On June 20, 2019, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn hosted an NBA draft unlike any before it. A reformed lottery system gave the three worst teams equal 14 percent odds at the top pick, but the night belonged to the New Orleans Pelicans, who vaulted from seventh to first with just 6 percent chance. The result sent shockwaves through the league and set the stage for a generational talent to enter the association.

That talent was Zion Williamson, the Duke phenomenon whose blend of size, power, and athleticism drew comparisons to Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James. Behind him, a deep class featured Murray State's Ja Morant, a dynamic point guard who would go second overall, and a wave of international prospects that included Japan's Rui Hachimura and Angola's Bruno Fernando. ESPN broadcast the event live, with State Farm as the presenting sponsor for the eighth consecutive year.

The 2019 draft produced immediate stars and quiet steals alike. Within four years, Williamson, Morant, and Darius Garland had made All-Star teams; Tyler Herro won Sixth Man of the Year; Jordan Poole earned a championship ring. But the draft's true legacy may be the lottery reform itself, which reduced incentives for tanking and gave more fan bases genuine hope heading into draft night. [edit]