Editing 2003 NBA draft

{{short description|Basketball player selection}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox sports draft
| name     = 2003 NBA draft
| image    = 
| caption  = 
| logo     = 2003 NBA Draft logo.png
| logosize = 180px
| sport    = Basketball
| date     = June 26, 2003
| location = [[The Theater at Madison Square Garden]] ([[New York City, New York]])
| network  = [[NBA on ESPN|ESPN]]
| league   = NBA
| teams    = 
| overall  = 58
| rounds   = 2
| first    = [[LeBron James]] ([[Cleveland Cavaliers]])
| hofnum   = {{Collapsible list
| title = 3
|1 = SF [[Carmelo Anthony]]
|2 = PF [[Chris Bosh]]
|3 = SG [[Dwyane Wade]]}}
| prev     = [[2002 NBA draft|2002]]
| next     = [[2004 NBA draft|2004]]
}}
The '''2003 NBA draft''' was held on June 26, 2003, at [[The Theater at Madison Square Garden]] in New York City, New York. The NBA announced that 41 college and high school players and a record 31 international players had filed as early-entry candidates for the [[2003–04 NBA season|2003]] NBA draft.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/draft2003_early_entries.html |title=NBA Announces Early-Entry Candidates |access-date=April 20, 2007 |publisher=NBA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427195030/http://www.nba.com/news/draft2003_early_entries.html |archive-date=April 27, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Cleveland Cavaliers]], who had a 22.50 percent probability of obtaining the first selection, won the [[NBA draft lottery]] on May 22, and Cleveland chairman [[Gordon Gund]] said afterward his team would select [[LeBron James]], and they did.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/lottery_030522.html |title=Cavaliers Win NBA Draft Lottery 2003 |access-date=April 20, 2007 |publisher=NBA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226031904/http://www.nba.com/news/lottery_030522.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=The Associated Press |date=June 26, 2003 |title=LeBron James Selected First by Cleveland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/26/sports/basketball/lebron-james-selected-first-by-cleveland.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The [[Detroit Pistons]] and the [[Denver Nuggets]] were second and third, respectively. This draft was the first draft to be aired on [[ESPN]] after they picked up the license from [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]].

The 2003 draftees represented one of the deepest talent pools in NBA history. The draft contained 15 players who combined for 26 championships. Four of the top five picks are NBA All-Stars and "[[Redeem Team]]" Olympic Gold Medalists: [[Carmelo Anthony]], [[Chris Bosh]], [[Dwyane Wade]], and [[LeBron James]].

==Overview==
Four of the top five picks of the 2003 draft became NBA All-Stars and "[[Redeem Team]]" Olympic Gold Medalists: [[Carmelo Anthony]], [[Chris Bosh]], [[Dwyane Wade]], and [[LeBron James]]. Nine players have participated in an [[NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Game]]. [[Dwyane Wade]] was named [[National Basketball Association Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]] in [[2006 NBA Finals|2006]] and won [[NBA championship]]s with the [[Miami Heat]] in 2006, 2012 and 2013, as well as the [[NBA All Star Game MVP]] in [[2009–10 NBA season|2010]]. [[Boris Diaw]] won the [[NBA Most Improved Player Award|Most Improved Player Award]] in [[2005–06 NBA season|2006]], [[Jason Kapono]] won the [[three point shootout]] in back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008, [[James Jones (basketball, born 1980)|James Jones]] won the [[three point shootout]] in 2011, [[Leandro Barbosa]] won the [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award|Sixth Man Award]] in [[2006–07 NBA season|2007]], [[Kyle Korver]] set the NBA record for three point shooting percentage in [[2009–10 NBA season|2010]] (53.6%), and in the [[2008–09 NBA season|2009]], [[2009–10 NBA season|2010]], [[2011–12 NBA season|2012]], and [[2012–13 NBA season|2013]] seasons, LeBron James won the [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award]], and the [[National Basketball Association Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]] in [[2012 NBA Finals|2012]], [[2013 NBA Finals|2013]], [[2016 NBA Finals|2016]], and [[2020 NBA Finals|2020]]. [[Carmelo Anthony]] won the 2013 [[List of National Basketball Association annual scoring leaders|NBA scoring title]] and was the only player in NBA history to win at least three Olympic gold medals<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/carmelo-anthony-wins-third-gold-medal-says-hes-finished-with-team-usa/ |title=Carmelo Anthony wins third gold medal, says he's finished with Team USA |date=August 21, 2016 |access-date=September 2, 2016 |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826160348/http://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/carmelo-anthony-wins-third-gold-medal-says-hes-finished-with-team-usa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> until [[Kevin Durant]] won his third one in [[2020 United States men's Olympic basketball team|2021]]. [[Zaza Pachulia]] and [[David West (basketball)|David West]] won [[NBA championship]]s with the [[Golden State Warriors]] in 2017 and 2018. [[Matt Bonner]] won NBA championships with the [[San Antonio Spurs]] in 2007 and 2014. [[Dahntay Jones]] and [[Mo Williams]] won the NBA championship in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. [[Luke Walton]] won three NBA championships, two as a player with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in 2009 and 2010 and one as an assistant coach with the Warriors in 2015. [[Chris Bosh]] left the [[Toronto Raptors]] in 2010 as its all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, double doubles, free throws made and attempted, and minutes played; he went on to win championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013.

