From the passing of Len Bias only hours after the draft to the death of Drazen Petrovic in a car accident seven years later, the 1986 draft class was filled with tragedy at just about every turn. Add in a handful of drug related suspensions and it is clear to see that the potential that came out of the ’86 draft was never fulfilled. The ’86 draft was 162 picks over seven rounds with the first round consisting of 24 picks. Of the 162 players selected 68 of them played in the NBA according to basketball-reference.com. Of the 68 players to play in the NBA, Alexander Volkov (sixth round, 134th overall) was the player taken with the lowest pick in the draft to play in the league.

Even with all of the problems surrounding the ’86 draft class, there were still plenty of bright spots. There were five All-Stars and three players who were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Note: three key players that helped to make the NBA a truly international league were all drafted in ’86 (Drazen Petrovic, Arvydas Sabonis and Alexander Volkov).

24. Billy Thompson: Thompson was originally taken with the 19th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Thompson played six seasons for the Lakers, Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors. His best season came with the Heat in 1988-89 when Thompson played 79 games (58 Starts) and averaged 10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks.

For his career, Thompson averaged 8.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and nearly a block in 300 games (149 starts).

23. Harold Pressley: was originally taken with the 17th overall pick by the Sacramento Kings. Pressley spent his entire four-your career with the Kings. His best season came in 1988-89 when Pressley averaged 12.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals and one block in 80 games (36 starts).

For his career, Pressley averaged nine points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and nearly a steal in 299 games (118 starts).

22. Kenny Gattison: Gattison was originally taken with the eighth pick in the third round (55th overall) by the Phoenix Suns. He spent ten seasons in the NBA with the Suns, Charlotte Hornets and the Vancouver Grizzlies. His best season came with the Hornets in in 1991-92 when Gattison averaged a career-high 12.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists while playing all 82 games (71 starts) for the only time.

For his career, Gattison averaged 7.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and nearly an assist in 494 games (130 starts).

21. Larry Krystkowiak: Krystkowiak was originally taken with the fourth pick of the second round (28th overall) by the Chicago Bulls. Before Krystkowiak ever played a game in the NBA he was traded twice. The first time came on draft night when Krystkowiak moved to Portland before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs two days Later.

Krystkowiak played nine seasons for the Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. His best season came with the Bucks in 1988-89 when Krystkowiak averaged 12.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 77 starts.

For his career, Krystkowiak averaged 8.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 420 games (134 starts).

20. Buck Johnson: Johnson was originally taken with 20th overall pick by the Houston Rockets. Johnson played seven seasons with the Rockets and the Washington Bullets. His best season came with the Rockets in 1989-90 when Johnson started all 82 games and averaged 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals.

For his career, Johnson averaged 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 505 games (296 starts).

19. Otis Smith: Smith was originally taken with the 17th pick in the second round (41st overall) by the Denver Nuggets. Smith played six seasons in the NBA with the Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and Orlando Magic. His best season came with the Magic in 1990-91 when Smith averaged 13.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 75 games.

For his career, Smith averaged 10.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one steal in 375 games (102 starts).

18. John Williams: Williams was originally taken with the 12th overall pick by the Washington Bullets. Williams played eight seasons for the Bullets, Los Angeles Clippers and the Indiana Pacers. His best full season came with the Bullets in 1988-89 when Williams averaged 13.7 points, seven rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals.

For his career, Williams averaged 10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 435 games (87 starts).

17. Walter Berry: Berry was originally taken with the 14th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers. Berry played three seasons in the NBA with the Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, New Jersey Nets and the Houston Rockets. His best season came with the Spurs in 1987-88 when Berry averaged 17.4 points on 56.3 percent shooting, 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

For his career, Berry averaged 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 205 games (132 starts).

16. John Salley: Salley was originally taken with the 11th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons. Salley played 11 seasons in the NBA with the Pistons, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. His most productive season came with the Pistons in 1987-88 when Salley averaged 8.5 points on 56.6 percent shooting to go along with 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.7 blocks in 82 games.

For his career, Salley averaged seven points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.3 blocks in 748 games (228 starts).

15. Roy Tarpley: Tarpley was originally taken with the seventh overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks. Tarpley only played 280 games over nine seasons because of numerous suspensions. His best season came in 1989-90 when Tarpley averaged 16.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks in 45 games.
For his career, Tarpley averaged 12.6 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks during his time in Dallas.

14. Nate McMillan: McMillan was originally taken with the sixth pick in the second round (30th overall) by the Seattle SuperSonics. McMillan spend his entire 12-year career with Seattle. His most productive season came 1988-89 when McMillan averaged 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.1 steals while starting all but one of the 75 games he appeared in.

For his career, McMillan averaged 5.9 points, four rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.9 steals in 796 games (373 starts).

13. Johnny Newman: Newman was originally taken with the fifth pick of the second round (29th overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Newman played 16 season in the NBA for the Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks. Newman averaged Double figures in scoring in 11 of his 18 years including seven consecutive seasons early in his career. One of his best season came with the Hornets in 1990-91 when Newman averaged a career-high 16.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals in while starting 81 games.

For his career, Newman averaged 11 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 1,159 games (512 starts).

