2005 NBA draft

The 2005 NBA draft took place on June 28, 2005, in the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues. The NBA announced that 49 college and high school players and 11 international players had filed as early-entry candidates for the draft.^[1]

This was the last NBA draft for which high school players were eligible. The new collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players union established a new age limit for draft eligibility. Starting with the 2006 NBA draft, players of any nationality who complete athletic eligibility at a U.S. high school cannot declare themselves eligible for the draft unless they turn 19 no later than December 31 of the year of the draft and are at least one year removed from the graduation of their high school classes. International players, defined in the NBA's collective bargaining agreement as non-US nationals who did not complete athletic eligibility at a U.S. high school, must turn 19 (or older) in the calendar year of the draft, up from 18.

This draft is notable for a most recent draft pick from an NAIA (and non-NCAA) school in any round; that pick is Robert Whaley, the 51st player drafted from Walsh University, which is now in NCAA Division II. This is currently the most recent draft class with no remaining players active in the NBA, as Chris Paul announced his retirement in 2026.

Draft selections

1. ^ Nationality indicates the player's national team or representative nationality. If a player has not competed at the international level, then the nationality indicates the national team which the player is eligible to represent according to FIBA rules.

Notable undrafted players

These players who declared or were automatically eligible for the 2005 draft were not selected but have played in the NBA.

Trades involving draft picks

Pre-draft trades

Prior to the draft, the following trades were made and resulted in exchanges of draft picks between the teams.

