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Who are the top preps-to-pros players in NBA history? Here is our top 10 countdown:
10. Jermaine O’Neal: though he was originally buried on the bench on a deep Portland Trail Blazers team, O’Neal blossomed with the Indiana Pacers in the 2000s, averaging close to a double-double for nearly a decade and making six straight All-Star Games with three All-NBA selections.
9. Shawn Kemp: an overpowering force in the 1990s for the then-Seattle SuperSonics, Kemp had six straight double-double seasons in his prime, during which time he made six All-Star and three All-NBA teams.
8. Amar’e Stoudemire: before knee injuries took their toll, Stoudemire burst onto the scene as Rookie of the Year in 2002-2003 and was one of the league’s most athletic and dominant big men for close to a decade, averaging close to 20-and-10 in his prime with the Phoenix Suns en route to six All-Star and five All-NBA nods.
7. Connie Hawkins: a legend on the New York City playground scene who was caught up in a point-shaving scheme (and thus never played college ball), Hawkins’ long and convoluted road took him to the American Basketball League (ABL), the Harlem Globetrotters, the American Basketball Association (ABA), and finally to the NBA; along the way, he was ABA MVP, a 5x All-Star, and a 3x All-ABA/NBA pick who eventually was inducted to the Hall of Fame.
6. Dwight Howard: drafted #1 overall in 2004 by the Orlando Magic, Howard has averaged a double-double for his career, in the process earning eight All-Star, eight All-NBA, and five All-Defensive selections, winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and leading the league in rebounds 5x and blocks 2x.
5. Tracy McGrady: though he was plagued by injuries later in his career, McGrady was brilliant at his peak, winning back-to-back scoring titles in the early 2000s while garnering seven All-Star and All-NBA selections across his time with the Magic and Houston Rockets.
4. Kevin Garnett: the first high school player to make a direct jump to the NBA in 20 years, Garnett was a force both offensively and defensively – in addition to the 2003-2004 MVP award and Defensive Player of the Year in 2007-2008, he was All-NBA 9x, All-Defensive 12x, led the league in rebounding four straight years, and helped lead the Celtics to their first NBA title in over two decades.
3. Moses Malone: one of the original preps-to-pros players in the 1970s, Malone was a 3x NBA MVP and 6x rebounding champion (including a then-record five straight times in the early 1980s) who averaged 20-and-10 for his career, and retired as the all-time leading offensive rebounder.
2. Kobe Bryant: the youngest All-Star starter in NBA history and known for his “Mamba Mentality”, the late Bryant was an MVP, 18x All-Star, 15x All-NBA, and 12x All-Defensive selection who led the league in scoring 2x and helped the Los Angeles Lakers win five titles during his 20-year career with the team.
1. LeBron James: destined for greatness since coming out of high school, LeBron is consistently in the GOAT conversation – a 4x MVP and nightly triple-double threat, he has led the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Lakers to NBA titles, earning Finals MVP during each championship run.
Agree/Disagree? As always, debate/discuss, and leave your thoughts and comments below.
Note: All statistics as of time of publication.
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