1959 NBA Draft

The 1959 NBA Draft produced one of the most dominant players in basketball history. The Philadelphia Warriors used a territorial selection on Wilt Chamberlain, who had starred at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia before attending the University of Kansas and later playing for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Cincinnati selected Kansas State star Bob Boozer with the first regular pick, followed by Detroit's selection of Mississippi State forward Bailey Howell. Other notable first-round selections included Dick Barnett, Johnny Green and Tom Hawkins.

The draft produced three players who eventually entered the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Wilt Chamberlain, Bailey Howell and Dick Barnett. Chamberlain became a four-time NBA MVP, while Howell and Barnett each won two NBA championships.

Twenty-three members of the 1959 draft class eventually appeared in an NBA regular-season or playoff game. Six became NBA All-Stars: Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Boozer, Bailey Howell, Dick Barnett, Johnny Green and Rudy LaRusso.

85 total selections: The 1959 NBA Draft included 83 numbered selections and two territorial selections over 14 rounds. Twenty-three members of the draft class eventually appeared in an NBA regular-season or playoff game.

Wilt Chamberlain: Philadelphia used its territorial selection on Wilt Chamberlain, one of the most unusual territorial claims in NBA history. Chamberlain had attended the University of Kansas, far outside Philadelphia's normal territory, but the Warriors successfully argued that his years at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia gave the franchise territorial rights to him.

Harlem Globetrotters: Chamberlain left Kansas after his junior season but could not immediately enter the NBA because league rules prevented him from playing until his college class was eligible. He spent the 1958-59 season with the Harlem Globetrotters before joining the Warriors.

Historic rookie season: Chamberlain averaged 37.6 points and 27.0 rebounds per game as an NBA rookie. He became the NBA Rookie of the Year and NBA Most Valuable Player in the same season.

Bob Ferry: St. Louis used its territorial selection on Saint Louis University forward Bob Ferry. Ferry played 10 NBA seasons and later became a longtime NBA executive, most notably with the Washington Bullets.

Bob Boozer: Cincinnati selected Kansas State forward Bob Boozer with the first overall regular pick. Boozer delayed his NBA career for one year to retain his amateur status and compete for the United States in the 1960 Olympics.

Olympic champion: Boozer played for the gold-medal winning 1960 United States Olympic team before beginning his NBA career with Cincinnati. He later became an NBA All-Star and won the 1971 NBA championship with Milwaukee.

Bailey Howell: Detroit selected Mississippi State forward Bailey Howell second overall. Howell became a six-time NBA All-Star, earned All-NBA honors and won championships with the Boston Celtics in 1968 and 1969.

Dick Barnett: Syracuse selected Tennessee A&I guard Dick Barnett fourth overall. Barnett later became a key member of the New York Knicks' 1970 and 1973 championship teams and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.

Johnny Green: New York selected Michigan State forward Johnny Green fifth overall. Green played 14 NBA seasons and was selected to four NBA All-Star Games.

Rudy LaRusso: Minneapolis selected Dartmouth forward Rudy LaRusso with the 10th pick. LaRusso became a five-time NBA All-Star and spent most of his career with the Lakers.

Six NBA All-Stars: Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Boozer, Bailey Howell, Dick Barnett, Johnny Green and Rudy LaRusso all represented the draft class in an NBA All-Star Game.

Three Hall of Famers: Wilt Chamberlain, Bailey Howell and Dick Barnett were eventually inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as players.

Joe Ruklick: Philadelphia selected Northwestern center Joe Ruklick with the ninth numbered pick. Ruklick later assisted Wilt Chamberlain's final basket in Chamberlain's historic 100-point game on March 2, 1962.

John Barnhill: St. Louis selected Tennessee State guard John Barnhill in the 11th round. Barnhill later played in both the NBA and ABA and was an ABA All-Star with the Indiana Pacers.

Passed selections: As was common during the NBA's long-draft era, teams began passing rather than selecting additional players. Boston stopped selecting after the sixth round, Syracuse after the seventh, and the number of active teams continued to decline in the later rounds.

Final rounds: Only Minneapolis and New York made selections in the 13th round. By the 14th and final round, New York was the only team still selecting.

Final selection: The New York Knicks made the final selection of the 1959 draft, choosing Jack Israel of Southwest Missouri State with the 83rd numbered pick.