• Hours before the start of the draft, Utah acquired the 3rd pick from Portland in exchange for the 6th pick, the 27th pick and a 2006 first-round draft pick.^[2] Previously, Utah acquired a 2005 first-round draft pick on June 24, 2004, from Dallas in exchange for the draft rights to Pavel Podkolzine.^[3] Utah used the 3rd pick to draft Deron Williams and Portland used the 6th and the 27th pick to draft Martell Webster and Linas Kleiza.
• On June 22, 2004, Charlotte acquired Cleveland's first-round draft pick from Phoenix in exchange for an agreement to select Jahidi White in the 2004 Expansion Draft.^[4] Previously, Phoenix acquired a 2005 first-round draft pick on October 1, 1997, from Cleveland in a three-team trade with Cleveland and Denver. Charlotte used the 13th pick to draft Sean May
• On December 17, 2004, Toronto acquired Philadelphia's 2005 and Denver's 2006 first-round draft picks, Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams from New Jersey in exchange for Vince Carter.^[5] Previously, New Jersey acquired Philadelphia's 2005, Denver's 2006 and L.A. Clippers' 2006 first-round draft picks on July 15, 2004, from Denver in exchange for Kenyon Martin.^[6] Previously, Denver acquired a 2005 first-round draft pick, Mark Bryant and Art Long from Philadelphia in a three-team trade with Philadelphia and Houston on December 18, 2002.^[7] Toronto used the 16th pick to draft Joey Graham.
• On June 24, 2004, Denver acquired Washington's first-round draft pick from Orlando in exchange for the draft rights to Jameer Nelson.^[8] Previously, Orlando acquired a 2005 first-round draft pick and Laron Profit on August 1, 2001, from Washington in exchange for Brendan Haywood.^[9] Denver used the 20th pick to draft Julius Hodge.
• On June 24, 2004, Phoenix acquired a 2005 first-round draft pick, the draft rights to Jackson Vroman and cash considerations from Chicago in exchange for the draft rights to Luol Deng.^[10] Phoenix used the 21st pick to draft Nate Robinson.
• On February 25, 2005, New York acquired Phoenix's 2005 and San Antonio's 2006 first-round draft picks and Malik Rose from San Antonio in exchange for Nazr Mohammed and Jamison Brewer.^[11] Previously, San Antonio acquired a 2005 first-round draft pick on June 26, 2003, from Phoenix in exchange for the draft rights to Leandro Barbosa.^[12] New York used the 30th pick to draft David Lee.
• On July 14, 2005, the L.A. Clippers acquired 2005 and 2006 second-round draft picks from Charlotte in exchange for Eddie House and Melvin Ely.^[13] The L.A. Clippers used the 32nd pick to draft Daniel Ewing.
• On December 6, 2004, the L.A. Lakers acquired New York's 2005 and Charlotte's 2009 second-round draft picks from Charlotte in exchange for Kareem Rush.^[14] Previously, Charlotte acquired New York's second-round draft pick on August 6, 2004, from Atlanta in exchange for Predrag Drobnjak.^[15] Previously, Atlanta acquired a 2005 second-round draft pick and Michael Doleac on February 15, 2004, from New York in a three-team trade with New York and Milwaukee.^[16] The L.A. Lakers used the 37th pick to draft Ronny Turiaf.
• On January 2, 2004, Orlando acquired an option to exchange 2005 second-round draft picks, Mengke Bateer and the draft rights to Remon van de Hare from Toronto in exchange for Robert Archibald.^[17] The options to exchange 2005 second-round draft picks were exercised, hence Orlando acquired Toronto's second-round draft pick and Toronto acquired Orlando's second-round draft pick. Orlando used the 38th pick to draft Travis Diener and Toronto used the 41st pick to draft Roko Ukić.
• On February 14, 2005, Golden State acquired L.A. Clippers' 2005 and Golden State's 2007 second-round draft picks from New Jersey in exchange for Clifford Robinson.^[18] Golden State used the 46th Previously, New Jersey acquired a 2005 second-round draft pick on July 29, 2004, from the L.A. Clippers in exchange for Kerry Kittles and cash considerations.^[19] Golden State used the 42nd pick to draft Chris Taft.
• On July 23, 2004, Orlando acquired 2005 and 2007 second-round draft picks and Tony Battie from Cleveland in exchange for Drew Gooden, Steven Hunter and Anderson Varejão.^[20] Houston used the 44th pick to draft Martynas Andriuškevičius.
• On June 24, 2004, Seattle acquired a 2005 second-round draft pick and cash considerations from Memphis in exchange for the draft rights to Andre Emmett.^[21] Seattle used the 48th pick to draft Mickaël Gelabale.
• On September 30, 2003, Utah acquired Houston's 2004 first-round draft pick, Chicago's 2005 and 2006 second-round draft picks, Glen Rice and cash considerations from Houston in exchange for John Amaechi and Sacramento's 2004 second-round draft pick.^[22] Previously, Houston acquired 2005 and 2006 second-round draft picks on September 28, 2000, from Chicago in exchange for Bryce Drew. Utah used the 51st pick to draft Robert Whaley.
• On June 23, 2003, Boston acquired the 56th pick in 2003 and a 2005 second-round draft pick from Sacramento in exchange for the draft rights to Darius Songaila.^[23] Boston used the 53rd pick to draft Orien Greene.
• On June 11, 2003, New York acquired a 2005 second round draft pick from Houston as part of the hiring of Jeff Van Gundy as Houston's head coach. New York used the 54th pick to draft Dijon Thompson.
• On January 21, 2005, Phoenix acquired Dallas' 2005 second-round draft pick and Jim Jackson from New Orleans in exchange for Casey Jacobsen, Maciej Lampe and Jackson Vroman.^[24] Previously, New Orleans acquired a 2005 second-round draft pick and Dan Dickau on December 3, 2004, from Dallas in exchange for Darrell Armstrong.^[25] Phoenix used the 57th pick to draft Marcin Gortat.
• On June 24, 2004, Toronto acquired a 2005 second-round draft pick and the draft rights to Pape Sow from Miami in exchange for the draft rights to Albert Miralles.^[26] Toronto used the 58th pick to draft Uroš Slokar.
• On June 24, 2004, Atlanta acquired a 2005 second-round draft pick and cash considerations from San Antonio in exchange for the draft rights to Viktor Sanikidze.^[27] Atlanta used the 59th pick to draft Cenk Akyol.