The 2003 draft class has drawn comparisons to the [[1984 NBA draft|1984]] and [[1996 NBA draft]] classes<ref name="bestever">{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15403154/ |title=2003 draft eventually may be best in history |access-date=April 19, 2007 |work=MSNBC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126002445/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15403154/ |archive-date=January 26, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> but is also known for the Detroit Pistons' selection of [[Darko Miličić]] with the second overall pick [[Draft (sports)#Draft bust|over other prospects who went on to have much more success in the league]].<ref name="bestever"/>
As of 2025, LeBron James is the only remaining active player from the 2003 draft class.

Eleven of the players selected in this draft never played in an NBA game throughout their professional basketball careers. Two of those players were the sole selection of the draft by their respective teams: [[Malick Badiane]] (Houston's only pick) and [[Paccelis Morlende]] (Philadelphia's only pick).

==Draft selections==
[[File:LebronFT (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[LeBron James]] was one of the most anticipated first overall draft picks in the history of any sport. He is the second [[NBA high school draftees|high school draftee]] to be a first overall pick, the first being [[Kwame Brown]] in 2001, and was followed by Dwight Howard in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/top10/draft_picks.html#6 |title=Most anticipated No. 1 draft picks |access-date=June 16, 2008 |work=[[CBC Sports]] |date=July 27, 2005 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080621235002/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/top10/draft_picks.html| archive-date=June 21, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>]]
[[File:Carmelo Anthony (2007).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Carmelo Anthony]] was selected 3rd overall by the [[Denver Nuggets]].]]
[[File:Chris Bosh.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Chris Bosh]], selected 4th overall by the [[Toronto Raptors]], was the first member of the draft class to be elected to the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]].]]
[[File:Dwyane wade 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Dwyane Wade]] was selected 5th overall by the [[Miami Heat]].]]
[[File:Chris Kaman Clippers.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Chris Kaman]] was selected 6th overall by the [[Los Angeles Clippers]].]]
[[File:David West 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|[[David West (basketball)|David West]] was selected 18th overall by the [[New Orleans Hornets]].]]
[[File:joshhoward.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Josh Howard]] was selected 29th overall by the [[Dallas Mavericks]].]]
[[File:Mo Williams Cavs.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Mo Williams]] was selected 47th overall by the [[Utah Jazz]].]]
[[File:Kyle Korver Sixers (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Kyle Korver]] was selected 51st overall by the [[New Jersey Nets]] (traded to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]).]]

