy Ellis.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ellisle01.html|title=Leroy Ellis Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 7, 2010}} The Blazers used the pick to draft Ollie Johnson.
  • {{note label|Note12|l|l}} On August 13, 1971, the Phoenix Suns acquired 1972 and a future third-round picks from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Greg Howard.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/howargr01.html|title=Greg Howard Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 7, 2010}} The Suns used the pick to draft Scott English.
  • {{note label|Note13|k|k}} On October 12, 1969, the Cincinnati Royals acquired Wally Anderzunas and a third-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Dave Newmark.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anderwa01.html|title=Wally Anderzunas Statistics|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 7, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100304223246/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anderwa01.html| archive-date= 4 March 2010 | url-status= live}} The Royals used the pick to draft Ron Riley.

Early entrants

=College underclassmen=

Following the success of the first ever NBA Hardship Draft the previous year, the NBA decided to continue implementing the hardship exception for college underclassmen in need for it. Originally, eight college underclassmen signed up for the draft this year, but two of them in St. John's Mel Davis and Siena College's Tony Delgado both declined entry into this year's draft. The following college basketball players successfully applied for an NBA hardship.{{cite web |title=1972 Underclassmen Hardship List |url=https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3019:1972-underclassmen&catid=136&Itemid=384 |website=The Draft Review | date=August 4, 2007 |access-date=December 11, 2022}}

{{div col}}

{{div col end}}

Notes

{{reflist|group=n}}

See also

References

;General

{{refbegin}}

  • {{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1970s.html|title=Complete First Round Results 1970–79|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=April 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100321192426/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1970s.html|archive-date=21 March 2010|url-status=dead}}
  • {{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1972.html|title=1972 NBA Draft|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=April 1, 2010}}
  • {{cite web|url=http://www.apbr.org/7276drft.html|title=1972–1976 NBA Drafts|publisher=The Association for Professional Basketball Research|access-date=April 1, 2010}}

{{refend}}

;Specific

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

  • [http://www.nba.com/ NBA.com]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20090315112610/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_index.html NBA.com: NBA Draft History]

{{NBA Drafts}}

{{NBA Draft history by team}}

{{1972 NBA draft}}

{{1972–73 NBA season by team}}

Draft

Category:NBA draft

NBA draft

NBA draft

Category:Basketball in New York City

Category:Sporting events in New York City