Draft-day trades

The following trades involving drafted players were made on the day of the draft:

• New York acquired the draft rights to 21st pick Nate Robinson, Quentin Richardson and cash considerations from Phoenix in exchange for the draft rights to 54th pick Dijon Thompson and Kurt Thomas.^[28]
• Portland acquired the draft rights to 22nd pick Jarrett Jack from Denver in exchange for the draft rights to 27th pick Linas Kleiza and the draft rights to 35th pick Ricky Sanchez.^[29]
• Cleveland acquired the draft rights to 44th pick Martynas Andriuškevičius from Orlando in exchange for a 2006 second-round draft pick.^[30]
• Memphis acquired the draft rights to 55th pick Lawrence Roberts from Seattle in exchange for 2006 and 2007 second-round draft picks and cash considerations.^[31]
• Orlando acquired the draft rights to 57th pick Marcin Gortat from Phoenix in exchange for cash considerations.^[32]

Early entrants

College underclassmen

This year marked the first time in NBA draft history that over 100 underclassmen would declare their initial entry into the NBA draft with 108 total players doing so. However, 49 of these players that were either in college, high school, or overseas play at the time would withdraw from the draft, leaving a total of 59 underclassmen officially declaring their entry into this year's draft. The following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.^[33]

• Alex Acker – G, Pepperdine (junior)
• Deji Akindele – C, Chicago State (sophomore)
• / Kelenna Azubuike – G, Kentucky (junior)
• Sean Banks – F, Memphis (sophomore)
• Brandon Bass – F, LSU (sophomore)
• Jermaine Bell – F, Indian Hills CC (freshman)
• Andrew Bogut – C, Utah (sophomore)
• Ike Diogu – F, Arizona State (junior)
• Olu Famutimi – G, Arkansas (sophomore)
• Raymond Felton – G, North Carolina (junior)
• Anderson Ferreira – F, Chipola JC (sophomore)
• Francisco García – G, Louisville (junior)
• John Gilchrist – G, Maryland (junior)
• Jarrett Jack – G, Georgia Tech (junior)
• Dwayne Jones – St. Joseph's (junior)
• Brian Kim – G, Vanguard (junior)
• Linas Kleiza – F, Missouri (sophomore)
• Julius Lamptey – C, Garden City CC (freshman)
• Darshan Luckey – G, Saint Francis (PA)
• Sean May – F, North Carolina (junior)
• Rashad McCants – G, North Carolina (junior)
• J. R. Morris – G, Seton Hall (junior)
• Randolph Morris – F/C, Kentucky (freshman)
• Chris Paul – G, Wake Forest (sophomore)
• Pierre Pierce – G, Iowa (junior)
• Shavlik Randolph – F, Duke (junior)
• Anthony Roberson – G, Florida (junior)
• Nate Robinson – G, Washington (junior)
• Ray Rose – G, Olivet Nazarene (junior)
• Chris Taft – F, Pittsburgh (sophomore)
• Charlie Villanueva – F, Connecticut (sophomore)
• Tiras Wade – F/G, Louisiana (junior)
• Von Wafer – G, Florida State (sophomore)
• Matt Walsh – G, Florida (junior)
• Deron Williams – G, Illinois (junior)
• Marvin Williams – F, North Carolina (freshman)
• Kennedy Winston – G, Alabama (junior)
• Antoine Wright – G/F, Texas A&M (junior)
• Bracey Wright – G, Indiana (junior)

High school players

This would be the eleventh straight year in a row where at least one high school player would declare their entry into the NBA draft directly out of high school after previously only allowing it one time back in 1975. It would also be the last year that the NBA would officially allow for high school players to declare entry into the NBA draft directly out of high school. This year saw the highest amount of high schoolers entering the NBA draft with eleven total players officially entering, with Martellus Bennett, Keith Brumbaugh, and Brandon Rush each initially declaring their interest in joining the NBA draft, but ultimately withdrawing to instead spend some time in college going forward. This year also would see the youngest player being taken in NBA history with Andrew Bynum being selected at 17 years old and playing his first NBA game only 6 days after he turned 18 years old. The following high school players successfully applied for early draft entrance.^[33]

• Andray Blatche – F, South Kent School (South Kent, Connecticut)
• Curtis Brown Jr. – F, Mount Olive Prep (East Point, Georgia)
• Andrew Bynum – C, St. Joseph HS (Metuchen, New Jersey)
• Monta Ellis – G, Lanier HS (Jackson, Mississippi)
• Gerald Green – G/F, Gulf Shores Academy (Houston, Texas)
• Amir Johnson – F, Westchester HS (Los Angeles, California)
• Kyle Luckett – F, South Side HS (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
• C. J. Miles – G, Skyline (Dallas, Texas)
• Ricky Sánchez – F, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
• Martell Webster – F/G, Seattle Prep (Seattle, Washington)
• Lou Williams – G, South Gwinnett HS (Snellville, Georgia)

