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1998 NBA draft
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| 1998 NBA draft | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Date | June 24, 1998 |
| Location | General Motors Place (Vancouver, British Columbia) |
| Networks | TNT, TSN |
| Overview | |
| 58 total selections in 2 rounds | |
| League | NBA |
| First selection | Michael Olowokandi (Los Angeles Clippers) |
| Hall of Famers | 3
|
The 1998 NBA draft took place on June 24, 1998, at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This draft helped turn around four struggling franchises: the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings, the Boston Celtics, and the Toronto Raptors.
The Vancouver Grizzlies and the Toronto Raptors were not able to win the NBA draft lottery; as they were expansion teams, they were not allowed to select first in this draft.
The Mavericks, despite having a talented nucleus of Jason Kidd, Jamal Mashburn and Jimmy Jackson in the mid-1990s, had not had a winning season since 1989-90, which was also the last time they made the playoffs. By the end of the 1997 season, all three players were traded and it was time to rebuild. With the sixth selection in 1998, they drafted Robert Traylor and quickly traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks for Dirk Nowitzki and Pat Garrity. They then traded Garrity in a package to the Phoenix Suns for Steve Nash. With Nash and Nowitzki, the Mavericks quickly went from a lottery team in the late 1990s to a perennial playoff contender throughout the 2000s. Nowitzki went on to win the 2011 NBA Finals with Dallas without Nash, but with Kidd.
Meanwhile, the Raptors were a recent expansion team that had failed to win more than 30 games in its first three seasons. With the fourth pick they selected Antawn Jamison, whom they quickly dealt to the Golden State Warriors for Vince Carter. Carter went on to win Rookie of the Year.
First overall pick Michael Olowokandi from mid-major University of the Pacific is regarded by Sports Illustrated as one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history.[1] As of February 2019, he is the last top selection to come out of a university that is considered mid-major.
Five players from the 1998 draft class played in the NBA All-Star Game at least once in their careers: Nowitzki, Carter, Jamison, Paul Pierce and Rashard Lewis. All of them except Lewis scored at least 20,000 career points.
Carter retired in 2020, making him the last active player drafted in the 1990s to retire. He set the record for most seasons played in the NBA with 22, becoming the first player to ever appear in NBA games in four different decades. Nowitzki missed the same four-decade status by nine months, retiring from the Mavericks in April 2019 as the first player to ever spend more than 20 NBA seasons with one team.
Draft selections
[edit]
| PG | Point guard | SG | Shooting guard | SF | Small forward | PF | Power forward | C | Center |
| ^ | Denotes player who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| * | Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game and All-NBA Team |
| + | Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game |
| # | Denotes player who has never appeared in an NBA regular-season or playoff game |
| ~ | Denotes player who has been selected as Rookie of the Year |
Notable undrafted players
[edit]
These players eligible for the 1998 NBA Draft were not selected but played at least one game in the NBA.
| Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earl Boykins | PG |  United States
|
Eastern Michigan (Sr.) |
| Gerald Brown | SG | United States
|
Pepperdine (Sr.) |
| Anthony Carter | PG | United States
|
Hawaii (Sr.) |
| Sean Colson | PG | United States
|
Charlotte (Sr.) |
| Steve Goodrich | PF/C | United States
|
Princeton (Sr.) |
| Zendon Hamilton | C | United States
|
St. John's (Sr.) |
| Randell Jackson | PF | United States
|
Florida State (Jr.) |
| Mike James | PG | United States
|
Duquesne (Sr.) |
| Šarūnas Jasikevičius | PG |  Lithuania
|
Maryland (Sr.) |
| Charles Jones | SG | United States
|
LIU Brooklyn (Sr.) |
| Mark Jones | SF | United States
|
UCF (Sr.) |
| Kelly McCarty | SG | United States
|
Southern Miss (Sr.) |
| Slava Medvedenko | PF |  Ukraine
|
Budivelnyk Kyiv (Ukraine) |
| Brad Miller+ | C | United States
|
Purdue (Sr.) |
| Makhtar N'Diaye | PF |  Senegal
|
North Carolina (Sr.) |
| Tyrone Nesby | SF | United States
|
UNLV (Sr.) |
| Daniel Santiago | C |  Puerto Rico
|
Saint Vincent (Sr.) |
| Jeff Sheppard | G | United States
|
Kentucky (Sr.) |
| Billy Thomas | SG | United States
|
Kansas (Sr.) |
| Óscar Torres | SF/SG |  Venezuela
|
Marinos (Venezuela) |
Early entrants
[edit]College underclassmen
[edit]Much like last year, this year initially saw 40 total players classified as underclassmen entering the NBA draft. However, seven players from this year's draft would later withdraw their names from entry, with Bud Eley from Southeast Missouri State University, Rico Harris from Los Angeles City College, the Yugoslavian-Greek born Marko Jarić from the Peristeri B.C. of Greece, the Bosnian-Greek born Saša Marković-Theodorakis from the Panionios B.C. in Athens, Greece, Lee Nailon from Texas Christian University, Lamar Odom from the University of Rhode Island, and the Greek born Dimitrios Papanikolaou from the Olympiacos Piraeus B.C. in Greece all withdrawing their entries into this year's draft. Including four different players that came directly from high school into the NBA draft (three of which actually became drafted) and three overseas players that successfully stayed into the NBA draft, the number of underclassmen would jump up from 26 total college players to 33 overall. Regardless, the following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[2]
Rafer Alston – G, Fresno State (junior)- Corey Benjamin – G, Oregon State (sophomore)
- Mike Bibby – G, Arizona (sophomore)
- Chandar Bingham – F, Virginia Union (sophomore)
- Marcus Bullard – G, Auburn Montgomery (junior)
- Vince Carter – F/G, North Carolina (junior)
- Wayne Clark – G, Park (freshman)
- Tim Cole – G, Northeast Mississippi CC (sophomore)
- Peter Cornell – C, Loyola Marymount (junior)
- Arthur Davis – G, St. Joseph's (sophomore)
- Ricky Davis – F/G, Iowa (freshman)
- Tremaine Fowlkes – F, Fresno State (junior)
- Larry Hughes – G, Saint Louis (freshman)
- Randell Jackson – F, Florida State (junior)
- Jerome James – C, Florida A&M (junior)
- Antawn Jamison – F, North Carolina (junior)
- Tyronn Lue – G, Nebraska (junior)
- Jelani McCoy – F/C, UCLA (junior)
- Mark Miller – G, UIC (junior)
- Nazr Mohammed – F/C, Kentucky (junior)
- Paul Pierce – G/F, Kansas (junior)
- Adam Roberts – G, San Francisco State (junior)
- James Spears – F, Shaw (junior)
- Robert Traylor – F, Michigan (junior)
- Winfred Walton – F, Fresno State (sophomore)
- Jason Williams – G, Florida (sophomore)
High school players
[edit]Had Lamar Odom declared entry into this year's draft like he planned on doing, he would not have represented St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, Connecticut due to him already declaring entry into college this year, but having academic troubles to qualify for collegiate play. That being said, this would be the fourth year in a row where at least one high school player would declare entry into the NBA draft after previously only doing it back in 1975. The following high school players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[2]
- Al Harrington – F, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, New Jersey)
- Rashard Lewis – F, Alief Elsik HS (Houston, Texas)
- Ellis Richardson – G, Polytechnic (Los Angeles, California)
- Korleone Young – F, Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Virginia)
International players
[edit]In addition to the players below, three more players from Greece initially declared entry for this year's draft, but ultimately withdrew their names for one reason or another. The following international players successfully applied for early draft entrance.[2]
Slava Medvedenko – F, Budivelnyk Kiev (Ukraine)
Dirk Nowitzki – F, DJK Würzburg (Germany)
Bruno Šundov – C, Split (Croatia)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Sports Illustrated photo gallery". Archived from the original on June 27, 2005.
