NC State Ranks 16th All-Time in First-Round NBA Draft Picks

The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft wrapped up last night, and while NC State didn’t have any players hear their names called, the Wolfpack remains one of the most successful programs in college basketball history when it comes to producing first-round draft picks.

In total, NC State has produced 16 first-round NBA Draft selections, which is tied for 16th all-time among all college basketball programs.

Colleges with the Most 1st Round Draft Picks

NC State’s 1st Round Picks

David Thompson – 1st
Chris Washburn – 3rd
Tommy Burleson – 3rd
Ronnie Shavlik – 4th
Tom Gugliotta – 6th
John Richter – 6th
Kenny Carr – 6th
Thurl Bailey – 7th
Sam Ranzino – 8th
Dennis Smith Jr. – 9th
Todd Fuller – 11th
TJ Warren – 14th
Cedric Simmons – 15th
Hawkeye Whitney – 16th
JJ Hickson – 19th
Julius Hodge – 20th

Analyzing NC State’s First-Round Picks

To no one’s surprise, David Thompson more than lived up to the hype of being selected with the No. 1 overall pick.

Thompson went on to become the only former NC State player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. During his eight-year NBA career, he averaged 22.1 points per game and earned five All-Star selections.

The Wolfpack’s only other NBA All-Star is Tom Gugliotta, who earned the honor during the 1996-97 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

While NC State has produced many successful professional players, only five former Wolfpack players have averaged double figures for their NBA careers, and all five were first-round picks.

David Thompson – 22.1
TJ Warren – 14.3
Tom Gugliotta – 13.0
Thurl Bailey – 12.8
Kenny Carr – 11.6