1 Tim Duncan PF/C, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 1997 (No. 1)

Is it any surprise that Tim Duncan is the unquestioned top pick in San Antonio Spurs history? That’s an easy summary, but let’s gloss over what he did in 19 NBA seasons and the rest of that 1997 class.

David Robinson’s seven consecutive years of double-double averages were impressive, but Duncan tore that apart with 13 seasons of this. Other Spurs mentioned displayed a model of consistency, but if there was a leader of this, it’s a title that belongs to the Big Fundamental.

Duncan led to the Spurs to their first title in franchise history in the strike-shortened 1998-99 season. Four years later, with the Kobe Bryant–Shaquille O’Neal Los Angeles Lakers put aside, San Antonio rose back to the top with 24.7 points, 15.4 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game to lead the way towards the 2003 title.

2005, 2007 and 2014 were also championship years for Duncan, who, along with Gregg Popovich (if we’re counting players and coaches), reached the mark of five titles, a feat few have accomplished over the past three decades in the NBA. Add in back-to-back MVP awards, two Finals MVP honors and 15 All-Star Game appearances, and it put the cherry on top of a standout and future Pro Basketball Hall of Fame career.

The Spurs have boasted a handful of terrific draft picks in their decades of existence. Duncan and Robinson lead the way and Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are not far behind. Who else will join these players down the line?