International players

The following international players successfully applied for early draft entrance.^[33]

• Cenk Akyol – G, Efes Pilsen (Turkey)
• Martynas Andriuškevičius – F/C, Žalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
• Marcin Gortat – C, RheinEnergie Köln (Germany)
• Mile Ilić – C, KK Reflex (Serbia and Montenegro)
• Ersan İlyasova – F, Ülkerspor (Turkey)
• Yaroslav Korolev – F, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
• Erazem Lorbek – F, Climamio Bologna (Italy)
• Ian Mahinmi – F, Le Havre (France)
• Drago Pašalić – F, KK Split (Croatia)
• Johan Petro – C, Pau-Orthez (France)
• Roko Ukić – G, KK Split (Croatia)

Invited attendees

The 2005 NBA draft is considered to be the 27th NBA draft to have utilized what is properly considered the "green room" experience for NBA prospects. The NBA's green room is a staging area where anticipated draftees often sit with their families and representatives, waiting for their names to be called on draft night. Often being positioned either in front of or to the side of the podium (in this case, being positioned somewhere within The Theater at Madison Square Garden^[34]), once a player heard his name, he would walk to the podium to shake hands and take promotional photos with the NBA commissioner. From there, the players often conducted interviews with various media outlets while backstage. From there, the players often conducted interviews with various media outlets while backstage. However, once the NBA draft started to air nationally on TV starting with the 1980 NBA draft, the green room evolved from players waiting to hear their name called and then shaking hands with these select players who were often called to the hotel to take promotional pictures with the NBA commissioner a day or two after the draft concluded to having players in real-time waiting to hear their names called up and then shaking hands with David Stern, the NBA's commissioner at the time.^[35]

The NBA compiled its list of green room invites through collective voting by the NBA's team presidents and general managers alike, which in this year's case belonged to only what they believed were the top 16 prospects at the time.^[36] Despite the higher amount of invites for this year's draft when compared to the previous year's draft, there would still be some notable discrepancies involved with the invitations at hand between the missing invitations for #9 pick Ike Diogu, #10 pick Luke Jackson, and #16 pick Joey Graham for a perfect invite listing alongside the missing invite for future All-Star and All-NBA Team member David Lee for good measure. With all of that in mind, the following players were invited to attend this year's draft festivities live and in person.^[34]

• Andrew Bogut – C, Utah
• Raymond Felton – PG, North Carolina
• Channing Frye – PF/C, Arizona
• Danny Granger – SF, New Mexico
• Gerald Green – SG/SF, Gulf Shores Academy (Houston, Texas)
• Yaroslav Korolev – SF/PF, PBC CSKA Moscow (Russia)
• Sean May – PF, North Carolina
• Rashad McCants – SG, North Carolina
• Chris Paul – PG, Wake Forest
• Fran Vázquez – PF/C, Unicaja Málaga (Spain)
• / Charlie Villanueva – PF, Connecticut
• Hakim Warrick – PF, Syracuse
• Martell Webster – SG/SF, Seattle Preparatory School (Seattle, Washington)
• Deron Williams – PG, Illinois
• Marvin Williams – SF/PF, North Carolina
• Antoine Wright – SG/SF, Texas A&M

