BYU basketball is entering a new era of churning out NBA players.
Egor Demin is projected to be a lottery pick by many draft pundits in this year’s NBA Draft. Incoming freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa is largely considered to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Richie Saunders is returning for one more year in Provo with aspirations to also be selected in 2026.
While BYU players and fans alike look forward with anticipation to upcoming NBA Drafts, let’s take a look back and see where former Cougars have been selected in the past. Here are the 10 former BYU players to be selected highest in the NBA Draft, with information provided by Basketball Reference.
Mel Hutchins, No. 2 overall, 1951
Hutchins is a name many Cougar fans aren’t familiar with, but he was the No. 2 overall pick in 1951. He was named the league’s Rookie of the Year after averaging 9.2 points and 13.3 rebounds for the Milwaukee (now Atlanta) Hawks and was a four-time All-Star. Over his seven-year NBA career, he averaged 11.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
Shawn Bradley, No. 2 overall, 1993
The 7-foot-6 shot blocker played one season in Provo, served a two-year mission, then was drafted No. 2 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. Over the course of his 12-year NBA career Bradley averaged a solid 8.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. He is the most efficient shot blocker in NBA history. The advanced stat Block Percentage estimates the percentage of opposing two-point shots a player blocked while on the court, and Shawn Bradley ranks No. 1 in NBA history.
Rafael Araujo, No. 8 overall, 2004
After a brilliant career in Provo, the Brazilian big man was a lottery pick in 2004. However, the draft pedigree didn’t translate into NBA success. He went on to average 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in his three-year NBA career.
Jimmer Fredette, No. 11 overall, 2011
Ah, Jimmer! There has never been a more exciting time for BYU basketball than the peak of Jimmermania. Seeing the Naismith Award winner drafted No. 11 overall in the NBA was a thrill, but that joy quickly turned to horror as he was selected by the dysfunctional Sacramento Kings. His career got off to a rocky start with the Kings and he never recovered. Over six seasons he played for four different teams, averaging 6.0 points per game and hitting 37.2% of his career 3-point attempts.
Craig Raymond, No. 12 overall, 1967
Raymond, a 6-foot-11 center, played sparingly in one season with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. The following year, he left the NBA for the ABA and ultimately spent four seasons there. His best campaign was 1969-70, which he split between the ABA’s Pittsburgh Pipers and Los Angeles Stars, averaging 12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. His professional career between the NBA and ABA lasted five years.
Michael Smith, No. 13 overall, 1989
Smith appeared in 141 games over three seasons, averaging 5.0 points per game.
Outside of the Lottery:
Roland Minson, No. 16 overall, 1951 - Minson was selected by the New York Knicks, but he was then drafted into the US Navy to serve in the Korean War. Upon returning from active duty, he declined to return to the Knicks and instead began a career in banking.
John Fairchild, No. 19 overall, 1965 - Fairchild played one season in the NBA and three in the ABA, averaging 6.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
Greg Kite, No. 21 overall, 1983 - Kite lasted 12 years in the NBA despite career averages of 2.5 points and 3.8 rebounds. He won two NBA championships with the 1980s Celtics.
Devin Durrant, No. 25 overall, 1984 - Durrant’s NBA career lasted just 63 games over two seasons, averaging 5.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.