- ^ a b c "1998 Underclassmen". The Draft Review. August 4, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
External links
[edit]- "Official website". NBA.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2001. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - 1998 NBA Draft at Basketball-Reference.com
1998 NBA draft
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The 1998 NBA Draft was the 52nd annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA), held on June 24, 1998, at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[1] This event marked the first time the NBA Draft was conducted outside the United States, coinciding with the league's expansion to include the Vancouver Grizzlies.[2] The draft consisted of two rounds comprising 58 total selections, with 56 players ultimately appearing in at least one NBA game.[1]
The Los Angeles Clippers held the first overall pick and selected center Michael Olowokandi from the University of the Pacific, a 7-foot Nigerian-born player who was expected to anchor their frontcourt but ultimately became one of the draft's most notable busts, averaging just 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds over nine NBA seasons.[1] Subsequent lottery picks included point guard Mike Bibby (second overall, Vancouver Grizzlies, University of Arizona), who enjoyed a solid 14-year career as a starter; power forward Raef LaFrentz (third overall, Denver Nuggets, University of Kansas); and forward Antawn Jamison (fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors (traded to the Golden State Warriors), University of North Carolina), a 16-year veteran who made one All-Star appearance in 2008.[1][3]
Despite early promise in the top selections, the 1998 draft class is best remembered for its late-lottery gems that produced three Hall of Famers and transformed franchises. Vince Carter, selected fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors (immediately traded to the Toronto Raptors, University of North Carolina), became an eight-time All-Star and Hall of Famer (inducted 2024) renowned for his athletic dunks and longevity across 22 seasons.[1] Dirk Nowitzki, selected ninth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks (traded to the Dallas Mavericks on draft night, DJK Würzburg), was the Mavericks' pick despite head coach Don Nelson favoring Paul Pierce, as Nelson's son ensured they stuck to their commitment to Nowitzki;[4] he revolutionized the power forward position as a 14-time All-Star, 2007 NBA MVP, 2011 NBA champion and Finals MVP, and Hall of Famer (inducted 2023), amassing over 31,000 career points.[1] Paul Pierce, picked tenth overall by the Boston Celtics (University of Kansas), emerged as a 10-time All-Star, 2008 NBA champion and Finals MVP, and Hall of Famer (inducted 2021), leading the Celtics to renewed success after a decade of struggles.[1] Other contributors from the class included flashy point guard Jason Williams (seventh overall, Sacramento Kings, University of Florida), a fan favorite for his no-look passes, and second-round steals like Rashard Lewis (32nd overall, Seattle SuperSonics, independent), a two-time All-Star who scored 15,579 career points[5] and helped the Orlando Magic reach the 2009 NBA Finals.[1]
The draft's international flavor was evident, with Nowitzki as the highest European selected and Olowokandi representing growing global talent pipelines, though the class's overall impact was mixed—highlighted by superstar longevity but tempered by several high picks who underperformed relative to expectations.[1]
Note: The Orlando Magic acquired the Wizards' pick through a prior trade.[1][14]
Introduced in 1985 to curb intentional tanking by poor-performing teams, the lottery promotes parity by introducing an element of chance, preventing the worst record from guaranteeing the top pick since 1985. The 1998 outcome illustrated this mechanism's effectiveness, as the Clippers—a franchise mired in mediocrity with only one playoff appearance in the prior 15 years—defied low expectations to claim the No. 1 selection, providing an unexpected opportunity for rebuilding amid a competitive draft class.[11]
The Philadelphia 76ers selected guard Larry Hughes eighth overall from Saint Louis University, a move often criticized in hindsight as they passed on future Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki (ninth) and Paul Pierce (tenth).[29][30]
Several trades defined the round's immediate dynamics. The fifth and fourth picks were swapped when the Toronto Raptors traded Antawn Jamison to the Golden State Warriors for Vince Carter, positioning the athletic Carter as an instant franchise cornerstone for Toronto with his explosive dunking potential. Similarly, the Dallas Mavericks acquired Dirk Nowitzki and Pat Garrity from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Robert Traylor, instantly injecting international skill and shooting into Dallas's rebuilding roster. Other notable moves included the Houston Rockets trading Michael Dickerson to the Vancouver Grizzlies for cash considerations, the Denver Nuggets sending Tyronn Lue to the Los Angeles Lakers for Nick Van Exel, the San Antonio Spurs flipping Felipe López to Vancouver for Antonio Daniels, and the Utah Jazz dealing Nazr Mohammed to Philadelphia for a future first-round pick. Paul Pierce, taken tenth by the Boston Celtics, entered the league as a highly touted scorer from Kansas, expected to revitalize the franchise with his offensive versatility.[28][31]
Among the hidden gems, Rashard Lewis stood out as a high school selection at No. 32 by the Seattle SuperSonics, evolving into a versatile forward with 16 NBA seasons, two All-Star appearances, and over 15,000 career points while anchoring Seattle's early-2000s contention.[32] Cuttino Mobley, taken 41st by the Houston Rockets from Rhode Island, emerged as a defensive specialist and scorer, earning three All-Star nods and helping the Rockets' backcourt during the post-Hakeem Olajuwon era before trades to Orlando and Philadelphia. Rafer Alston, drafted 39th by the Milwaukee Bucks out of Fresno State, brought unique streetball skills to the NBA, playing 11 seasons and contributing to the 2006 champion Miami Heat as a point guard known for his crossover dribble.
