Throughout the NBA’s colourful history, the rulebook on rookie eligibility has constantly evolved, so there have been players who have passed through the loopholes. Before the 1971 Haywood v. NBA case, no player could even dream of stepping onto an NBA court unless they were four years removed from high school. But that changed with a ruling that opened the door for early entry under special hardship rules.
It wasn’t long before names like Darryl Dawkins and Bill Willoughby came to the big leagues from high school. By the 90s, Kevin Garnett’s leap had created a trend. By the early 2000s, the NBA Draft was flooded with prep stars.
But this changed again in 2006, when a new rule was implemented requiring players to be at least 19 and one year removed from high school graduation. Since then, no one has been able to touch the incredible youth of the ten names on this list.
Who are the Youngest NBA Rookies?
Andrew Bynum | 18 years, 6 days
Andrew Bynum is the youngest ever to do it. He made his NBA debut for the Lakers six days after his 18th birthday. Bynum was drafted 10th overall out of St. Joseph High School in New Jersey. While his early years were bumpy, Bynum gained momentum with the back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.
Bynum’s best came in 2012 with an All-Star nod and All-NBA Second Team honours. He played 418 games in total and averaged 11.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game before leaving the NFL after the 2013–14 season.
Jermaine O’Neal | 18 years, 53 days
Before Bynum, there was Jermaine O’Neal. The Portland Trail Blazers drafted him 17th overall in the 1996 Draft from Eau Claire High School in South Carolina. O’Neal debuted on Dec. 5, 1996. Although his first few years were quiet, the trade to Indiana changed everything.
With Indiana, he played his best game, becoming a six-time All-Star and a three-time All-NBA selection. His 18-season journey included stints in Toronto, Miami, Boston, Phoenix, and Golden State. O’Neal ended his journey with 1,011 career games with 13.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
Kobe Bryant | 18 years, 72 days
Kobe Bryant’s debut in 1996 was historic. It was truly the moment when a legend was born. Bryant was drafted 13th overall by the Hornets and was immediately traded to the Lakers. The Lower Merion High School prodigy stepped on the court against the Timberwolves on November 3, 1996. By January, he was the youngest starter in NBA history.
Over two decades in L.A., Bryant became a five-time champion, an 18-time All-Star, and a 15-time All-NBA selection. Let’s also not forget when he had 81 points in a single game. With No. 8 and No. 24 retired by the Lakers, Kobe finished with 33,643 points. That is the fourth most in NBA history.
Darko Miličić | 18 years, 133 days
Darko Miličić did not become a household name, but has a place in history. He was drafted second overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2003. The Serbian big man debuted on Oct. 31 that year. T
hough he averaged just 4.7 minutes across 34 games in his rookie season, he still walked away with a championship ring. This made him the youngest player to appear in and win an NBA Finals. Miličić’s career saw 10 seasons with five teams, and he ended with career averages of 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Stan Brown | 18 years, 139 days
Stan Brown is the OG teen rookie. Last, the world knows Brown was suiting up for the Philadelphia Warriors in the BAA. Long before the NBA, after a stint with the Philadelphia Sphas, Brown made his pro debut on Nov. 13, 1947, against the Providence Steamrollers. He played all games between two stints with the Warriors and averaged 3.1 points and 1.1 rebounds.
Bill Willoughby | 18 years, 156 days
Bill Willoughby broke into the league the same year as Dawkins. They both entered the 1975 NBA Draft out of high school. Willoughby was picked 19th overall by the Atlanta Hawks and debuted on Oct. 23, 1975, against the New Orleans Jazz. Willoughby played for six teams over eight seasons and ended his career with 6.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game across 488 appearances.
Tracy McGrady | 18 years, 160 days
Before becoming the scoring machine he was, Tracy McGrady was an 18-year-old rookie with the Toronto Raptors. He was picked ninth overall in 1997 out of Mount Zion Christian Academy and made his debut on Oct. 31, 1997.
McGrady spent three seasons with the Raptors before moving to Orlando, where he became a two-time scoring champ. McGrady’s best moment, however, came in a game against the Spurs when he scored 13 points in 33 seconds.
Yaroslav Korolev | 18 years, 181 days
Yaroslav Korolev’s NBA journey was short-lived but memorable nonetheless. The Moscow native found himself donning an LA Clippers jersey after being picked 12th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft. Korolev, who had a 6-foot-10 frame and a polished European game, was seen as a high-upside prospect.
KEEP READING: Top 5 Oldest NBA Rookies of All Time
Unfortunately, that potential never quite materialised in the NBA. He debuted on November 4, 2005, but played rarely in the next two seasons. He had 34 games before the Clippers moved on. After being waived ahead of the 2007-08 season, Korolev returned to Europe, where he continued his career.
Andris Biedrins | 18 years, 217 days
Latvian big man Andris Biedrins was known for his rebounding. He was selected 11th overall by Golden State in 2004. His best season came during the 2008-09 season, when he averaged a double-double: 11.9 points and 11.2 rebounds. Soon, however, injuries started to break his momentum.
Over time, physical setbacks and declining confidence took over his game. His final NBA stop came in Utah, where he played only six games before quitting. Biedrins averaged 6.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per contest across 516 games.
CJ Miles | 18 years, 241 days
CJ Miles played on the NBA hardwood for 17 years. He was drafted 34th overall by the Utah Jazz in 2005. The swingman took a patient route, splitting early seasons between the Jazz and their D League affiliate as he polished his skills. But once he found his rhythm, Miles became a three-point threat.
Miles’ career-best came with the Indiana Pacers in 20 with 13.5 points per game. He had stops in Cleveland, Toronto, Memphis, Washington, and Boston, followed by stops as he grew into a veteran player. With 849 career games, Miles ended his career with an average of 9.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and hit over 1.5 threes per game.
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