In this article, we will get to know the tier-by-tier ranking of the 1996 NBA draft class. These rankings offer a thorough examination of the many routes taken by the league’s most promising young players, demonstrating the long-lasting influence they have had on the basketball scene.
Tier-by-Tier Ranking of the 1996 NBA Draft Class
Tier 6
- Gary Trent
- Shandon Anderson
- Travis Knight
- Roy Rogers
- Dorsey Levens
- Dontae’ Jones
- Erick Dampier
- John Wallace
Gary Trent, who the Milwaukee Bucks selected with the 11th overall pick, had a respectable NBA career, averaging 8.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest. Trent, who was well-known for his flexibility and ability to score points, made steady contributions during his time there.
With his tough defence and scoring prowess, small forward Shandon Anderson—selected 54th overall by the Utah Jazz—found his home in the league. With a lifetime average of 7.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, Anderson’s significant efforts have earned him a berth in Tier 6.
Centre The Chicago Bulls selected Travis Knight with the 29th overall pick because of his ability to play defence and as a presence in the paint. Knight, who averages 4.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, is ranked in Tier 6 of this exceptional draft class because to his reliability and contributions to strong teams.
The Vancouver Grizzlies picked Roy Rogers with the 22nd overall pick, and he went on to become an NBA star by being a formidable rebounder and defender. Despite his contribution being less visible in the numbers—he averages 4.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game—Rogers’ on-court presence was essential to his team’s success and earned him a spot in Tier 6.
The Milwaukee Bucks selected Dorsey Levens, a versatile forward, with the 31st overall pick. Levens made an impact on both sides of the court. Despite having a short NBA career, Levens showed his abilities and team-oriented mindset.
Dontae’ Jones was a small forward that the New York Knicks selected with the 21st overall pick because of his quickness and ability to score. Despite a career ruined by injuries, he is ranked in Tier 6 due to his potential and influence when he is fit.
The Indiana Pacers selected Erick Dampier, a centre with a long career who was skilled at rebounding and shot-blocking, with the 10th pick. With his steady play, Dampier secured a berth in Tier 6 despite not being a perennial All-Star, averaging 7.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
The forward John Wallace, selected by the New York Knicks with the 18th overall pick, established himself by scoring and grabbing rebounds. Wallace’s efforts may not have been as significant as those of some of his colleagues, but even so, with 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, they deserve a spot in Tier 6.
You might also be interested in reading this: Tier-by-Tier Ranking of the 2003 NBA Draft Class
Tier 5
- Kerry Kittles
- Jerome Williams
- Walter McCarty
- Lorenzen Wright
- Todd Fuller
- Erick Meek
- Bryant Reeves
- Tony Delk
The New Jersey Nets drafted shooting guard Kerry Kittles eighth overall, and he was a key member of his squad right away. With a game average of 14.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, Kittles stands out for his scoring and defensive prowess, which gets him into Tier 5.
The Detroit Pistons selected power forward Jerome Williams 26th overall, and he quickly established himself as a hard-charging and determined player. Williams, who is well-known for his hustling and rebounding, averages 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game to guarantee his spot in Tier 5.
The New York Knicks selected forward Walter McCarty 19th overall; he made a contribution with his flexibility and scoring ability. Despite not being a standout player, McCarty’s effect on the floor justifies his being named a Tier 5 player, averaging 5.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Lorenzen Wright was a centre who was selected seventh overall by the Los Angeles Clippers and had a good career in rebounding and shot-blocking. Wright’s defensive efforts, which average 8.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, guarantee him a spot in Tier 5.
Centre Todd Fuller, who the Golden State Warriors chose with the eleventh overall pick, was known for his reliable performance in the paint. With a consistent game average of 3.7 points and 3.0 rebounds, Fuller secures a spot in Tier 5 despite not being a very good player.
A centre selected by the Houston Rockets with the 18th overall pick, Erick Meek made a significant impact as a dependable player in the paint. Despite not being a big name, Meek, who averages 3.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, merits a berth in Tier 5 due to his effect on the floor.
The centre player Bryant “Big Country” Reeves, chosen sixth overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies, quickly won over the fans. Even though injuries ended Reeves’ career, which saw him average 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, his playing career still ranks him in Tier 5.
Tony Delk, a guard selected 16th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, had a successful career thanks to his scoring and defensive prowess. Delk’s well-rounded game, which averages 9.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, guarantees him a spot in Tier 5.
