Best High School-to-NBA Players of All Time

You're never too young to change the game.

Best High School-to-NBA Players of All Time

You're never too young to change the game. But in the NBA's current "one-and-done" era, a player has to have a one-year gap between finishing high school and entering the draft.

The nation’s top high school basketball players used to be able to go straight to the draft. Dating back to the 1960s, and with a decade-long heyday beginning in 1995, some of the NBA’s greatest talents made the leap right to the pros. After the 2005 draft, the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement ended the prep-to-pro pipeline.

These are the best players who went directly from high school hoops to the pro basketball game.

(Note: All statistics updated through the end of the 2022-23 regular season)

30. Kwame Brown, Center/Power Forward

High school: Glynn Academy (Brunswick, Georgia)

Hometown: Brunswick, Georgia

Drafted by: Washington Wizards (No. 1 overall, 2001)

Age when drafted: 19

NBA experience: 12 seasons (2001-13)

Teams: Washington Wizards (2001-05), Los Angeles Lakers (2005-08), Memphis Grizzlies (2008), Detroit Pistons (2008-10), Charlotte Bobcats (2010-11), Golden State Warriors (2011-12), Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13)

Career stats: 6.6 points, 5.5 rebounds

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Kwame Brown signed with the University of Florida, but instead became the first No. 1 overall pick selected right out of high school. It speaks more to how bad some of the high school-to-NBA players were in this era that he even made this list.

He seemed to blossom in his third season, then turned down a five-year, $30 million contract offer from Wizards.

His gamble on free agency didn’t pay off as injuries and apathetic play defined his career.

29. Andray Blatche, Center/Power Forward

High school: South Kent School (South Kent, Connecticut)

Hometown: Syracuse, New York

Drafted by: Washington Wizards (No. 49, 2005)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 9 seasons (2005-14)

Teams: Washington Wizards (2005-12), Brooklyn Nets (2012-14)

Career stats: 10.1 points, 5.4 rebounds

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Andray Blatche was projected as a first-round pick out of high school but dropped to the second round.

He missed his first training camp with the Wizards after being shot in a drive-by shooting. Then, the team and Blatche had a contentious parting after he was benched several times for "lack of conditioning."

He still had a decent NBA career and has made $10 million playing in China since 2014.

28. DeShawn Stevenson, Small Forward/Shooting Guard

High school: Washington Union (Easton, California)

Hometown: Easton, California

Drafted by: Utah Jazz (No. 23, 2000)

Age when drafted: 19

NBA experience: 13 seasons (2000-13)

Teams: Utah Jazz (2000-04), Orlando Magic (2004-05), Washington Wizards (2005-10), Dallas Mavericks (2010-11), New Jersey Nets (2011-12), Atlanta Hawks (2012-13)

Career stats: 7.2 points, 1.6 assists, 22.3 minutes

NBA championships: 1 (2011)

Bottom line: DeShawn Stevenson signed with Kansas, where coach Roy Williams called him "my most gifted recruit ever." Questions about the validity of Stevenson's SAT scores forced him to declare for NBA draft.

He had a 13-year run in the league as a journeyman on six teams. The crowning moment of career was the 2011 NBA Finals, where he did a masterful job of guarding LeBron James to help the Mavericks win the title.

27. Dorell Wright, Small Forward

High school: South Kent School (South Kent, Connecticut)

Hometown: Los Angeles

Drafted by: Miami Heat (No. 19, 20040

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 10 seasons (2004-15, 2016)

Teams: Miami Heat (2004-10, 2016), Golden State Warriors (2010-12), Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13), Portland Trailblazers (2013-15)

Career stats: 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists

NBA championships: 1 (2006)

Bottom line: Dorell Wright committed to DePaul in high school, then won the NBA title in 2006 at just 20 years old.

He set an NBA record in his seventh season by scoring more points than the previous six seasons combined. In 2011, Wright finished third in Most Improved Player voting.

26. Martell Webster, Small Forward

High school: Seattle Preparatory School

Hometown: Seattle, Washington

Drafted by: Portland Trail Blazers (No. 6, 2005)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 10 seasons (2005-15)

Teams: Portland Trail Blazers (2005-10), Minnesota Timberwolves (2010-12), Washington Wizards (2012-15)

Career stats: 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 24.0 minutes

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Originally a University of Washington commit, Webster was picked by Portland in what would be final year prep players could be drafted.

