# 1980 NBA draft

The 1980 NBA draft was the 34th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on June 10, 1980, at the Sheraton Centre Hotel & Towers, before the 1980–81 season. In this draft, 23 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players. The first two picks in the draft belonged to the teams that finished last in each conference, with the order determined by a coin flip. The Boston Celtics, who obtained the Detroit Pistons' first-round pick in a trade, won the coin flip and were awarded the first overall pick, while the Utah Jazz were awarded the second pick. The Celtics then traded the first pick to the Golden State Warriors before the draft. The remaining first-round picks and the subsequent rounds were assigned to teams in reverse order of their win–loss record in the previous season. An expansion franchise, the Dallas Mavericks, took part in the NBA Draft for the first time and were assigned the eleventh pick in each round. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility was automatically eligible for selection. Before the draft, five college underclassmen announced that they would leave college early and would be eligible for selection. The draft consisted of 10 rounds comprising the selection of 214 players. This draft has the distinction of being the first NBA Draft to be televised.

## Draft selections and draftee career notes

Joe Barry Carroll from Purdue University was selected first overall by the Golden State Warriors. Darrell Griffith from the University of Louisville was selected second by the Utah Jazz. He went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award in his first season. Kevin McHale from the University of Minnesota was selected third by the Boston Celtics. McHale spent his entire 13-year career with the Celtics and won three NBA championships. He also won two consecutive Sixth Man of the Year Award and was also selected to one All-NBA Team, seven All Star Games and six All-Defensive Teams. For his achievements, he has been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame. McHale was also named to the list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996. Carroll, 8th pick Andrew Toney, 11th pick Kiki Vandeweghe and 25th pick Jeff Ruland are the only other players from this draft who was selected to an All-Star Game.
Nine players drafted went on to have a coaching career in the NBA. Kevin McHale served as the interim head coach for the Timberwolves in 2005 and in the 2008–2009 season before working as head coach of the Houston Rockets for four and a half seasons. Mike Woodson, the 12th pick, coached the Atlanta Hawks for six seasons. Larry Drew, the 17th pick, worked as Woodson's assistant before he was promoted to the head coaching position in 2010. Bill Hanzlik, the 20th pick, coached the Denver Nuggets in the 1997–1998 season, compiling an 11–71 record, the worst full-season record for a rookie coach in NBA history. Butch Carter, the 37th pick, coached the Toronto Raptors for two and a half seasons. Terry Stotts, the 38th pick, coached both the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks for two seasons, and the Portland Trail Blazers for nine seasons. Kurt Rambis, the 58th pick, who played nine years for the Los Angeles Lakers, served as the team's interim head coach in 1999. After working as the Lakers assistant coach for seven years, Rambis received his first permanent head coaching position with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009. Two other players, Kiki Vandeweghe and Kenny Natt, had brief spells as interim head coaches in the NBA, each of which lasted less than one season. Woodson would later go on to be the first person in NBA history to become head coach of the team that drafted him when he took over as head coach of the New York Knicks on an interim basis in March 2012.

## Key

| Pos. | G | F | C |
| Position | Guard | Forward | Center |
| ^ | Denotes player who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| $^+$ | Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game |
| $^#$ | Denotes player who has never appeared in an NBA regular season or playoff game |

