Ranking the 13 most unlikely lottery winners in NBA history

One of the most exciting moments for a basketball franchise is knowing you’ve won the NBA draft lottery, especially when it’s unexpected.

The formatting of lottery odds has changed several times since the system began in 1985, when the New York Knicks selected Patrick Ewing. In the future, the format may change again to avoid tanking by the league’s remaining players.

Announcement

The upcoming 2026 NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 10 in Chicago and will determine which teams will have a chance to draft top prospects like AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson.

14 teams will have a chance to go No. 1 overall and with that in mind, here are all the lottery winners who received the pick despite an odds of less than 10%.

NBA 11.0 Simulated Draft: First round screenings after the early registration deadline

Player: Chris Webber

Documentation: 41-41

Chance: 1.52% (11th)

This pick was included in a trade with the Golden State Warriors involving Penny Hardaway and future first round picks.

Announcement

Player: Derrick Rose

Documentation: 33-49

Chance: 1.70% (9th)

Rose, a Chicago native, was named the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year and won the 2011 NBA MVP.

Player: Andrea Wiggins

Documentation: 33-49

Chance: 1.70% 9th

Before his rookie season, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal involving Kevin Love. He was named the 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Player: Cooper Flagg

Documentation: 39-43

Chance: 1.80% (11th)

This came shortly after Luka Dončić was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade involving Anthony Davis. Flagg was recently named the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Announcement

Player: Kyrie Irving

Documentation: 32-50

Chance: 2.80% (8th)

Prior to the draft, the Clippers traded the rights to this pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Irving was named the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year and won a championship with the Cavaliers in 2016.

Player: Zaccarie Risacher

Documentation: 36-46

Chance: 3.00% (10th)

Risacher was named first-team NBA All-Rookie and is a contributor for the Hawks in the 2026 NBA postseason.

Player: Kenion Martin

Documentation: 31-52

Chance: 4.40% (7th)

Martin played four seasons with the Nets, earning an NBA All-Star nomination in 2004.

Announcement

Player: Greg Oden

Documentation: 32-50

Chance: 5.30% (7th)

The big man was drafted one pick ahead of Kevin Durant and played just three seasons in the NBA.

Player: Zion Williamson

Documentation: 33-49

Chance: 6.00% (7th)

This pick came shortly after the Pelicans traded Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers. Williamson is a two-time NBA All-Star who has not yet reached the playoffs.

Player: Andrea Bogut

Documentation: 30-52

Chance: 6.30% (6th)

The Australian big man was named first-team NBA All-Rookie and played for the Bucks for seven seasons.

Player: Andrea Bargnani

Announcement

Documentation: 27-55

Chance: 8.80% (5th)

The Italian forward was named an NBA First Team All-Rookie and played for the Raptors for seven seasons.

Player: Yao Ming

Documentation: 28-54

Chance: 8.90% (5th)

The Chinese big man played eight seasons for the Rockets and made the NBA All-Star team in each season.

13. Golden State Warriors (1995)

Player: Joe Smith

Documentation: 26-56

Chance: 9.40% (5th)

Smith made first-team NBA All-Rookie and was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers midway through his third season with the Warriors.

The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up to date on all the major sports developments by subscribing to the USA TODAY Sports newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The NBA Draft’s 13 Most Unlikely Lottery Winners