The Top 10 Second Round Picks of the Last 20 Years

Michael Goldsholl
19 Min Read

1. Manu Ginobili – Selected 57th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1999 NBA Draft – The then championship defending Spurs came away like bandits less than a month after their title celebration, as they nabbed future all-star, clutch performer and sixth man of the year, Manu Ginobili at the tail end of the 1999 NBA Draft. The Spurs stashed him in Argentina until the 2002-03 season, but once they brought him over, he quickly became a staple of the team’s success alongside Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Injuries have kept Ginobili from ever playing a full NBA season, but he has nonetheless been one of the best shooting guards of the past decade. An effective scorer, shooter and playmaker, Ginobili’s herky jerky style of play has helped him become a truly unique NBA star. He’s a two-time all star and the winner of the 2007-08 NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, and although he his set to turn a ripe 34 in July, his lack of NBA mileage will keep him as a quality NBA player for much longer than his age might tell. Barring a surprising trade, Ginobili will likely finish his career out with the Spurs, where he has truly become the biggest second round steal of the last 20 years.

Follow:
Michael Goldsholl is a junior English major at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Calif. Follow him on Twitter @PURPLEGOLDsholl