Tier 4
- Marcus Camby
- Antoine Walker
- Zydrunas Ilgauskas
- Derek Fisher
- Shareef Abdur-Rahim
The 1996 NBA Draft class second overall selection, Marcus Camby, had a fantastic career mostly as a defensive anchor. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year title in the 2006–07 season thanks to his ability to block shots. Camby put up an incredible career average of 9.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. Despite never being selected to the All-Star team, he was a vital member of teams like the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks because of his effect on defence.
The Boston Celtics selected Antoine Walker sixth overall; he was a dynamic forward who was crucial to the team’s success in the late 1990s. Over his career, Walker averaged 17.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game as a three-time NBA All-Star. Walker, who is well-known for his shimmy celebration and scoring prowess, played a significant role in the Celtics’ postseason victories.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 20th overall selection in 1996, rose to prominence as a member of the team. A steady player, the two-time NBA All-Star averaged 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. Together with LeBron James, Ilgauskas was a key component of the team’s success in the middle of the 2000s.
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Derek Fisher with the 24th overall pick. Fisher was a reliable point guard and clutch player for the Lakers throughout their championship run. Fisher was renowned for making big shots at crucial times and won five NBA titles with the Lakers. Fisher was respected by many despite not being an All-Star due to his leadership abilities and heroics during the postseason. At the end of his career, he averaged 3.0 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 8.3 points per game.
Throughout his career, Shareef Abdur-Rahim—the third overall selection in the 1996 draft—displayed his flexibility and ability to score goals. Abdur-Rahim, who played for many clubs, averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game and was selected as an All-Star once. Throughout his tenure in the league, he mentored and led younger players, thus his influence went beyond the numbers.
Tier 3
- Ray Allen
- Peja Stojakovic
- Stephon Marbury
- Jermaine O’Neal
Ray Allen, who went on to become one of the all-time great shooters in NBA history, was selected fifth overall in 1996. Ten-time NBA All-Star Allen finished each game with an average of 18.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. With the Boston Celtics in 2008 and the Miami Heat in 2013, he took home two NBA titles. Allen is the all-time leader in three-pointers made and has won two NBA Three-Point Shootout titles.
The Sacramento Kings drafted Peja Stojakovic, a deadly sniper, 14th overall in 1996. He was an important part of the teams that were known as the “Run and Gun” squads. Stojakovic averaged 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game as a three-time NBA All-Star. He was a key player in the early 2000s Kings playoff campaigns, and in 2011 he won an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks.
As the fourth overall choice, Stephon Marbury was a powerful point guard recognised for his ability to score and create plays. Marbury, a two-time NBA All-Star, finished each game with an average of 19.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.6 assists. Even though his career was not without its ups and downs, Marbury had a lasting impression on the league, especially when he was a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves and then the Phoenix Suns.
Jermaine O’Neal, who was drafted 17th overall, became a formidable force at the centre position. O’Neal averaged 13.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game as a six-time NBA All-Star. He was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2002 and was a key member of the Indiana Pacers’ successful early 2000s playoff campaigns.
Tier 2
- Allen Iverson
- Steve Nash
First overall in the 1996 NBA Draft class, the unstoppable Allen Iverson went beyond basketball to become a cultural hero. His daring play and abundant scoring led to an astounding 11 nominations to the NBA All-Star team. Iverson won NBA MVP in 2001 after leading the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals. His career scoring and playmaking numbers of 26.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game are impressive. Beyond just numbers, Iverson left an enduring impression on the history of the league by inspiring a generation of players with his unwavering work ethic and toughness on the court.
The 15th overall selection, Steve Nash, not only reinvented the point guard role but also became one of the NBA’s finest playmakers, leaving a lasting impact. Two-time NBA MVP Nash was selected to eight NBA All-Star teams for his special combination of shooting and passing. His contribution to the Phoenix Suns’ groundbreaking “Seven Seconds or Less” period demonstrated his ability to manage the pace of the game. Five times, Nash led the league in assists, highlighting his ability to create plays. Beyond just numbers, Nash’s leadership and influence on the development of offensive tactics further cemented his reputation as a basketball genius.
Tier 1
- Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant turned out to be one of the greatest Draft steals in history. Kobe is regarded as a basketball superstar and one of the best players in NBA history, having been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as the 13th overall choice. Bryant’s amazing career was characterised by a tireless pursuit of perfection, which led to a staggering 18 NBA All-Star appearances. Bryant demonstrated his scoring skills by averaging 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while winning five NBA titles with the Lakers. His influence was seen on a global scale when he won two gold medals for Team USA in the Olympics.
This is the Tier-by-Tier Ranking of the 1996 NBA Draft Class. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
