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2013 NBA Draft

The 2013 NBA Draft was the annual NBA draft held on June 27, 2013, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The 2013 NBA Draft was the annual NBA draft held on June 27, 2013, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Cleveland Cavaliers held the first overall pick and selected Anthony Bennett, while the Milwaukee Bucks selected Giannis Antetokounmpo 15th overall, who later became the draft's most notable success. The draft featured 60 selections across two rounds.

Draft order and format

The first round of the 2013 NBA Draft featured 30 picks and the second round included 30 picks, for a total of 60 selections. The draft order for the top picks was determined by the NBA's draft lottery, and the remaining selections were set by reverse order of regular-season record.

Notable selections

The draft is remembered for Anthony Bennett being selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers and for the Milwaukee Bucks selecting Giannis Antetokounmpo at No. 15. Other top picks included Victor Oladipo (second overall, Orlando Magic), Otto Porter Jr. (third overall, Washington Wizards), Cody Zeller (fourth overall, Charlotte Bobcats), and C.J. McCollum (10th overall, Portland Trail Blazers).

Long-term impact

The 2013 draft class became better known in retrospect for producing stars picked outside the top few selections. Giannis Antetokounmpo became the class's most accomplished player, winning multiple MVP awards and an NBA championship. Rudy Gobert, selected 27th overall by the Utah Jazz, also developed into a major defensive standout, earning multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Venue and hosting

The event was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, which served as the NBA draft venue in 2013. ESPN and other draft recaps document the event as taking place on June 27, 2013.

Key facts

  • The draft took place in Brooklyn on June 27, 2013, with Cleveland holding the first overall pick.
  • Anthony Bennett was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks and later became the draft's standout player.
  • Victor Oladipo was selected second overall by the Orlando Magic.
  • The draft included 60 selections across two rounds.
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Canadian context

Toronto had a first-round pick in the draft order, and Canadian readers may note that the draft affected the Raptors through future player movement and league-wide roster building.[6]

Frequently asked questions

When was the 2013 NBA Draft held?
It was held on June 27, 2013.
Where did the 2013 NBA Draft take place?
At the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Who was the first overall pick?
Anthony Bennett was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Who is the most notable player from the draft class?
Giannis Antetokounmpo is generally regarded as the class’s standout player; he was selected 15th overall by Milwaukee and later won multiple MVP awards and an NBA championship.
How many picks were in the draft?
There were 60 selections in total, split across two rounds.
Which player was selected second overall?
Victor Oladipo was selected second overall by the Orlando Magic.

References

  1. RealGM — https://www.realgm.com/nba/draft/past_drafts/2013
    Supports: Date, venue, and overall draft recap.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nba/story?id=9299969&src=desktop
    Supports: 2013 draft order and first- and second-round selections.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NBA_draft
    Supports: Notable players and long-term draft class context.
  4. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nba/story?id=9431600&src=desktop
    Supports: Team-by-team draft results and selected players.