1956 NBA Draft

The 1956 NBA Draft became one of the most historically significant drafts of the league's early years. Rochester selected Si Green first overall, but the defining selection came immediately afterward when the St. Louis Hawks chose University of San Francisco center Bill Russell with the second pick.

Russell never played for St. Louis. On draft day, Boston acquired his rights from the Hawks in exchange for six-time All-Star center Ed Macauley and the draft rights to Cliff Hagan. Russell became the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty, winning 11 NBA championships and five NBA Most Valuable Player Awards.

Boston also used its territorial selection on Holy Cross star Tom Heinsohn and selected Russell's University of San Francisco teammate K.C. Jones in the second round. Heinsohn and Jones joined Russell as major pieces of the Celtics dynasty.

The draft also contained an unusual pair of future superstars. Minneapolis selected future Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor in the 14th round, while the Lakers selected future Celtics great Sam Jones in the eighth round. Neither entered the NBA as a result of these selections, and both were selected again in later NBA drafts.

92 total selections: The 1956 NBA Draft was held April 30, 1956 in New York City. Eight NBA franchises participated. There were 91 numbered selections plus Boston's territorial selection of Tom Heinsohn.

First overall pick: Rochester selected Duquesne guard Sihugo "Si" Green with the first overall pick. Green played nine NBA seasons for Rochester, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago and Boston.

Bill Russell: St. Louis selected University of San Francisco center Bill Russell second overall, but Russell never played a game for the Hawks.

The Russell trade: Boston acquired Russell's draft rights from St. Louis in exchange for veteran center Ed Macauley and the draft rights to Kentucky star Cliff Hagan. The deal became one of the most consequential draft-day trades in NBA history.

Eleven championships: Russell spent his entire 13-season NBA career with Boston and won 11 championships, more than any player in NBA history. He was also a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and 12-time All-Star.

Tom Heinsohn: Boston used its territorial selection on Holy Cross forward Tom Heinsohn. Heinsohn won the 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, made six All-Star teams and won eight NBA championships as a player.

K.C. Jones: Boston selected Russell's San Francisco teammate K.C. Jones in the second round. Jones later won eight NBA championships as a Celtics player and two more as Boston's head coach.

Willie Naulls: St. Louis selected UCLA forward Willie Naulls in the second round. Naulls became a four-time NBA All-Star and later won three championships with Boston.

Five eventual All-Stars: Players appearing in the 1956 draft who eventually became NBA All-Stars were Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn, Willie Naulls, Sam Jones and Elgin Baylor.

Sam Jones: Minneapolis selected future Celtics legend Sam Jones in the eighth round while Jones was serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. He did not enter the NBA from this selection and was drafted again by Boston in 1957.

Elgin Baylor: Minneapolis selected Seattle University star Elgin Baylor in the 14th round. Baylor remained in college and did not sign with the Lakers from this selection. Minneapolis selected him again with the first overall pick of the 1958 NBA Draft.

Future Hall of Famers: The draft included several players who ultimately reached the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, led by Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones and Elgin Baylor.

Ron Sobieszczyk: Fort Wayne selected DePaul guard Ron Sobieszczyk with the sixth numbered pick. He is commonly listed in NBA records as Ron Sobie.

Passed selections: As was common in early NBA drafts, teams could stop making selections by passing. Fort Wayne passed in the eighth round, while additional teams dropped out in subsequent rounds.

Final selection: Syracuse selected Cornell guard Chuck Rolles with the 91st numbered selection and final pick of the 14-round draft.