12. Del Curry: Curry was originally taken with the 15th overall pick By the Utah Jazz. Curry played 16 seasons for the Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks and the Toronto Raptors. His most productive season came with the Hornets in 1993-94 when Curry managed a career-high 16.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals while playing all 82 games coming of the bench.

For his career, Curry averaged 11.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 1,083 games (99 starts).

11. Johnny Dawkins: Dawkins was originally taken with the 10th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs. Dawkins played nine seasons in the NBA for the Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and the Detroit Pistons. His most productive season came with the Spurs in 1987-88 when Dawkins averaged 15.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 65 games.

For his career, Dawkins averaged 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 541 games (303 starts).

10. Scott Skiles: Skiles was originally taken with the 22nd overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks. Skiles played 10 seasons in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Washington Bullets and Philadelphia 76ers. His most productive season came with the Magic in 1990-91 in 17.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 79 games.

For his career, Skiles averaged 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 600 games (371 starts).

9. Kevin Duckworth: Duckworth was originally taken with ninth pick in the second round (33rd overall) by the San Antonio Spurs. Duckworth played 11 seasons in the NBA with the Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Bullets, Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Clippers. His best season came with the Blazers in 1988-89 when Duckworth made his first All-Star game after averaging 18.1 points and eight rebounds a game.

For his career, the two-time All-Star averaged 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 684 games (527 starts).

8. Chuck Person: Person was originally taken with the fourth overall pick by the Indiana Pacers. Person played 13 seasons in the NBA with the Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets and Seattle SuperSonics. His most productive season came with Indiana in 1988-89 when Person averaged 21.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and one steal in 80 games.

For his career, Person averaged 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 943 games (622 starts).

7. Ron Harper: Harper was originally taken with the eighth pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Harper played 15 seasons in the NBA for the Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. Harper had his most productive season as a rookie in Cleveland in 1986-87 when He averaged 22.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.5 steals in 82 games.

After being a great offensive player during his first eight years in the league, Harper took on a far more defensive role while with the Bulls and Lakers. In fact, Harper was a key piece on five straight championship teams in his last five seasons in the league.

For his career, Harper averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 1,009 games (967 starts).

6. Jeff Hornacek: Hornacek was originally taken with the 22nd pick in the second round (46th overall) by the Phoenix Suns. Hornacek played 14 seasons in the NBA for the Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and the Utah Jazz. His most impressive season came with the Suns in 1991-92 when Hornacek made his only All-Star game after he averaged 20.1 points on 51.2 percent shooting to go along five rebounds, 5.1 assists and two steals in 81 games.

For his career, Hornacek averaged 14.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 1,077 games (910 starts).

5. Drazen Petrovic: Petrovic was originally taken with the 12th pick in the third round (60th overall) by the Portland Trail Blazers. Petrovic played four seasons in the NBA with the Trail Blazers and the New Jersey Nets before he died in a car accident in the summer of summer of ’93. Petrovic was just beginning to reach his prime when the tragic accident happened. His best season came with the Nets in 1992-93 when he averaged 22.3 points on 51.8 percent shooting, 2.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 70 games. For his efforts that season, Petrovic was named third-team All-NBA.

For his career, Petrovic averaged 15.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and nearly a steal in 290 games (149 starts). He was inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

4. Arvydas Sabonis: Sabonis was originally taken with the 24th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers. Sabonis had a NBA career that is more difficult to quantify than others for the fact that he didn’t come into the league until he was 31 after a very successful career in Europe. Sabonis played seven years in the NBA in Portland with his most impressive statistical season coming in 1997-98. That year, Sabonis averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and 1.1 blocks in 73 games.

For his career, Sabonis averaged 12 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 470 games (314 starts). Sabonis was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011 for his play both internationally and in the NBA.

3. Brad Daugherty: Daugherty was originally taken with the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Daugherty spent his entire eight-year career in the NBA with the Cavaliers and made five All-Star games along the way. His best statistical season came in 1991-92 when Daugherty made his fourth All-Star game in five years after averaging 21.5 points on 57 percent shooting from the floor, 10.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 blocks in 73 games.

For his career, Daugherty averaged 19 points on 53.2 percent shooting, 9.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 548 games (546 starts).

2. Mark Price: Price was originally taken with the first pick of the second round (25th overall) by the Dallas Mavericks and then traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Price played 12 seasons in the NBA with the Cavaliers, Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors and the Orlando Magic. His best season came with the Cavaliers came in 1992-93 when Price earned first-team All-NBA honors after averaging 18.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, eight assists and 1.2 steals.

For his career, Price earned four All-Star appearances and was named third-team All-NBA three times while averaging 15.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 722 games (578 starts).

1. Dennis Rodman: Rodman was originally taken with the third pick of the second round (27th overall) by the Detroit Pistons. Rodman played 14 seasons in the NBA with the Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks and proved that you don’t have to score the ball at a high level to be great. He best statistical season came with the Pistons in 1991-92 when Rodman made his second All-Star game after he averaged 9.8 points, a career-high 18.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 82 games.

For his career, Rodman earned NBA defensive Player of the Year twice, All-defensive first-team seven times and third-team All-NBA twice. Rodman also added five championships while averaging 7.3 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 911 games (573 starts). He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011 following his impressive career.