NBA Draft: Top 10 Second-Round Draft Picks of All-Time

#3 Hal Greer

Hal Greer

Hal Greer was selected as the 13th selection in the 1958 NBA Draft by the Syracuse Nationals. In 1963, the Syracuse Nationals moved to Philadelphia to become the Philadelphia 76ers. There, Greer teamed with Wilt Chamberlain on the 1966–67 team that won the NBA championship.

In the 76ers' 15 playoff games that season, Greer averaged a team-best 27.7 points. As a major staple of the Philadelphia 76ers teams of the 1960s, Greer averaged 19.2 PPG during his career and once appeared in 10 straight All-Star Games and was the MVP of the 1968 game when he went 8-for-8 from the field and scored 21 points, a record-breaking 19 in one quarter.

He was considered to be the third-best guard of the 1960s, behind the legendary Oscar Roberston and fellow West Virginia native Jerry West which speaks volumes about the kind of player this second-round pick was.

When he retired after the 1972-73 season, he ranked as the all-time leader in games played and was in the top ten in both points scored and field goals made. As of his death, Greer is the franchise record holder for points scored, field goals, field goal attempts, games played, and minutes played. He was voted as one of the 50 greatest players in the NBA (1996).

During an interview after his career was over, Greer said that he didn’t even think he had a chance to make it to the NBA. Greer said, “In fact, when I first got there, I didn’t even unpack my bag.” Greer not only did more than just stay in the NBA but also set a perfect example of a player that turned his second round pick status into one of the best careers of all time.