<P> The Houston Rockets used their first pick to draft Hakeem Olajuwon , a junior center from the University of Houston . The Nigerian - born Olajuwon became the second foreign - born player to be drafted first overall , after Mychal Thompson from the Bahamas in 1978 . The Portland Trail Blazers used the second overall pick to draft Sam Bowie from the University of Kentucky . The Chicago Bulls used the third pick to draft Naismith and Wooden College Player of the Year Michael Jordan from the University of North Carolina . Jordan went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award and was also selected to the All - NBA Second Team in his rookie season . Jordan 's teammate at North Carolina , Sam Perkins , was drafted fourth by the Dallas Mavericks . Charles Barkley , a junior forward from Auburn University , was drafted fifth by the Philadelphia 76ers . </P>
<P> The Houston Rockets used their first pick to draft Hakeem Olajuwon , a junior center from the University of Houston . The Nigerian - born Olajuwon became the second foreign - born player to be drafted first overall , after Mychal Thompson from the Bahamas in 1978 . The Portland Trail Blazers used the second overall pick to draft Sam Bowie from the University of Kentucky . The Chicago Bulls used the third pick to draft Naismith and Wooden College Player of the Year Michael Jordan from the University of North Carolina . Jordan went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award and was also selected to the All - NBA Second Team in his rookie season . Jordan 's teammate at North Carolina , Sam Perkins , was drafted fourth by the Dallas Mavericks . Charles Barkley , a junior forward from Auburn University , was drafted fifth by the Philadelphia 76ers . </P>
who passed on michael jordan in the nba draft
who passed on michael jordan in the nba draft
The Houston Rockets The Portland Trail Blazers
The Houston Rockets The Portland Trail Blazers