Other impactful selections included Ruben Patterson at No. 31, whose athleticism made him a tenacious defender across multiple teams over 13 years, and Jahidi White at No. 43, a rebounding force for the Wizards and Bulls who led the league in offensive rebounds in 2000-01. The round's higher bust rate was evident in players like Bruno Šundov and Casey Shaw, who appeared in fewer than 100 games combined, underscoring the risks of late-draft investments but also the occasional rewards for patient development.[32]
Background
Overview
The 1998 NBA draft took place on June 24, 1998, at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[2][1] It featured 58 total selections divided into two rounds, with the first 13 picks determined by the NBA draft lottery for the 13 teams that missed the playoffs in the 1997–98 season.[1][6] This draft unfolded amid the NBA's expansion into Canada, highlighted by the addition of the Vancouver Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors as franchises in 1995, which positioned these teams for high selections as they built from poor initial records.[7][8] The class represented a transitional talent pool, blending future Hall of Famers like Dirk Nowitzki—selected ninth overall as a pioneering international prospect—and Paul Pierce, taken tenth, with high-profile disappointments such as the first overall pick Michael Olowokandi.[9][10]Draft lottery
The NBA draft lottery for the 1998 draft was conducted on May 17, 1998, at the NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. It involved the 13 teams that failed to qualify for the 1997–98 playoffs, determining the order of the first 13 draft picks, with the weighted drawing of ping-pong balls used to select the teams for the top three positions. Under the system in place since 1994, each non-playoff team was assigned between 1 and 250 of 1,000 possible combinations based on reverse order of their regular-season records, with the worst-performing team receiving the most combinations and thus the highest probability of landing the No. 1 pick. However, league rules for expansion franchises restricted the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies—entering their second season—from eligibility for the top overall selection; their assigned combinations were proportionally redistributed among the 11 eligible teams, slightly boosting odds for others.[11][12] The Denver Nuggets held the worst record at 11–71 and thus the highest odds at 35.9% for the No. 1 pick following the redistribution. The Los Angeles Clippers (17–65) ranked second in odds at 22.6%, while probabilities decreased for subsequent eligible teams: Golden State Warriors (19–63) at approximately 15.6%, Dallas Mavericks (20–62) at 11.9%, and so on down to the Washington Wizards (42–40) at 0.2%. This structure ensured no lottery team could fall more than three spots from its reverse-record position (to No. 3), with picks 4–13 assigned in inverse order of records if not moved up by the drawing.[13][11][7] The drawing resulted in the Clippers securing the No. 1 pick, a significant jump from their pre-lottery position. The expansion Grizzlies and Raptors were permitted to participate for picks 2–3 (and beyond), landing at Nos. 2 and 4, respectively. The final lottery-determined order for the top 13 picks was as follows:| Pre-Lottery Rank | Team | Record | Post-Lottery Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver Nuggets | 11–71 | 3 |
| 2 | Toronto Raptors | 16–66 | 4 |
| 3 | Los Angeles Clippers | 17–65 | 1 |
| 4 | Vancouver Grizzlies | 19–63 | 2 |
| 5 | Golden State Warriors | 19–63 | 5 |
| 6 | Dallas Mavericks | 20–62 | 6 |
| 7 | Sacramento Kings | 27–55 | 7 |
| 8 | Philadelphia 76ers | 31–51 | 8 |
| 9 | Milwaukee Bucks | 36–46 | 9 |
| 10 | Boston Celtics | 36–46 | 10 |
| 11 | Detroit Pistons | 37–45 | 11 |
| 12 | Orlando Magic | 41–41 | 12 |
| 13 | Washington Wizards | 42–40 | 13 |