## Draft

| Rnd. | Pick | Player | Pos. | Nationality | Team | School / club team |
| 1 | 1 | Joe Barry Carroll$^+$ | F/C | United States | Golden State Warriors (from Detroit via Boston) | Purdue (Sr.) |
| 1 | 2 | Darrell Griffith | G | United States | Utah Jazz | Louisville (Sr.) |
| 1 | 3 | Kevin McHale^ | F/C | United States | Boston Celtics (from Golden State) | Minnesota (Sr.) |
| 1 | 4 | Kelvin Ransey | G | United States | Chicago Bulls (traded to Portland) | Ohio State (Sr.) |
| 1 | 5 | James Ray | F | United States | Denver Nuggets | Jacksonville (Sr.) |
| 1 | 6 | Mike O'Koren | G/F | United States | New Jersey Nets | North Carolina (Sr.) |
| 1 | 7 | Mike Gminski | C | United States | New Jersey Nets (from San Diego via Portland) | Duke (Sr.) |
| 1 | 8 | Andrew Toney$^+$ | G | United States | Philadelphia 76ers (from Indiana) | Southwestern Louisiana (Sr.) |
| 1 | 9 | Michael Brooks | F | United States | San Diego Clippers (from Cleveland) | La Salle (Sr.) |
| 1 | 10 | Ronnie Lester | G | United States | Portland Trail Blazers (traded to Chicago) | Iowa (Sr.) |
| 1 | 11 | Kiki Vandeweghe$^+$ | F | United States | Dallas Mavericks | UCLA (Sr.) |
| 1 | 12 | Mike Woodson | G/F | United States | New York Knicks | Indiana (Sr.) |
| 1 | 13 | Rickey Brown | F/C | United States | Golden State Warriors (from Washington via Detroit and Boston) | Mississippi State (Sr.) |
| 1 | 14 | Wes Matthews | G | United States | Washington Bullets (from Houston) | Wisconsin (Jr.) |
| 1 | 15 | Reggie Johnson | F/C | United States | San Antonio Spurs | Tennessee (Sr.) |
| 1 | 16 | Charles Whitney | G/F | United States | Kansas City Kings | NC State (Sr.) |
| 1 | 17 | Larry Drew | G | United States | Detroit Pistons (from Milwaukee) | Missouri (Sr.) |
| 1 | 18 | Don Collins | G/F | United States | Atlanta Hawks | Washington State (Sr.) |
| 1 | 19 | John Duren | G | United States | Utah Jazz (from Phoenix) | Georgetown (Sr.) |
| 1 | 20 | Bill Hanzlik | G/F | United States | Seattle SuperSonics | Notre Dame (Sr.) |
| 1 | 21 | Monti Davis | F | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | Tennessee State (Sr.) |
| 1 | 22 | Chad Kinch | G | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers (from Los Angeles) | UNC Charlotte (Sr.) |
| 1 | 23 | Carl Nicks | G | United States | Denver Nuggets (from Boston via Indiana) | Indiana State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 24 | Larry Smith | F/C | United States | Golden State Warriors (from Detroit) | Alcorn State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 25 | Jeff Ruland$^+$ | F/C | United States | Golden State Warriors (traded to Washington) | Iona (Jr.) |
| 2 | 26 | Sam Worthen | F | United States | Chicago Bulls (from Utah via Los Angeles) | Marquette (Sr.) |
| 2 | 27 | John Stroud | F | United States | Houston Rockets (from Denver via New Jersey) | Mississippi (Sr.) |
| 2 | 28 | Craig Shelton | F | United States | Atlanta Hawks (from Chicago) | Georgetown (Sr.) |
| 2 | 29 | Louis Orr | F | United States | Indiana Pacers (from New Jersey) | Syracuse (Sr.) |
| 2 | 30 | Kenny Natt | G | United States | Indiana Pacers (from San Diego) | Northeast Louisiana (Sr.) |
| 2 | 31 | Wayne Robinson | F | United States | Los Angeles Lakers (from Cleveland) | Virginia Tech (Sr.) |
| 2 | 32 | David Lawrence$^#$ | F | United States | Portland Trail Blazers (from Indiana) | McNeese State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 33 | Bruce Collins$^#$ | G/F | United States | Portland Trail Blazers | Weber State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 34 | Roosevelt Bouie$^#$ | C | United States | Dallas Mavericks | Syracuse (Sr.) |
| 2 | 35 | Rick Mahorn | F/C | United States | Washington Bullets | Hampton (Sr.) |
