We continue our eDraft exclusive look at the top NBA draft choices over the past 40 years. Our continued look back through history will determine who was the best draft selection through each slot in the draft. We don’t stop with the first overalls, we will go pick by pick, year by year to to identify the very best selections of all-time.

Our last installment saw Alex English take home the honors as the best 23rd overall draft pick of all-time. English cemented his legacy in the 1980’s as the premier scorer in the league. He eventually made his way into the basketball Hall of Fame and he continues to have a cult-like following among basketball purists everywhere.

With the 23rd draft slot going to English, our focus now moves onward to the 22nd overall slot. We have had back-to-back Hall of Famers and we are looking to make it three in a row with this slot. While the odds are stacked against this as no one really expects to find greatness with a end of round pick; we remain optimistic nonetheless.

I have to admit, this draft slot offers few success stories to choose from. As we crunched the data and analyzed each draft; I grew more and more and worrisome with each passing year. After we had made it through the 1990’s followed by the 1980’s without a star player emerging, the prospects of finding a stud were growing bleak.

Here are a few players who made the initial cut; however, they fell short of serious consideration for top-honours. The ‘Manimal’ Kenneth Faried drafted by Denver in 2011 is certainly showing some promise as a young player in the league. Jared Dudley and Jarrett Jack have carved out a niche for themselves in the Association as offensive-kickstarters. The 1990’s saw Brian Skinner and Chris Mills establish decent enough careers.

The 22nd overall pick made by the Boston Celtics in 1987 showed tremendous potential as a young player, unfortunately Reggie Lewis’ career was cut short and now his potential and longevity are just sad footnotes in NBA history. A year prior saw the Milwaukee Bucks select Scott Skiles with their 22nd overall pick in 1986. Skiles who is now probably more known for his coaching stops than his playing days; however, Skiles still holds the NBA record for assists in a game with 30.

We had to delve deep into the NBA draft almanacs to find saviour and thankfully the 1970’s provided just such salvation for this draft class. Johnny Davis was drafted in 1976 by the Portland Trailblazers and he had a solid ten year career and won an NBA Championship in his rookie season. A fellow by the name of Leonard Robinson who was more known by his nickname of ‘Truck’ was taken by the Washington Bullets in the 1974 draft. Robinson was a two time NBA All-Star and retired with a near double-double career average.

The winner of our greatest 22nd overall pick; however, goes to George McGinnis who was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1973. McGinnis experienced much of his success in the ABA as he was a two time ABA Champion, was named ABA playoff MVP in 1973 and was the ABA regular season MVP in 1975.

McGinnis retired with combined NBA / ABA career averages of 20.2 ppg and 11.0 rpg. McGinnis had his jersey retired by the Indiana Pacers and although his name has yet to be called for induction in the Naismith Hall of Fame; his career was nonetheless impactful. George McGinnis is the clear-cut winner and is officially eDraft’s greatest 22nd overall draft pick of all-time.