The NBA’s era, when basketball talent could leave high school and go directly to the professional league, a period that stretched from the mid-1990s to 2005, was a great option for high school basketball prodigies.
It was also a bold decision of the NBA to require players to be at least 19 and have finished high school for a year, by announcing the 2006 age restriction rule, marking the end of an era that had produced some of the most iconic players in NBA history.
1. LeBron James
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James as the first overall draft pick of the 2003 NBA draft after he finished his schooling at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. Everyone acknowledged that at age 18, LeBron James had already established signs of becoming an iconic athletic figure in his generation.
During his first season with the NBA, he won Rookie of the Year before winning multiple championship titles and MVP awards. He then broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record to secure the NBA scoring record.
2. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant secured the 13th selection in the 1996 NBA draft through the Charlotte Hornets before they immediately sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers per their pre-draft agreement. Kobe Bryant established his place as an all-time great by showing his worth through multiple years after high school at Lower Merion in Pennsylvania.
Bryant spent 20 years representing the Lakers basketball team, during which he secured five NBA championships together with two Finals MVP wins, and earned his spot in the All-Star teams across 18 seasons of competition.
3. Kevin Garnett
In 1995, Kevin Garnett ended a 20-year stretch without a high school player being drafted
He was drafted directly to the NBA by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the fifth overall pick.
Garnett’s versatile skill set and dedication revolutionized the power forward position. His awards include the 2004 MVP title, 15 All-Star selections, and the 2008 championship he acquired with the Boston Celtics.
4. Dwight Howard
In 2004, Dwight Howard received the top selection of the NBA Draft when the Orlando Magic selected him right after his graduation from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Players noticed his impact immediately because he became the first high school selection to begin on opening night in rookie competition.
The standout achievements of Howard’s professional career include eight appearances on the All-Star roster three times, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award thrice, and capturing the NBA championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
5. Tracy McGrady
When he finished high school, Tracy McGrady made a direct transition to the NBA from Mount Zion Christian Academy. The Toronto Raptors selected him as their 9th pick in 1997.
After his training period, McGrady developed from a talented prospect into an elite scorer as he joined the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame awarded him membership in 2017.
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The accomplishments of these five players are a testimony to how going from high school directly into the NBA can prove to be a brilliant move. Their success stories are remembered as part of the legacy, and at the same time, they are the source of inspiration for the upcoming generations of basketball talent.
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