| 2 | 36 | DeWayne Scales | F | United States | New York Knicks | LSU (Jr.) |
| 2 | 37 | Butch Carter | G | United States | Los Angeles Lakers (from San Antonio) | Indiana (Sr.) |
| 2 | 38 | Terry Stotts$^#$ | F | United States | Houston Rockets | Oklahoma (Sr.) |
| 2 | 39 | Michael Wiley | F | United States | San Antonio Spurs (from Kansas City) | Long Beach State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 40 | Dick Miller | F | United States | Indiana Pacers (from Milwaukee via Kansas City) | Toledo (Sr.) |
| 2 | 41 | Jawann Oldham | C | United States | Denver Nuggets (from Atlanta via Utah) | Seattle (Sr.) |
| 2 | 42 | Kimberly Belton$^#$ | F | United States | Phoenix Suns | Stanford (Sr.) |
| 2 | 43 | Billy Williams$^#$ | G | United States | Houston Rockets (from Seattle) | Clemson (Sr.) |
| 2 | 44 | Clyde Austin$^#$ | G | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | NC State (Sr.) |
| 2 | 45 | Brad Branson | F/C | United States | Detroit Pistons (from Los Angeles) | SMU (Sr.) |
| 2 | 46 | Arnette Hallman$^#$ | F | United States | Boston Celtics | Purdue (Sr.) |
| 3 | 47 | Kurt Nimphius | F/C | United States | Denver Nuggets (from Detroit) | Arizona State (Sr.) |
| 3 | 48 | Eddie Lee$^#$ | G | United States | Denver Nuggets | Cincinnati (Sr.) |
| 3 | 49 | John Virgil$^#$ | G | United States | Golden State Warriors | North Carolina (Sr.) |
| 3 | 50 | James Wilkes | F | United States | Chicago Bulls | UCLA (Sr.) |
| 3 | 51 | Ronnie Valentine | F | United States | Denver Nuggets | Old Dominion (Sr.) |
| 3 | 52 | Lowes Moore | G | United States | New Jersey Nets | West Virginia (Sr.) |
| 3 | 53 | Stuart House$^#$ | C | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | Washington State (Sr.) |
| 3 | 54 | Ron Perry$^#$ | G | United States | Boston Celtics | Holy Cross (Sr.) |
| 3 | 55 | Wayne Abrams$^#$ | F | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | Southern Illinois (Sr.) |
| 3 | 56 | Mike Harper | F/C | United States | Portland Trail Blazers | North Park (Sr.) |
| 3 | 57 | David Britton | G | United States | Dallas Mavericks | Texas A&M (Sr.) |
| 3 | 58 | Kurt Rambis | F | United States | New York Knicks | Santa Clara (Sr.) |
| 3 | 59 | John Campbell$^#$ | F | United States | Phoenix Suns | Clemson (Sr.) |
| 3 | 60 | LaVon Mercer$^#$ | F | United States | San Antonio Spurs | Georgia (Sr.) |
| 4 | 61 | Rich Yonakor | F | United States | San Antonio Spurs | North Carolina (Sr.) |
| 3 | 62 | Tony Murphy$^#$ | G | United States | Kansas City Kings | Southern (Sr.) |
| 3 | 63 | Al Beal$^#$ | F | United States | Milwaukee Bucks | Oklahoma (Sr.) |
| 3 | 64 | Jonathan Moore$^#$ | F | United States | Detroit Pistons | Furman (Sr.) |
| 3 | 65 | Doug True$^#$ | F | United States | Phoenix Suns | California (Sr.) |
| 4 | 66 | Carl Bailey | C | United States | Seattle SuperSonics | Tuskegee (Sr.) |
| 3 | 67 | Reggie Gaines$^#$ | F | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | Winston-Salem State (Sr.) |
| 3 | 68 | Ron Jones$^#$ | G | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | Illinois State (Sr.) |
| 3 | 69 | Don Newman$^#$ | G | United States | Boston Celtics | Idaho (Sr.) |
| 4 | 70 | Darwin Cook | G | United States | Detroit Pistons | Portland (Sr.) |
| 4 | 71 | Robert Scott$^#$ | G | United States | Golden State Warriors | Alabama (Sr.) |
| 4 | 72 | Alan Taylor$^#$ | C | United States | Utah Jazz | BYU (Sr.) |
| 4 | 73 | Sammie Ellis$^#$ | F | United States | Denver Nuggets | Pittsburgh (Sr.) |
| 4 | 74 | Ron Charles$^#$ | F | United States | Chicago Bulls | Michigan State (Sr.) |
| 4 | 75 | Rory Sparrow | G | United States | New Jersey Nets | Villanova (Sr.) |
| 4 | 76 | Ed Odom$^#$ | G | United States | San Diego Clippers | Oklahoma State (Sr.) |
