Who Got Drafted After Kwame Brown? A Look Back At The 2001 NBA Draft

Franco Bednar III

31 Jul, 2025

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The NBA Draft is a moment filled with so much hope, a real turning point for young players and for the teams picking them. Everyone wants to find that next big star, the one who will change everything. Back in 2001, the buzz was pretty loud, especially around a young player named Kwame Brown, who went first overall. But what about the folks picked right after him? That, you know, is a question many basketball fans still ask, even now, years later.

It's interesting, really, how some picks become legends and others, well, not so much. People talk about the draft like it's a big gamble, and it sort of is. You pick a player, and you just hope they turn out to be great, or at least very good. It's a bit like how some folks get really into "Game of Thrones," debating every single character's fate and what might have happened differently. Sports fans, they do that with draft picks, too. They think about the "what ifs."

So, you might be wondering, who actually came off the board after Kwame Brown in that 2001 draft? Were there any huge stars hiding in plain sight, just waiting for their turn? We're going to take a closer look at that draft class, the players who followed the first pick, and see how their careers unfolded. It's a pretty fascinating story, honestly, when you consider all the talent that year.

Kwame Brown: A Quick Look
The 2001 NBA Draft: A Moment in Time
Players Picked Right After Kwame
Other Notable Players from the 2001 Draft
The Unpredictability of the Draft
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2001 NBA Draft

Kwame Brown: A Quick Look

Kwame Brown, as a matter of fact, was the first high school player ever chosen as the top pick in the NBA Draft. This happened in 2001, and the Washington Wizards picked him. There was a lot of excitement around him, naturally, because he was a big, strong center with a lot of promise. He was seen as a player who could do many things on the court.

His career, though, had its ups and downs. He played for several teams over his time in the league. People often talk about his career path, and it really shows how much pressure there can be on a top pick. It's a pretty tough spot to be in, being the very first one chosen, you know?

Personal Details and Bio Data

Full Name	Kwame Hasani Brown
Born	March 10, 1982
Birthplace	Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Height	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Weight	290 lb (132 kg)
Position	Center
NBA Draft	2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
High School	Glynn Academy (Brunswick, Georgia)

The 2001 NBA Draft: A Moment in Time

The 2001 NBA Draft was, in some respects, a pretty interesting one. It had a mix of players who went on to have truly great careers and others who, well, didn't quite reach those heights. Every draft class has that, of course, but this one is remembered for its top pick and the talent that came after him. It really makes you think about how teams make their choices, doesn't it?

Teams were looking for all sorts of players back then. Some wanted big guys, others wanted guards who could score or pass. The league was changing, and teams were trying to keep up. This draft class, it really shows how much goes into scouting and making those big decisions on draft night. It’s a lot to consider, you know, when you’re picking the future of your team.

Players Picked Right After Kwame

After Kwame Brown was selected, the next few picks were also pretty big names at the time, or at least they became big names later on. Let's take a look at who followed him in the top spots. It's quite a list, honestly, with a lot of different stories.

Tyson Chandler (Pick #2)

Right after Kwame, the Los Angeles Clippers chose Tyson Chandler as the second pick. He was another high school player, a very tall and athletic center. Chandler, you know, had a long and very good career in the NBA. He became a really strong defensive player and a great rebounder. He even won a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, which is a pretty big deal.

His time in the league showed that he could be a key player on winning teams. He was known for his effort and for protecting the basket. It just goes to show, sometimes the second pick can turn out to be a fantastic choice, a bit like that, you know, when you pick something and it just works out perfectly.

Pau Gasol (Pick #3)

The Atlanta Hawks picked Pau Gasol with the third choice, but they traded him right away to the Memphis Grizzlies. Gasol, from Spain, was a truly special talent. He was a skilled big man who could score, pass, and rebound. His career was, arguably, one of the best from this draft class.

He played for many years and won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant. Gasol was a multiple-time All-Star and really changed the game for international players coming to the NBA. He had a very, very successful career, truly a standout player from that year.

Eddy Curry (Pick #4)

The Chicago Bulls selected Eddy Curry with the fourth pick. He was another high school center, a very big guy with a lot of scoring touch inside. Curry had some good moments in his career, especially early on with the Bulls and then with the New York Knicks. He could score a lot of points when he was playing well.

His time in the league, though, was affected by some health issues and other things. He showed flashes of what he could be, a really dominant offensive player in the paint. It just goes to show how many different paths players can take after being drafted, you know, it's never really a straight line.

Jason Richardson (Pick #5)

With the fifth pick, the Golden State Warriors chose Jason Richardson. He was an exciting guard known for his amazing athleticism and dunking ability. Richardson quickly became a fan favorite because of his high-flying style of play. He was a very exciting player to watch, honestly.

He had a solid and long career in the NBA, scoring many points and making some memorable plays. Richardson was a consistent performer for several teams. He really made his mark as a scorer and an athlete, proving that you don't have to be a big man to be a top pick.

