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NBA Draft: Best No. 4 Overall Picks of the 2000s

By AJ Salah

NEW YORK - JUNE 28: Mike Conley (R) shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected fifth overall by the Boston Celtics during the 2007 NBA Draft at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 28, 2007 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JUNE 28: Mike Conley (R) shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected fifth overall by the Boston Celtics during the 2007 NBA Draft at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 28, 2007 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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JERSEY CITY, NJ – AUGUST 3: Drew Gooden #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during the 2002 NBA Rookie Shoot on August 3, 2002 at St. Peter’s Prep School in Jersey City, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2002 (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)
JERSEY CITY, NJ – AUGUST 3: Drew Gooden #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during the 2002 NBA Rookie Shoot on August 3, 2002 at St. Peter’s Prep School in Jersey City, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2002 (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images) /

10. Drew Gooden, 2002

Originally drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2002, Drew Gooden spent 14 years bouncing around the NBA as a serviceable power forward. Known for his rebounding and face-up game, he was consistent, if unspectacular.

Gooden is best remembered for his runs with the original LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers, though he spent most of his prime toiling on lottery teams. Few fans will ever remember the day their team acquired him — for better or for worse.

SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 29: Tyreke Evans #13 of the Sacramento Kings poses with the NBA T-Mobile Rookie of the Year award on April 29, 2010 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 29: Tyreke Evans #13 of the Sacramento Kings poses with the NBA T-Mobile Rookie of the Year award on April 29, 2010 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

9. Tyreke Evans, 2009

A familiar face for Memphis Grizzlies fans, ‘Reke was taken fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings in ’09, after attending the University of Memphis for one collegiate season. He exploded out of the gate, bulldogging his way to 20/5/5 averages and Rookie of the Year honors.

After that, his career faded in a nebulous blur of injuries and inefficiency. Questions about his long-term viability lingered when he signed a one-year deal with Memphis last summer. Evans responded with his best statistical season in years prior to being shut down as part of the Grizzlies’ tank job.

While he may have played himself out of Memphis’ price range, Tyreke’s comeback campaign was an encouraging sign that he still has plenty left in the tank.

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