| 4 | 77 | Murray Brown$^#$ | F | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | Florida State (Sr.) |
| 4 | 78 | Rich Branning$^#$ | G | United States | Indiana Pacers | Notre Dame (Sr.) |
| 4 | 79 | Kelvin Henderson$^#$ | F | United States | Portland Trail Blazers | Saint Louis (Sr.) |
| 4 | 80 | David Johnson$^#$ | F | United States | Dallas Mavericks | Weber State (Sr.) |
| 4 | 81 | Francois Wise$^#$ | F | United States | Washington Bullets | Long Beach State (Sr.) |
| 4 | 82 | Joe Chrnelich$^#$ | F | United States | New York Knicks | Wisconsin (Sr.) |
| 4 | 83 | Calvin Roberts$^#$ | F | United States | San Antonio Spurs | Cal State Fullerton (Sr.) |
| 4 | 84 | Dean Hunger$^#$ | F | United States | Houston Rockets | Utah State (Sr.) |
| 4 | 85 | Billy Bryant$^#$ | G | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | Western Kentucky (Sr.) |
| 4 | 86 | Jeff Wolf$^#$ | F | United States | Milwaukee Bucks | North Carolina (Sr.) |
| 4 | 87 | Tony Jackson | G | United States | Los Angeles Lakers (from Atlanta) | Florida State (Sr.) |
| 4 | 88 | Leroy Stampley$^#$ | G | United States | Phoenix Suns | Loyola Chicago (Sr.) |
| 4 | 89 | Gary Ray Hooker$^#$ | F | United States | Seattle SuperSonics | Murray State (Sr.) |
| 4 | 90 | Harold Hubbard$^#$ | F | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | Savannah State (Sr.) |
| 4 | 91 | Ron Baxter$^#$ | G | United States | Los Angeles Lakers | Texas (Sr.) |
| 4 | 92 | Kevin Hamilton$^#$ | G | United States | Boston Celtics | Iona (Sr.) |
| 5 | 93 | Tony Fuller | G | United States | Detroit Pistons | Pepperdine (Sr.) |
| 5 | 94 | Wally West$^#$ | F | United States | Utah Jazz | Boston University (Sr.) |
| 5 | 95 | Don Carfino$^#$ | G | United States | Golden State Warriors | USC (Sr.) |
| 5 | 96 | Mike Campbell$^#$ | F | United States | Chicago Bulls | Northwestern (Sr.) |
| 5 | 97 | James Patrick$^#$ | F | United States | Denver Nuggets | Texas State (Sr.) |
| 5 | 98 | Aaron Curry$^#$ | G | United States | New Jersey Nets | Oklahoma (Sr.) |
| 5 | 99 | Wally Rank | G/F | United States | San Diego Clippers | San Jose State (Sr.) |
| 5 | 100 | Joe Galvin$^#$ | C | United States | Indiana Pacers | Illinois State (Sr.) |
| 5 | 101 | LaVon Williams$^#$ | G | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | Kentucky (Sr.) |
| 5 | 102 | Larry Belin$^#$ | F | United States | Portland Trail Blazers | New Mexico (Sr.) |
| 5 | 103 | Darrell Allums | F | United States | Dallas Mavericks | UCLA (Sr.) |
| 5 | 104 | William Carey$^#$ | G | United States | New York Knicks | Albright (Sr.) |
| 5 | 105 | Daryl Strickland$^#$ | F | United States | Washington Bullets | Rutgers (Sr.) |
| 5 | 106 | Albert Jones$^#$ | F | United States | Houston Rockets | New Mexico (Sr.) |
| 5 | 107 | Gib Hinz$^#$ | C | United States | San Antonio Spurs | Wisconsin–Eau Claire (Sr.) |
| 5 | 108 | Kelvin Blakely$^#$ | F | United States | Kansas City Kings | Eastern Michigan (Sr.) |
| 5 | 109 | Ken Jones$^#$ | C | United States | Milwaukee Bucks | VCU (Sr.) |
| 5 | 110 | Mike Doyle$^#$ | G | United States | Atlanta Hawks | South Carolina (Sr.) |
| 5 | 111 | Mark Stevens$^#$ | F | United States | Phoenix Suns | Northern Arizona (Sr.) |
| 5 | 112 | Lenny Horton$^#$ | F | United States | Seattle SuperSonics | Georgia Tech (Sr.) |
| 5 | 113 | Jim Swaney$^#$ | F | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | Toledo (Sr.) |
| 5 | 114 | Rick Raivio$^#$ | G | United States | Los Angeles Lakers | Portland (Sr.) |
| 5 | 115 | Rufus Harris$^#$ | G | United States | Boston Celtics | Maine (Sr.) |
| 6 | 116 | Tony Turner$^#$ | G | United States | Detroit Pistons | Alaska Anchorage (Sr.) |
| 6 | 117 | Neil Bresnahan$^#$ | F | United States | Golden State Warriors | Illinois (Sr.) |
| 6 | 118 | Kenny Cunningham$^#$ | G | United States | Utah Jazz | Western Michigan (Sr.) |
