Which NBA player was drafted straight out of high school?

Many NBA stars, like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Dwight Howard, were drafted straight from high school between 1995 and 2005, a practice ended by new rules requiring players to be 19 and one year removed from high school, though the NBA G League now offers an alternative path.

How many NBA players were drafted straight out of high school?

There have been 41 high school draftees in the NBA draft. Three draftees were selected first overall: Kwame Brown in the 2001 NBA draft, LeBron James in 2003, and Dwight Howard in the 2004 NBA draft.

Who was the last NBA player to come straight from high school?

The last player drafted directly from high school into the NBA was Amir Johnson in 2005, before the league implemented its age-limit rule requiring players to be at least 19 and one year removed from high school graduation. While other players like Anfernee Simons came from post-grad prep schools after 2005, Amir Johnson was the final one to make the leap straight from high school. 

Has a 17 year old ever been drafted?

No, the current U.S. Selective Service System requires registration for men 18-25, not 17, though federal law technically allows for militia conscription of able-bodied men 17-45 in emergencies, and some historical drafts did involve younger men or allow enlistment at 17 with parental consent. While the draft hasn't been active since 1973, registration at 18 is mandatory, with penalties for non-registration, and 17-year-olds can enlist with permission.
 

Was Tracy McGrady drafted out of high school?

A 7 time All Star, 7 time All NBA selection, 2 time scoring champion and 2001 Most Improved Player, he entered the NBA straight out of high school and was selected as the ninth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in the 1997 NBA draft.

The 10 BEST NBA PLAYERS DRAFTED STRAIGHT Out Of HIGH SCHOOL!

Was Kevin Durant drafted out of high school?

Washington, D.C. native Kevin Durant's basketball talent was evident from a young age. After a decorated high school career, the forward played just one season at the University of Texas - earning the Player of the Year award - before declaring himself eligible for the 2007 NBA Draft.

Who are the best NBA players straight from high school?

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant top list of players who jumped from preps to pros in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This is the 30th anniversary of Kevin Garnett being selected fifth overall in the 1995 NBA Draft out of high school.

Who cannot be drafted?

Exemptions from the U.S. draft (Selective Service) apply to those on active military duty, non-immigrant visa holders (student, visitor, etc.), some with disabilities, and certain government/religious figures, though most men aged 18-25 must register, with conscientious objectors needing to apply for deferments or exemptions. Exemptions aren't automatic; you must claim them, and rules can change with national emergencies, as the system is a contingency for when the all-volunteer force isn't enough.
 

Who is the youngest person drafted in the NBA?

The youngest player ever drafted into the NBA is Andrew Bynum, selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005 at 17 years and 249 days old; he was the first player drafted directly from high school under new eligibility rules. Other notable young draftees include Jermaine O'Neal and Kobe Bryant (both 17 in 1996), and Darko Milicic (18 in 2003).
 

How tall was Michael Jordan at 15?

At age 15, Michael Jordan was around 5'10" or 5'11", still considered short and not making the varsity team as a sophomore, but he experienced a significant growth spurt, reaching 6'3" by his junior year, which helped him become a star player, notes African American Registry and Elephant Learning.
 

Who was the first player to skip college and go to the NBA?

For some time in the NBA's early stages, a player had to finish a four-year college to enter the draft and join one of the NBA franchises. It wasn't until Reggie Harding in 1962 that a player skipped college and went straight from high school into the world's toughest basketball league.

Why did the NBA stop drafting high school players?

Teams want as much info as possible about players before making a big decision on adding them to the roster, and seeing a young player in dozens of high-level college games is much better than HS/AAU games where too many of the players on the court will never sniff the NBA.

What percent of 7 footers make it to the NBA?

While it's hard to pinpoint an exact current figure, older estimates suggest a staggering 17% of American men 7 feet or taller might have an NBA chance, but this is based on limited data and varies greatly; realistically, only a tiny fraction of all 7-footers globally make it, with some suggesting around 9% of all 7-footers in history played in the NBA and roughly one in seven players in the NBA is 7 feet or taller, showing how rare it is to be both tall and an NBA player. 

