Why wasn't Len Bias selected first in the 1986 NBA draft?

Bias wasn't selected first or anywhere in the 1985 college draft, because his class wasn't graduating until 1986. He was only a junior. read more

There were various drug-related problems that plagued players in the 1986 NBA draft. Most notable was the death of highly touted Len Bias. Bias died less than two days after being selected second overall by the defending champion Boston Celtics. read more

Leonard Kevin "Len" Bias was a basketball player at the University of Maryland who died from a cocaine overdose in June 1986, two days after being drafted by the Boston Celtics as the second overall NBA pick. read more

* compensation for draft choices traded away by Ted Stepien. Notable undrafted players. These players who declared or were automatically eligible for the 1986 draft were not selected but played in the NBA. read more

Like Len Bias, many athletes will celebrate after Thursday's NBA Draft and live to play another day. This week marked the 30th anniversary of the death of Len Bias, the great University of Maryland basketball player who died of a cocaine overdose just two days after he was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 1986 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. read more