| 6 | 119 | Ernie Hill$^#$ | G | United States | Denver Nuggets | Oklahoma City (Sr.) |
| 6 | 120 | Bernard Rencher$^#$ | G | United States | Chicago Bulls | St. John's (Sr.) |
| 6 | 121 | Rick Mattick$^#$ | C | United States | New Jersey Nets | LSU (Sr.) |
| 6 | 122 | Londale Theus$^#$ | G | United States | San Diego Clippers | Santa Clara (Sr.) |
| 6 | 123 | Antonio Martin$^#$ | F | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | Oral Roberts (Sr.) |
| 6 | 124 | Randy Owens$^#$ | F | United States | Indiana Pacers | Philadelphia Textile (So.) |
| 6 | 125 | Perry Mirkovich$^#$ | G | Canada | Portland Trail Blazers | Lethbridge (Sr.) |
| 6 | 126 | Leroy Jackson$^#$ | G | United States | Dallas Mavericks | Cameron (Sr.) |
| 6 | 127 | Ken Dancy$^#$ | F | United States | Washington Bullets | Chicago State (Sr.) |
| 6 | 128 | Kelvin Hicks$^#$ | F | United States | New York Knicks | NYIT (Sr.) |
| 6 | 129 | Dean Uthoff$^#$ | C | United States | San Antonio Spurs | Iowa State (Sr.) |
| 6 | 130 | Everette Jefferson$^#$ | F | United States | Houston Rockets | New Mexico (Sr.) |
| 6 | 131 | Trent Grooms$^#$ | F | United States | Kansas City Kings | Kent State (Sr.) |
| 6 | 132 | Alex Gilbert$^#$ | F | United States | Milwaukee Bucks | Indiana State (Sr.) |
| 6 | 133 | Mike Zagardo$^#$ | F | United States | Atlanta Hawks | George Washington (Sr.) |
| 6 | 134 | Coby Leavitt$^#$ | F | United States | Phoenix Suns | Utah (Sr.) |
| 6 | 135 | Jim Strickland$^#$ | C | United States | Seattle SuperSonics | South Carolina (Sr.) |
| 6 | 136 | Donald Cooper$^#$ | F | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | St. Augustine's (Sr.) |
| 6 | 137 | Otis Boddie$^#$ | G | United States | Los Angeles Lakers | North Alabama (Sr.) |
| 6 | 138 | Kenny Evans$^#$ | G | United States | Boston Celtics | Norfolk State (Sr.) |
| 7 | 139 | Carl Pierce$^#$ | F | United States | Detroit Pistons | Gonzaga (Sr.) |
| 7 | 140 | Dave Colescott$^#$ | G | United States | Utah Jazz | North Carolina (Sr.) |
| 7 | 141 | Lorenzo Romar | G | United States | Golden State Warriors | Washington (Sr.) |
| 7 | 142 | Robert Byrd$^#$ | F | United States | Chicago Bulls | Marquette (Sr.) |
| 7 | 143 | Tommy Springer$^#$ | G | United States | Denver Nuggets | Vanderbilt (Sr.) |
| 7 | 144 | Larry Spicer$^#$ | F | United States | Milwaukee Bucks | UAB (Sr.) |
| 7 | 145 | Paul Anderson$^#$ | G | United States | San Diego Clippers | Vanguard (Sr.) |
| 7 | 146 | Charles Naddaff$^#$ | F | United States | Indiana Pacers | Lafayette (Sr.) |
| 7 | 147 | Leroy Berry$^#$ | G | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | Wilmington (Ohio) (Sr.) |
| 7 | 148 | Gig Sims$^#$ | C | United States | Portland Trail Blazers | UCLA (Sr.) |
| 7 | 149 | Tony Forch$^#$ | F | United States | Dallas Mavericks | Midwestern State (Sr.) |
| 7 | 150 | Bobby Turner$^#$ | G | United States | New York Knicks | Louisville (Jr.) |
| 7 | 151 | Karl Godine$^#$ | G | United States | Washington Bullets | Stephen F. Austin (Sr.) |
| 7 | 152 | Joe Nehls$^#$ | G | United States | Houston Rockets | Arizona (Sr.) |
| 7 | 153 | Alan Zahn$^#$ | F | United States | San Antonio Spurs | Arkansas (Sr.) |
| 7 | 154 | Arnold McDowell$^#$ | G | United States | Kansas City Kings | Montana State (Sr.) |
| 7 | 155 | Ron White$^#$ | G | United States | Milwaukee Bucks | Furman (Sr.) |
| 7 | 156 | Charles Hightower$^#$ | F | United States | Atlanta Hawks | Dillard (Sr.) |
| 7 | 157 | Ron Williams$^#$ | G | United States | Phoenix Suns | Montana Western (Sr.) |
| 7 | 158 | Carl Ervin$^#$ | G | United States | Seattle SuperSonics | Seattle (Sr.) |
| 7 | 159 | Richard Smith$^#$ | C | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | Weber State (Sr.) |