He signed a four-year, $20 million contract extension with Trail Blazers in 2008.

25. Darryl Dawkins, Center

High school: Maynard Evans (Orlando, Florida)

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

Drafted by: Philadelphia 76ers (No. 5, 1975)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 14 seasons (1975-89)

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1975-82), New Jersey Nets (1982-87), Utah Jazz (1987), Detroit Pistons (1987-89)

Career stats: 12.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks

NBA championships: 1 (1989)

Bottom line: Darryl Dawkins made the decision to forgo college and enter the NBA draft to provide for his ailing grandmother.

Musician Stevie Wonder christened him "Chocolate Thunder," and his pair of backboard-shattering dunks in 1979 changed NBA rules.

One of the game's most colorful characters, Dawkins once claimed he was an "alien from Planet Lovetron." He died of a heart attack in 2015 at the age of 58.

24. Eddy Curry, Center/Power Forward

High school: Thornwood (South Holland, Illinois)

Hometown: South Holland, Illinois

Drafted by: Chicago Bulls (No. 4, 2001)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 11 seasons (2001-12)

Teams: Chicago Bulls (2001-05), New York Knicks (2005-10), Miami Heat (2011-12), Dallas Mavericks (2012)

Career stats: 12.9 points, 5.2 rebounds

NBA championships: 1 (2012)

Bottom line: Eddy Curry’s draft stock soared after winning the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game in 2001.

The Bulls made him the fourth overall pick, and he led the team in scoring and into the playoffs in the 2004-05 season, but he was forced to miss the postseason due to a cardiac condition.

Curry's career floundered afterward, mainly because he refused tests to have his condition properly diagnosed.

23. Darius Miles, Small Forward

High school: East St. Louis Senior (East St. Louis, Illinois)

Hometown: East St. Louis, Illinois

Drafted by: Los Angeles Clippers (No. 3, 2000)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 7 seasons (2000-06, 2008-09)

Teams: Los Angeles Clippers (2000-02), Cleveland Cavaliers (2002-04), Portland Trailblazers (2004-06),

Career stats: 10.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Darius Miles skipped college to become the then-highest-selected prep-to-pro player ever.

Then, he became the first player to make an NBA All-Rookie Team directly out of high school, but he underwent microfracture knee surgery in 2006 that essentially ended career.

In 2016, Miles filed for bankruptcy after making $62 million in career earnings.

22. Andrew Bynum, Center

High school: St. Joseph (Metuchen, New Jersey)

Hometown: Metuchen, New Jersey

Drafted by: Los Angeles Lakers (No. 10, 2005)

Age when drafted: 17

NBA experience: 9 seasons (2005-14)

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (2005-12), Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13), Cleveland Cavaliers (2013-14), Indiana Pacers (2014)

Career stats: 11.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks

NBA championships: 2 (2009, 2010)

Bottom line: Andrew Bynum was drafted four months before 18th birthday and remains the youngest player to play in an NBA game at 18 years, 6 days.

He helped Lakers win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010, then made his only All-Star game in 2012 and was named second-team All-NBA that same season.

While he posted some respectable numbers in his career, he never lived up to the hype and was out of the league before reaching 10 years of service time.

21. C.J. Miles, Guard/Small Forward

High school: Skyline (Dallas)

Hometown: Dallas

Drafted by: Utah Jazz (2005, No. 34)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA Experience: 17 seasons (2005-present)

Teams: Utah Jazz (2005-12), Cleveland Cavaliers (2012-14), Indiana Pacers (2014-17), Toronto Raptors (2017-19), Memphis Grizzlies (2019), Washington Wizards (2019-20), Boston Celtics (2022)

Career stats: 9.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: C.J. Miles wanted to play for the University of Texas if he wasn’t going to be a first-round pick, but the Jazz offered him equivalent money in the second round, and he became the franchise’s youngest player ever.

Miles has made over $50 million in 14 NBA seasons and set the Cavaliers’ single-game record with 10 3-pointers against 76ers in 2012.

