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A Look at Every Former NC State Player Selected in the NBA Draft

Matthew Bradham

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1 day ago

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The 2026 NBA Draft kicks off tonight, making it a good time to take a look back at NC State’s history in the event.

Over the years, a total of 66 former NC State basketball players have heard their names called on draft night.

The Most Recent Draft Picks

The most recent former NC State player selected in the NBA Draft was Dennis Smith Jr.

After a sensational freshman season in Raleigh, Smith was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Since Smith’s selection, the Wolfpack has been waiting for its next NBA Draft pick.

That drought could potentially end this year, with several outlets recently projecting Quadir Copeland as a late second-round selection in the 2026 NBA Draft.

NC State’s First-Round Success

While recent draft success has been limited, NC State has produced its share of NBA talent throughout history.

In total, 16 former Wolfpack players have been selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.

Several of those players went on to enjoy lengthy professional careers, including NC State legends David Thompson, Tom Gugliotta, Rodney Monroe, and Dennis Smith Jr.

Total Draft Picks by Round

NC State’s 66 NBA Draft selections break down as follows:

🏀 First Round: 16

🏀 Second Round: 13

🏀 Other Draft Rounds: 37

The Wolfpack’s history of producing professional basketball talent stretches across multiple generations, from the David Thompson era of the 1970s all the way through modern players like Dennis Smith Jr.

Full List of NC State NBA Draft Picks

66 NBA/ABA Players Table
Draf Draf
Player Year
▼		 Rd
Ed Biedenbach 1967, 1968 9, 4
Dennis Smith Jr. 2017 1
T.J. Warren 2014 1
Lorenzo Brown 2013 2
J.J. Hickson 2008 1
Cedric Simmons 2006 1
Julius Hodge 2005 1
Todd Fuller 1996 1
Kevin Thompson 1993 2
Tom Gugliotta 1992 1
Chris Corchiani 1991 2
Rodney Monroe 1991 2
Chucky Brown 1989 2
Vinny Del Negro 1988 2
Charles Shackleford 1988 2
Bennie Bolton 1987 4
Mike Giomi 1987 7
Panagiotis Fasoulas 1986 2
Nate McMillan 1986 2
Chris Washburn 1986 1
Lorenzo Charles 1985 2
Cozell McQueen 1985 4
Spud Webb 1985 4
Thurl Bailey 1983 1
Sidney Lowe 1983 2
Dereck Whittenburg 1983 3
Chuck Nevitt 1982 3
Art Jones 1981 9
Kenny Matthews 1981 10
Craig Watts 1981 5
Clyde Austin 1980 2
Hawkeye Whitney 1980 1
Tiny Pinder 1979 5
Glenn Sudhop 1979 8
Tony Warren 1979 8
Kenny Carr 1977 1
Phil Spence 1976 6
Moe Rivers 1975 10
David Thompson * 1975 1
Monte Towe 1975 4
Tom Burleson 1974 1
Joe Cafferky 1973 6
Rick Holdt 1973 12
Rick Anheuser 1970 11
Vann Williford 1970 3
Bobby Lewis 1968 14
Ken Rohloff 1963 7
Bob DiStefano 1961 5
Lou Pucillo 1959 9
John Richter 1959 1
Cliff Hafer 1957 11
John Maglio 1957 6
Bob Seitz 1957 12
Vic Molodet 1956 8
Ron Shavlik 1956 1
Cliff Dwyer 1955 8
Mel Thompson 1954 4
Bob Goss 1953 13
Bob Speight 1953 2
Lee Terrill 1952 7
Paul Horvath 1951 4
Hugo Kappler 1951 8
Sam Ranzino 1951 1
Warren Cartier 1950 6
Dick Dickey 1950 3
Leo Katkaveck 1948 5
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/23/2026.

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