1997 NBA draft

The ninth pick, Tracy McGrady, captured two NBA scoring titles and was named to seven All-Star and All-NBA teams.

This year saw a continued rise of collegiate underclassmen and other players of similar nature declaring entry into the NBA draft.

in Greece, Larell Redic from Utah State University, Dawood Thomas from the California University of Pennsylvania, the Turkish-Yugoslavian born Mirsad Türkcan of the Efes Pilsen in Turkey, and the Argentinian-Spanish born Lucas Victoriano of the Olimpia Venado Tuerto in Argentina) would later decline their entry for this year's draft.

Including the likes of high school phenom Tracy McGrady from Mount Zion Christian Academy, the Slovenian born Marko Milič of the Smelt Olimpija in Slovenia, and former Central Connecticut State University player Keith Closs of the Norwich Neptunes from the Atlantic Basketball Association minor league, the number of qualified underclassmen would increase from 37 only in college to 40 total players.

[3] This would be the third year in a row where high school players were allowed entry into the NBA draft after previously only doing it back in 1975.

Tim Duncan was selected 1st overall by the San Antonio Spurs .
Keith Van Horn was selected 2nd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers .
Chauncey Billups was selected 3rd overall by the Boston Celtics .
Tracy McGrady was selected 9th overall by the Toronto Raptors .
Despite going undrafted Pat Burke gained notability through being the NBA's first Irish player.