The 1997 NBA Draft took place on June 25, 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Although the Celtics had the second worst record in the 1996-97 season and the best odds (36 percent) of winning the lottery with two picks, the Spurs, usually a model of winning and consistency, lost David Robinson to an injury early in the season and finished with the third worst record, subsequently winning the lottery. Leading up to the draft, there was no doubt that Tim Duncan would be selected at No. 1 by the Spurs[1]. The Celtics would end up with the third and sixth picks selecting Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer, both of whom were traded in the next two years. Although the draft class only produced three All-Stars (Duncan, Billups and Tracy McGrady).
Names in bold had been selected into All-NBA Team.
Round one
| = All-Star |
Round two
Notable undrafted players
All players are American unless otherwise indicated.
| Player | School/Club Team |
|---|---|
| Pat Burke (C, Template:IRL) | Auburn |
| Troy Hudson (PG) | Southern Illinois |
| Damon Jones (PG) | Houston |
| Mikki Moore (PF/C) | Nebraska |
| Ira Newble (SG/SF) | Miami (Ohio) |