And now he's getting minutes with the Washington Wizards.

20. Gerald Green, Small Forward/Shooting Guard

High school: Gulf Shores Academy (Houston)

Hometown: Houston

Drafted by: Boston Celtics (No. 18, 2005)

Age when drafted: 19

NBA experience: 12 seasons (2005-09, 2012-20)

Teams: Boston Celtics (2005-07, 2016-17), Minnesota Timberwolves (2007-08), Houston Rockets (2008, 2017-present), Dallas Mavericks (2008-09), New Jersey Nets (2012), Indiana Pacers (2012-13), Phoenix Suns (2013-15), Miami Heat (2015-16)

Career stats: 9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Gerald Green had most of his right ring finger amputated in sixth grade after a failed dunk attempt, but that didn't stop him.

He was ranked as a top player in the Class of 2005, though his draft stock fell after he refused workouts with teams outside of the top six picks.

Green won the 2007 NBA Dunk Contest and also played overseas in Russia from 2009 to 2011.

19. Shaun Livingston, Guard

High school: Peoria Central (Peoria, Illinois)

Hometown: Peoria, Illinois

Drafted by: Los Angeles Clippers (No. 4, 2004)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 15 seasons (2004-19)

Teams: Los Angeles Clippers (2004-08), Miami Heat (2008-09), Oklahoma City Thunder (2009), Washington Wizards (2010, 2012), Charlotte Bobcats (2010-11), Milwaukee Bucks (2011-12), Cleveland Cavaliers (2012-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-14), Golden State Warriors (2014-19)

Career stats: 6.5 points, 3.1 assists, 24.0 minutes

NBA championships: 3 (2015, 2017, 2018)

Bottom line: Shaun Livingston, who was Illinois Mr. Basketball in 2004, was having a breakout season in 2007 before suffering one of most gruesome injuries in NBA history.

He dislocated his left knee to the point that it was almost amputated and tore every major ligament and tendon.

He returned to the court and played on eight teams in his comeback, capped by three NBA titles with Golden State Warriors.

18. Al Harrington, Center/Forward

High school: St. Patrick (Elizabeth, New Jersey)

Hometown: Roselle, New Jersey

Drafted by: Indiana Pacers (No. 25, 1998)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 16 seasons (1998-2014)

Teams: Indiana Pacers (1998-2004, 2006-07), Atlanta Hawks (2004-06), Golden State Warriors (2007-08), New York Knicks (2008-10), Denver Nuggets (2010-12), Orlando Magic (2012-13), Washington Wizards (2013-14)

Career stats: 13.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Al Harrington played for legendary St. Patrick (N.J.) High and was named both 1998 USA Today and Gatorade National Player of the Year.

He played on seven NBA teams and finished second in voting for the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2004.

Post-retirement, Harrington has invested heavily in the cannabis industry and has become a major proponent for cannabis legalization.

17. Josh Smith, Forward

High school: Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia)

Hometown: Powder Spring, Georgia

Drafted by: Atlanta Hawks (No. 17, 2004)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 13 seasons (2004-17)

Teams: Atlanta Hawks (2004-13), Detroit Pistons (2013-14), Houston Rockets (2014-15, 2016), Los Angeles Clippers (2015-16), New Orleans Pelicans (2017)

Career stats: 14.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 blocks, 1.2 steals

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Josh Smith played with Rajon Rondo his senior year at Oak Hill Academy, then won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie in 2005.

Smith became the youngest NBA player to 500 blocks in 2007 and the youngest to 1,000 blocks in 2010.

In 2013, Smith signed four-year, $54 million contract with Pistons and played with three more teams before calling it a career in 2017.

16. Al Jefferson, Center/Power Forward

High school: Prentiss (Prentiss, Mississippi)

Hometown: Monticello, Mississippi

Drafted by: Boston Celtics (No. 15, 2004)

Age when drafted: 19

NBA experience: 14 seasons (2004-18)

Teams: Boston Celtics (2004-07), Minnesota Timberwolves (2007-10), Utah Jazz (2010-13), Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2013-16), Indiana Pacers (2016-18)

Career stats: 15.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.2 blocks

NBA championships: No

Bottom line: All Jefferson averaged a ridiculous 42.6 points, 18.0 rebounds and 7.0 blocks as a senior at Prentiss High in Mississippi before leaping straight to the NBA.

