2003 NBA Draft
| 2003 NBA draft | |
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| General information | |
| Date(s) | June 26, 2003 |
| Time | 7:30 pm (EDT) |
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York |
| Network(s) (US) | ESPN |
| First selection | LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers |
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← 2002
NBA draft
2004 →
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The 2003 NBA draft was held on June 26, 2003, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The NBA announced that 41 college and high school players and a record 31 international players had filed as early-entry candidates for the 2003 NBA draft. The Cleveland Cavaliers, who had a 22.50 percent probability of obtaining the first selection, won the NBA draft lottery on May 22, and Cleveland chairman Gordon Gund said afterward his team would select LeBron James. The Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets were second and third respectively.
The 2003 draft is known for having one of the most talented draft pools in draft history. Four of the top five picks are NBA All-Stars and "Redeem Team" Olympic Gold Medalists: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James. Many players have been in the starting line-ups of their respective teams; nine have already participated in an All-Star Game, Dwyane Wade was named NBA Finals MVP in 2006 and won the NBA All Star Game MVP in 2010, Boris Diaw won the Most Improved Player Award in 2006, Jason Kapono won the three point shootout back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008, James Jones won the three point shootout in 2011, Leandro Barbosa won the Sixth Man Award in 2007, Kyle Korver set the NBA record for three point shooting percentage in 2010 (53.6%), and in the 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013 seasons LeBron James won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, and the NBA Finals MVP in 2012, 2013 and 2016. Carmelo Anthony won the 2013 NBA Scoring Title and is the only player in NBA history to win at least three Olympic gold medals.Chris Bosh left Toronto in 2010 as its all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, double doubles, free throws made and attempted, and minutes played. The 2003 draft class has drawn comparisons to the 1984 and 1996 NBA draft classes, but is also known for the Detroit Pistons making the controversial selection of Darko Miličić with the second pick over other prospects. Four of the first five picks have won an NBA Championship: Darko Miličić with the Pistons in 2004; Dwyane Wade with the Heat in 2006, 2012 and 2013; Chris Bosh also with the Heat in 2012 and 2013; LeBron James with the Heat in 2012 and 2013 and in 2016 with the Cavaliers. Out of the entire draft, only Nick Collison has played his entire career for the team that drafted him, although Kirk Hinrich, after being traded twice, returned to the Bulls team that drafted him and holds the team record for most career 3-point field goals and is third all-time in games played, behind only Micheal Jordan and Scottie Pippen. LeBron James, who was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, left for the Miami Heat in 2010, but re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 11, 2014.
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