Held on June 29, 1994, at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, the 1994 NBA Draft is remembered as one of the deepest and most influential classes of the 1990s.
While it lacked a franchise-altering superstar in the mold of Michael Jordan or Shaquille O’Neal, it produced a pair of Hall-of-Fame big men, a trail-blazing international icon, and a long tail of starters, All-Stars, and key role players who shaped the league for the next decade and beyond.
First-Round Snapshot
| Pick | Team | Player | Pos. | College/Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee Bucks | Glenn Robinson | SF | Purdue |
| 2 | Dallas Mavericks | Jason Kidd | PG | California |
| 3 | Detroit Pistons | Grant Hill | SF | Duke |
| 4 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Donyell Marshall | SF | UConn |
| 5 | Washington Bullets | Juwan Howard | PF | Michigan |
| 6 | Philadelphia 76ers | Sharone Wright | C | Clemson |
| 7 | Sacramento Kings | Brian Grant | PF | Xavier |
| 8 | Boston Celtics | Eric Montross | C | North Carolina |
| 9 | Denver Nuggets | Eric Piatkowski | SG | Nebraska |
| 10 | L.A. Lakers | Eddie Jones | SG | Temple |
Note: Jason Kidd and Grant Hill shared Co-Rookie of the Year honors in 1995.
The Big Three Headliners
- Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson – A 6’7″ scoring machine from Purdue, Robinson signed a then-record 10-year, $68 million rookie deal and averaged 21.9 PPG across eight seasons in Milwaukee.
- Jason Kidd – The pass-first floor general who immediately turned a 13-win Dallas team into a 36-win playoff squad. He retired second all-time in assists (12,091) and first in triple-doubles (107) among active players.
- Grant Hill – The versatile Duke product who was pegged as the next Jordan. Injuries derailed his prime, but he still amassed seven All-Star nods and a 19-year career.
International Pioneer: The Arrival of Dirk
In the second round, the Milwaukee Bucks used the 20th pick on an athletic 7-footer from Würzburg, Germany: Dirk Nowitzki. Traded moments later to Dallas for Robert “Tractor” Traylor, Nowitzki would become the greatest European player in NBA history, a 2011 champion, 2007 MVP, and the league’s sixth-leading career scorer (31,560).
Hidden Gems & Role-Player Gold
| Round | Pick | Player | Value Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 33 | Aaron McKie | Philly’s lock-down wing, 2001 Sixth Man of the Year |
| 2 | 36 | Doron Sheffer | Israeli combo guard, short but productive stint |
| 2 | 40 | Michael Smith | Double-double machine for Sacramento |
| 2 | 41 | Antonio Lang | Cleveland’s defensive stopper |
| 2 | 42 | Howard Eisley | Utah’s clutch backup PG on two Finals teams |
| 2 | 50 | Eric Snow | Defensive-minded PG, later an All-Star in 2003 |
Biggest Busts & What-Ifs
The biggest “busts” of the 1994 NBA Draft generally refer to players drafted high who did not live up to their draft position, while the biggest “what-if” centers on the career-altering injuries to star player Grant Hill.
Biggest Busts
While the 1994 draft produced several long-tenured and successful NBA players, some high picks did not pan out as expected.
- Donyell Marshall (No. 4 overall, Minnesota Timberwolves): Drafted after a dominant college career at UConn, Marshall was expected to be a cornerstone player. While he had a long 15-year career, his performance in his initial years with the Timberwolves was considered underwhelming for a fourth overall pick, especially compared to later success he found as a role player/sharpshooter.
- Sharone Wright (No. 6 overall, Philadelphia 76ers): Wright lasted only four seasons in the NBA, failing to make a significant impact after being a top-10 selection.
- Eric Montross (No. 9 overall, Boston Celtics): The 7-footer from North Carolina was a formidable college player, but his game did not translate well to the NBA. He averaged only 4.5 points and 4.6 rebounds over his eight-year career, far below expectations for a ninth overall pick.
- Yinka Dare (No. 14 overall, New Jersey Nets): Considered one of the most significant busts of the draft, Dare played only 110 games across four seasons, averaging just 2.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Biggest What-Ifs
The primary “what-if” of the 1994 draft revolves around the potential career trajectory of a future Hall of Famer.
- Grant Hill’s Injuries: Drafted third overall by the Detroit Pistons, Grant Hill was an immediate sensation, sharing Rookie of the Year honors with Jason Kidd and quickly becoming a perennial All-Star and an elite, all-around talent. Many believed he was on track to be one of the top players of all time. However, a series of severe ankle injuries early in his career, particularly after signing with the Orlando Magic, robbed him of his elite athleticism and explosiveness. The “what-if” ponders just how great Hill’s career would have been had he stayed healthy, potentially reaching the highest echelons of NBA history.