Eligibility
Early entrants
The 1998 NBA draft featured 29 early entrants who declared their eligibility ahead of the June 24 draft date, comprising 26 U.S. college underclassmen and 3 international players; underclassmen could withdraw up to 10 days prior (June 14, 1998).[15][16] These declarations allowed prospects to test NBA interest while retaining the option to return to school if undrafted or if they chose to withdraw. College underclassmen dominated the early entry pool, with many juniors and sophomores forgoing remaining eligibility to pursue professional opportunities amid rising player salaries and scouting exposure. Antawn Jamison, a junior forward from the University of North Carolina, exemplified this trend; after leading the Tar Heels to the Final Four and earning national player of the year honors, he averaged 22.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in the 1997-98 season, declaring early to capitalize on projections as a lottery pick.[17][18] Rafer Alston, a junior guard from Fresno State, also entered as a notable exception in his academic timeline—he had transferred from community college and was effectively in his fifth year of postsecondary play—averaging 11.0 points and 7.3 assists per game while showcasing elite playmaking and streetball creativity that drew NBA scouts.[19][15] Other prominent college declarants included Paul Pierce (junior, Kansas; 20.4 points per game), Vince Carter (junior, North Carolina; 14.2 points per game), and Mike Bibby (sophomore, Arizona; 14.8 points and 7.0 assists per game), each motivated by strong junior or sophomore campaigns and the financial incentives of early professional entry. International players added diversity to the entrant list, reflecting growing global scouting by NBA teams. Dirk Nowitzki, a 19-year-old power forward from Germany playing for DJK Würzburg in the country's second division, declared after a breakout 1997-98 season where he shot 56.1% from the field over 20 games, averaging 28.2 points and 9.9 rebounds while developing his signature shooting range under mentor Holger Geschwindner.[20][21] The other international entrants were Bruno Sundov, a 7-foot-2 center from Croatia with professional experience in European clubs like Split and Zrinjevac, and Slava Medvedenko, a 6-foot-10 power forward from Ukraine who had played for Azovmash Mariupol in domestic leagues, both seeking to bring size and skill from overseas circuits to the NBA.[15] While the direct entry of high school players into the NBA had emerged as a trend following Kevin Garnett's selection in 1995—enabled by NBA rules allowing U.S. players at least one year removed from high school graduation—the 1998 early entry list focused on college and international prospects, with high school declarations handled separately under eligibility guidelines that did not yet require the same formal underclassmen process. Notable high school entrants included Al Harrington from St. Patrick High School in New Jersey and Rashard Lewis from Alief Elsik High School in Texas, who tested the professional waters amid ongoing league discussions about maturity and development; two such players were ultimately selected in the draft.[1][22]Draft rules and process
The eligibility criteria for the 1998 NBA draft were governed by Article X of the 1995 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. U.S.-based players were required to be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft and to have graduated from high school at least one year prior. International players faced slightly different standards, needing to be at least 18 years old and not otherwise ineligible under FIBA regulations or other international governing bodies. College underclassmen interested in entering the draft had to formally declare their intentions by late May 1998, typically around May 21, allowing them to test the waters without immediately forfeiting NCAA eligibility.