{|class=wikitable
|-
| PG||[[Point guard]]
| SG||[[Shooting guard]]
| SF||[[Small forward]]
| PF||[[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]]
| C||[[Center (basketball)|Center]]
|}
{{NBA Draft legend|1=y|2=y|3=y|4=|5=y|6=y}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! scope="col" width="1%"| Round
! scope="col" width="1%"| Pick
! scope="col" width="19%"| Player
! scope="col" width="1%"| Position
! scope="col" width="16%"| Nationality{{refn|group=n|Nationality indicates the player's national team or representative nationality. If a player has not competed at the international level, then the nationality indicates the national team which the player is eligible to represent according to [[FIBA]] rules.}}
! scope="col" width="35%"| Team
! scope="col" width="20%"| School/club team
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center|1 || bgcolor="#FBCEB1"| {{sortname|LeBron|James}}*<sup>~</sup> || SF/PF ||{{USA}} || [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] || [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School|St. Vincent–St. Mary HS]] <small>([[Akron, Ohio]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 2 ||[[Darko Miličić]] || C || {{SCG}} || [[Detroit Pistons]] <small>(from [[Memphis Grizzlies|Memphis]])</small><ref>The Grizzlies traded this pick to the Pistons for [[Otis Thorpe]] on August 7, 1997.<br>{{cite news |first=Greg |last=Boeck |title=Thorpe trade frees Pistons to chase Bulls' Williams |work=USA Today |page=12C |date=August 8, 1997}}<br>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Enlund |title=Selections have Pistons popping; Sonics also do well on draft day |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |page=3C |date=June 28, 2003}}</ref> || [[KK Hemofarm|Hemofarm Vršac]] <small>([[YUBA League|Serbia and Montenegro]])</small><!--Vrsac wasn't in the Adriatic League at the time.-->
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 3 || bgcolor="#ff9"| {{sortname|Carmelo|Anthony}}^ || SF/PF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Denver Nuggets]] || [[Syracuse Orange men's basketball|Syracuse]] ([[Freshman (education)|Fr.]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 4 || bgcolor=#ff9 | {{sortname|Chris|Bosh}}^ || PF/C || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Toronto Raptors]] || [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball|Georgia Tech]] ([[Freshman|Fr.]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 5 || bgcolor="#ff9| {{sortname|Dwyane|Wade}}^ || SG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Miami Heat]] || [[Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball|Marquette]] ([[Junior (athletics)|Jr.]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 6 || bgcolor="#FFCC00" | {{sortname|Chris|Kaman}}<sup>+</sup> || C || {{flagu|United States}}|| [[Los Angeles Clippers]] || [[Central Michigan Chippewas men's basketball|Central Michigan]] ([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 7 || {{sortname|Kirk|Hinrich}} || PG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Chicago Bulls]] || [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|Kansas]]  ([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 8 || {{sortname|T. J.|Ford}} || PG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Milwaukee Bucks]] <small>(from [[Atlanta Hawks|Atlanta]])</small><ref>The Hawks traded this pick along with [[Toni Kukoč]] and [[Leon Smith (basketball)|Leon Smith]] to the Bucks for [[Glenn Robinson]] on August 2, 2002.<br>{{cite news|first=Tom |last=Saladino |title=Robinson traded by Milwaukee to Hawks for No. 1 pick and Kukoc |agency=The Associated Press State & Local Wire |date=August 3, 2002}}</ref> || [[Texas Longhorns men's basketball|Texas]] ([[College sophomore|So.]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 9 || {{sortname|Michael|Sweetney}} || PF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[New York Knicks]] || [[Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball|Georgetown]] ([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 10 || {{sortname|Jarvis|Hayes}} || F/G || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Washington Wizards]] || [[Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball|Georgia]] ([[Junior (education year)|Jr.]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 11 || {{sortname|Mickaël|Piétrus}} || G/F || {{FRA}} || [[Golden State Warriors]] || [[Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez|Pau-Orthez]] <small>([[LNB Pro A|France]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 12 || {{sortname|Nick|Collison}} || PF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Seattle SuperSonics]] || [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|Kansas]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr.]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 13 || {{sortname|Marcus|Banks}} || PG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Memphis Grizzlies]] <small>(from [[Houston Rockets|Houston]],</small><ref>The Rockets traded this pick along with [[Othella Harrington]], [[Brent Price]], [[Antoine Carr]], and [[Michael Dickerson]] to the Grizzlies as part of a three-way deal in which the Rockets received draft rights to [[Steve Francis]] and [[Tony Massenburg]] from Grizzlies and [[Don MacLean (basketball)|Don MacLean]] and future first-round draft choice from Orlando Magic, and Magic received Michael Smith, Rodrick Rhodes, Lee Mayberry and Makhtar Ndiaye from Grizzlies on August 27, 1999.<br>{{cite news|first=Michael |last=Murphy |title=Rockets land Francis, 5 others; Grizzlies get 4 in largest deal in NBA history |work=The Houston Chronicle |page=1 |date=August 27, 1999}}</ref> <small>traded to [[Boston Celtics|Boston]])</small><ref name="Griztics">The Grizzlies traded No. 13 and No. 27 picks to the Celtics for No. 16 and No. 20 picks on the draft day.<br>{{cite news |first=Woody |last=Baird |title=West wastes no time for draft-night trades |agency=Associated Press |date=June 27, 2003}}</ref> || [[UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball|UNLV]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 14 || {{sortname|Luke|Ridnour}} || PG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Seattle SuperSonics]] <small>(from [[Milwaukee Bucks|Milwaukee]])</small><ref>The Bucks traded this pick along with [[Ray Allen]], [[Kevin Ollie]], and [[Ronald Murray]] to the SuperSonics for [[Gary Payton]] and [[Desmond Mason]] on February 20, 2003.<br>{{cite news |first=Don |last=Ruiz |title=Goodbye, Glove: Sonics trade Payton; NBA deal: Fan favorite Mason also sent to Milwaukee Bucks |work=The News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington) |page=A01 |date=February 21, 2003}}</ref> || [[Oregon Ducks|Oregon]] ([[Junior (education year)|Jr]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 15 || {{sortname|Reece|Gaines}} || F/G || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Orlando Magic]] || [[Louisville Cardinals men's basketball|Louisville]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 16 || {{sortname|Troy|Bell}} || PG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Boston Celtics]] <small>(traded to Memphis)</small><ref name="Griztics" /> || [[Boston College Eagles men's basketball|Boston College]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 17 || {{sortname|Žarko|Čabarkapa||Cabarkapa, Zarko}} || SF || {{SCG}} || [[Phoenix Suns]] || [[KK Budućnost Podgorica|Budućnost Podgorica]] <small>([[YUBA League|Serbia and Montenegro]] and [[ABA League|Adriatic League]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 18 || bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|David|West|David West (basketball)}}<sup>+</sup> || PF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[New Orleans Hornets]] || [[Xavier Musketeers men's basketball|Xavier]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 19 || {{sortname|Sasha|Pavlović|Aleksandar Pavlović (basketball)}} || F/G || {{SCG}} || [[Utah Jazz]] || [[KK Budućnost Podgorica|Budućnost Podgorica]] <small>([[YUBA League|Serbia and Montenegro]] and [[ABA League|Adriatic League]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 20 || {{sortname|Dahntay|Jones}} || SG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Boston Celtics]] <small>(from [[Philadelphia 76ers|Philadelphia]],</small><ref>The 76ers traded this pick along with Roshown McLeod to the Celtics for [[Jérôme Moïso]] on August 3, 2001.