- B.J. Tyler’s Career-Ending Accident: A lesser-known “what-if” involves B.J. Tyler, the 20th overall pick. After his rookie season, he signed a significant contract with the Toronto Raptors but suffered severe, long-term nerve damage in his ankle after falling asleep with an ice pack on it. The injury prematurely ended his career at age 24, leaving the league to wonder about the potential of the quick point guard.
Career Achievements & Accolades
- Hall of Fame inductees: Jason Kidd (2018), Grant Hill (2018), Dirk Nowitzki (2023).
- Rookie of the Year: Kidd & Hill (tie) – only split award in modern NBA history.
- Championship rings: Nowitzki (2011), Kidd (2011), McKie (2001), Snow (2001).
- All-NBA selections: Kidd (6), Hill (5), Nowitzki (12).
- All-Defensive teams: Kidd (9), Eddie Jones (3), Eric Snow (1).
Legacy & Impact on the Modern Game
- International Scouting Boom – Nowitzki’s success convinced GMs to mine Europe, paving the way for Giannis, Luka, and Jokić.
- Positional Versatility – Hill’s point-forward style pre-dated today’s positionless NBA.
- Two-Way Guards – Kidd and Eddie Jones set the template for 6’4″–6’6″ guards who defend multiple spots and initiate offense.
- Rookie Salary Cap Catalyst – Glenn Robinson’s $68 million deal helped trigger the 1995 lockout and eventual rookie-scale contracts.
Fun Facts & Draft Night Tidbits
- Co-Rookies of the Year: For the first time since the 1970-71 season, two players shared the NBA Rookie of the Year award: Jason Kidd (2nd pick, Dallas Mavericks) and Grant Hill (3rd pick, Detroit Pistons).
- Record-Setting Rookie Contract: First overall pick Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson (Milwaukee Bucks) held out for a record-setting contract. He reportedly sought $100 million before settling on a 10-year, $68 million deal. This unprecedented rookie deal directly led the NBA to implement a fixed rookie salary cap the following season.
- Last Draft with Top 3 All-Stars on Original Teams: The 1994 draft is the last one to date where all of the first three picks (Robinson, Kidd, and Hill) went on to make an All-Star roster with the team that originally drafted them.
- The “Fab Five” Connection: Two prominent members of the University of Michigan’s renowned “Fab Five” team were drafted in the first round: Juwan Howard (5th pick, Washington Bullets) and Jalen Rose (13th pick, Denver Nuggets).
- Hall of Fame Class: Jason Kidd and Grant Hill were both inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Diverse Paths to Success: Only five players from this draft class were selected to an All-Star team at any point in their careers (Hill, Kidd, Robinson, Howard, and Eddie Jones). However, many other draftees, such as Aaron McKie (17th pick, 76ers), enjoyed productive, long careers and even won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.
- Future Head Coach: Monty Williams, selected with the 24th overall pick by the New York Knicks, went on to have a long playing career and later became a successful NBA head coach.
- International Reach: The draft included international prospects, such as Yinka Dare (14th pick) from Nigeria and Željko Rebrača (54th pick) from Yugoslavia, highlighting the league’s growing global reach.
Where Are They Now?
Most 1994 NBA draft athletes are now retired, working in various roles such as coaching, team management, or media, with a few exceptions still involved in basketball-related activities. For example, Jason Kidd is a successful coach, while Grant Hill is a co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks, and Glenn Robinson is currently less visible.
Former players
- Jason Kidd: Drafted second overall, Kidd is now a successful head coach for the Dallas Mavericks.
- Grant Hill: Drafted third overall, Hill is a basketball analyst and co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks.
- Glenn Robinson: The first overall pick, “The Big Dog” has largely remained out of the spotlight since his retirement.
- Eddie Jones: A multiple-time All-Star, Jones is a basketball analyst and mentor.
- Jalen Rose: The player drafted in the first round, Rose is a well-known basketball analyst and media personality.
- Jamal Mashburn: Drafted fourth overall, Mashburn has become a successful entrepreneur and businessman.
- Others: Many other players from the 1994 draft have retired from professional basketball and pursued other careers or interests.
Other roles
- Some players have gone on to have successful careers in other fields, such as coaching, player development, or management.
- Some players are still involved in the basketball world as coaches, scouts, or analysts.
- Some players have become entrepreneurs, while others have retired to spend more time with their families.
Conclusion
Twenty-nine years later, the 1994 draft stands as a bridge between the Jordan era and the modern, global NBA. It delivered three Hall-of-Famers, a generation of elite role players, and the first true European superstar. While it never produced a singular megastar, its collective impact—on style, scouting, and salary structure—still echoes through today’s game.