See also

• List of first overall NBA draft picks

References

1. ^ "Fifty Early Entry Candidates Withdraw". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2007.
2. ^ "Jazz Acquire 3rd Pick". NBA.com/Jazz. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 28, 2005. Archived March 8, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
3. ^ "Jazz Draft Three; Trade One". NBA.com/Jazz. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 24, 2004. Archived from the original on 2009-04-29. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
4. ^ "Bobcats Build Inaugural Roster with 19 Picks in Expansion Selection". NBA.com/Bobcats. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 22, 2004. Archived from the original on January 3, 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
5. ^ "Raptors Trade Carter To Nets". NBA.com/Raptors. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 17, 2004. Archived May 11, 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
6. ^ "Nets Trade Kenyon Martin to Nuggets". NBA.com/Nets. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 15, 2004. Archived 29 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
7. ^ "Major Deals". NBA.com/Sixers. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
8. ^ "Magic Obtain Draft Rights to Jameer Nelson". NBA.com/Magic. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 24, 2004. Archived 23 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
9. ^ "Magic Acquire Profit for Haywood". NBA.com/Magic. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. August 1, 2001. Archived November 23, 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
10. ^ "Bulls Acquire 7th Pick from Suns". NBA.com/Bulls. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 24, 2004. Archived January 3, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
11. ^ "Knicks Acquire Malik Rose & Two First-Round Picks". NBA.com/Knicks. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 25, 2005. Archived 25 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
12. ^ "Point Taken". NBA.com/Suns. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 27, 2003. Archived December 3, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
13. ^ "Melvin Ely, Eddie House Acquired From Clippers In Exchange For Future Draft Picks". NBA.com/Bobcats. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 14, 2005. Archived from the original on December 31, 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
14. ^ "Bobcats Acquire Kareem Rush in Trade with Lakers". NBA.com/Bobcats. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 6, 2004. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
15. ^ "Hawks Obtain Predrag Drobnjak from Charlotte". NBA.com/Hawks. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. August 16, 2004. Archived March 8, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
16. ^ "Hawks Acquire Doleac, Przybilla, Pick". NBA.com/Hawks. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 15, 2004. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
17. ^ "Raptors Acquire Archibald". NBA.com/Raptors. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. January 2, 2004. Archived January 18, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
18. ^ "Warriors Trade Clifford Robinson To New Jersey Nets". NBA.com/Nets. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 14, 2005. Archived 29 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
19. ^ "Clippers Acquire Kittles". NBA.com/Clippers. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 29, 2004. Archived January 3, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
20. ^ "Cavaliers Acquire Gooden, Hunter, and Varejao from Orlando". NBA.com/Cavaliers. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 23, 2004. Archived January 3, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
21. ^ "Grizzlies Acquire Draft Rights to Antonio Burks and Andre Emmett; Select Sergei Lishouk with the 49th Pick in the Draft". NBA.com/Grizzlies. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 24, 2004. Archived from the original on 29 April 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
22. ^ "Jazz trade John Amaechi". NBA.com/Jazz. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. September 30, 2003. Archived 25 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
23. ^ "Celtics Acquire Second Round Draft Choice from Sacramento Kings for Rights to Songaila". NBA.com/Celtics. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 23, 2003. Archived June 20, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
24. ^ "Suns Acquire Jim Jackson". NBA.com/Suns. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. January 21, 2005. Archived 29 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
25. ^ "Hornets Trade Darrell Armstrong to Dallas". NBA.com/Hornets. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 3, 2004. Archived 29 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
26. ^ "Heat Acquire Draft Rights to Albert Miralles & Select Matt Freije in Second Round of 2004 NBA Draft". NBA.com/Heat. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 24, 2004. Archived October 24, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
27. ^ "Spurs Acquire Sanikidze from Atlanta". NBA.com/Spurs. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 24, 2004. Archived October 18, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
28. ^ "Knicks Acquire Richardson and Draft Rights to Robinson". NBA.com/Knicks. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 28, 2005. Archived 25 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
29. ^ "Second Draft Day Trade". NBA.com/Blazers. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 28, 2005. Archived March 8, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
30. ^ "Cavaliers Acquire Rights to Martynas Andriuskevicius". NBA.com/Cavaliers. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 28, 2005. Archived January 14, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
31. ^ "Grizzlies Acquire Draft Rights to Lawrence Roberts from Seattle for Two Future Second Round Picks and Cash Considerations". NBA.com/Grizzlies. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 28, 2005. Archived June 17, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
32. ^ "Magic Select Travis Diener in Second Round". NBA.com/Magic. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 28, 2005. Archived January 14, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
33. ^ "2005 Underclassmen". The Draft Review. August 4, 2007. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
34. ^ "2005 Green Room Invites - the Draft Review". Retrieved May 17, 2026.
35. ^ Maurer, Matthew (2024-02-18). "Draft Broadcasts - The Draft Review". The Draft Review. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
36. ^ "Green Room - The Draft Review". The Draft Review. Retrieved 2026-05-16.

External links

• NBA.com: Draft 2005
• ESPN.com: 2005 NBA Draft
• 2005 NBA Draft - Basketball-Reference.com