<br>{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Doyle |title=Celts move forward in Sixers deal; Little-used Moiso swapped for McLeod, future first-round pick |work=Telegram & Gazette (Massachusetts) |page=B1 |date=August 4, 2001}}</ref> <small>traded to [[Memphis Grizzlies|Memphis]])</small><ref name="Griztics" /> || [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 21 || {{sortname|Boris|Diaw}} || PF || {{flagu|France}} || [[Atlanta Hawks]] <small>(from [[Indiana Pacers|Indiana]])</small><ref>The Pacers traded this pick to the Hawks for [[Jamaal Tinsley]] on June 27, 2001.<br>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Marot |title=Pacers wait their turn, wind up with 2 guards |agency=The Associated Press State & Local Wire |date=June 28, 2001}}</ref> || [[ÉB Pau-Orthez|Pau-Orthez]] <small>([[LNB Pro A|France]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 22 || {{sortname|Zoran|Planinić}} || G/F || {{CRO}} || [[New Jersey Nets]] || [[KK Cibona|Cibona Zagreb]] <small>([[A1 Liga|Croatia]] and [[ABA League|Adriatic League]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 23 || {{sortname|Travis|Outlaw}} || SF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Portland Trail Blazers]] || [[Starkville High School|Starkville HS]] <small>([[Starkville, Mississippi]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 24 || {{sortname|Brian|Cook|Brian Cook (basketball)}} || PF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Los Angeles Lakers]] || [[Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball|Illinois]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 25 || {{sortname|Carlos|Delfino}} || SG || {{ARG}} || [[Detroit Pistons]] || [[Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna|Skipper Bologna]] <small>([[Lega Basket Serie A|Italy]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 26 || {{sortname|Ndudi|Ebi}} || SF || {{GBR}}<br/>{{NGA}} || [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] || [[Westbury Christian School|Westbury Christian HS]] <small>([[Houston|Houston, Texas]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 27 || {{sortname|Kendrick|Perkins}} || C || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Memphis Grizzlies]] <small>(from Sacramento via Orlando,</small><ref>The Kings traded this pick along with [[Tariq Abdul-Wahad]] to the Magic for [[Nick Anderson (basketball)|Nick Anderson]] on August 3, 1999.<br>{{cite news |title=Magic trades Anderson for Kings' Abdul-Wahad |page= Sports 9 |work=The Houston Chronicle |date=August 4, 1999}}<br>The Magic traded this pick along with [[Mike Miller (basketball, born 1980)|Mike Miller]] and [[Ryan Humphrey]] to the Grizzlies for [[Drew Gooden]] and [[Gordan Giricek]] on February 19, 2003.<br>{{cite news |first=Dick |last=Scanlon |title=Trade Pays Off Quickly |page=C1 |work=The Ledger |date=March 7, 2003}}</ref> <small>traded to Boston)</small><ref name="Griztics" /> || [[Clifton J. Ozen High School|Ozen HS]] <small>([[Beaumont, Texas]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 28 || {{sortname|Leandro|Barbosa}} || SG || {{BRA}} || [[San Antonio Spurs]] <small>(traded to Phoenix)</small><ref>The Spurs traded this pick to the Suns for a future pick (#30 pick in [[2005 NBA draft]]) on June 26, 2003.<br>{{cite news |first=T.A. |last=Badger |title=Spurs select and then trade Brazilian point guard |agency=The Associated Press State & Local Wire |date=June 26, 2003}}</ref> || [[Associação Bauru Basketball Team|Bauru Tilibra]] <small>([[Campeonato Brasileiro de Basquete|Brazil]])</small>
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center| 29 || bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|Josh|Howard}}<sup>+</sup> || F/G || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Dallas Mavericks]] || [[Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball|Wake Forest]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 30 || {{sortname|Maciej|Lampe}} || PF || {{POL}} || New York Knicks <small>(from Denver)</small><ref>The Nuggets traded this pick along with [[Antonio McDyess]] and the draft rights to [[Frank Williams (basketball)|Frank Williams]] to the Knicks for [[Marcus Camby]], [[Mark Jackson (basketball)|Mark Jackson]] and the draft rights to [[Nenê|Maybyner "Nenê" Hilario]] on June 26, 2002.<br>{{cite web| url = http://www.espn.com/nbadraft/story?id=1399527| title = Knicks blockbuster may be the tip of iceberg| access-date = September 11, 2016| date = June 26, 2002| publisher = ESPN| archive-date = July 1, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170701200251/http://www.espn.com/nbadraft/story?id=1399527| url-status = live}}</ref> || [[Complutense University of Madrid]] <small>(Spain)</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 31 || {{sortname|Jason|Kapono}} || F/G || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] || [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 32 || {{sortname|Luke|Walton}} || SF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Los Angeles Lakers]] <small>(from [[Toronto Raptors|Toronto]])</small><ref name="Rapkers">The Raptors traded No. 32 pick along with [[Tracy Murray]] and [[Kareem Rush]] to the Lakers for the No. 52 pick, [[Lindsey Hunter]], and [[Chris Jefferies]] on June 26, 2002.<br>{{cite news|first=Beth |last=Harris |title=Lakers trade Hunter, first-round pick to Toronto for Murray | agency=The Associated Press State & Local Wire |date=June 27, 2002}}</ref> || [[Arizona Wildcats men's basketball|Arizona]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 33 || {{sortname|Jerome|Beasley}} || PF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Miami Heat]] || [[North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's basketball|North Dakota]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 34 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Sofoklis|Schortsanitis}}<sup>#</sup> || C || {{GRE}} || [[Los Angeles Clippers]] || [[Iraklis BC]] <small>([[Greek Basket League|Greece]])</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 35 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Szymon|Szewczyk}}<sup>#</sup> || PF || {{flagu|Poland}} || [[Milwaukee Bucks]] <small>(from [[Memphis Grizzlies|Memphis]])</small><ref>The Grizzlies traded this pick to the Bucks for [[Chris Owens (basketball)|Chris Owens]] on June 26, 2002.<br>{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Finger |title=Owens off to Memphis ; Injury didn't scare off teams | work=San Antonio Express-News |date=June 27, 2002}}</ref> || [[New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig|Braunschweig]] <small>([[Basketball Bundesliga|Germany]])</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 36 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Mario|Austin}}<sup>#</sup> || PF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Chicago Bulls]] || [[Mississippi State Bulldogs|Mississippi State]] ([[Junior (education year)|Jr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 37 || {{sortname|Travis|Hansen}} || SG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Atlanta Hawks]] || [[BYU Cougars men's basketball|BYU]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 38 || {{sortname|Steve|Blake}} || PG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Washington Wizards]] || [[Maryland Terrapins men's basketball|Maryland]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 39 || {{sortname|Slavko|Vraneš}} || C || {{SCG}} || New York Knicks || [[KK Budućnost Podgorica|Budućnost Podgorica]] <small>([[YUBA League|Serbia and Montenegro]] and [[ABA League|Adriatic League]])</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 40 || {{sortname|Derrick|Zimmerman}}|| PG || {{flagu|United States}} || Golden State Warriors || [[Mississippi State Bulldogs basketball|Mississippi State]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 41 || {{sortname|Willie|Green}} || SG || {{flagu|United States}} || Seattle SuperSonics <small>(traded to Philadelphia)</small><ref name="76sonics">The 76ers traded No. 41 pick to the SuperSonics for the No. 50 pick and cash during the draft.<br>{{cite news| url = http://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1679399| title = Green has thumb surgery| access-date = September 11, 2016| date = December 5, 2003| agency = Associated Press| publisher = ESPN| archive-date = July 1, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170701205053/http://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1679399| url-status = live}}</ref> || [[Detroit Titans men's basketball|Detroit]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 42 || {{sortname|Zaza|Pachulia}}|| PF || {{flag|Georgia|1990}} || Orlando Magic || [[Ülkerspor]] <small>([[Turkish Basketball Super League|Turkey]])</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 43 || {{sortname|Keith|Bogans}} || SG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Milwaukee Bucks]] <small>(traded to [[Orlando Magic|Orlando]])</small><ref>The Bucks traded this pick to the Magic for cash considerations on the draft day.