Chart: NBA No. 1 picks

2014: Anthony Wiggins, guard/forward, Kansas (by Cleveland)

Current team: Timberwolves

Recap: Athletic wing player was acquired by the Wolves in the Kevin Love draft and is expected to be the team's starting small forward.

2013: Anthony Bennett, forward, UNLV (Cleveland)

Current team: Timberwolves

Recap: His training affected by summer surgery, and facing a switch to small forward, Bennett struggled. He averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 52 games, shooting just 35.6 percent. Came to Minnesota as part of the Kevin Love trade.

2012: Anthony Davis, forward/center, Kentucky (New Orleans)

Recap: A first-team all-rookie first teamer in a season that ended with a knee injury, Davis finished second in rookie of the year voting to Damian Lillard. Despite a hand injury, Davis averaged 20.8 points and 10.1 rebounds in 2013-14, appearing in his first All Star Game.

2011: Kyrie Irving, guard, Duke (Cleveland)

Current team: Cleveland

Recap: Has averaged between 18.5 and 22.5 points per game in three seasons and has a 5.8-assist career average. Was rookie of the year in 2012 and was the MVP of the 2014 All Star Game. He will now be passing to LeBron James and Kevin Love.

2010: John Wall, guard, Kentucky (Washington)

Recap: Finished second to Blake Griffin in rookie of the year voting after averaging 16.4 points and 8.3 assists as a rookie under head coach Flip Saunders. Averaged a career-high 19.3 points last season, leading Washington into the playoffs.

2009: Blake Griffin, forward, Oklahoma (L.A. Clippers)

Current team: LA Clippers

Recap: Missed the 2009-10 season with a knee injury, but came back to be named rookie of the year a season later. Has career averages of 21.4 points and 10.1 rebounds.

2008: Derrick Rose, guard, Memphis (Chicago)

Recap: Named rookie of the year in 2009. Two years later he became the youngest-ever winner of the MVP award after averaging 25.0 points and 7.7 assists. Tore his left ACL in the 2012 playoffs, which kept him out of the 2012-13 season. His 2013-14 season was cut short by a cartilage tear in his right knee.

2007: Greg Oden, center, Ohio State (Portland)

Current team: Last played with Miami last season

Recap: A long history of injuries – beginning with microfracture knee surgery that kept him out of action his first season – has limited Oden to just 105 games over three NBA seasons.

2006: Andrea Bargnani, forward/center, Italy (Toronto)

Recap: A member of the league's all-rookie team in his first season, Bargnani has averaged 15.0 points and 4.9 rebounds in seven NBA seasons.

2005: Andrew Bogut, center, Australia (Milwaukee)

Current team: Golden State

Recap: Finished third in rookie of the year voting in 2006. Has started 499 of 507 career games, averaging 11.6 points and 9.3 rebounds.

1958: Elgin Baylor, forward, (Seattle), Mpls. Lakers

1978: Mychal Thompson, center/forward (Minnesota), Portland

Recap: Shot blocker who averaged 13.7 ppg and 7.4 rpg during 12-year career.

1995: Joe Smith, forward (Maryland), Golden State

Recap: A solid pro who played four seasons with the Wolves, but cost the franchise dearly in draft picks when he agreed to an illegal free-agent deal.

1998: Michael Olowokandi, center (Pacific), Milwaukee