| 7 | Los Angeles Lakers (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Los Angeles Lakers (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Los Angeles Lakers (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Los Angeles Lakers (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Los Angeles Lakers (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Los Angeles Lakers (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) |
| 7 | 160 | Les Henson$^#$ | F | United States | Boston Celtics | Virginia Tech (Sr.) |
| 8 | 161 | Leroy Loggins$^#$ | G | United States | Detroit Pistons | Fairmont State (Sr.) |
| 8 | 162 | Kurt Kanaskie$^#$ | G | United States | Golden State Warriors | La Salle (Sr.) |
| 8 | 163 | Jim Brandon$^#$ | F | United States | Utah Jazz | Saint Peter's (Sr.) |
| 8 | Denver Nuggets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Denver Nuggets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Denver Nuggets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Denver Nuggets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Denver Nuggets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Denver Nuggets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) |
| 8 | 164 | Modzel Greer$^#$ | F | United States | Chicago Bulls | North Park (Sr.) |
| 8 | 165 | Lloyd Terry$^#$ | F | United States | New Jersey Nets | New Orleans (Sr.) |
| 8 | 166 | Jim Ellinghausen$^#$ | F | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | Ohio State (Sr.) |
| 8 | 167 | Steve Stielper$^#$ | F | United States | Indiana Pacers | James Madison (Sr.) |
| 8 | 168 | John Stroeder | F | United States | Portland Trail Blazers | Montana (Sr.) |
| 8 | 169 | Clarence Kea | F | United States | Dallas Mavericks | Lamar (Sr.) |
| 8 | 170 | Rich Valavicius$^#$ | F | United States | Washington Bullets | Auburn (Sr.) |
| 8 | 171 | James Salters$^#$ | G | United States | New York Knicks | Penn (Sr.) |
| 8 | 172 | Bill Bailey$^#$ | G | United States | San Antonio Spurs | Pan American Broncs (Sr.) |
| 8 | 173 | Rosie Barnes$^#$ | G | United States | Houston Rockets | Bowling Green (Sr.) |
| 8 | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) |
| 8 | 174 | Keith Valentine$^#$ | G | United States | Milwaukee Bucks | Virginia Union (Sr.) |
| 8 | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) |
| 8 | 175 | Jim Connolly$^#$ | F | United States | Phoenix Suns | La Salle (Sr.) |
| 8 | 176 | Al Dutch$^#$ | F | United States | Seattle SuperSonics | Georgetown (Sr.) |
| 8 | 177 | Martin Lemelle$^#$ | G | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | Grambling State (Sr.) |
| 8 | 178 | Melvin Hooker$^#$ | F | United States | Los Angeles Lakers | Edinboro (Sr.) |
| 8 | 179 | Steve Wright$^#$ | F | United States | Boston Celtics | Boston University (Sr.) |
| 9 | 180 | Terry DuPris$^#$ | G | United States | Detroit Pistons | Huron (Sr.) |
| 9 | 181 | Paul Renfro$^#$ | C | United States | Utah Jazz | UT Arlington (Sr.) |
| 9 | 182 | Billy Reid | G | United States | Golden State Warriors | San Francisco (Sr.) |
| 9 | 183 | Jay Shidler$^#$ | G | United States | Chicago Bulls | Kentucky (Sr.) |
| 9 | 184 | Jim Graziano$^#$ | C | United States | Denver Nuggets | South Carolina (Sr.) |
| 9 | 185 | Barry Young$^#$ | F | United States | New Jersey Nets | Colorado State (Sr.) |
| 9 | 186 | Scott Rogers$^#$ | G | United States | Indiana Pacers | Kenyon (Sr.) |
| 9 | 187 | Melvin Crafter$^#$ | F | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | Central State (Sr.) |
| 9 | 188 | Rick Boucher$^#$ | G | United States | Portland Trail Blazers | Maine (Sr.) |
| 9 | 189 | Ken Williams$^#$ | G | United States | Dallas Mavericks | Houston (Sr.) |
| 9 | 190 | Don Wiley$^#$ | F | United States | New York Knicks | Monmouth (Sr.) |