He was involved in the mega-trade that brought Kevin Garnett to Celtics and landed Jefferson a five-year, $65 million contract with the Timberwolves.

Named third-team All-NBA in 2014, Jefferson never advanced past the first round of the playoffs.

15. J.R. Smith, Small Forward/Shooting Guard

Year: 2004

High school: St. Benedict’s Prep (Newark, New Jersey)

Hometown: Clarksburg, New Jersey

Drafted by: New Orleans Hornets in Round 1 with No. 18 pick

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 15 seasons (2004-present)

Teams: New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (2004-06), Denver Nuggets (2006-11), New York Knicks (2012-15), Cleveland Cavaliers (2015-present)

Career stats: 12.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists

NBA championships: 1 (2016)

Bottom line: J.R. Smith was named co-MVP of the 2004 McDonald’s All-American Game alongside No. 1 overall pick Dwight Howard.

While Smith has unbelievable talent and has had a solid career on the court, he is known as much as for off-court issues, including a 2007 car crash that killed a passenger and landed Smith a 90-day jail sentence for reckless driving.

14. Kendrick Perkins, Center

High school: Clifton J. Ozen (Beaumont, Texas)

Hometown: Beaumont, Texas

Drafted by: Memphis Grizzlies (No. 27, 2003)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 14 seasons (2003-16, 2018)

Teams: Boston Celtics (2003-11), Oklahoma City Thunder (2011-15), Cleveland Cavaliers (2015, 2018), New Orleans Pelicans (2015-16)

Career stats: 5.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks

NBA championships: 1 (2008)

Bottom line: Kendrick Perkins was named Texas Mr. Basketball in 2003 and led the team to a state title game as a senior.

Traded to the Boston Celtics on draft day, he played eight seasons in Celtics green and was a key part of their 2008 NBA championship team.

He played in three more NBA Finals, losing all three.

13. Lou Williams, Guard

High school: South Gwinnett (Snellville, Georgia)

Hometown: Snellville, Georgia

Drafted by: Philadelphia 76ers (No. 45, 2005)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 15 seasons (2005-present)

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (2005-12), Atlanta Hawks (2012-14), Toronto Raptors (2014-15), Los Angeles Lakers (2015-17), Houston Rockets (2017), Los Angeles Clippers (2017-present)

Career stats: 14.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Lou Williams was the Naismith Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American in 2005.

He’s been a two-time NBA Sixth Man of the year, in 2015 and 2018, and has urban legend status thanks to Drake song "6 Man" about Williams, along with a 2011 carjacking incident where gunman recognized the NBA star and spared his life.

Now, he has a chance to win a championship with the Clippers.

12. Monta Ellis, Shooting Guard

High school: Lanier (Jackson, Mississippi)

Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi

Drafted by: Golden State Warriors (No. 40, 2005)

Age when drafted: 19

NBA experience: 12 seasons (2005-17)

Teams: Golden State Warriors (2005-12), Milwaukee Bucks (2012-13), Dallas Mavericks (2013-15), Indiana Pacers (2015-17)

Career stats: 17.8 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Monta Ellis burnished his rep in high school by putting up big games against future NBA players Rajon Rondo and Lou Williams.

Named the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2007, Ellis has career earnings just north of $103 million thanks to huge contracts from the Warriors and Pacers.

11. Shawn Kemp, Power Forward

High school: Concord (Elkhart, Indiana)

Hometown: Elkhart, Indiana

Drafted by: Seattle Supersonics (No. 17, 1989)

Age when drafted: 19

NBA experience: 14 seasons (1989-2003)

Teams: Seattle Supersonics (1989-97), Cleveland Cavaliers (1997-2000), Portland Trail Blazers (2000-02), Orlando Magic (2002-03)

Career Stats: 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.2 blocks

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Shawn Kemp enrolled at the University of Kentucky in 1988 but never played a game of college basketball.

An electric dunker nicknamed "Reign Man," he helped lead the Sonics to 1996 NBA Finals.