<br>{{cite news|first=Tom |last=Mulhern |title=Short, to the Point; Bucks Choose Texas' Ford | work=Wisconsin State Journal |date=June 27, 2003}}</ref> || [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 44 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Malick|Badiane}}<sup>#</sup> || PF || {{SEN}} || Houston Rockets || [[TV Langen|Langen]] <small>([[2. Basketball Bundesliga|Germany]])</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 45 || {{sortname|Matt|Bonner}} || F || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Chicago Bulls]] <small>(from [[Phoenix Suns|Phoenix]],</small><ref>The Suns traded this pick along with [[Soumaila Samake]] to the Bulls for C Jake Voskuhl on October 29, 2001.<br>{{cite news|title=Bulls trade Voskuhl to Suns for draft pick | agency=The Associated Press State & Local Wire |date=October 29, 2001}}</ref> <small>traded to [[Toronto Raptors|Toronto]])</small><ref>The Bulls traded this pick to the Raptors for a future pick (#38 pick in 2004 NBA draft) on the draft day.<br>{{cite news|first=Kevin |last=Gray |title=Toronto trades for Bonner | work=The Union Leader |date=June 27, 2003}}</ref> || [[Florida Gators men's basketball|Florida]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 46 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Sani|Bečirović}}<sup>#</sup> || SG || {{SLO}} || [[Denver Nuggets]] <small>(from [[Boston Celtics|Boston]])</small><ref>The Celtics traded this pick along with [[Shammond Williams]] to the Nuggets for [[Mark Blount]] and [[Mark Bryant (basketball)|Mark Bryant]] on February 20, 2003.<br>{{cite news| url = http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0220/1511804.html| title = Celtics add bulk with additions of Blount, Bryant| access-date = March 8, 2009| date = February 20, 2003| agency = Associated Press| publisher = ESPN| archive-date = September 24, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120924212826/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0220/1511804.html| url-status = live}}</ref> || [[Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna|Virtus Bologna]] <small>([[Lega Basket Serie A|Italy]])</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 47 || bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|Mo|Williams}}<sup>+</sup> || PG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Utah Jazz]] || [[Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball|Alabama]] ([[College sophomore|So]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 48 || {{sortname|James|Lang|dab=basketball}} || C || {{flagu|United States}} || [[New Orleans Hornets]] || Central Park Christian HS <small>([[Birmingham, Alabama]])</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 49 || {{sortname|James|Jones|dab=basketball, born 1980}} || SF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Indiana Pacers]] || [[Miami Hurricanes men's basketball|Miami (Florida)]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 50 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Paccelis|Morlende}}<sup>#</sup> || PG || {{flagu|France}} || [[Philadelphia 76ers]] <small>(traded to [[Seattle SuperSonics|Seattle]])</small><ref name="76sonics" /> || [[JDA Dijon|Dijon]] <small>([[LNB Pro A|France]])</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 51 ||bgcolor="#FFCC00"| {{sortname|Kyle|Korver}}<sup>+</sup> || SG || {{flagu|United States}} || [[New Jersey Nets]] <small>(traded to [[Philadelphia 76ers|Philadelphia]])</small><ref>The Nets traded this pick to the 76ers for cash considerations on the draft day.<br>{{cite news|title=Korver drafted by Nets, traded to Philadelphia| agency=The Associated Press State & Local Wire |date=June 27, 2003}}</ref> || [[Creighton Bluejays men's basketball|Creighton]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 52 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Remon|van de Hare}} || C || {{NED}} || [[Toronto Raptors]] <small>(from [[Los Angeles Lakers]])</small><ref name="Rapkers" /> || [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|FC Barcelona]] <small>([[Liga ACB|Spain]])</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 53 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Tommy|Smith|Tommy Smith (basketball)}}<sup>#</sup> || PF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Chicago Bulls]] <small>(from [[Detroit Pistons|Detroit]] via [[Miami Heat|Miami]])</small><ref>The Pistons traded this pick along with [[Cedric Ceballos]] to the Heat for a second-round draft pick (#38 pick in [[2002 NBA draft]]) on November 26, 2000.<br>The Heat traded this pick to the Bulls for [[Sean Lampley]] on October 2, 2001.<br>{{cite news|title=Heat acquire F Lampley from Chicago | agency=The Associated Press State & Local Wire |date=October 2, 2001}}</ref> || [[Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball|Arizona State]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 54 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Nedžad|Sinanović}}<sup>#</sup> || C || {{BIH}} || [[Portland Trail Blazers]] || [[KK Brotnjo|Brotnjo]] (<small>[[Basketball Championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia and Herzegovina]]</small>)
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 55 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Rick|Rickert}}<sup>#</sup> || PF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] || [[Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball|Minnesota]] ([[College sophomore|So]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 56 || {{sortname|Brandon|Hunter}} || PF || {{flagu|United States}} || [[Boston Celtics]] <small>(from [[Sacramento Kings|Sacramento]])</small><ref>The Kings traded this pick along with a future pick (#53 pick in [[2005 NBA draft]]) to the Celtics for [[Darius Songaila]] on June 23, 2003.<br>{{cite web |title=Celtics Acquire Second round Draft Choice From Sacramento Kings For Rights To Songaila |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/roster/062303_DraftChoice.html |access-date=May 20, 2007 |date=June 23, 2003 |publisher=NBA |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620002611/http://www.nba.com/celtics/roster/062303_DraftChoice.html |url-status=live }}</ref> || [[Ohio Bobcats men's basketball|Ohio]] ([[Senior (education)|Sr]])
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 57 || bgcolor="#C0C0C0"| {{sortname|Xue|Yuyang}}<sup>#</sup> || C || {{CHN}} || [[Dallas Mavericks]] <small>(traded to [[Denver Nuggets|Denver]])</small><ref>The Mavericks traded this pick to the Nuggets for a future pick (#50 pick in [[2004 NBA draft]]) on the draft day.<br>{{cite web |title=Xue Yuyang Joins Denver After Dallas Draft |url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/2003/Jun/68354.htm |work=China Internet Information Center |date=June 28, 2003 |access-date=May 20, 2007 |archive-date=October 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017054754/http://china.org.cn/english/2003/Jun/68354.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> || [[Hong Kong Flying Dragons]] <small>([[Chinese Basketball Association|China]])</small>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center| 58 || {{sortname|Andreas|Glyniadakis}} || C || {{flagu|Greece}} || [[Detroit Pistons]] <small>(from [[San Antonio Spurs|San Antonio]])</small><ref>The Spurs traded this pick to the Pistons for [[Mengke Bateer]] on October 3, 2002.<br>{{cite news|title=Pistons trade Menks to Spurs| agency=The Associated Press State & Local Wire |date=October 3, 2002}}</ref> || [[AEK Athens BC|AEK]] <small>([[Greek Basket League|Greece]])</small>
|}
{{reflist|group=n}}
{{Cnote|a|Chris Kaman was born in the United States, but also has German citizenship through his great-grandparents and competes internationally for [[Germany national basketball team|Germany]].<ref>[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/olympics_blog/2008/07/clippers-kaman.html Clippers' Kaman becomes German citizen for Olympics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613001434/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/olympics_blog/2008/07/clippers-kaman.html |date=June 13, 2017 }}. ''Los Angeles Times''. July 3, 2008.</ref>}}

