20 Best NBA Draft Picks in Michigan Wolverines History
By Zac Snyder
Round 1. Pick 1 (1966). Cazzie Russell. 7. player. 27.
When the New York Knicks made Cazzie Russell the first overall pick in the 1966 draft, they got a player who would become an important piece of their 1969-70 team that won the World Championship. Cazzie was a productive player early on, averaging 11.3 points per game as a rookie and earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team following the 1966-67 season.
His minutes and numbers dipped for that Championship team, but Russell made up for it with efficiency by posting a 16.p PER, one of the best of his career.
Russell may be most well known for his time with the Knicks, but his lone All-Star game appearance came in the 1971-72 season as a member of the Golden State Warriors. Russell averaged 21.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.1 assist that season, all career highs.
In 817 career games, Russell averaged 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
Next: Number 6