But weight problems, along with alcohol and drug addiction, derailed the latter half of career and led to several arrests.

10. Rashard Lewis, Forward

High school: Alief Elsik (Houston)

Hometown: Houston

Drafted by: Seattle SuperSonics (No. 32, 1998)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA Experience: 16 seasons (1998-2014)

Teams: Seattle SuperSonics (1998-2007), Orlando Magic (2007-10), Washington Wizards (2010-12), Miami Heat (2012-14)

Career stats: 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 32.0 minutes

NBA championships: 1 (2013)

Bottom line: It's not where you start but how you finish. In the first moments of Rashard Lewis' career, he waited in the green room at the NBA draft and dropped into second round.

The two-time NBA All-Star helped lead Orlando Magic to 2009 NBA Finals, where they were swept by Lakers, but he won a ring with the Miami Heat in 2013.

And his career earnings tallied a staggering $151.2 million.

9. Tyson Chandler, Center/Power Forward

High school: Dominguez (Compton, California)

Hometown: San Bernardino, California

Drafted by: Los Angeles Clippers (No. 2, 2001)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 19 seasons (2001-20)

Teams: Chicago Bulls (2001-06), New Orleans Hornets (2006-09), Charlotte Bobcats (2009-10), Dallas Mavericks (2010-11, 2014-15), New York Knicks (2011-14), Phoenix Suns (2015-18), Los Angeles Lakers (2018-19), Houston Rockets (2019-20)

Career stats: 8.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks

NBA championships: 1 (2011)

Bottom line: Tyson Chandler was a hoops phenom as a teen and got profiled on "60 Minutes" as a freshman in high school.

He won NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and is a three-time All-NBA Defensive pick.

Chandler, who won Olympic gold in 2012, has career earnings of $186.2 million over 18 seasons.

8. Jermaine O’Neal, Center/Power Forward

High school: Eau Claire (Columbia, South Carolina)

Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina

Drafted by: Portland Trailblazers (No. 17, 1996)

Age when drafted: 17

NBA experience: 18 seasons (1996-2014)

Teams: Portland Trailblazers (1996-2000), Indiana Pacers (2000-08), Toronto Raptors (2008-09), Miami Heat (2009-10), Boston Celtics (2010-12), Phoenix Suns (2012-13), Golden State Warriors (2013-14)

Career stats: 13.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Jermaine O’Neal was encouraged to go directly to the NBA in 1996 after seeing the success of fellow South Carolina native Kevin Garnett in the previous year’s draft.

Although O'Neal was buried on bench in Portland, he thrived after a trade to Pacers in 2001 and made six consecutive All-Star games starting in 2002.

He banked $167.5 million in career earnings.

7. Amar’e Stoudemire, Center/Power Forward

High school: Cypress Creek (Orlando)

Hometown: Lake Wales, Florida

Drafted by: Phoenix Suns (No. 9, 2002)

Age when drafted: 19

NBA experience: 14 seasons (2002-16)

Teams: Phoenix Suns (2002-10), New York Knicks (2010-15), Dallas Mavericks (2015), Miami Heat (2015-16)

Career stats: 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Amar'e Stoudemire was the only high school player taken in 2002 and became the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003.

He was a six-time NBA All-Star, first-team All-NBA in 2007 and second team in four other seasons.

He has played for the team he owns in the Israel Basketball League, Hapoel Jerusalem, since 2016.

6. Dwight Howard, Center

High school: Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy (Atlanta)

Hometown: Atlanta

Drafted by: Orlando Magic (No. 1, 2004)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA Experience: 18 seasons (2004-22)

Teams: Orlando Magic (2004-12), Los Angeles Lakers (2012-13, 2019-20, 2021-22), Houston Rockets (2013-16), Atlanta Hawks (2016-17), Charlotte Hornets (2017-18), Washington Wizards (2018), Philadelphia 76ers (2020-21)

Career stats: 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks

NBA championships: 1 (2020)

Bottom line: Dwight Howard, the Naismith Player of the Year in 2004, became the first player to start all 82 games as a rookie.

He is an eight-time All-NBA pick, eight-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA Defensive Team and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

He led the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals and has career earnings of $240 million. Now, he's getting a second chance to redeem himself with the Lakers.

