1987 NBA Draft

The 1987 NBA Draft was one of the deepest drafts of the 1980s. Seven members of the class became NBA All-Stars: David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Johnson, Horace Grant, Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson and Reggie Lewis. Robinson, Pippen, Miller and sixth-round international selection Šarūnas Marčiulionis eventually entered the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The class also included Kenny Smith, Derrick McKey, Muggsy Bogues, Olden Polynice, Chris Dudley, Kevin Gamble and several other longtime NBA players. Robinson was the first overall selection but did not begin his NBA career until 1989 because of his commitment to the United States Navy.

The 1987 draft contained 161 selections over seven rounds. It was the final NBA Draft to extend beyond three rounds. The league reduced the draft to three rounds in 1988 and then adopted the two-round format in 1989.

Teams below represent the franchises credited with making each selection. Draft-night trades involving player rights are explained in the notes where appropriate.

David Robinson: San Antonio selected Navy center David Robinson first overall. Because of his military commitment, Robinson did not join the Spurs until the 1989-90 season. He was worth the wait, winning NBA Rookie of the Year immediately and developing into one of the greatest centers in league history.

Robinson's career: Robinson won the 1994-95 NBA MVP Award, the 1991-92 Defensive Player of the Year Award and two NBA championships with San Antonio. He was a 10-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA First Team selection and member of both the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

Scottie Pippen trade: Seattle selected Scottie Pippen fifth overall from Central Arkansas. Chicago had selected Olden Polynice with the eighth pick. The Bulls then acquired Pippen's rights from Seattle in exchange for Polynice's rights and future draft considerations.

Pippen: Pippen became one of the most accomplished players in the class. He won six NBA championships with Chicago, made seven All-Star teams and earned eight consecutive selections to the NBA All-Defensive First Team from 1992 through 1999.

Reggie Miller: Indiana selected UCLA shooting guard Reggie Miller with the 11th pick. Miller spent his entire 18-year NBA career with the Pacers, became a five-time All-Star and retired as the NBA's career leader in made three-point field goals.

Seven All-Stars: David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Johnson, Horace Grant, Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson and Reggie Lewis all represented the 1987 draft class in at least one NBA All-Star Game.

Four Hall of Famers: Robinson, Pippen, Miller and Šarūnas Marčiulionis eventually entered the Basketball Hall of Fame, giving the draft remarkable talent from the first pick all the way to the sixth round.

Kevin Johnson: Cleveland selected Johnson seventh overall out of California. He was traded to Phoenix during his rookie season as part of the deal that sent Larry Nance to the Cavaliers. Johnson became a three-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection with the Suns.

Horace Grant: Chicago selected Grant 10th overall from Clemson. He became an All-Star, four-time NBA champion and one of the key frontcourt players on the Bulls' first three championship teams.

Muggsy Bogues: Washington selected the 5-foot-3 Bogues 12th overall. He became the shortest player in NBA history and went on to play 14 NBA seasons, including 10 with the Charlotte Hornets.

Mark Jackson: The Knicks selected St. John's point guard Mark Jackson with the 18th pick. Jackson won the 1987-88 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, became an All-Star in 1989 and finished his career with more than 10,000 assists.

Reggie Lewis: Boston selected Northeastern guard Reggie Lewis 22nd overall. Lewis developed into the Celtics' leading scorer and earned an NBA All-Star selection in 1992