5 Greatest No. 2 Picks in NBA Draft History: From Durant to Jerry West

• The NBA has seen iconic No. 1 picks throughout its history
• No. 2 picks have outshined No. 1 picks in many instances in the league's history
• Brandon Miller was selected second overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023 Draft

The NBA Draft gives lottery teams a chance to select a potential world-beater. Most have pressure, like the No. 1 pick, but most top 3 picks can be a hit or miss.

We have seen No. 2 become icons in the sport over the years. The obvious names that jump out are Bill Russell and Jerry West.

The No. 2 pick has also been seen as cursed due to most of the players failing to fulfil their potential for a myriad of reasons like injuries or the players just didn't have it.

Marvin Bagley III, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Derrick Williams, Hasheem Thabeet, Emeka Okafor, Darko Milicic, and Stromile Swift are some No. 2 picks that became busts. For that reason, Sports Brief looks at the best No. 2 picks in NBA Draft history.

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They are ranked on the following basis: Statistical accomplishments, impact, and accolades.

Top 5 No. 2 picks in NBA Draft

5. Bob Pettit, LSU, Milwaukee Hawks, 1954

Honors: 11 Consecutive All-Star Games (1955-1965), 1954/55 Rookie of the Year, 2x MVP, 1958 NBA Title with St. Louis Hawks, Hall of Fame 1971

Petit had an incredible career. When he called time on his career in 1965, he was the all-time leader in points scored and minutes played. He was NBA's first MVP and made the All-Star game every season in his career. Pettit's Hawks lost 3 times in the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics, twice in 7 games. He was one of the players in his era.

4. Isiah Thomas, Indiana, Detroit Pistons, 1981

Honors: 12x All-Star Games (1982-1993), 2x NBA champion with Detroit Pistons (1989,19990), Hall of Fame 2000

Thomas is regarded as one of the best point guards of all time. He was the ultimate team player, sacrificing individual glory for team success, per Bleacher Report. That is what helped the Pistons win two NBA titles just before Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls' dominance started. He averaged 19.2 points in his 13-season NBA career, which was cut short due to a torn Achilles’ tendon.

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He is also 6th in assists per game in NBA history.

3. Jerry West, West Virginia, Minneapolis Lakers, 1960

Honors: 14x All-Star, All-Star MVP, 5x All-Defense, 12x All-NBA, Finals MVP, Championship, Hall of Fame

Jerry "the Logo" West is one of the most influential players in NBA history. He was the first and only Finals MVP from a losing team in 1969 when he averaged 37.9 points on 49.0 percent shooting in a seven-game series against Boston Celtics. He played 14 seasons in the NBA, and his only title win came in 1972 with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2. Kevin Durant, Texas, Seattle Supersonics, 2007

Honors: 13x All-Star, 10x All-NBA, 2008 Rookie of the Year, 2x NBA champion, 2014 MVP, 2x Finals MVP,

Durant is one of the greatest scorers in league history. He is 13th in NBA all-time scoring after 986 games in this NBA career, per Sporting News. Every top 10 player in the all-time list in scoring has played over 1,000 games. He hasn't retired yet and looks like he could achieve more as he enters the twilight period of his career.

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Although some heavily criticized him for teaming up with Stephen Curry in Golden State, he deserved everything he won there. Many have questioned his character, but no one has ever put a blemish on his game.

1. Bill Russell, University of San Francisco, St. Louis Hawks, 1956

Honors: 12x All-Star (12x), All-Star MVP, All-Defense (1st Team), 11x All-NBA, 5x MVP (5x), 11x Champion, Hall of Fame

Russell has the most impressive resume in NBA history. His 11 rings in 13 NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics will never be replicated. His Celtics team won 8 consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. He will be a top 10 player for generations to come, per the Athletic.

Greatest No. 1 overall picks

Sports Brief recently reported on the five greatest No. 1 picks in NBA Draft history.

Topping the list was LeBron James, who was selected first in the 2003 Draft. Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar came in second and third, respectively.

Rounding out the list were Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan.