Born Lew Alcindor, Kareem won three NCAA titles at UCLA, was the 1969 top pick, later changed his name and joined the Lakers. A 20-year career brought six championships.
After just one year at Duke, Irving landed in the NBA as the top pick — his talent was impossible to hide from college ball on.
Tim Duncan was the absolute cornerstone of San Antonio’s GDP and Popovich system; the 1997 top pick brought five titles and defined team basketball.
James Worthy played at North Carolina alongside Jordan, won the 1982 NCAA title, then was drafted first overall by the Lakers, launching the Showtime era.
The 1992 top pick reached two Finals with Orlando but won none; after moving to LA in 1996 he fulfilled the dream in 2000, evolving from stat-monster to champion center.
Born in Nigeria in 1963, Olajuwon played at Houston University, was the 1984 top pick, and won two titles in 1994-95 — a pioneer of NBA international players.
Born Lew Alcindor, Kareem won three straight NCAA titles at UCLA under Wooden, took two MOPs, and entered the NBA as the 1969 top pick.