| 100% | ANTHONY | 7 | With 35-Across, first pick of the 2013 NBA draft, taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 77% | KYRIEIRVING | 11 | First pick of the 2011 NBA draft, taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers: 2 wds. |
| 77% | LEBRONJAMES | 11 | First pick of the 2003 NBA draft, taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers: 2 wds. |
| 42% | POOLE | 5 | Jordan who was drafted in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors |
| 41% | CAITLINCLARK | 12 | Iowa point guard taken with the first pick in the 2024 WNBA draft: 2 wds. |
| 41% | EVANMOBLEY | 10 | #3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers: 2 wds. |
| 40% | ALEX | 4 | With 50-Across, French forward who was selected by the Washington Wizards as the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft |
| 40% | XXXXX | 5 | First pick at the 1992 NBA draft |
| 40% | ONEAL | 5 | First pick in the 1992 NBA draft |
| 39% | ISAAC | 5 | Cleveland Cavaliers forward Okoro who was the fifth overall NBA draft pick in 2020 |
| 37% | MARKELLEFULTZ | 13 | First overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft: 2 wds. |
| 37% | RHYNEHOWARD | 11 | University of Kentucky guard who was selected by the Atlanta Dream as the first overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft (2 wds.) |
| 37% | NATIVESON | 9 | First Book of the Month Club pick written by a Black American |
| 36% | ANDREWWIGGINS | 13 | 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year who was the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft (2 wds.) |
| 36% | IONESCU | 7 | Sabrina ___, selected by the WNBA NY Liberty as the first overall pick in the draft in April of this year |
| 36% | BRAD | 4 | With 59-Down, star of the work revealed by the first letters of the Across clues, which hint at this puzzle's theme |
| 35% | BRUCE | 5 | ___ Smith, defensive end who was selected first overall draft pick by the Bills and is a record holder of 200 career sacks |
| 35% | EARL | 4 | ___ Campbell, running back who was selected first overall draft pick by the Oilers and is one of NFL's Most Valuable Players |
| 35% | GEORGE | 6 | With 24 Across, loser of the first really serious pie fight? |
| 35% | KENGRIFFEYJR | 12 | First overall #1 draft pick to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, an outfielder drafted by the Mariners in 1987: 3 wds., abbr. |
| 35% | ERNIE | 5 | With 35-Across, baseball player who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 and died 1/23/15 |
| 35% | NATE | 4 | ___ Thurmond, NBA player whose number 42 has been retired by the Cleveland Cavaliers among others |
| 35% | KYRIEIRVING | 11 | Duke guard who was drafted #1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011: 2 wds. |
| 34% | FELICITY | 8 | With 55-Across, English actress who plays the first wife of 35-Across in "The Theory of Everything" |
| 34% | OHIO | 4 | Home state of the NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 34% | KAMALA | 6 | With 19 Across, first female Vice President of the United States of America |
| 34% | DAVID | 5 | With 43-Across, singer of the lyric formed by the first parts of 20-, 24-, 40-, 51- and 58-Across |
| 33% | ONAUTO | 6 | Running by itself, and where the first words of 17-, 35-, 42- and 64-Across can be placed |
| 33% | CAMERONBRINK | 12 | Stanford forward taken with the second pick in the 2024 WNBA draft: 2 wds. |
| 33% | KAMILLACARDOSO | 14 | South Carolina center taken with the third pick in the 2024 WNBA draft: 2 wds. |