The 2002NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2002 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues.[1] The draft was broadcast on ESPN and TNT at 7:30 PM (EDT). The NBA announced that 42 college and high school players, and five international players had filed as early-entry candidates for the draft.[2] The Chicago Bulls and the Golden State Warriors both had a 22.5 percent probability of acquiring the first overall pick, but the Houston Rockets, with an 8.9 percent probability, won the NBA Draft Lottery on May 19.[3][4] The Bulls and Warriors were second and third, respectively. As punishment for salary cap violations during the 2000-2001 season, the Minnesota Timberwolves forfeited their first-round draft pick.
As the Rockets' first pick, Yao Ming became the first international player with no American basketball experience to be drafted first overall. The 2002 draft set a record with 17 international selections, with six coming in the first round alone.[5] After the completion of the regular season, Amare Stoudemire was selected as the Rookie of the Year. In 2005, Yao set a single-season All-Star voting record by getting 2,558,278 votes, earning him a spot as a starter on the Western Conference All-Star Team.[6] Luis Scola would not end up in the NBA until the 2007-2008 season.
After a promising rookie season, #2 pick Jay Williams violated his contract by riding a motorcycle, and nearly lost his life in an accident that shattered his pelvis, severed a main nerve in his leg, and tore three ligaments in his left knee including his ACL. Although he has tried an intense rehabilitation program, as of 2008, Williams has not played a game in the NBA since. He has said that he will not continue to pursue a career in professional basketball.[citation needed]
