The Legacy of the 2001 NBA Draft Class: Where Are They Now?

When I look back at the 2001 NBA Draft, I can't help but feel a mix of nostalgia and professional curiosity about how these players' careers unfolded. As someone who has followed basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed firsthand how this particular draft class created ripples that still influence today's game. The first round gave us franchise-changing talents like Pau Gasol going third to Atlanta before being traded to Memphis, and Tony Parker slipping to San Antonio at 28th—both future Hall of Famers who would combine for nine NBA championships. But what fascinates me even more are the journeys of those players who didn't become household names, the ones whose careers took unexpected turns across various leagues worldwide.

I remember watching Tyson Chandler get selected second overall by the Clippers before being traded to Chicago, and thinking he'd become the next great big man. While he did have a respectable 19-year career and won Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, his path wasn't as linear as we'd predicted. Meanwhile, Joe Johnson, the tenth pick by Boston, became a seven-time All-Star—something few would have projected during his rookie season. The draft's depth truly revealed itself in players like Gilbert Arenas, taken 31st overall, who would become an All-NBA performer and the face of Washington's franchise before his career derailed by injuries and off-court issues. What stands out to me about the 2001 class is how it produced both transcendent stars and valuable role players who contributed meaningfully to the league for over a decade.

The international flavor of this draft particularly resonates with me as a basketball analyst. Pau Gasol's immediate impact—earning Rookie of the Year honors—paved the way for more European big men to be viewed as franchise cornerstones. His brother Marc, though not drafted until 2007, essentially became part of this legacy when the Lakers included his draft rights in the trade that sent Pau to Los Angeles in 2008. Meanwhile, Tony Parker's success fundamentally changed how teams evaluated international guards, proving that quick, scoring point guards could thrive in the NBA. What often gets overlooked is how many second-round picks from this class carved out lengthy careers—Bobby Simmons winning Most Improved Player in 2005, Mehmet Okur becoming a crucial stretch-five for Utah, and even undrafted players like Raja Bell emerging as defensive stalwarts.

When I consider where these players are now, the diversity of paths is striking. Several have transitioned into coaching and front office roles—Jason Collins served as an assistant coach for the Warriors, while Brendan Haywood has become a respected analyst. Tony Parker now owns a French team, ASVEL Basket, staying connected to the game that made him famous. Pau Gasol has taken on ambassadorial roles with both the NBA and FIBA while occasionally hinting at potential front office interest. The sadder stories include Eddy Curry, whose weight and personal struggles derailed a promising career, and DeSagana Diop, who lasted 12 seasons as a backup center but never developed into the starter many projected.

What strikes me as particularly interesting is comparing the 2001 draft to modern classes in terms of longevity. Players from this group averaged about 7.2 seasons in the NBA—a respectable number that speaks to the draft's depth. About 64% of first-round picks lasted at least five seasons, while second-round picks outperformed expectations with nearly 40% carving out meaningful careers. These numbers might not seem extraordinary, but when you consider the stricter training and medical standards of today, the 2001 class actually aged quite well. I've always believed this draft doesn't get enough credit for its contribution to the league's internationalization—with nearly 30% of drafted players coming from outside the U.S., it set the stage for the truly global NBA we see today.

Reflecting on this draft class reminds me that player development is anything but predictable. Kwame Brown going first overall to Washington created immediate pressure that arguably hindered his development, while Gilbert Arenas—selected in the second round—became a superstar through sheer determination. The lesson I've taken from covering these careers is that draft position matters less than fit and opportunity. Some of the most successful players from this class landed in situations where they could grow at their own pace, like Joe Johnson in Phoenix or Mehmet Okur in Detroit. Others, like Eddy Curry in Chicago, faced expectations that may have been unrealistic for their development timeline.

As I look at today's NBA, the legacy of the 2001 draft is everywhere—in the international players who now dominate MVP conversations, in the value teams place on second-round picks, and in the understanding that player development isn't linear. The careers that emerged from this class taught us that greatness can come from any draft position, that international players were ready to make significant impacts, and that the most successful organizations often find value where others see none. While the 2001 draft might not have the superstar power of 1984 or 2003, its influence on how teams approach the draft and develop players remains undeniable. These players' journeys—from rookies to retirees—collectively shaped modern roster construction in ways we're still appreciating twenty years later.