Has a D2 player ever made the NBA?

Yes, several NCAA Division II (D2) players have made it to the NBA, with prominent examples including NBA champion Derrick White, NBA champion Ben Wallace, Hall of Famer George Gervin, and current players like Haywood Highsmith, proving D2 talent can translate to the highest level, often after transferring up or developing in the G-League. While less common than D1 players, the path is challenging but achievable, with players like White starting at D2 before moving to D1 and getting drafted, and others like Highsmith going D2 to G-League to NBA. 

Who was the last white player to be picked number 1 in the NBA draft?

Yes. Cooper Flagg, picked No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25, is the first American-born white player to be drafted first overall since Kent Benson of Indiana was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1977. In the years since, a handful of white international players have gone at No.

Who is richer, Shaq or Kobe?

Kobe Bryant was richer than Shaquille O'Neal, with an estimated net worth of around $600 million at his passing, largely due to successful off-court investments, while Shaq's net worth is estimated closer to $400-$500 million, built on massive endorsements and business ventures, though Bryant's post-career success in business outpaced O'Neal's in the final tally before Kobe's death.
 

How many hours of sleep did Kobe Bryant get a night?

Kobe Bryant famously slept very little, often getting only 3 to 4 hours of sleep by breaking it into multiple short segments (a biphasic or polyphasic pattern), but he later admitted regretting this, increasing his sleep to 6 to 8 hours as he matured, recognizing sleep's crucial role in recovery, though his demanding schedule often made achieving adequate rest difficult. 

Who was only 17 when he entered the NBA?

Andrew Bynum was the youngest player drafted into the NBA at 17 years and 245 days in 2005, but Jermaine O'Neal (17 years, 256 days in 1996) and Kobe Bryant (17 years, 307 days in 1996) were also drafted at 17, with Bynum becoming the youngest to play in a game (just after turning 18). 

What age can no longer be drafted?

In the U.S., nearly all men aged 18-25 must register with the Selective Service System (SSS), the system for a potential draft, though they aren't automatically enlisted; in a crisis, a lottery would call men first by their 20th, then 21st, up to 25th birthdays, with those turning 26 being the oldest considered. Failure to register can affect federal benefits, and while the current registration age is 18-25, a new law in 2026 will automate registration using other databases for men up to age 26. 

Which son can't get drafted?

Section 6(o) of the Military Selective Service Act of 1948 exempted the sole surviving son of a family where one or more sons or daughters had been killed in action, died in the line of duty, or subsequently died of injuries or disease incurred while in military service, from being drafted either in peacetime or ...

Can a player refuse to get drafted?

Can a player refuse to be drafted by a team? No. Players cannot prevent a team from drafting them, but they can refuse to sign a contract upon being drafted. If that happens and the player's rights are not traded, that player would be back in the draft pool the following year.

Who is the 7 9 basketball player teenager?

The 7-foot-9 teenage basketball player you're looking for is Olivier Rioux, a Canadian center for the Florida Gators, who holds the Guinness World Record as the world's tallest teenager and became the tallest player in NCAA history upon his debut. He made history in late 2025 by scoring his first college basket, showcasing his immense size on the court and gaining significant media attention for his unique stature in the sport.
 

Who was the greatest high school basketball player ever?

There's no single "best" high school player ever, but Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), LeBron James, and Wilt Chamberlain are consistently named top contenders, known for dominating their eras, winning championships, and becoming NBA legends, with Alcindor's undefeated streak and Chamberlain's unmatched scoring leading many lists. Other greats like Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and Kenny Anderson are also frequently mentioned for their exceptional high school performances. 

Which famous basketball player was actually cut from his high school team?

The most famous basketball player who didn't make his high school varsity team as a sophomore is Michael Jordan, who was cut from Laney High School's team, leading him to work harder and eventually become an NBA legend, though he did make the junior varsity squad and grew significantly in height. Other notable players who faced early struggles include Paul George and Pascal Siakam, with Siakam not even starting organized basketball until age 17.