7 Stars the Toronto Raptors missed drafting by a single pick

1996 - Drafted Marcus Camby at No. 2, one pick after Allen Iverson

Our journey into the past takes a major leap back, to the second draft the Toronto Raptors ever took part in. After drafting Damon Stoudamire in their first draft and otherwise performing well to win 21 games, they landed the second overall pick in 1996 and seemed set to add a difference-making player.

What they weren't in position to do was draft Georgetown superstar guard Allen Iverson, who was the unquestioned No. 1 pick and went first overall to the Philadelphia 76ers. His career may be slightly overrated when compared to his cultural impact, but that's largely because no one other than Kobe Bryant had more of an impact on the culture of basketball and of young black kids than Iverson. He defined the look and swagger of a generation.

He my also have added an MVP, seven All-NBA nods, 11 All-Star games and led the league in scoring four times. His career 26.7 points per game ranks ninth in NBA history, and his 29.7 average in the playoffs ranks third behind only Michael Jordan and Luka Doncic.

The Raptors didn't have a chance to draft Iverson, although his impact on the Raptors and the nation of Canada in general would have been colossal. Instead, they took UMass center Marcus Camby, who was a longtime defensive monster himself, even if he did most of his damage elsewhere after Toronto traded him in a win-now move after his second season.

Stephon Marbury went fourth overall, Ray Allen at fifth. Kobe Bryant famously went 13th, while Steve Nash was 15th. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Antoine Walker, Peja Stojakovic, Jermaine O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas all went in the first 20 picks and played at least 12 seasons in the league. It was a star-studded draft class, but the prize gem went first overall before the Raptors ever had a chance at him.

Allen Iverson. Andre Iguodala. Draymond Green. LaMarcus Aldridge. Andre Drummond. The list of players the Raptors just barely missed on is a talented and painful one. Many of those draft misses defined entire eras of Toronto basketball. Will one of their most recent picks end up being a painful memory as well?