Philadelphia 76ers: 15 greatest NBA Draft steals in franchise history

Red Kerr was drafted in 1954 and contributed to the Nationals’ 1955 title run, making an immediate stamp on Philadelphia — or, at the time, Syracuse — history. He was a throwback big through and through, giving ‘Cuse a dominant rebounding presence and skilled post scorer.

In his early years, Kerr was a sixth man behind NBA legend Dolph Schayes. He would eventually blossom into a star, averaging 17.8 points and 14.0 rebounds per game at his statistical peak in the 1958-59 NBA season. He earned three NBA All-Star appearances during his Nationals/Sixers tenure.

Kerr transitioned to Philadelphia in 1963, help anchor a franchise in flux. He would still thrive in the new city, spending 11 of his 12 NBA seasons with the franchise. As someone who was inexperienced entering the league, his long and productive career was quite the story.

He wasn’t the only gem in the 1954 NBA Draft — Bob Pettit was the highlight at No. 2 — but Kerr outlasted and outperformed most of his counterparts. He contributed to an NBA title and provided a steady hand for over a decade in the franchise’s earliest stages.