Drafting high schoolers into the NBA is risky. They’re young and inexperienced compared to pro players.
However, stars like LeBron James show it’s possible to succeed without college basketball.
College play helps young players grow and improve. But some skip it, playing in other leagues before joining the NBA. Many have made it from high school to the NBA.
Let’s explore these players, and their stories and answer questions about the NBA Draft and going pro right after high school.
1. LeBron James
LeBron James, from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, was incredibly hyped as a high school player. His games, including a notable one against Carmelo Anthony‘s Oak Hill Academy, were broadcast on ESPN2 and even pay-per-view.
This level of attention was unprecedented for high school basketball.
Drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, LeBron James’ impact was monumental.
He led the Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers to NBA championships, becoming a legend in the process.
His accolades are staggering:
- 4 MVP Awards
- 4 Championships
- 4 Finals MVP Awards
- 19-time All-Star
- 19-time All-NBA team
- 6-time All-Defensive team
- NBA In-Season Tournament MVP
LeBron James is also the NBA’s all-time top scorer with more than 39,000 points scored in regular season games as of right now.
His high school promise was supposed to be impossible to achieve but against all odds LeBron James exceeded it.
2. Kobe Bryant
The late great Kobe Bryant, a legend from Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia, made a huge impact in the NBA.
Drafted 13th overall in 1995 by the Charlotte Hornets and quickly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, his journey was remarkable.
Kobe Bryant, initially taking time to find his footing, eventually emerged as a dynamic leader and one of the most thrilling players in the game.
Alongside Shaquille O’Neal, he propelled the Lakers to three consecutive championships and added two more titles post-Shaq.
Spending his entire career with the Lakers, Kobe’s achievements are extraordinary:
- 5 NBA Championships
- 2 Finals MVPs
- MVP award
- 2 Scoring Titles
- 18 All-Star appearances
- 15 All-NBA Teams
- 12 All-Defensive Teams
Kobe Bryant and his influence extends beyond the court, making him one of the most iconic figures in sports history, all starting straight from high school.
3. Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett, a standout from Farragut Career Academy, broke new ground as the first high school player drafted in 20 years.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, recognizing his talent, selected him fifth overall, bringing attention to the franchise for the first time.
Kevin Garnett and his leadership was pivotal for the Timberwolves, guiding them to eight consecutive playoff appearances and even to the Western Conference Finals.
Despite his efforts, the team couldn’t provide enough support, leading to his trade to the Boston Celtics.
There, Kevin Garnett achieved his dream of winning an NBA championship.
He also had a stint with the Brooklyn Nets before returning to Minnesota to end his career.
Kevin Garnett was decorated with numerous accolades:
- MVP
- Defensive Player of the Year
- 4-time rebounding leader
- 15-time All-Star
- All-Star MVP
- 9-time All-NBA
- 12-time All-Defensive team member
His journey from high school to NBA champion is a testament to his extraordinary talent and work ethic.
4. Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard, often underrated, ranks among the best basketball players of his generation, possibly even of all time.
Graduating from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, he was seen as the next Shaquille O’Neal.
The Orlando Magic recognized his potential, drafting him first overall straight from high school.
Howard’s impact in the NBA was immediate, quickly becoming a dominant rebounder and defender.
He was NBA-ready from the start, leading the Magic to the NBA Finals in his fifth season.
Eventually outgrowing the Magic, Howard moved to the Los Angeles Lakers, though with limited success. His career also included time with the Rockets, Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Wizards, and Sixers.
Howard’s return to the Lakers in 2020 marked a redemption, contributing to their championship win.
The accolades of the Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy graduate are very impressive:
- NBA Champion
- 8-time All-Star
- 5-time rebounding champion
- 3-time Defensive Player of the Year
- 2-time block leader
His journey from high school to instant NBA stardom is remarkable.
5. Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady, initially less known at Auburndale High School, moved to Mount Zion Christian Academy for better exposure.
His standout performance at an Adidas camp led to the decision to skip college and being drafted 9th overall in the NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors.
Coming straight from high school, McGrady initially struggled with loneliness but soon emerged as a star in his third season.
He moved to the Orlando Magic, becoming the league’s leading scorer for two seasons.
McGrady later joined the Houston Rockets, forming a dynamic duo with Yao Ming.
His career later saw him moving between teams.
Despite no championship wins and playoff struggles, McGrady is celebrated as one of the most gifted scorers and players in basketball history.
