Remembering The 2011 NBA Draft Class: A Look Back At A Special Group
The 2011 NBA Draft Class really stands out, doesn't it? It was held on June 23, 2011, and it brought 60 talented players from all sorts of countries and colleges into the big league. This particular draft, which took place in New Jersey, has always been a hot topic for basketball fans and analysts alike, and, well, there's a good reason for that.
People often talk about how certain draft years shape the future of the sport, and the 2011 group is certainly one of those. It featured a mix of players who went on to become huge stars, some who had solid careers, and, yes, a few who didn't quite hit the marks folks expected. So, looking back at it now, more than a decade later, you can really see the impact this collection of players had, and still has, on the NBA.
This article will explore why the 2011 NBA Draft Class continues to be so relevant, examining the top picks, the surprise talents, and how these players have shaped the game. We'll also consider why, in some respects, this class is often called the best of its decade. You know, it's pretty fascinating to revisit.
Table of Contents
- The Big Day and the First Picks
- Who Were the Top Talents?
- The Stars Who Emerged
- International Flair and Surprises
- Longevity and Lasting Impact
- The Idea of a Redraft
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Big Day and the First Picks
The 2011 NBA Draft was a day filled with excitement and, well, a lot of hope for many teams. ESPN.com, as a matter of fact, offered complete coverage, giving everyone mock drafts, player analyses, and all the details about the draft order. It was a big event, and people were really looking forward to seeing who would go where.
The very first pick, as many remember, went to Kyrie Irving. He was a point guard from Duke, and the Cleveland Cavaliers picked him up. He was seen as a very promising talent, and, well, he certainly lived up to a lot of that promise. After Kyrie, the Minnesota Timberwolves picked Derrick Williams, a forward from Arizona. He was a high-flying player, very athletic, and there were big expectations for him, too.
The third pick went to Enes Kanter, a big man from Kentucky, who was chosen by the Utah Jazz. Then, the Cavaliers made another pick at number four, selecting Tristan Thompson, a strong forward from Texas. Rounding out the top five, the Toronto Raptors picked Jonas Valanciunas, a towering center from Lithuania. These first few picks, you know, really set the stage for the whole draft.
The draft continued with Jan Vesely, a forward from Serbia, going to the Washington Wizards at number six. Bismarck Biyombo, a center, was picked seventh. Brandon Knight, a guard, was eighth. Kemba Walker, a dynamic guard from UConn, went ninth, and Jimmer Fredette, a popular college scorer, was picked tenth. The full list of 60 picks and the teams that drafted them, including all the trades and college backgrounds, is pretty interesting to look at even now. You can get pick-by-pick results from each round of the 2011 NBA Draft with Draftcast on ESPN, too.
Who Were the Top Talents?
When you talk about the 2011 NBA Draft Class, you're really talking about a group that had some serious talent right at the top. Kyrie Irving was, of course, the number one pick. He was a guard listed at 6'2" and 195 pounds from Duke. His ball-handling and scoring abilities were, well, pretty amazing from the start.
Derrick Williams, picked second, was a forward from Arizona, standing 6'8" and weighing 240 pounds. He was known for his athleticism. Enes Kanter, a center listed at 6'10" and 250 pounds from Kentucky, was a strong presence inside. Tristan Thompson, another big forward at 6'9" and 254 pounds from Texas, brought a lot of rebounding and energy.
Jonas Valanciunas, a center from Lithuania, was a towering 6'11" and 265 pounds. He was a very solid player. Then there was Jan Vesely, a 7'0" forward from Serbia, and Kemba Walker, a dynamic guard. These players, you know, were considered the top prospects heading into the draft, and they all had different skill sets that teams were hoping to build around. The draft had a good mix of college stars and international players, which is always something to watch for.
The Stars Who Emerged
What makes the 2011 NBA Draft Class truly special, in a way, is the number of players who went on to become genuine stars in the league. Beyond the top picks, some players drafted later in the first round, and even in the second round, really made a name for themselves. This group, you know, is often mentioned as being the best of its decade because of the sheer talent that blossomed.
Kyrie Irving, as we've talked about, became a multi-time All-Star and an NBA champion. His skill set is, well, pretty unique, and he's been a very impactful player for every team he's been on. But, you know, he wasn't the only one. There's also Kawhi Leonard, who was picked 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers but then traded to the San Antonio Spurs. He developed into one of the best two-way players in the game, winning multiple championships and Finals MVP awards. He's a truly special talent.
And then there's Jimmy Butler, who was picked even later, at 30th overall, by the Chicago Bulls. He worked incredibly hard to become an All-Star and a leader, known for his toughness and clutch play. He's been a very important player for several teams. So, when you look at Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Jimmy Butler from this one draft class, it's pretty clear why it's considered so strong. It's just a lot of high-level talent from one group.
These players, you know, weren't just good; they changed the course of their franchises and, in some cases, the league itself. It's a bit like finding gold in different spots throughout the same mine. The historical analysis of this class, with comprehensive projections and player evaluations, shows just how much talent was really there.
