For the first time in franchise history, the New York Liberty have the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft. If they select Sabrina Ionescu, they’ll be taking the NCAA leader in triple-doubles.
History has been kind to No. 1 picks in the WNBA. Seven of the 23 No. 1s have gone on to win an MVP, and 18 have been named All-Stars in their careers. New York metro teams, however, haven’t fared as well with top picks. In the lottery draft era (since 1985), New York metro teams have had 16 top-five picks (Nets, six; Liberty, six; Knicks, four) who played at least one game for the franchise that drafted them. Only eight have made at least one All-Star Game in their careers.
Patrick Ewing
Knicks legend Ewing was drafted first overall in 1985 and spent all but the last two seasons of his 17-year career in New York. He made 11 All-Star teams, and his No. 33 jersey was raised to the Madison Square Garden rafters in 2003. Noren Trotman/NBAE via Getty Images
Derrick Coleman
Kenny Anderson
Kym Hampton
Kenyon Martin
It has been 20 years since a pro basketball team in the New York City metro area had the top pick. The Nets drafted Kenyon Martin No. 1 overall in 2000 and he lit up the 2004 All-Star Game with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Jesse D Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
