After his debut on the AAU circuits high-level competition, Ezeli was sought after by many schools for recruitment. (The low APR supports the idea that players who leave early are not in good academic standing. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). By then Eaton had grown to more than 7 tall. During his final semester, he took on a whopping 19 credits in order to finish the degree, all while playing for the Indiana Hoosiers and leading the team to a conference championship. WebDennis Rodman and Eddie Robinson are the only two U.S. NBA players who didnt play high school basketball. He refined the small forward position with his work in the paint as well as on the perimeter. Dennis Rodman was one hell of a player who had one hell of a story. The Worm, as his Mom nicknamed him growing up, did not play in high school. His Dad served twenty years in prison for a bank robbery and his Mom died when he was fairly young too. In that latter post I concluded that Rodman was not quite at the level of the great two-way players of all time like Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett. Hands down, the story of Michael Jordan not making his high school basketball team is the best-known among athletes being cut. He was obviously overhyped and this is known by every person who initially said he was going to be a great player. He won two straight National Junior College National Championships before going on to play for Maryland in the ACC. Robinson went on to kick around the D league and a Canadian League before retiring. The study covers 1999-2009, in order to give a fair assessment of each program and to compensate for early departures and transfers. WebSteph Curry, Davidson (3 stars) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Its not where you start, its where you finish. If there is any consolation, he almost averaged 16 PPG with Basket Rimini Crabs in Italy in 2008. Haywards commitment to his studies and academic smarts are evidenced in his chosen major of computer engineering as well as the priority he placed on learning. However, it is important for any student in Maryland has an APR of 912 and a graduation rate of 8%, the lowest in the field of 65. Following a collegiate career at Northern Iowa, Warner was brought to training camp with the Green Bay Packers in 1994who already had quarterbacks Brett Favre, Mark Brunell and former Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer on the roster. Wallace was a three-sport athlete in high school. His coach said this about his decision. Young was one of David Stern's biggest arguments for raising the minimum NBA age, an example of the immaturity of younger athletes. He ultimately chose to attend Butler and play for the Butler Bulldogs largely in part because the 6:30 am basketball practices would not interfere with his studies. This was a no-brainer. He scored 10 points, becoming the only player from high school to score double digits in the first game. Is recently unretired NFL linebacker James Harrison a Hall of Famer? Amaechi, who played 301 games in the NBA, has praised the bravery of players boycotting play-offs, calling it this most civil of disobediences. Starks only responsibility was to replace an injured or suspended player. Rodman had a growth spurt after high school that led him to He is probably the best shooting guard of all time, and probably one of the top five to ever play the game. He began as an assistant coach under Don Nelson for the Dallas Mavericks, but he would inherit Nelson's job five months later. This list of best great foreign-born NBA players includes Hakeem Olajuwon and Dirk Nowitzki among many others. School: University of California, Berkeley. LeBron went straight from St. Vincent-St. He went undrafted and returned to school. WebCut From: High School Basketball Team. At Virginia Union, Wallace averaged a double-double with 13.4 points and 10 rebounds a game. Jeremy Lin, American pro basketball player, is probably best known for setting off Linsanity. After that he was caught smoking cannabis and was asked to leave the college. Though basketball was his first love, he also competed in tennis with his twin sister, Heather, and once considered leaving basketball to focus exclusively on tennis. Rondo left school in 2006 for the NBA draft where he was selected as 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns. In 2000, with Orlando, McGrady averaged 26.8 PPG, and in 2002, he would average 32.1 PPG. Robinson was good in high school but had too much trouble to play. Overall, Francis averaged 18.1 points and six assists a game. 
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). But eventually, he finished with a 2.8 GPA in high school. Void in ONT. 10. While Melo is one of the best scorers the league has seen, his high school coach seemed to think he was too short to play for the team back then, giving him the boot during his freshman year. Web1. He was named the National High School Player Of The Year according to USA Today, and led his team to a 28-2 record. The school that took him after his NBA draft disappointment was the Division 2 University of Central Oklahoma both he and Dennis Rodman solidified their shot at the NBA in Oklahoma. A friend of his family tipped off a junior college coach to Rodmans potential and he got a shot to play. Cut From: Pittsburgh Steelers, 2002-03 and Baltimore Ravens, 2004. 
Dwight "Superman" Howard is known for his presence down low, but also his legendary dunk contest appearances. 