International Flair and Surprises
The 2011 NBA Draft also had a strong international flavor, which is something that's become more common in the league over the years. Jonas Valanciunas, as we mentioned, was a top-five pick from Lithuania, and he's had a long and very productive career as a big man. Jan Vesely, from Serbia, was another early international pick. It's always interesting to see how these players adjust to the NBA game, isn't it?
Beyond the well-known names, the draft had its share of surprises. Sometimes a player picked later, or one who wasn't considered a top prospect, ends up having a fantastic career. This draft class, you know, had its share of those stories. It's not just about the top prospects; it's also about finding those hidden gems. For example, some players, like Chandler Parsons, who went 38th, had very good stretches in their careers.
The full list of picks, trades, and players from the 2011 NBA Draft shows just how diverse the talent pool was. You had players from various colleges across the United States, alongside these international stars. This blend often makes for a really interesting draft, because you get different styles of play and different pathways to the league. It's almost like a global talent showcase, really.
Longevity and Lasting Impact
One of the most telling signs of a truly great draft class is how many of its players remain active in the league years later. And, well, the 2011 NBA Draft Class does pretty well on this front. More than a decade after the draft, the players in that group remain very relevant in the NBA. As of publishing this, there are, in fact, 20 NBA players who currently play in the NBA that were selected in the 2011 draft. That's a pretty good number, don't you think?
This kind of longevity speaks to the quality and durability of the players in this class. It's not just about having a few stars; it's about having a deep pool of talent that can contribute for a long time. You know, some draft classes might have one or two big names, but this one seems to have a lot of players who just keep on going. All data for this, by the way, is provided via Stathead and is accurate as of publishing.
When you look at each NBA draft class and who remains active, the 2011 group consistently stands out. It's a testament to the talent evaluators who found these players, and, more importantly, to the players themselves who put in the work to stay at the top of their game. It's pretty cool to see players like Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and Jonas Valanciunas still making an impact in today's NBA. They've really been around for a while, haven't they?
This enduring presence means that the impact of the 2011 class isn't just a historical footnote; it's something that continues to shape the league right now. They're still influencing games, mentoring younger players, and, well, just being a part of the NBA story. It's a class that just keeps giving, in some respects.
The Idea of a Redraft
Whenever a draft class is discussed years later, one popular exercise is the "redraft." This is where you look back at the original picks and, knowing what you know now about how players' careers turned out, you reorder them. It's a fun way to think about how things might have gone differently, and, well, it really highlights the players who overperformed their original draft spot or those who didn't quite meet expectations.
The 2011 NBA Draft Class, as a matter of fact, is perfect for a redraft. It was full of future Hall of Famers and, yes, some draft busts too. So, here is our redraft of the 2011 NBA Draft Class, keeping in mind what each player has accomplished so far in their careers and how they are progressing. For instance, players like Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler, who were picked much later, would certainly jump way up in a redraft scenario. It's pretty interesting to imagine how different the top 10 would look.
Josh Cohen of OrlandoMagic.com, for example, ranks the best players from the 2011 NBA Draft based on what they've done. This kind of analysis really shows how much hindsight changes things. A redraft helps us appreciate the true gems of the class, the ones who perhaps weren't seen as top prospects on draft night but grew into something special. It's a good way to revisit the whole thing, you know?
This exercise also reminds us that drafting is not an exact science. Teams make their best guesses based on potential, but player development, injuries, and team fit all play a huge role. The 2011 class, with its clear stars and surprising late bloomers, provides a really compelling case study for this. It's almost like a puzzle, where some pieces just fit together better over time than you first thought.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often have questions about this particular draft class, so let's look at a few common ones.
Who was the number one pick in the 2011 NBA Draft?
The number one pick in the 2011 NBA Draft was Kyrie Irving. He was a guard from Duke University and was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was, well, a very exciting player coming out of college, and he really showed a lot of promise right away.
How many players from the 2011 NBA Draft class are still active?
As of publishing, there are 20 NBA players who were selected in the 2011 draft who are still playing in the NBA. This shows the remarkable longevity and talent of this particular group. It's a pretty high number for a draft class from over a decade ago, don't you think?
Why is the 2011 NBA Draft Class considered one of the best?
The 2011 NBA Draft Class is considered one of the best, and arguably the best of its decade, because it produced multiple future Hall of Famers and All-Stars, including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Jimmy Butler. The class also has a good number of players who have had long, productive careers, showing a lot of depth beyond just the top few picks. It's just a very strong collection of talent, really.
So, as you look back at this group, it's pretty clear why the 2011 NBA Draft Class remains a big topic of conversation. From the top picks to the later surprises, this class really left its mark on the league. You can learn more about NBA draft history on our site, and if you're curious about specific player stats, you might want to check out an official source like nba.com/stats. What are your favorite memories from this amazing draft class? Share your thoughts on this page here.
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