==Notable undrafted players==
{{further|List of undrafted NBA players}}
These players were not selected in the 2003 NBA draft, but have played at least one game in the NBA.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="width:12%;"| Player
! style="width:1%;"| Position
! style="width:12%;"| Nationality
! style="width:12%;"| School/club team
|-
|{{sortname|Earl|Barron}}
|C
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|Memphis]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Kevin|Burleson}}
|PG
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball|Minnesota]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|José|Calderón|José Calderón (basketball)}}
|PG
|{{ESP}}
|[[Saski Baskonia|Tau Cerámica]] ([[Liga ACB|Spain]])
|-
|{{sortname|Matt|Carroll|Matt Carroll (basketball)}}
|SG
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball|Notre Dame]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Marquis|Daniels}}
|SG
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[Auburn Tigers men's basketball|Auburn]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Ronald|Dupree}}
|SF
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[LSU Tigers basketball|LSU]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Noel|Felix}}
|PF
|{{flagu|United States}}<br>{{BIZ}}
|[[Fresno State Bulldogs men's basketball|Fresno State]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Hiram|Fuller}}
|PF
|{{flagu|United States}}<br>{{flagu|Libya|1977}}
|[[Fresno State Bulldogs men's basketball|Fresno State]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Britton|Johnsen}}
|SF/PF
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[Utah Utes men's basketball|Utah]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Desmond|Penigar}}
|PF
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[Utah State Aggies men's basketball|Utah State]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Kirk|Penney}}
|SG/SF
|{{NZL}}
|[[Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball|Wisconsin]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Josh|Powell}}
|PF
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[NC State Wolfpack men's basketball|NC State]] (So.)
|-
|{{sortname|Kasib|Powell}}
|SF
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball|Texas Tech]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Quinton|Ross}}
|SG
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[SMU Mustangs men's basketball|SMU]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Melvin|Sanders}}
|SG/SF
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball|Oklahoma State]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|James|Singleton|James Singleton (basketball)}}
|SF/PF
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[Murray State Racers men's basketball|Murray State]] (Sr.)
|-
|{{sortname|Theron|Smith}}
|SF/PF
|{{flagu|United States}}
|[[Ball State Cardinals men's basketball|Ball State]] (Sr.)
|-
|}

==Draft lottery==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|style="background:#ff9; width:2em; text-align:center;"| ^
|style="text-align:left"|Denotes the actual lottery result
|}

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Team
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|[[2002–03 NBA season|2002–03<br>record]]
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Lottery
!scope="col" colspan="14"|Lottery probabilities
|-
!1st||2nd||3rd||4th||5th||6th||7th||8th||9th||10th||11th||12th||13th
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
|17–65|| 225 ||style="background:#ff9"|.225^|||.215||.178||.357|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Denver Nuggets]]
|17–65|| 225 ||.225||.188||style="background:#ff9"|.171^||.319||.123|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—
|-

!scope="row" align="left"|[[Toronto Raptors]]
|24–58|| 157 ||.157||.157||.156||style="background:#ff9"|.226^||.265||.040|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Miami Heat]]
|25–57|| 120 ||.120||.126||.133||.099||style="background:#ff9"|.350^||.161||.013|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Los Angeles Clippers]]
|28–54|| 89 ||.089||.097||.107|||—||.261||style="background:#ff9"|.360^||.084||.004|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Memphis Grizzlies]]
|28–54|| 64 ||.064||style="background:#ff9"|.071^||.081|||—|||—|||.440|||.304||.040||.001|||—|||—|||—|||—
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Chicago Bulls]]
|30–52|| 44 ||.044||.049||.058||—||—||—||style="background:#ff9"|.599^|||.232||.018||.000||—||—||—
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Atlanta Hawks]]
|35–47|| 29 ||.029||.022||.027||—||—||—||—||style="background:#ff9"|.724^|||.197||.011||.000||—||—
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[New York Knicks]]
|37-45|| 15 ||.015||.022||.027|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—||style="background:#ff9"|.784^||.143||.005||.000|||—
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Washington Wizards]]
|37-45|| 14 ||.014||.021||.025|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—||style="background:#ff9"|.846^||.087||.002||.000
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Golden State Warriors]]
|38–44|| 7 ||.007||.009||.012|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—||style="background:#ff9"|.907^||.063||.001
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Seattle SuperSonics]]
|40–42|| 6 ||.006||.008||.010|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—||style="background:#ff9"|.935^||.039
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Houston Rockets]]
|43–39|| 5 ||.005||.007||.009|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—|||—||style="background:#ff9"|.960^
|-
|}

==Early entrants==
===College underclassmen===
In terms of underclassmen declaring for this year's draft, the number of players available for entry this year would increase up to 73 after previously being down a bit the previous year. However, it would also see the most withdrawn entries from underclassmen either in college, overseas, or even high school in the case of [[Charlie Villanueva]] with 27 total people doing exactly that. As such, there would actually be 46 underclassmen that qualified as such for this year's draft, which would be an overall step down when compared to last year's official number of underclassmen entering the NBA draft. The following [[college basketball]] players successfully applied for early draft entrance.<ref name=tdr>{{cite web |title=2003 Underclassmen |url=https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3050:2003-underclassmen&catid=136&Itemid=384 |website=The Draft Review |date=August 4, 2007 |access-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223110007/https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3050:2003-underclassmen&catid=136&Itemid=384 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{div col}}
* {{flagicon|USA}} Chris Alexander – C, [[Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball|Iowa State]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Carmelo Anthony]] – F, [[Syracuse Orange men's basketball|Syracuse]] (freshman)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mario Austin]] – F, [[Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball|Mississippi State]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ronald Blackshear]] – G, [[Marshall Thundering Herd men's basketball|Marshall]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Chris Bosh]] – F, [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball|Georgia Tech]] (freshman)
* {{flagicon|USA}} Lamar Castile – G, [[Community College of Beaver County|CC of Beaver County]] (sophomore)
* {{flagicon|USA}} Rod Edwards – G, [[Ouachita Baptist Tigers|Ouachita Baptist]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Carl English]] – G, [[Hawaii Rainbow Warriors men's basketball|Hawaii]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[T. J. Ford]] – G, [[Texas Longhorns men's basketball|Texas]] (sophomore)
* {{flagicon|USA}} Zack Fray – F, [[Santa Ana College#Athletics|Santa Ana]] (sophomore)
* {{flagicon|USA}} Jonathan Hargett – G, [[West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball|West Virginia]] (freshman)
* {{flagicon|USA}} David Hamilton – F, [[Salem International Tigers|Salem International]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jarvis Hayes]] – F/G, [[Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball|Georgia]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} Maurice Jackson – F, [[UT Permian Basin Falcons|Texas–Permian]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} Richard Jeter – G, [[Atlanta Metropolitan State College|Atlanta Metro]] (sophomore)
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Chris Kaman]] – C, [[Central Michigan Chippewas men's basketball|Central Michigan]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Josh Powell]] – F, [[NC State Wolfpack men's basketball|NC State]] (sophomore)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Rick Rickert]] – F, [[Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball|Minnesota]] (sophomore)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Luke Ridnour]] – G, [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Oregon]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} Rob Smith – F, [[North Carolina Wesleyan University#Athletics|North Carolina Wesleyan]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Sweetney]] – F, [[Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball|Georgetown]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Dwyane Wade]] – G, [[Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball|Marquette]] (junior)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mo Williams]] – G, [[Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball|Alabama]] (sophomore)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Doug Wrenn]] – F/G, [[Washington Huskies men's basketball|Washington]] (junior)
{{div col end}}

===High school players===
This would be the ninth straight year in a row where at least one high school player would declare their entry into the NBA draft directly out of high school after previously only allowing it one time back in [[1975 NBA draft|1975]]. However, it would be one of the most famous ones due to the entry of high school phenom [[LeBron James]] entering the NBA draft this year, being the second high schooler to be drafted at #1 behind only [[Kwame Brown]] back in [[2001 NBA draft|2001]], as well as being the second high schooler to win the [[NBA Rookie of the Year|NBA Rookie of the Year Award]] behind [[Amar'e Stoudemire]] only a year prior. This draft also saw a high schooler named [[Charlie Villanueva]] initially enter for the NBA draft, but withdraw his name and go to college before the draft began. The following high school players successfully applied for early draft entrance.<ref name=tdr />

{{div col}}
* {{flagicon|NGR}} [[Ndudi Ebi]] – F, [[Westbury Christian School]] ([[Houston, Texas]])
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[LeBron James]] – G, [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] ([[Akron, Ohio]])
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[James Lang (basketball)|James Lang]] – F, Central Park Christian High School ([[Birmingham, Alabama]])
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Travis Outlaw]] – F, [[Starkville High School]] ([[Starkville, Mississippi]])
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Kendrick Perkins]] – F, [[Clifton J. Ozen High School]] ([[Beaumont, Texas]])
{{div col end}}

===International players===
The following international players successfully applied for early draft entrance.<ref name=tdr />

{{div col}}
* {{flagicon|SEN}} [[Malick Badiane]] – F, [[TV Langen|Langen]] ([[2. Basketball Bundesliga|Germany]])
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Leandro Barbosa]] – G, [[Associação Bauru Basketball Team|Bauru Tilibra]] ([[Campeonato Brasileiro de Basquete|Brazil]])
* {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Carlos Delfino]] – G, [[Fortitudo Bologna|Skipper Bologna]] ([[Lega Basket Serie A|Italy]])
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Boris Diaw]] – F, [[Élan Béarnais|Pau-Orthez]] ([[LNB Pro A|France]])
* {{flagicon|POL}} [[Maciej Lampe]] – F, Universidad Complutense ([[Liga Española de Baloncesto|Spain]])
* {{flagicon|SCG}} [[Darko Miličić]] – F, [[KK Vršac|Hemofarm Vršac]] ([[YUBA League|Serbia and Montenegro]])
* {{flagicon|GEO|1990}} [[Zaza Pachulia]] – F/C, [[Ülker G.S.K.|Ülker]] ([[Basketbol Süper Ligi|Turkey]])
* {{flagicon|SCG}} [[Aleksandar Pavlović (basketball)|Aleksandar Pavlović]] – G/F, [[KK Budućnost|Budućnost]] ([[YUBA League|Serbia and Montenegro]])
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Mickaël Piétrus]] – G, [[Élan Béarnais|Pau-Orthez]] ([[LNB Pro A|France]])
* {{flagicon|CRO}} [[Zoran Planinić]] – G, [[KK Cibona|Cibona]] ([[HT Premijer liga|Croatia]])
* {{flagicon|GRE}} [[Sofoklis Schortsanitis]] – F, [[G.S. Iraklis B.C.|Iraklis]] ([[Greek Basket League|Greece]])
* {{flagicon|BIH}} [[Nedžad Sinanović]] – C, [[HKK Brotnjo|Brotnjo]] ([[Basketball Championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia and Herzegovina]])
* {{flagicon|ISL}} [[Jón Arnór Stefánsson]] – G, [[Gladiators Treves|Trier]] ([[Basketball Bundesliga|Germany]])
* {{flagicon|POL}} [[Szymon Szewczyk]] – F, [[Basketball Löwen Braunschweig|Braunschweig]] ([[Basketball Bundesliga|Germany]])
* {{flagicon|NLD}} [[Remon van de Hare]] – C/F, [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|FC Barcelona]] ([[Liga ACB|Spain]])
* {{flagicon|SCG}} [[Slavko Vraneš]] – C, [[KK Budućnost|Budućnost]] ([[YUBA League|Serbia and Montenegro]])
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Xue Yuyang]] – F, [[Hong Kong Flying Dragons]] ([[Chinese Basketball Association|China]])
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[List of first overall NBA draft picks]]


==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/draft2003/ |title=NBA.com Draft 2003 |access-date=April 20, 2007 |publisher=NBA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419020710/http://www.nba.com/draft2003/ |archive-date=April 19, 2007 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/players/ |title=Player profiles with their career transaction information |access-date=April 20, 2007 |publisher=NBA | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070419155103/http://www.nba.com/players/#N| archive-date=April 19, 2007 | url-status= live}}

==External links==
* [http://www.espn.com/nbadraft/d03/ ESPN.com Draft 2003] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701174051/http://www.espn.com/nbadraft/d03/ |date=July 1, 2017 }}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110520154525/http://databasebasketball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?yr=2003&lg=N databaseBasketball.com Draft 2003]}}
* {{Cite web |date=June 25, 2018 |title=How LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and the 2003 draft class transformed the NBA |series=SC Featured |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjsmenUd84U | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211104/kjsmenUd84U| archive-date=2021-11-04 | url-status=live|via=[[YouTube]] }}{{cbignore}}

{{NBA Drafts}}
{{NBA Draft history by team}}
{{2003 NBA draft}}
{{2003–04 NBA season by team}}
{{NBA on ABC}}

{{Featured list}}

[[Category:2003–04 NBA season|Draft]]
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