6. Amar’e Stoudemire
Amar’e Stoudemire, the only selected high school player in his NBA Draft class, had a challenging upbringing.
He started playing organized basketball only at 14 and frequently moved due to his mother’s legal issues.
Stoudemire attended several high schools, including Lake Wales High School, Mount Zion Christian Academy, Dr. Phillips High School, West Orange High School, and Cypress Creek High School, playing just two seasons in total.
Despite these obstacles, the Phoenix Suns selected him 9th overall.
Stoudemire quickly made his mark, winning Rookie of the Year with his standout physicality and athleticism.
He spent his prime years in Phoenix, becoming the top scorer in one of the most dynamic offenses in NBA history.
Stoudemire also played for the Knicks, Mavericks, and Heat, earning 6 All-Star selections and 5 All-NBA team honors.
7. Jermaine O’Neal
Jermaine O’Neal’s NBA journey was overshadowed by his involvement in the ‘Malice in the Palace’ brawl, but his prime years showcased his exceptional talent.
At Eau Claire High School of the Arts, his athletic prowess was evident, excelling as both a basketball guard and a football quarterback.
Drafted 17th in 1996, O’Neal was the youngest player to debut in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers. Limited opportunities in Portland led to his trade to the Indiana Pacers, where he emerged as an All-Star and MVP contender.
O’Neal’s eight-season tenure in Indiana was followed by stints with the Raptors, Heat, Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Warriors.
His accolades include being named the Most Improved Player in 2002, a 6-time All-Star, and a 2-time All-NBA team member, marking him as one of the best NBA players drafted straight out of high school.
8. Rashard Lewis
Rashard Lewis, after a standout performance at Alief Elsik High School, chose to skip college and enter the NBA.
The Seattle Supersonics selected him in the second round of the 1998 Draft, where he was notably the last player in the ‘Green Room’.
Lewis excelled as a scorer in Seattle, playing both small forward and power forward.
His physicality and ability to accumulate steals caught the attention of the Orlando Magic, who signed him with a hefty $118 million contract.
His career later included playing for the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat.
Lewis appeared in 2 All-Star Games and 3 NBA Finals, clinching a championship in 2013.
Averaging 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, his career stands out in the history of NBA players drafted straight from high school.
9. Andrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum, recognized as one of the most talented basketball players, faced a career hampered by injuries and character issues.
Drafted 10th overall in 2005 from St. Joseph High School, he had impressive high school stats, averaging a double-double with 6.0 blocks per game.
Bynum’s exceptional footwork made him the youngest player ever drafted in the NBA.
Initially, he saw limited playtime with the Los Angeles Lakers but evolved into a dominant two-way player, contributing significantly to their 2009 and 2010 championship wins.
Later traded in a deal for Dwight Howard, Bynum had short spells with the Cavaliers and Pacers before an early retirement.
His NBA career, though brief, included an All-Star selection and averages of 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, marking him as one of the most notable NBA high school draftees.
10. Tyson Chandler
Tyson Chandler, a high school superstar at Dominguez High School was drafted 2nd overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2001, just behind Kwame Brown.
He entered the NBA with expectations of becoming a dominant big man.
Despite his potential, Chandler didn’t fully break out during his five-year tenure with the Bulls. His defensive prowess shone through with the New Orleans Hornets alongside Chris Paul, and he played a crucial role in the Dallas Mavericks‘ NBA championship win.
In 2012, while with the New York Knicks, Chandler was named Defensive Player of the Year, marking his last significant impact in the league.
He returned to Dallas and later had short stints with the Phoenix Suns, Lakers, and Rockets, contributing his defensive skills and veteran presence.
Can You Get Selected in the NBA Draft Straight From High School?
Players can’t enter the NBA directly from high school anymore.
The 2005 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement requires them to be 19 or a year post-high school. This rule might change in the 2023-24 season.
Who Was the Last Player That Came to the NBA Straight From High School?
The first NBA player drafted from high school was Darryl ‘Chocolate Thunder’ Hawkins in 1975, selected by the Philadelphia 76ers. Bill Willoughby followed in the same draft.
Who was the last NBA player that came straight out of high school?
Amir Johnson, drafted 56th by the Detroit Pistons in 2005, was the last NBA player to join straight from high school.
Final Words
The journey from high school to the NBA has been a path taken by legends like LeBron James, drafted straight from St. Mary High School, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett.
Their remarkable transitions set a precedent, showcasing the extraordinary potential of young talents in basketball’s highest echelon.
