The 1994 NBA Draft: 3 Things You Should Know About This Impressive Class
The 1994 NBA Draft was the 48th draft in the NBA’s storied history dating back to the 1946-1947 season. Although not as heralded as the 1984, 1996, or 2003 drafts, it nonetheless introduced an impressive selection of players to the NBA. It has the distinction of being the final draft where rookie contracts had no limitations imposed on them.
The NBA Draft 1994 Class
The 1994 draft results produced both stars and successful role players, many of whom contributed to championship teams. This draft class included 2 eventual members of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame and 5 different individuals who appeared in at least 1 all-star game.
It also showcased some of the most successful college basketball players of all time, including Grant Hill, a two-time NCAA champion with Duke, and Juwan Howard, a member of the famous Fab Five Michigan team. The 1994 draft lottery in particular, which had seen many players that didn’t live up to expectations in previous years, provided many stars and successful starters. So…
1. Who Was In The 94 NBA Draft?
1994 NBA DRAFT: FIRST ROUND LOTTERY PICKS
- Glenn Robinson (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)
- Grant Hill (Detroit Pistons)
- Donyell Marshall (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Juwan Howard (Washinton Bullets)
- Sharone Wright (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Lamond Murray (Los Angeles Clippers)
- Brian Grant (Sacramento Kings)
- Eric Montross (Boston Celtics)
- Eddie Jones (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Carlos Rogers (Seattle SuperSonics)
1994 NBA DRAFT: NON LOTTERY FIRST ROUND PICKS
- Khalid Reeves (Miami Heat)
- Jalen Rose (Denver Nuggets)
- Yinka Dare (New Jersey Nets)
- Eric Piatkowski (Indiana Pacers)
- Clifford Rozier (Golden State Warriors)
- Aaron McKie (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Eric Mobley (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Tony Dumas (Dallas Mavericks)
- B.J. Tyler (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Dickey Simpkins (Chicago Bulls)
- Bill Curley (San Antonio Spurs)
- Wesley Person (Phoenix Suns)
- Monty Williams (New York Knicks)
- Greg Minor (Los Angeles Clippers)
- Charlie Ward (New York Knicks)
- Brooks Thompson (Orlando Magic)
1994 NBA DRAFT: SECOND ROUND PICKS
- Deon Thomas (Dallas Mavericks)
- Antonio Lang (Phoenix Suns)
- Howard Eisley (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Rodney Dent (Orlando Magic)
- Jim McIlvaine (Washinton Bullets)
- Derrick Alston (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Gaylon Nickerson (Atlanta Hawks)
- Michael Smith (Sacramento Kings)
- Andrei Fetisov (Boston Celtics)
- Dontonio Wingfield (Seattle SuperSonics)
- Darrin Hancock (Charlotte Hornets)
- Anthony Miller (Golden State Warriors)
- Jeff Webster (Miami Heat)
- William Njoku (Indiana Pacers)
- Gary Collier (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Shawnelle Scott (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Damon Bailey (Indiana Pacers)
- Dwayne Morton (Golden State Warriors)
- Voshon Lenard (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Jaime Watson (Utah Jazz)
- Jevon Crudup (Detroit Pistons)
- Kris Bruton (Chicago Bulls)
- Charles Claxton (Phoenix Suns)
- Lawrence Funderburke (Sacramento Kings)
- Anthony Goldwire (Phoenix Suns)
- Albert Burditt (Houston Rockets)
- Zeljko Rebraca (Seatle SuperSonics)
2. 1994 NBA Draft Best Players
Jason Kidd and Grant Hill are regarded by many as the two best players to come out of the 1994 draft class. But there were many other standouts from this draft as well. Let’s take a look at the best players from this class.
Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd was the most successful 1994 NBA draft pick and quickly established himself as one of the best all-around point guards in the NBA for the next 2 decades. He was named to the All-NBA 1st team 5 times, the All-Defensive 1st team 4 times, and appeared in 10 all-star games.
Kidd led the league in assists 5 times and accumulated 12,091 for his career, 2nd most in NBA history, and although not known for his shooting, is 12th in three-pointers made in NBA history. Kidd amassed an impressive 107 triple-doubles in his career, 4th-most NBA history, and behind only Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, and Magic Johnson.