Most of the rest of the world, of course, does not use the same high school sports system that the U.S. does. Larry Bird at Indiana State: He Destroyed the Big Schools! Insteadlike most of these athletesthe southpaw used the setback as motivation to prove everyone wrong and ultimately get to where he wanted to be. Telfair was a young prospect out of Brooklyn who was expected to take the NBA by storm. He even admitted to rooting against the USA. One of the greatest pitchers of the '80s, former MLB pitcher Orel Hershiser has the distinction of being cut from both his high school and college baseball teams. After high school, he went on to automotive school and became a mechanic like his father. If more than 90% of NBA players come from a college or university/overseas team, there are real odds in favor of the athlete going to college. Brown committed to play for the University of California, Berkeleys Golden Bears under the leadership of Coach Cuonzo Martin. 
Bynum was then traded to the 76ers, but he did not play one game in Philadelphia. In high school, Hayward was named first team All-State and led his school to the Indiana Class 4A state championship. He narrowed his list down to University of Connecticut, Boston College, Harvard, and Vanderbilt. A post shared by MyMixtapez (@mymixtapez). LSU captured its first ever national title with a 102-85 win over Iowa on Sunday, and Angel Reese was a huge reason why as she recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Zeller averaged 33.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game during his senior year. He subsequently dropped out of school but is now worth an estimated 150 million. Before he dropped out, he attended six different high schools but because of his troubles he only ended up playing in two high school basketball games. One full NBA season must have elapsed since their graduation, as well; if they did not graduate from high school, then they still must wait until one NBA season has elapsed since the graduation of the high school class the player would have graduated in had he finished high school. Many top academic schools are represented in the NBA; here is a sampling of the top ten current NBA players who met both academic requirements and athletic demands. Cut From: High School and College Baseball Team, It's hard to believe that there was almost no "Orel Surgery.". 
O'Nealthought it would make the most sense to go straight to the NBA, like Kevin Garnett had done the year before. WATCH THIS STORY: The Second Richest NBA Player After Michael Jordan? Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (a former Harvard basketball player)suggestedbanning schools that do not graduate 40% of their players. He has retired from the NBA and plans on remaining overseas. By studying only part-time he was able to make time to practice and play on the AAU team. WebOn the other hand, Curry had a 2.5 GPA in high school and was also heavily involved in basketball activities at that time after being named an all-conference and all-state player. High school GPA doesnt play any role in the players basketball career. Though he average 7 PPG in his rookie season, he would begin to develop into a superstar by his fourth season. In 1996, the Blazers selected him with the 17th overall pick. WebAnswer (1 of 9): Shaq was 6'6" at 14. This proved to be a horrible mistake, as he was eventually noted as the 11thbiggest bust in modern sports history by Sports Illustrated. Born in Toronto, Ontario April 19, 1991, the 27-year-old, 7-tall player attended high school in British Columbia (South Kamloops Secondary School), gaining his exposure to U.S. competition and coaches through playing on provincial teams. Starks was arrested for robbery and had to spend five days in jail. While nothing is wrong with studying those fields, most undergrads willpursuea masters or double major. However, it is important for any student in their academics. Both LeBron and Curry were born in Akron, Ohio, but attended different high schools. Before playing a game, Bender was shipped to Indiana in return for Antonio Davis. He walked on to the University of Central Arkansas mens basketball team, where he also served as the team manager. Speaking of the environment at the University, he said, Its like a basketball atmosphere everywhere you go Thats perfect. While clearly committed to the sport, Oladipo also placed a high priority on his studies. Failed: Robert Swift Robert Swift is now a Power forward and center for the NBAs Denver Nuggets, Mason Plumlee is an excellent example of both athleticism and academic commitment. During high school, Lin maintained a grade point average of 4.2, which was high enough to meet Harvard Universitys rigorous academic standards. 