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The NBA put a stop on players coming straight from High School in 2006 and made the rule such that players had to be at least a year removed from HS to be eligible. The league has had a preference for players who play at the collegiate level for at least a year as compared to those who come directly from high school. Players are more matured coming into the league after a year in college from both a basketball and mental standpoint.
That, however, changed from the mid-1990s, after which many HS players were drafted into the NBA. Understandably, many of them did not pan out, but a select few did and left their marks in NBA history. Here are the top 5:
Honorable Mention
Tracy McGrady
Career Averages: 19.6 Points, 5.6 Rebounds, 4.4 Assists
Honors: 7x All-Star, 7x All NBA selections
Ah, what might have been. T-Mac was one of the best scorers of his generation and for a stretch was second perhaps only to Kobe Bryant at Shooting Guard. McGrady could do it all on the court. He was 6'8, had ball-handling abilities, could score from anywhere and was a capable defender. He led the league in scoring twice and had one of the most memorable performances in NBA history against the Spurs in 2004. Down 76-68, McGrady would score an absurd 13 points in the final 35 seconds as the Rockets won 81-80. Injuries derailed Mcgrady for much of his career and left many wondering what might have been.
#5 Dwight Howard
Career Averages: 17.5 Points, 12.7 Rebounds, 2.0 Blocks
Honors: 8x All-Star, 8x All NBA selections, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, 5x NBA All-Defensive selections
Dwight Howard was a physical specimen unlike any other out of high school, when he was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in 2004. A walking double-double throughout his career, Howard has never averaged less than 10 Points and 10 Rebounds per game in any season of his career. He was the premier big man in the NBA for a 5-year stretch from 2007-2012, during which he won his 3 DPOY awards and led the league in rebounding 4 times.
Howard led the Magic to their first NBA Finals in 14 years in 2009 for a showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers. Down 2-1, with the series delicately poised, they lost game 4 in OT as Howard missed two late free throws with the Magic up 87-84. The Lakers would easily win game 5 to seal the title. The Magic would lose in the Conference Finals the next year and in the 1st round the following two years.
He would then demand a trade and it's been all downhill since. Howard was traded to the Lakers in 2012 and it didn't work out between him and Bryant. After unsuccessful stints in Houston and Atlanta, he's now in Charlotte and it seems like he's finally getting back on track.
#4 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.
#3 Moses Malone
Career Averages: 20.6 Points, 12.2 Rebounds, 1.4 Blocks
Honors: 1x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 12x All-Star, 8x All NBA selections, 2 x NBA All-Defensive selections
Also read: Top 10 Regular season scorers in NBA History
Moses Malone is arguably the most under-appreciated player of all time, especially for a guy who won 3 MVPs. One of the most dominant scorers and rebounders ever, he ranks 9th in Scoring and 5th in Rebounding. He led the league in Rebounds 6 times in a 7-year stretch between 1978-1985 and is the all-time leader in offensive rebounds, more than 2,000 clear of second place.
Malone was initially drafted in the ABA which merged with the NBA 2 seasons after he was drafted. He was traded to the Rockets and he led them to their 1st NBA Finals in 1981 but they lost to the Celtics in 6 games. He left the Rockets in 1982 and joined the 76ers. The Sixers had lost in the NBA Finals in 1980 and 82 to the Lakers as they didn't have an answer for Kareem Abdul Jabbar and needed a dominant big to match up with him. Malone was just that and some more.
No center in NBA history gave Kareem more trouble than perhaps Moses. With Malone in tow, the Sixers swept the Lakers as Moses dominated Kareem on the boards to win his first and only NBA title. The fact that he only won 1 title and his play wasn't too flashy is perhaps why Malone gets overlooked in the discussions regarding the greatest big men of all time but he definitely belongs in the conversation.
#2 Kobe Bryant
Career Averages: 25 Points, 5.2 Rebounds, 4.7 Assists
Honors: 5x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 1x MVP, 18x All-Star, 15x All NBA selections, 12x NBA All-Defensive selections
The Black Mamba is second only to Michael Jordan when it comes to shooting guards. He was drafted by the Hornets who traded him to the Lakers for Vlade Divac and boy do they regret it now. Bryant is one of the greatest scorers of all time and he torched defenses throughout his career en route to finishing 3rd in the scoring charts. Incredibly clutch, Bryant was also a superb defender for much of his career. While he has often been mocked for not passing the ball, Bryant is the only player in NBA history to total over 30,000 points and 6,000 assists.
Also read: Top 5 NBA Shooting guards of all time
Bryant won 3 titles in a row from 2000-02 but Shaquille O'Neal took most of the credit and rightly so, but Bryant's importance to the team, especially in late-game situations kept growing. After a disgruntled Shaq was traded away in 2004, the Lakers suffered a few years of mediocrity thanks to a sub-par supporting cast around Bryant. He would win 2 scoring titles during that stretch but had no playoff success.
Then, the Lakers made some key roster changes in 2008, and Bryant led them to 3 straight Finals from 2008-2010. After losing in 2008 to the Celtics, he would win the next two against the Magic and the Celtics to establish himself as perhaps the best player of his generation.
#1 LeBron James
Career Averages: 27.1 Points, 7.3 Rebounds, 7 Assists
Honors: 3x NBA Champion, 3x Finals MVP, 4x MVP, 13x All-Star, 13x All NBA selections, 6x NBA All-Defensive selections
Lebron James might be the most talented player to ever play in the NBA. James is a terrific scorer and playmaker, was an excellent defender and is a more than capable rebounder. By the time he finishes his career, he has a chance to be the only player to amass over 30,000 Points, 10,000 Assists, and 10,000 Rebounds which is mind-boggling
James toiled for years in Cleveland without a proper supporting cast. He would lead the Cavs to a Finals appearance in 2007, but they were no match for the Spurs and were swept. He left in 2010 for Miami with the infamous "Decision" interview. He'd reach the NBA Finals every season since. The 1st season ended horribly for James as he choked in the 2011 Finals as Dallas pulled off an unlikely upset. He then won back to back titles in 2012 and 13 but lost in 2014 after which he went back to Cleveland.
While he lost in the 2015 NBA Finals, James would have the crowning moment of his career the next year. Up against the 73-win Warriors, James led the Cavs back from a 3-1 deficit to win the title.
The only thing left for James to accomplish is to chase the ghost in Chicago to become the GOAT. While he may never catch Jordan as the greatest ever, he is the greatest player to come to the NBA straight from High School.
Guess the Lakers players!