| 9 | 191 | Clinton Wyatt$^#$ | G | United States | Washington Bullets | Alcorn State (Sr.) |
| 9 | 192 | Al Williams$^#$ | F | United States | San Antonio Spurs | North Texas (Sr.) |
| 9 | 193 | Charley Cole$^#$ | G | United States | Kansas City Kings | Delta State (Sr.) |
| 9 | 194 | Del Yarbrough$^#$ | F | United States | Milwaukee Bucks | Illinois State (Sr.) |
| 9 | 195 | Stanley Lamb$^#$ | G | United States | Atlanta Hawks | Steubenville (Sr.) |
| 9 | 196 | Keith French$^#$ | F | United States | Phoenix Suns | North Park (Sr.) |
| 9 | 197 | Jim Tillman$^#$ | G | United States | Seattle SuperSonics | Eastern Kentucky (Sr.) |
| 9 | 198 | Luke Griffin$^#$ | G | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | Saint Joseph's (Sr.) |
| 9 | 199 | Brian Jung$^#$ | C | United States | Boston Celtics | Northwestern (Sr.) |
| 10 | Detroit Pistons (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Detroit Pistons (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Detroit Pistons (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Detroit Pistons (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Detroit Pistons (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Detroit Pistons (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) |
| 10 | 200 | Tim Higgins$^#$ | G | United States | Golden State Warriors | Nebraska–Kearney (Sr.) |
| 10 | 201 | Leroy Coleman$^#$ | F | United States | Utah Jazz | Middle Tennessee (Sr.) |
| 10 | 202 | Earl Sango$^#$ | G | United States | Denver Nuggets | Regis (Sr.) |
| 10 | 203 | Billy Foster$^#$ | G | United States | Chicago Bulls | Eastern Montana (Sr.) |
| 10 | New Jersey Nets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | New Jersey Nets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | New Jersey Nets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | New Jersey Nets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | New Jersey Nets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | New Jersey Nets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) |
| 10 | 204 | John Bates$^#$ | F | United States | Indiana Pacers | West Virginia Wesleyan (Sr.) |
| 10 | 205 | Dave Kufeld$^#$ | F | United States | Portland Trail Blazers | Yeshiva (Sr.) |
| 10 | 206 | Tom Morgan$^#$ | F | United States | Dallas Mavericks | Cal State Fullerton (Sr.) |
| 10 | 207 | Don Youman$^#$ | F | United States | Washington Bullets | Oklahoma State (Sr.) |
| 10 | 208 | Gerard Ross$^#$ | F | United States | New York Knicks | Grand Canyon (Sr.) |
| 10 | 209 | Steve Schall$^#$ | F | United States | San Antonio Spurs | Athletes in Action |
| 10 | Houston Rockets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Houston Rockets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Houston Rockets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Houston Rockets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Houston Rockets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Houston Rockets (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) |
| 10 | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Kansas City Kings (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) |
| 10 | 210 | Melvin Crayton$^#$ | F | United States | Milwaukee Bucks | Alabama State (Sr.) |
| 10 | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) | Atlanta Hawks (forfeited due to selection of ineligible player) |
| 10 | 211 | Randy Carroll$^#$ | F | United States | Phoenix Suns | Kansas (Sr.) |
| 10 | 212 | Kent Williams$^#$ | G | United States | Seattle SuperSonics | Texas Tech (Sr.) |
| 10 | 213 | Joe Hand$^#$ | G | United States | Philadelphia 76ers | King's College (Pennsylvania) (Sr.) |
| 10 | 214 | John Nolan$^#$ | G | United States | Boston Celtics | Providence (Sr.) |

