The rookies I remember having immense hype, the kind where the draft is considered a sweepstakes for who will get them:
Shaquille O’Neal (1992) Tim Duncan (1997) LeBron James (2003) Zion Williamson (2019) Victor Wembanyama (2023)
Three out of four have had top 10-15 all time careers. I hope Zion gets it together to have at least a Hall of Fame career.
Who am I forgetting / who was there before 1992?
How strong was the Ewing hype in 1984? He was the clear consensus #1 pick, but I’m looking for “not picking him at #1 would be your last act as a GM” level hype.
Ewing was a no-doubter and one one the most hyped prospects ever. He even has his own conspiracy theory