5. Tracy McGrady, Small Forward/Shooting Guard

High school: Mount Zion Christian Academy (Durham, North Carolina)

Hometown: Auburndale, Florida

Drafted by: Toronto Raptors (No. 9, 1997)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 16 seasons (1997-2012, 2013)

Teams: Toronto Raptors (1997-2000), Orlando Magic (2000-04), Houston Rockets (2004-10), New York Knicks (2010), Detroit Pistons (2010-11), Atlanta Hawks (2011-12), San Antonio Spurs (2013)

Career stats: 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.2 steals

NBA championships: None

Bottom line: Tracy McGrady went from the No. 175 to No. 1 player in nation after his performance at the Adidas ABCD Camp before his senior season.

He did not disappoint in the NBA, but the two-time scoring champion, seven-time All-NBA pick and seven-time All-Star never advanced past first round of playoffs.

He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

4. Moses Malone

High school: Petersburg (Petersburg, Virginia)

Hometown: Petersburg, Virginia

Drafted by: Utah Stars, ABA (No. 22, 1974)

Age when drafted: 18

ABA/NBA Experience: 21 seasons (1974-95)

Teams: Utah Stars (1974-75), Spirits of St. Louis (1975-76), Buffalo Braves (1976), Houston Rockets (1976-82), Philadelphia 76ers (1982-86, 1993-94), Washington Bullets (1986-88), Atlanta Hawks (1988-91), Milwaukee Bucks (1991-93), San Antonio Spurs (1994-95)

Career stats: 20.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.3 assists

NBA championships: 1 (1983)

Bottom line: Moses Malone led Petersburg High in Virginia to back-to-back state titles to cap his prep career.

He signed a five-year, $1 million contract with the ABA’s Utah Stars as The New York Times called him the "first high schooler in modern basketball to go directly to pros."

Malone was named NBA MVP three times.

3. Kevin Garnett, Center and Forward

High school: Farragut Career Academy (Chicago)

Hometown: Mauldin, South Carolina

Drafted by: Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 5, 1995)

Age when drafted: 19

NBA experience: 21 seasons (1995-2016)

Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-2007, 2015-16), Boston Celtics (2007-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-15)

Career stats: 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 blocks

NBA championships: 1 (2008)

Bottom line: Kevin Garnett was the first player to make the jump from high school to the NBA in 20 years, and his 21 NBA seasons are tied for the most in league history.

He was named the 2004 NBA Most Valuable Player and also was a 15-time All-Star.

His lone NBA title came with the Celtics in 2008, and he retired in 2016 with a record $326 million in career earnings.

2. LeBron James, Guard/Forward

High school: St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio)

Hometown: Akron, Ohio

Drafted by: Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 1, 2003)

Age when drafted: 18

NBA experience: 20 seasons (2003-present)

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10, 2014-18), Miami Heat (2010-14), Los Angeles Lakers (2018-present)

Career stats: 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists

NBA championships: 4 (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)

Bottom line: LeBron James tried to enter the NBA draft after his junior year of high school and he was projected as No. 1 overall pick. He had to wait an extra year, but once James got to the league, he's lived up to the hype.

The four-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA champion guided the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA title and first championship for the city of Cleveland in 52 years, when he rallied the franchise back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors in seven games in 2016.

James led his third franchise to an NBA championship when he won it all with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, and became the NBA's career scoring leader in 2023.

1. Kobe Bryant, Shooting Guard

High school: Lower Merion (Ardmore, Pennsylvania)

Hometown: Philadelphia

Drafted by: Charlotte Hornets (No. 13, 1996)

Age when drafted: 17

NBA experience: 20 seasons (1996-2016)

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2016)

Career stats: 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.4 steals

NBA championships: 5 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010)

Bottom line: The late Kobe Bryant broke Wilt Chamberlain’s Pennsylvania state scoring record in high school.

Bryant's NBA resume included five league titles, 18 All-Star selections and 15 All-NBA teams. He's also considered one of the NBA’s all-time greatest players, and his net worth of $550 million, according to Forbes, made him the No. 6 richest athlete of all time.

Bryant died on Jan. 26, 2020, at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash.