Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the No. 1 pick of the Milwaukee Bucks, where he played for five seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975. Known for his skyhook, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored an NBA record 38,387 points. During his career, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won the NBA championship six times, and was the NBA MVP six times. In addition to the NBA record for points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the NBA records for minutes and field goals made and attempted. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995 and was a selection on the list of the 50 Greatest NBA Players in 1996.

Larry Bird is considered by many to be one of the greatest players in the NBA. Drafted sixth overall by the Boston Celtics, Larry Bird spent his entire 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. After retiring from the NBA in 1992, Larry Bird was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. In 1998, Larry Bird was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. During his playing career, the Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics were involved in a heated rivalry with Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. Larry Bird was a member of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, and won many NBA titles with the Boston Celtics throughout his career.

Wilt Chamberlain was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors in 1955. In his rookie season, Wilt Chamberlain was named both MVP and Rookie of the Year. Throughout his NBA career Wilt Chamberlain set nearly 100 NBA records. Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA scoring record of 100 points in a game, set a record of 55 rebounds in one game, and is the only player to record a double-triple-double. In addition to entering the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979, Wilt Chamberlain capped off his illustrious NBA career when was named to the list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.

Julius Erving was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1972 and was traded to the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association before finally ending up on the Philadelphia 76ers. Known for helping to launch the modern style that emphasizes play above the rim, and his professional basketball career lasted 16 seasons. Julius Erving also preformed the unthinkable behind the baseline lay up in the 1980 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. When his NBA career came to a close, he was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and was named a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.

Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time. The third overall pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA Draft, Michael Jordan spent 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan won six NBA championships, was the NBA Finals MVP each championship year, and was the NBA MVP five times. Michael Jordan was a member to two Olympic Teams, including the 1992 Dream Team. After retiring in 1993, the Chicago Bulls retired his jersey. Michael Jordan would come out of retirement twice in his NBA career. While still an active player in the NBA, Michael Jordan was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.

George Mikan was one of the most dominant players in the NBA in the early NBA, and many say the goaltending rule was initiated because of him. A four-time NBA champion, five-time NBA First Team, and a four-time NBA All-Star, George Mikan scored 11,764 points in his nine-year professional basketball career. The Mikan drill focuses on lay ups and was named after some of his famous moves, and many NBA players have learned from watching video of George Mikan. George Mikan was a member of the first class to be inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and also made the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.

Willis Reed spent his NBA career with the New York Knicks, and is considered to be one of the greatest New York Knicks players ever. During his career, Willis Reed won Rookie of the Year, two NBA titles, and was MVP in 1970. Willis Reed was a seven-time All-Star, and was the New York Knicks all-time leader in points with 12,183 and rebounds with 8,414 when he retired. The New York Knicks retired his jersey number 19. Willis Reed became a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982, and was named to the list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.