Tim Duncan poses for a photo after being selected by the San Antonio Spurs at the 1997 NBA Draft in New York, New York. Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images

With The First Pick...

The Spurs won the 1997 Draft Lottery, and it didn’t take long for San Antonians to fall in love with Tim Duncan. He helped the Spurs go 56-26 for the season, setting an NBA record with a 36-win improvement from 1996-97.

Named the NBA’s Rookie of the Month for every month of the season, Duncan was the first rookie named to the All-NBA First Team since Larry Bird in 1980. He also finished fifth in MVP voting and led the NBA with 57 double-doubles, 10 more than any other player that season.

Season Accolades: 1st NBA All-Star Appearance Averaged 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game Earned All-NBA First Team honors Elected to the All-Defensive Second Team NBA Rookie of the Year