Washington Wizards: 15 best draft picks of all-time

Earl Monroe was Magic Johnson before he arrived on the Los Angeles Lakers. He was the second overall pick by the Bullets in the 1967 NBA Draft out of Division II Winston-Salem State University. He led the team to a Division II title after averaging 41.5 points per game as a senior. “The Pearl” was known for his flashy ball-handling and ability to score acrobatic layups.

Monroe averaged 23.7 points, 4.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game in 328 appearances spanning roughly four seasons. As a member of the Bullets, he received the 1967-68 Rookie of the Year award after averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

He made two All-Star appearances during the 1968-69 and 1970-71 seasons with the Bullets. Monroe was responsible for leading Baltimore to three playoff appearances (1969, 1970 and 1971) including the 1971 NBA Finals.

They lost to a Milwaukee Bucks squad led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson.  The Pearl averaged 22.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds a contest during that postseason.

During the 1971-72 season, he was traded to the New York Knicks for Mike Riordan and Dave Stallworth. Monroe spent nine seasons with the Knicks (1971-80) and won the 1973 NBA Championship next to Walt Frazier, Willis Reed and Jerry Lucas.

In 1990, Monroe was selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after 13 seasons in the NBA. He was named one of the 50 greatest players in league history in 1996.