By: Jonathan K. Martin | WV Sports Chat
West Virginia basketball fans are riding a wave of excitement following the recent 2025 NBA Draft, where Javon Small was selected with the 48th pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, marking a new chapter for the Mountaineers.
The milestone comes on the heels on an intruiging post from the official NCAA March Madness account on X, which highlighted colleges with multiple No. 1 overall picks in NBA Draft history.
The graphic listed West Virginia among elite programs like Duke (five No. 1 picks) and Kentucky (three No. 1 picks) leading the way. The Mountaineers are tied for third with two No. 1 draft picks.
The first WVU player to be drafted No. 1 overall was Mark Workman, selected by the Milwaukee Hawks in the 1952 NBA Draft.
Workman’s NBA career, however, was brief, spanning just two seasons (1952-1954) with the Hawks and later the Philadelphia Warriors and Baltimore Bullets. While his professional career was limited, he averaged just 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
Rodney “Hot Rod” Hundley was the second Mountaineer to be selected No. 1 overall, taken by the Minnesota Lakers in the 1957 NBA Draft.
Hundley’s professional career lasted six seasons. He averaged 12.0 points and 2.0 assists per game throughout 431 career regular season games. He also made 53 playoff appearances and participated in two all-star games.
Two notable former Mountaineers, Jerry West and Rod Thorn, were both selected as No. 2 overall picks.