[23][24] The draft itself consisted of two rounds, with each of the league's 29 teams awarded one selection per round, resulting in 58 total picks. The event took place on June 24, 1998, at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, marking the first time the NBA draft was hosted outside the United States and in Canada, organized by the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies. NBA Commissioner David Stern presided over the proceedings, announcing each selection from the stage as teams made their choices in reverse order of the previous season's standings, beginning with the worst-performing team. Prior to the draft, the evaluation process included the annual NBA Pre-Draft Camp held in Chicago in early June 1998, where invited prospects underwent physical measurements, athletic testing, medical evaluations, and scrimmages to aid team scouting. Individual workouts with specific teams also occurred throughout May and June, often at team facilities or neutral sites.[1][25] Unique procedural elements in 1998 emphasized protections for amateur players' futures. Underclassmen who declared early could withdraw their names from consideration up to 10 days before the draft—June 14 in this case—provided they had not signed with an agent, a rule designed to preserve their college eligibility under NCAA guidelines. NCAA regulations strictly prohibited agent contact for players intending to return to school, with violations risking permanent ineligibility; this led many prospects to forgo representation during the pre-draft period. Additionally, while high school players were eligible under the CBA if they met the age and graduation requirements, advisory opinions from the NCAA discouraged direct entry due to potential impacts on academic and athletic eligibility. These rules balanced the league's interest in young talent with safeguards against premature professional commitments.[26][27]Selections
First round
The first round of the 1998 NBA Draft featured 29 selections, one for each of the league's 29 teams. Held on June 24, 1998, at General Motors Place in Vancouver, Canada, the round emphasized international talent and college standouts, with several draft-day trades altering final destinations for key prospects. The Los Angeles Clippers kicked off the proceedings by selecting center Michael Olowokandi from the University of the Pacific first overall, viewed as a defensive anchor to bolster their frontcourt.[1][28] The selections, adjusted for draft-day trades, are presented below. Positions are abbreviated as G (guard), F (forward), or C (center), with some players listed as G/F or F/C for versatility.| Pick | Player | Team | Position | College/Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Olowokandi | Los Angeles Clippers | C | Pacific |
| 2 | Mike Bibby | Vancouver Grizzlies | G | Arizona |
| 3 | Raef LaFrentz | Denver Nuggets | F/C | Kansas |
| 4 | Antawn Jamison | Golden State Warriors | F | North Carolina |
| 5 | Vince Carter | Toronto Raptors | G/F | North Carolina |
| 6 | Robert Traylor | Milwaukee Bucks | F/C | Michigan |
| 7 | Jason Williams | Sacramento Kings | G | Florida |
| 8 | Larry Hughes | Philadelphia 76ers | G | Saint Louis |
| 9 | Dirk Nowitzki | Dallas Mavericks | F | DJK Würzburg (Germany) |
| 10 | Paul Pierce | Boston Celtics | F | Kansas |
| 11 | Bonzi Wells | Detroit Pistons | G/F | Ball State |
| 12 | Michael Doleac | Orlando Magic | C | Utah |
| 13 | Keon Clark | Orlando Magic | F/C | UNLV |
| 14 | Michael Dickerson | Vancouver Grizzlies | G | Arizona |
| 15 | Matt Harpring | Orlando Magic | F | Georgia Tech |
| 16 | Bryce Drew | Houston Rockets | G | Valparaiso |
| 17 | Rasho Nesterović | Minnesota Timberwolves | C | Kinder Bologna (Italy) |
| 18 | Mirsad Türkcan | Houston Rockets | F | Efes Pilsen (Turkey) |