Shane Battier (Pick #6)

The Memphis Grizzlies picked Shane Battier with the sixth choice. Battier was known for his smart play, his strong defense, and his ability to shoot the three-pointer. He was a very valuable role player on many successful teams throughout his career. He was the kind of player every coach wants, a real team player.

He won two championships with the Miami Heat and was always praised for his basketball intelligence. Battier didn't always get the headlines, but he was incredibly important to the teams he played for. He showed that you can have a great career by doing all the little things right, too, you know, the stuff that doesn't always show up in the box score.

Other Notable Players from the 2001 Draft

The 2001 draft class wasn't just about the top six picks. There were many other players chosen later on who went on to have fantastic careers, some even better than those picked much earlier. This really highlights how unpredictable the draft can be. It’s pretty wild, in a way, how talent can be found all over the board.

Joe Johnson (Pick #10)

The Boston Celtics selected Joe Johnson with the tenth pick. Johnson became a very talented scorer and a multiple-time All-Star. He was known for his ability to create his own shot and hit clutch baskets. He had a very long and successful career, playing for many years and scoring a lot of points.

He was a consistent offensive threat and a go-to player for several teams, most notably the Atlanta Hawks. Johnson's career showed that even outside the top few picks, you can find a player who becomes a star in the league. He was, honestly, a pretty amazing scorer.

Richard Jefferson (Pick #13)

The New Jersey Nets picked Richard Jefferson with the 13th selection. Jefferson was an athletic forward who could score, rebound, and play defense. He was a key part of several good Nets teams that made it to the NBA Finals. He had a very productive career that spanned many years.

Later in his career, he even won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. Jefferson was a versatile player who adapted his game over time, which is pretty cool. He showed that staying in the league for a long time often means you have to change how you play, too.

Zach Randolph (Pick #19)

The Portland Trail Blazers chose Zach Randolph with the 19th pick. Randolph became a dominant power forward known for his scoring and rebounding in the paint. He was a two-time All-Star and a very tough player to guard. He had a very, very strong presence on the court.

Randolph was a cornerstone player for the Memphis Grizzlies for many years, helping them become a very competitive team. His career really showed that you can find incredible talent even later in the first round. He was a force, honestly, a real handful for opposing teams.

Tony Parker (Pick #28)

Perhaps one of the biggest steals of the 2001 draft was Tony Parker, chosen by the San Antonio Spurs with the 28th pick. Parker, from France, became a Hall of Fame point guard. He was incredibly fast, a great scorer, and an excellent passer. He was a central part of the Spurs' dynasty.

Parker won four NBA championships with the Spurs and was even named the NBA Finals MVP in 2007. His career is a perfect example of how much talent can be found late in the draft if teams scout well. He was, quite frankly, an absolute superstar, a real gem from that draft class.

Gerald Wallace (Pick #25)

The Sacramento Kings picked Gerald Wallace with the 25th choice. Wallace was an incredibly athletic forward known for his high-flying dunks, strong defense, and fearless play. He became a very exciting player to watch and a valuable contributor for several teams.

He played for over a decade in the NBA, often leading his teams in effort and hustle. Wallace showed that even late in the first round, you can find players who bring a lot of energy and excitement to the game. He was a pretty dynamic player, honestly, always giving it his all.

The Unpredictability of the Draft

Looking back at the 2001 NBA Draft, it really highlights how hard it is to predict which young players will succeed in the pros. Teams put so much effort into scouting, watching games, and interviewing players, yet it's still a bit of a guessing game. You just never quite know, you know, how things will turn out.

Some players picked high don't live up to the hype, while others chosen much later become superstars. It's a fascinating part of basketball, this yearly event where dreams are made, and futures are decided. The 2001 draft, with all its varied outcomes, certainly offers a lot to think about for fans and team managers alike. It’s pretty cool, how it all unfolds.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2001 NBA Draft

Who was the best player drafted in 2001?

Many people would say Pau Gasol or Tony Parker were the best players from the 2001 draft. Both went on to have Hall of Fame careers, winning multiple championships and achieving individual honors. They really stood out as truly great players from that group, honestly.

How many high school players were drafted in 2001?

In the 2001 NBA Draft, there were quite a few high school players chosen. Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, and DeSagana Diop were all drafted directly from high school in the first round. It was a time when teams were really looking at young talent straight out of school, a different era, you know.

Was the 2001 NBA Draft considered a strong draft class?

The 2001 NBA Draft is often seen as a pretty good draft class, especially when you consider the talent found outside the very top picks. While the first pick had a challenging career, players like Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Tyson Chandler, and Zach Randolph had very successful NBA careers. So, in a way, it had some real gems, which makes it a strong class in retrospect. You can learn more about NBA draft history on our site, and link to this page about player development.

You can find official NBA draft archives and details on players from the 2001 class on the NBA's official website.