Kidd’s most impressive accomplishment during his career was helping to lead the New Jersey Nets to back-to-back finals appearances in the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 seasons, his first 2 seasons with the team after the Nets had previously finished with a 26-56 record during the 2000-2001 season.
Kidd won an NBA championship as a starting point guard with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2010-2011 season and was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Grant Hill
Grant Hill had one of the most storied college basketball careers in NCAA history, winning back-to-back national championships with Duke University under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. He was selected by the Detroit Pistons, who were rebuilding after a successful run in the last 80s and early 90s as the legendary Bad Boys dynasty.
In his first six seasons with the Pistons, Hill was one of the best players in the NBA, averaging 21.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.3 APG, and 1.6 SPG. He was named to the All-NBA 1st team 1 time, the All-NBA 2nd team 4 times, and appeared in 7 all-star games.
Grant was traded to the Orlando Magic in a sign and trade agreement and was supposed to transform the struggling Magic into a title-contending franchise. However, Hill only played in 47 games over the next 4 seasons due to injuries, which would plague him throughout the rest of his career.
Hill was able to enjoy a brief stint as a successful role player for the Phoenix Suns after leaving the Magic but was never the same player after leaving the Pistons. Hill was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Glenn Robinson
Glenn Robinson was probably the most hyped 1994 NBA draft pick and was selected 1st overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that enjoyed much success throughout the 70s and 80s but had recently fallen on hard times in the 90s. Robinson established himself as a great scorer during his 8-year run with the Bucks, averaging 21.1 PPG and amassing 12,010 points, 3rd most in franchise history.
However, he was never quite able to develop into an effective all-around franchise player, winning only two playoff series in his career with Milwaukee. Robinson made 2 all-star games and eventually won an NBA championship with the 2004-2005 San Antonio Spurs as a bench player.
Juwan Howard
Juwan Howard gained fame early in his basketball career as a member of the famous Fab Five Michigan basketball team that became a cultural icon during the early 90s. Howard was drafted 5th overall by the Washington Bullets, and quickly established himself alongside teammate Chris Webber, who he had played with at Michigan, as a top offensive player.
In his first 5 seasons with Washington, Howard averaged 19.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 3.5 APG, and was named to the all-star team for the 1995-1996 season. After his playing days with Washington, Howard played on several different NBA teams mainly as a reserve or role player and won back-to-back NBA championships with the Miami Heat in the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons.
Eddie Jones
After being drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, Eddie Jones became a good offensive and defensive shooting guard for the Lakers. Although some thought he would have a long, successful Lakers career, he was quickly overshadowed by teammate Kobe Bryant, another shooting guard, who was drafted in 1996. Jones was eventually traded to the Charlotte Hornets during the 1998-1999 season to make room for Bryant, who replaced Jones as the starting shooting guard. Jones was named to the all-star team 3 times during his career and also led the league in steals during the 1999-2000 season.
3. Who Won Rookie of the Year?
Jason Kidd and Grant Hill both shared Rookie of the Year honors during the 1994-1995 season, just the 2nd time in NBA history that the award had co-winners. Kidd was named a co-ROY-winner largely in his role in helping to improve the Mavericks from a 13-win team the year before, to a 36-win team, the largest improvement in the NBA during that span. He averaged 11.7 PPG, 7.7 APG, 5.4 RPG, and 1.9 SPG.
Hill was named a co-ROY-winner as a result of the impressive statistical accomplishments he amassed, averaging 19.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5 APG, and 1.8 SPG. Their respective rookie seasons were the culmination of the successful 1994 NBA draft, which promised a strong core of young players for years to come.
The Grant Hill & Jason Kidd draft class
Although the 94 Draft did not have the same hype as the 1984, 1996, or 2003 drafts, it still produced a good core of talent that would play a significant role in the NBA during the next decade. While Kidd and Hill particularly established themselves as stars, other players such as Glenn Robinson, Juwan Howard, and Eddie Jones had successful careers as well. 1994 NBA draft results also produced many good role players including Brian Grant, Donyell Marshall, Jalen Rose, Aaron McKie, and Voshon Lenard.
