What percentage of college basketball players make it to the NBA? Exploring the odds

NBA organizations are always looking at the incoming crop of talented basketball players. There's a wide range of college basketball players who have their dreams set on playing in the NBA.

It's far from a guarantee that players at the collegiate level will be able to make it to the next level. The odds are stacked against them. Each NBA draft usually consists of 60 selections. But college players aren't the only ones attempting to fulfill their dreams at the next level.

There's also the international game, which has continued to blossom with each passing year. Leagues such as the Overtime Elite and NBA G League have also become popular developmental paths for players looking to prepare for the NBA jump.

So, what percentage of college basketball players have a chance of making it to the NBA level? According to a study conducted by the NCAA in April 2020, of the 540,769 male high school basketball players, only 18,816 go on to play at the collegiate level, or 3.5%.

That number gets even smaller when you narrow it down to players who play at Division I schools. But the odds shrink even more when it comes to jumping to the NBA. According to the study, only 1.2% of the collegiate players make the jump from college to the NBA.

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March Madness shining spotlight on NBA hopefuls

Baylor Bears freshman guard Keyonte George

College basketball has brought forth some of the most exciting young talent in the world. After players cement themselves as high school stars, the next step in their basketball journey usually involves playing at the NCAA level.

But for some players, the NCAA level and March Madness will end up being some of the final days of their basketball careers. College basketball involves a wide range of individuals who are suiting up for schools across the nation. While many players dream of playing at the NBA level, the harsh truth is that it becomes a numbers game.

With only 60 selections in each NBA draft, a number of players won't have their dreams of hearing their name called on draft night. There are still plenty of players who have found their way to the NBA level, despite not being drafted. The NBA has grown in popularity when it comes to grooming talent in the G League before giving players an opportunity to make it on a roster.

This year's March Madness features a plethora of talent that should find their way towards a spot in the NBA. Players such as Alabama freshman Brandon Miller and Baylor guard Keyonte George are two popular names who are expected to be top 10 picks in the 2023 NBA draft.