The best 22nd picks ever in NBA draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Is there any chance the Sixers will find a core piece with the 22nd pick in Round 1 of the NBA draft on June 23?
The team sure seems to have snagged one of the top 21st selections ever in All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey. As for No. 22, below is a chronological (and unscientific) rundown of the best players drafted at that slot:
George McGinnis (1973)
After a series of contract disputes, McGinnis debuted with the Sixers in 1975. Fresh off an ABA MVP season, the do-it-all, Hall of Fame forward earned All-Star nods in his first two years as a Sixer and won the Eastern Conference title in 1977. Other notable Sixers picks from the 1973 draft class include Doug Collins (No. 1) and Caldwell Jones (No. 32). McGinnis died in 2023 at 73 years old.
Leonard “Truck” Robinson (1974)
As his nickname suggests, Robinson was a physical force and a world-class rebounder. The Tennessee State product made his first of two All-Star Games in the 1977-78 season with New Orleans Jazz teammate Pete Maravich. Robinson averaged 22.7 points and an NBA-best 15.7 rebounds that year.
Johnny Davis (1976)
Davis helped the Trail Blazers win it all his rookie season. The speedy guard out of Dayton had his most productive NBA years with the Pacers, averaging 16.4 points and 5.4 assists from the 1978-79 through ’81-82 seasons. Davis went on to coach in the NBA and served as the Sixers’ head coach for Allen Iverson’s rookie year in 1996-97.
Norm Nixon (1977)
Nixon was the starting point guard for two championship-winning Showtime Lakers teams. A two-time All-Star and Duquesne great, Nixon was a serious steal late in the first round.
Scott Skiles (1986)
Skiles still holds the NBA’s single-game assists record. He racked up 30 on Dec. 30, 1990 in the Magic’s win over the Nuggets.
Reggie Lewis (1987)
Lewis tragically died from a heart condition at 27. He’d grown into a Celtics star with highlights like a 42-point playoff performance vs. the Cavs and a four-block night against Michael Jordan.
Bobby Portis (2015)
Portis had a rather rocky start to his NBA career with the Bulls, but he ultimately settled into his niche as the Bucks’ beloved sixth man and played a key part in Milwaukee’s 2020-21 title.
Jarrett Allen (2017)
Allen was a playoff starting center by his second season in Brooklyn. He made his one career All-Star Game to date with the Cavs in 2021-22.
