Tim Duncan could have been the first pick in 1996. Or 1995.

TL;DR

Tim Duncan skipped two draft classes — including the legendary 1996 class — to honor his dying mother's wish that all her children finish college.

Key Points

• 1.Duncan was considered a likely top pick in both the 1995 and 1996 drafts, with Cleveland Cavaliers GM Wayne Embry saying he'd trade assets just to move up and select him.
• 2.His mother Ione died of breast cancer in 1990 just before Tim's 14th birthday, having made his father promise all the Duncan children would finish their education.
• 3.Duncan dragged the 1996 decision to the absolute last second — May 11th, the day before the deadline — while taking final exams, then released a quiet statement saying he was staying.
• 4.He ultimately got his psychology degree AND co-authored a chapter of a psychology textbook, fulfilling his stated reason for returning to Wake Forest.
• 5.Had Duncan entered the 1996 draft, the Philadelphia 76ers held the first pick and would likely have taken him — meaning Allen Iverson would never have been drafted by Philly.
• 6.Duncan was instead drafted first overall in 1997 by the San Antonio Spurs, where he spent all 19 seasons alongside Gregg Popovich, winning 5 championships and cementing one of the greatest legacies in NBA history.