Definition
The 1973 NBA draft was the National Basketball Association’s annual event for selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible athletes to join its member teams for the 1973–1974 season.
Overview
The draft took place on April 24, 1973, in New York City. A total of 211 players were chosen over ten rounds, with each of the 17 NBA franchises allotted a selection per round, subject to trades and territorial picks. The first overall pick was forward Doug Collins, selected by the Chicago Bulls. The draft marked one of the final instances of the NBA employing double‑digit rounds; subsequent drafts gradually reduced the number of rounds as the league’s scouting and free‑agency systems evolved.
Etymology/Origin
The term “NBA draft” derives from the league’s name, the National Basketball Association, combined with “draft,” a sporting term denoting a systematic selection process in which teams take turns acquiring the rights to players. The year prefix (“1973”) designates the specific calendar year in which the event occurred.
Characteristics
- Structure: Ten rounds; each round comprised a selection order based on the previous season’s team records and any trades affecting draft rights.
- Eligibility: Primarily senior college players, juniors who declared early, and a limited number of international players meeting the NBA’s age and contract criteria of the era.
- Notable selections:
- Doug Collins (1st overall, Chicago Bulls) – later a three‑time NBA All‑Star and successful coach.
- Larry Kenon (13th overall, Detroit Pistons) – became a two‑time All‑Star after the draft.
- Mickey Johnson (31st overall, Chicago Bulls) – enjoyed a 12‑year NBA career, including an All‑Star appearance.
- Impact: Several later-round picks from the 1973 draft evolved into significant contributors, illustrating the depth of talent available before the draft’s contraction to fewer rounds in the 1980s.
Related Topics
- NBA draft (general)
- 1972 NBA draft
- 1974 NBA draft
- National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Player eligibility rules (NBA)
- NBA draft lottery (introduced later, 1985)
This entry summarizes the established historical facts surrounding the 1973 NBA draft.