NBA draft 2023 - World last time the Spurs picked No. 1 - ESPN

The San Antonio Spurs don't often pick at the top of the NBA draft, but when they do, they tend to get it absolutely right.

In Thursday's 2023 NBA draft, the Spurs will pick first and are expected to take French big man Victor Wembanyama. It's just the third time San Antonio has had the top overall selection. Since 1997, the last time the Spurs had the No. 1 pick, the Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers have each had multiple top picks. The Cavaliers alone have had four in that time.

The Spurs' two No. 1 picks came 10 years apart in 1987 and 1997. In those drafts, they took David Robinson and Tim Duncan, respectively. That's two Naismith Hall of Famers and the players most associated with establishing a Spurs dynasty that won five NBA titles between 1999 and 2014.

But 1997, and the beginning of the «Big Fundamental» era, was quite some time ago. Here's a look back at the last time the Spurs had the first pick:

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