Here is everything you should know about the other big names drafted alongside Shaquille O’Neal (Shaq Draft Class)
The 1992 NBA draught was the 46th in league history, dating back to the inaugural 1946-1947 season. The Orlando Magic, a recent expansion team in their fourth year of existence, won the 1992 NBA draught lottery and were awarded the first pick despite having the league’s second-worst record at 21-61. The draft was held for the first time outside of New York at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon.
1992 NBA Draft
Since both college stars dominated much of the pre-draft coverage, the 1992 NBA draught is often referred to as the Shaquille O’Neal draught or the Alonzo Mourning draught. The draught was very top-heavy, as most of the 1992 NBA rookie class after O’Neal and Mourning, particularly outside the lottery picks, underperformed. Overall, the 1992 NBA draught produced a mediocre class, with 5 players making at least one all-star team, 3 players making at least one All-NBA team, and 2 players inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Who took home the Rookie of the Year award?
Shaquille O’Neal was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1992-1993. Shaquille O’Neal won the Rookie of the Year award after posting one of the best rookie seasons in modern NBA history after being selected with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft.
O’Neal appeared in 81 of 82 regular-season games, averaging 23.4 points per game, 13.9 rebounds per game, and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 56.2% from the field and helping the Magic improve their regular-season win total from 21 to 41.
Many NBA analysts regarded him as the league’s next great superstar center, following in the footsteps of Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The 1992 NBA Draft Class
FIRST ROUND LOTTERY PICKS
- Shaquille O’Neal (Orlando Magic)
- Alonzo Mourning (Charlotte Hornets)
- Christian Laettner (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Jimmy Jackson (Dallas Mavericks)
- LaPhonso Ellis (Denver Nuggets)
- Tom Gugliotta (Washinton Bullets)
- Walt Williams (Sacramento Kings)
- Todd Day (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Clarence Weatherspoon (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Adam Keefe (Atlanta Hawks)
- Robert Horry (Houston Rockets)
FIRST ROUND PICKS
- Harold Miner (Miami Heat)
- Bryant Still (Denver Nuggets)
- Malik Sealy (Indiana Pacers)
- Anthony Peeler (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Randy Woods (Los Angeles Clippers)
- Doug Christie (Seattle SuperSonics)
- Tracy Murray (San Antonio Spurs)
- Don MacLean (Detroit Pistons)
- Hubert Davis (New York Knicks)
- Jon Barry (Boston Celtics)
- Oliver Miller (Phoenix Suns)
- Lee Mayberry (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Latrell Sprewell (Golden State Warriors)
- Elmore Spencer (Los Angeles Clippers)
- Dave Johnson (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Byron Houston (Chicago Bulls)
SECOND ROUND PICKS
- Marlon Maxey (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- P.J. Brown (New Jersey Nets)
- Sean Rooks (Dallas Mavericks)
- Reggie Smith (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Brent Price (Washinton Bullets)
- Corey Williams (Chicago Bulls)
- Chris Smith (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Tony Bennet (Charlotte Hornets)
- Duane Cooper (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Isaiah Morris (Miami Heat)
- Elmer Bennet (Atlanta Hawks)
- Litterial Green (Chicago Bulls)
- Steve Rogers (New Jersey Nets)
- Popeye Jones (Houston Rockets)
- Matt Geiger (Miami Heat)
- Predrag Danilovic (Golden State Warriors)
- Henry Williams (San Antonio Spurs)
- Chris King (Seattle SuperSonics)
- Robert Werdann (Denver Nuggets)
- Darren Morningstar (Boston Celtics)
- Brian Davis (Phoenix Suns)
- Ron Ellis (Phoenix Suns)
- Matt Fish (Golden State Warriors)
- Tim Burroughs (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Matt Steigenga (Chicago Bulls)
- Curtis Blair (Houston Rockets)
- Brett Roberts (Sacramento Kings)
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal established himself as the best player among all 1992 NBA draught picks after having one of the most successful rookie seasons in NBA history. Over a 19-year career with six different teams, he averaged 23.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG, and shot 58.2% from the field. He is best known for his eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he helped lead them to three NBA championships, but he also had significant success with the Orlando Magic, where he led them to the 1995 NBA finals, and the Miami Heat, where he helped them win a championship in 2005-2006.
O’Neal was named to 15 all-star teams, including the All-NBA First Team eight times, the All-NBA Second Team twice, and the All-NBA Third Team four times. He was named one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time, as well as a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, after winning three NBA finals MVPs and one regular season MVP. In 2016, O’Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
He has also made significant contributions as a successful businessman, amassing a $400 million net worth, and is actively involved in many charitable organisations. O’Neal currently co-hosts the award-winning and highly entertaining NBA TNT Overtime show with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley.
Also Read:
How Much Does Steph Curry Make In A Year
“I Love That Dude” – Stephen Curry Wants GSW To Trade For “Misunderstood” Kevin Durant
