1978 ABF Draft Recap: Boston’s Bold Gamble, Houston’s Rebuild Begins
The ABF held its second annual draft on June 10, 1978, and the pyramid’s shifting landscape was on full display. With teams moving between tiers and the Boston Celtics making a controversial long‑term play, this draft will be remembered as one of the most consequential in league history.
The Top of the Draft
New York Knicks – Pick 1: Mychal Thompson (C, Minnesota)
The Knicks land their franchise center. Thompson is a polished big man with the size, skill, and defensive presence to anchor the Knicks’ rebuild. Red Holzman gets his new cornerstone.
Golden State Warriors – Pick 2: Phil Ford (PG, North Carolina)
The Warriors grab the draft’s best floor general. Ford’s playmaking, leadership, and scoring ability give Golden State a point guard to build around for the next decade.
Washington Bullets – Pick 3: Rick Robey (C, Kentucky)
The Bullets add a rugged big man to their frontcourt. Robey brings toughness, rebounding, and a winning pedigree from Kentucky.
Philadelphia 76ers – Pick 4: Reggie Theus (SG, UNLV)
Theus is a star scorer with flash and swagger. He joins a young 76ers core that’s hungry to climb the Premier standings.
Boston’s Bold Gamble: The Bird Rights
Boston Celtics – Pick 5: Larry Bird (F, Indiana State) — *Rights held for 1979*
The Celtics made the most controversial move of the draft: selecting Larry Bird with the 5th overall pick, knowing he would spend another year at Indiana State. Boston will forfeit their 1979 first-round pick as compensation for drafting an underclassman who didn’t declare immediately.
The league is divided. Some teams are furious. Others are envious. But Boston is playing the long game — and Bird is the prize.
Trades Reshape the Middle of Round 1
Several teams used draft night to reshape their rosters:
Houston Rockets – Pick 6 (from Denver): James Ray (F, Jacksonville)
Part of the Moses Malone trade, Ray gives Houston an athletic forward to build around in the Championship under new coach Tex Winter.
Kentucky Colonels – Pick 9 (from Chicago): Maurice Cheeks (PG, West Texas State)
Acquired in the Artis Gilmore trade, Cheeks is a defensive-minded point guard who will anchor Kentucky’s rebuild in the Championship.
Buffalo Braves – Pick 26 (from Portland): Glen Gondrezick (F, UNLV)
One of the picks Buffalo received in the Bill Walton trade, Gondrezick adds energy and athleticism to the Braves’ frontcourt.
Notable Selections Across the Board
Los Angeles Lakers – Pick 13: Roger Phegley (G/F, Bradley)
The Lakers pass on a franchise guard and instead take Phegley, a versatile wing who can fit alongside Kareem in Paul Westhead’s system. LA is building for 1980 — and Magic Johnson.
Detroit Pistons – Pick 25: Mike Santos (C, Utah)
The Pistons begin their rebuild with a big man who can protect the rim and rebound. After an 0–20 season in the Founders Cup, Detroit needs to start somewhere.
Oklahoma City Stampede – Pick 12: Michael Cooper (G/F, New Mexico)
The Stampede’s first Premier pick is a defensive specialist who fits Tom Nissalke’s system perfectly.
The Complete First Round
| Pick | Team | Player | Pos | College | Notes |
|——|——|——–|—–|———|——-|
| 1 | New York Knicks | Mychal Thompson | C | Minnesota | Franchise cornerstone |
| 2 | Golden State Warriors | Phil Ford | PG | North Carolina | Elite playmaker |
| 3 | Washington Bullets | Rick Robey | C | Kentucky | Rugged big man |
| 4 | Philadelphia 76ers | Reggie Theus | SG | UNLV | Star scorer |
| 5 | Boston Celtics | Larry Bird | F | Indiana State | Rights held for 1979 |
| 6 | Houston Rockets (from Denver) | James Ray | F | Jacksonville | Rebuilding piece |
| 7 | Phoenix Suns | Purvis Short | F | Jackson State | Scoring wing |
| 8 | Milwaukee Bucks | Micheal Ray Richardson | G | Montana | Defensive guard |
| 9 | Kentucky Colonels (from Chicago) | Maurice Cheeks | PG | West Texas State | Future point guard |
| 10 | Indiana Pacers | Ron Brewer | SG | Arkansas | Fits Moe’s system |
| 11 | Baltimore Ravens | Butch Lee | PG | Marquette | Playmaker |
| 12 | Oklahoma City Stampede | Michael Cooper | G/F | New Mexico | Defensive specialist |
| 13 | Los Angeles Lakers | Roger Phegley | G/F | Bradley | Bridge piece for 1980 |
| 14 | Buffalo Braves | Greg Kelser | F | Michigan State | Versatile forward |
| 15 | Houston Rockets | John Long | SG | Detroit | Shooter, system fit |
| 16 | Seattle Supersonics | Lawrence Boston | F | Maryland | Forward depth |
| 17 | Kansas City Kings | Jeff Cook | F/C | Idaho State | Big man depth |
| 18 | New Orleans Jazz | Wayne Cooper | C | New Orleans | Local product |
| 19 | Long Island Nets | Ray Epps | F | Norfolk State | Developmental pick |
| 20 | Kentucky Colonels | Kim Goetz | F | SDSU | Forward depth |
| 21 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Bruce Kuczenski | C | Connecticut | Big man |
| 22 | San Antonio Spurs | Ron Valentine | F | Old Dominion | Athletic forward |
| 23 | Salt Lake | Earl Evans | F | UNLV | Athleticism |
| 24 | Mid Atlantic Monarchs | Cliff Pondexter | F | Long Beach State | Versatile forward |
| 25 | Detroit Pistons | Mike Santos | C | Utah | Rebuild starts here |
| 26 | Buffalo Braves (from Portland) | Glen Gondrezick | F | UNLV | Energy forward |
| 27 | Tampa Bay Tropics | John Olive | F | Villanova | Forward depth |
| 28 | St. Louis Spirits | Dave Batton | C | Notre Dame | Big man |
| 29 | Memphis Sounds | Rory Sparrow | G | Villanova | Guard depth |
| 30 | Atlanta Hawks | Mike Phillips | C | Kentucky | Big man |
What’s Next
The 1978 season tips off in October. Boston’s Bird rights, Houston’s rebuild, and Detroit’s reset will be storylines to watch all year.
The pyramid never sleeps.