PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Portland Trail Blazers have drafted a number of players outside the top 10 who went on to be major success stories.
Portland Trail Blazers trade #11 pick, select Yang Hansen at #16
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Drafted in 2013, CJ McCollum quickly became a fan favorite after being taken at number 10 in the first round by Portland. Three years into his career, he was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player after finishing the 2015-16 season with career highs of 20.8 points, 44.3% from the field, 41.7% from beyond the arc, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
He went on to help the Blazers alongside Damian Lillard to several NBA playoff appearances, including their trip to the 2019 Western Conference Finals.
PORTLAND, OREGON – NOVEMBER 15: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter at Moda Center on November 15, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
In the 2001 NBA Draft, the Blazers selected Zach Randolph at number 19 in the first round. Just two years into his career, Portland went to the 2003 NBA Playoffs where he recorded three double-doubles in their first-round matchup against Dallas.
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The following year, he won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and went on to have a 17-year career, averaging 16.6 points and just under 10 rebounds per game. He spent six seasons with the Trail Blazers.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph, left, looks to drive against Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge during the first half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series in Portland, Ore., Saturday, April 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
In 1996, Portland selected Jermaine O’Neal at pick 17 and he remains as one of the youngest athletes to play in the NBA, having just turned 18 years old in his debut. He began his time in the NBA alongside greats Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant who were some of the top players to go straight from high school to the pros.
O’Neal was All-NBA 2nd Team (2004), 2x All-NBA 3rd Team (2003, 2002), and the Most Improved Player in 2002. He was traded to Indiana after four seasons with the Blazers and finally was able to build some momentum with more experience. On the Pacers, he made six straight All-Star games and six straight playoff appearances.
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In 1989, the Blazers selected Clifford Robinson in round 2 as the 36th pick. He played in Portland for eight seasons and helped them make the NBA finals twice. Robinson was 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team, a 1994 NBA All-Star, and the Sixth Man of the Year in 1993. In that season, he averaged 19.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and just under 2 blocks per game.
Forward Clifford Robinson in 1997 (Getty Images)
He still holds the Blazers record for his Iron Man streak of 461 straight games between 1989 and 1995 which has yet to be broken.
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