## Notable undrafted players

These players were not selected in the 1980 draft but played at least one game in the NBA.
| Player | Pos. | Nationality | School/club team |
| Jim Brogan | G | United States | West Virginia Wesleyan (Sr.) |

## Trades
### Draft-day trades

The following trades involving drafted players were made on the day of the draft.
* $^{A1}$ $^2$ The Portland Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to fourth pick Kelvin Ransey and a 1981 first-round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to tenth pick Ronnie Lester and a 1981 first-round pick.
* $^B$ The Washington Bullets acquired the draft rights to 25th pick Jeff Ruland from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a 1981 second-round pick.

### Pre-draft trades

Prior to the day of the draft, the following trades were made and resulted in exchanges of picks between the teams.
* $^{a1}$ $^2$ $^3$ On June 9, 1980, the Golden State Warriors acquired the first and the thirteenth pick from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Robert Parish and the third pick. Previously, the Celtics acquired two first-round picks on September 6, 1979, from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Bob McAdoo. This trade was arranged as compensation when the Celtics signed M. L. Carr on July 24, 1979. Previously, the Pistons acquired 1980 and 1982 first-round picks on July 12, 1979, from the Washington Bullets as compensation for the signing of Kevin Porter as a free agent. The Warriors used the picks to draft Joe Barry Carroll and Rickey Brown. The Celtics used the pick to draft Kevin McHale.
* $^b$ On February 8, 1980, the New Jersey Nets acquired Maurice Lucas, 1980 and 1981 first-round picks from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Calvin Natt. Previously, the Blazers acquired Kermit Washington, Kevin Kunnert and the pick on May 13, 1979, from the San Diego Clippers as compensation for the signing of Bill Walton as a free agent. The Nets used the pick to draft Mike Gminski.
* $^c$ On November 2, 1976, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired a first-round pick from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Mel Bennett. The 76ers used the pick to draft Andrew Toney.
* $^d$ On September 21, 1979, the San Diego Clippers acquired a first-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Randy Smith. The Clippers used the pick to draft Michael Brooks.
* $^e$ On July 16, 1979, the Washington Bullets acquired a first-round pick from the Houston Rockets as compensation for the signing of Tom Henderson as a free agent. The Bullets used the pick to draft Wes Matthews.
* $^f$ On February 4, 1980, the Detroit Pistons acquired Kent Benson and a first-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Bob Lanier. The Pistons used the pick to draft Larry Drew.
* $^g$ On January 12, 1979, the Utah Jazz acquired Marty Byrnes, Ron Lee, 1979 and 1980 first-round picks from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Truck Robinson. The Jazz used the pick to draft John Duren.
* $^h$ On February 15, 1980, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Don Ford and a 1980 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Butch Lee and a 1982 first-round pick. The Cavaliers used the pick to draft Chad Kinch.
* $^i$ On February 1, 1980, the Denver Nuggets acquired Alex English and a first-round pick from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for George McGinnis. Previously, the Pacers acquired the pick on July 19, 1978, from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Earl Tatum. The Nuggets used the pick to draft Carl Nicks.
* $^j$ On October 9, 1978, the Golden State Warriors acquired a second-round pick from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Rickey Green. The Warriors used the pick to draft Larry Smith.
* $^k$ On October 9, 1978, the Chicago Bulls acquired Oliver Mack, 1980 and 1981 second-round picks from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Mark Landsberger. Previously, the Lakers acquired 1977, 1978 and 1979 first-round picks, and a 1980 second-round pick on August 5, 1976, from the Utah Jazz in exchange for a 1978 first-round pick and a 1977 second-round pick. This trade was arranged as compensation when the Jazz signed Gail Goodrich on July 19, 1976. The Bulls used the pick to draft Sam Worthen.

## Early entrants
### College underclassmen

For the third year in a row, no underclassmen that qualified for entry in the NBA draft would withdraw their entry into the event, with this year's draft seeing an improvement with seven official players that qualified for the event. The following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.
* Joe Cammarano – F, Los Angeles Mission (junior)
* Wes Matthews – G, Wisconsin (junior)
* Randy Owens – F, Philadelphia Textile (sophomore)
* William Phillips – F, Tennessee–Chattanooga (junior)
* Jeff Ruland – C, Iona (junior)
* DeWayne Scales – F, LSU (junior)
* Ron Webb – F, Oklahoma (junior)
Bobby Turner of the Louisville Cardinals was granted an exemption to stay eligible for the draft despite him not declaring after he dropped out prior to his senior season (with him ultimately being selected by the New York Knicks in the seventh round this year).