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College Basketball: Top 10 programs at producing NBA lottery picks

By Daniel Benjamin

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 26: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats gestures in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 26: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats gestures in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 26: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats gestures in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 26: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats gestures in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

There is a lot of excitement surrounding the NBA’s newest class of lottery picks.

On June 22, the NBA welcomed its 71st draft class to the league. The 2017 draft class is considered one of the best in recent memory as a result of a talented lottery group. As many as four players were considered to be in contention to be selected with the top overall pick.

Washington Huskies’ freshman point guard Markelle Fultz ultimately ended up going number one to the Philadelphia 76ers. Fultz is the first UW player to be selected with the top overall pick. He is the sixth Husky to be picked in the first round in the last six years and No. 13 player to be drafted since 2005. Overall, 56 UW players have been taken in the NBA draft.

That is not the only history made in the 2017 draft. The selection of Fultz started a run of 10 freshmen in the first 11 picks of the draft. In fact, 12 of the 14 lottery selections and an NBA record 16 first round draft picks were one and done players.

Philadelphia also started a historical run on point guards. For the first time ever,  a pair of point guards were taken with the first two picks. Five of the first ten selections were lead guards.

The NBA has changed its draft process a number of times over the years with the most drastic changes coming since 1985 with the addition of the lottery system. This article will look at which NCAA programs have been the best at developing lottery picks.

Duke leads the nation with 23 lottery picks following the selection of Jayson Tatum as well as Luke Kennard this year. Kentucky had three lottery picks this year, giving them 22 lottery choices.

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