5 Greatest NBA players that came directly from High School

#4 Kevin Garnett

New York Knicks v Boston Celtics - Game Three — Kevin Garnett

Career Averages: 17.8 Points, 10.0 Rebounds, 1.4 Blocks

Honors: 1x NBA champion, 1x MVP, 15x All-Star, 9x All NBA selections, 1x Defensive Player of the Year, 12x NBA All-Defensive selections

Kevin Garnett is one of the greatest Power Forwards of all time. Garnett could do it all on the court except hitting 3s. He could score in the post or mid-range, was a terrific rebounder and defender and a good passer. Garnett failed to have any playoff success for much of his time in Minnesota because of the lack of a proper supporting cast. That changed in 2003 as with new additions to the team, they won 58 games and reached the Conference Finals for the 1st time in franchise history. But an injury to Sam Cassell meant they lost in 6 games to the Lakers. After failing to make the playoffs in the following years, he was traded to the Celtics in 2007.

Also read: Top 5 NBA Power Forwards of all time

In his 1st season with Boston, he finally got the monkey off his back and won the NBA title. His importance to the team was further shown the following season, as the Celtics bowed out in the 2nd round with him injured. They'd reach the NBA finals in 2010 with Garnett healthy, but lost in 7 games to the Lakers.

Garnett was the trendsetter for the likes of Bryant and Mcgrady as he was the 1st high schooler to be drafted into the NBA in 20 years in 1995. His success prompted the Lakers to go for Bryant in 96 and Toronto to draft T-Mac in 97.