| 19 | Pat Garrity | Dallas Mavericks | F | Notre Dame |
| 20 | Roshown McLeod | Atlanta Hawks | F | Duke |
| 21 | Ricky Davis | Charlotte Hornets | G/F | Iowa |
| 22 | Brian Skinner | Los Angeles Clippers | F/C | Baylor |
| 23 | Tyronn Lue | Los Angeles Lakers | G | Nebraska |
| 24 | Felipe López | Vancouver Grizzlies | G | St. John's |
| 25 | Al Harrington | Indiana Pacers | F | St. Patrick (Elizabeth, New Jersey) |
| 26 | Sam Jacobson | Los Angeles Lakers | G | Minnesota |
| 27 | Vladimir Stepania | Seattle SuperSonics | C | Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) |
| 28 | Corey Benjamin | Chicago Bulls | G | Oregon State |
| 29 | Nazr Mohammed | Philadelphia 76ers | C | Kentucky |
Second round
The second round of the 1998 NBA draft consisted of picks 30 through 58 and produced several undervalued talents who became key contributors in the league, despite the round's reputation for higher uncertainty and shorter contracts compared to first-round selections. Drafted on June 24, 1998, in Vancouver, Canada, these players often came from mid-major colleges or unconventional backgrounds, reflecting teams' willingness to gamble on potential amid the era's rookie wage scale that limited second-round salaries to typically two-year deals starting around $300,000 annually.[1][32] While many selections had limited NBA impact, the class included All-Stars and role players who provided long-term value, contrasting the first round's more immediate star power.[28] The following table lists all second-round selections, including the drafting team, player, position, and college or background. Several picks involved trades, with rights often conveyed on draft night for immediate roster needs or future assets.[1][3]| Pick | Drafting Team | Player | Position | College/Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Dallas Mavericks | Ansu Sesay | F | Ole Miss (Sr) |
| 31 | Los Angeles Lakers | Ruben Patterson | G/F | Cincinnati (Sr) |
| 32 | Seattle SuperSonics | Rashard Lewis | F | Alief Elsik HS (TX) |
| 33 | Seattle SuperSonics | Jelani McCoy | F/C | UCLA (Jr) |
| 34 | Chicago Bulls (traded to Atlanta Hawks) | Shammond Williams | G | North Carolina (Sr) |
| 35 | Dallas Mavericks | Bruno Šundov | C | KK Split (Croatia) |
| 36 | Sacramento Kings | Jerome James | C | Florida A&M (Jr) |
| 37 | Philadelphia 76ers | Casey Shaw | C | Toledo (Sr) |
| 38 | New York Knicks | De'Marco Johnson | F | UNC Charlotte (Sr) |
| 39 | Milwaukee Bucks | Rafer Alston | G | Fresno State (Jr) |
| 40 | Detroit Pistons | Korleone Young | F | Hargrave Military Academy (VA) |
| 41 | Houston Rockets | Cuttino Mobley | G | Rhode Island (Sr) |
| 42 | Orlando Magic | Miles Simon | G | Arizona (Sr) |
| 43 | Washington Wizards | Jahidi White | F/C | Georgetown (Sr) |
| 44 | New York Knicks (traded to Toronto Raptors) | Sean Marks | F/C | California (Sr) |
| 45 | Los Angeles Lakers (traded to Phoenix Suns) | Toby Bailey | G | UCLA (Sr) |
| 46 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Andrae Patterson | F | Indiana (Sr) |
| 47 | Toronto Raptors (traded to Denver Nuggets) | Tyson Wheeler | G | Rhode Island (Sr) |
| 48 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Ryan Stack | F/C | South Carolina (Sr) |
| 49 | Atlanta Hawks (traded to Chicago Bulls) | Cory Carr | G | Texas Tech (Sr) |
| 50 | Charlotte Hornets (traded to Indiana Pacers) | Andrew Betts | C | Long Beach State (Sr) |
| 51 | Miami Heat | Corey Brewer | G | Oklahoma (Sr) |
| 52 | San Antonio Spurs | Derrick Dial | G | Eastern Michigan (Sr) |
| 53 | Dallas Mavericks | Greg Buckner | G/F | Clemson (Sr) |
| 54 | Denver Nuggets | Tremaine Fowlkes | F | Fresno State (Jr) |
| 55 | Denver Nuggets | Ryan Bowen | F | Iowa (Sr) |
| 56 | Vancouver Grizzlies | J.R. Henderson | F | UCLA (Sr) |
| 57 | Utah Jazz | Torraye Braggs | F | Xavier (Sr) |
| 58 | Chicago Bulls | Maceo Baston | F/C | Michigan (Sr) |