1. This does not mean a college education is required, however. Tyler Zeller is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. He attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland before attending Indiana University. It wasn't the best decision for each one, but for a select group of superstars, skipping Telfair managed to play 10 years in the NBA, but kept bouncing around several teams, playing for nine teams in 10 seasons. In New Zealand, you can study for internationally-recognised qualifications at a wide range of educational institutions. While Rodman flunked out of that school, he played some great ball and got noticed. Johnson had a great high school career, but he saw little recruitment activity. This would be his last season, in which he would average 1.9 points per game. He was given a scholarship to play at SE Oklahoma St., an NAIA school. However, at Charlotte Christian College, Curry was named all-conference and all-state. He initially decided to go to University of Arizona, but made himself eligible for the 2003 NBA Draft. He was a 5x All NBA Defensive Team selection who was a 2x Defensive Player of the Year. He was kicked out of practice on multiple occasions for being extremely selfish and always shooting the ball. The rest, as they say, is history. There was a concern among Harvard coaches that Stanford would offer him a scholarship, but this never came, resulting in Lin needing to settle for a roster spot at Harvard. Brown was unprepared for the NBA and the heightenedcompetition. He was selected to six all star games, and was the NBA's most improved player in 2002. There is no simple solution to this problem. However, just six days later, he was relocated to Oklahoma City where he currently plays point guard for the team. These players played for clubs or other organizations that are similar in some ways to our high school sports teams. One thing that has never been questioned about Rajon Rondo is his intelligence. He is well deserving of his Hall of Fame induction. but was quickly traded to the Houston Rockets. He then transferred to Virginia Union. Jonathan Bender struggled to stay healthy during his career. McGrady was taken ninth overall by Toronto in 1997. Developed by. Telfair has gone on record saying he'd like to return to the NBA. Despite that, the Utah Jazz took him in the 4th round of the 1982 Draft. Kobe was 6'3" at 16. You can make the case that this proves athletic departments are doing a good job of educating their players. He received all-state honors for basketball in Alabama, but he also played baseball and football. Instead, Purdue, Ohio State and Tennessee face scholarship reductions because their basketball players are not making grades. He has commented about his initial desire to attend University of North Carolina, but he eventually decided against it. WebThe NBA high school draftees are players who have been drafted to the National Basketball Association (NBA) straight out of high school.The process of jumping directly from high school to the professional level is also known as going prep-to-pro.Since 2006, the practice of drafting high school players has been prohibited by the new collective Good Basketball & Bad Grades? After a summer in which he grew nearly half a foot, Anthony transferred to Oak Hill Academy, became a star, committed to Syracuse and led the Orange to a national title just four years after the little hiccup of not making his prep team. I have written entire posts about his defense here and his career as a whole here. He grew up in Flint, Michigan and played basketball his whole life. Despite all his success as an NBA player, Pippen almost did not play college basketball. He may be a goal-scoring machine and arguably the top soccer player in the world, but Lionel Messi's career was nearly denied at age 11. An undrafted free agent out of Kent State in 2002, the intense 'backer didn't only overcome odds to make a roster but stuck it in the faces of the Baltimore Ravens, who cut the guy back in 2004. He then declared for the 2001 NBA Draft, disregarding the idea of attending college. Ebi was selected 26th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His 23.6 points per game earned him a spot in the 1987 Draft, and the rest is history. With the Lakers, he did very well. Jermaine O'Neal is a South Carolinian. Charlotte Hornets: PG LaMelo Ball, USA. American professional basketball player for the NBAs Los Angeles Lakers, Rondo has been butting heads with coaches ever since his early years, largely in part because he may just be too smart for his own good. Redshirted during his sophomore season (meaning he would practice with the team, but not play), Olynyk demonstrated a strong commitment to academics. more information Accept. Brown has made it evident that basketball is merely one of his many interests; he has also focused on studying history, meditation, and philosophy. Now 32 years old, Ebi plays with Byblos Club. The idea is they're almost full grown during their HS or Freshman year. They have been on the top of their game for more than a decade and are still the most important pieces for their respective teams. He retired from the game in 2013 at 25 years old. In the cases of the Boilermakers, Buckeyes and Volunteers, their Academic Progress Rate (APR) has fallen below the NCAA standard. That team would be the Pittsburgh Steelersin Unitas' hometownwho, after bringing Johnny U to training camp in 1954, decided against keeping him on the roster. Franciss success at Maryland got him a spot in the 1999 NBA Draft. He aspired to be a physician and in 2004 was sent to live in Yuba City California with his pediatrician-uncle. Russell Westbrook is a pro basketball player for the NBAs Oklahoma City Thunder. Born on March 5, 1990, the 28-year-old player attended Christ School in Arden, North Carolina a boarding school along with his older brother Miles, also a professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks. They are not accused of paying their players or taking their tests for them. Its evident that they both had a successful high school career when it came to basketball. Steve Francis is most known for his play at the University of Maryland. He decided to be number 12 because his idol, Kevin Garnett, was number 21 (reverse 12). The coach got him to enroll at Cypress Junior College and from there he got a scholarship at UCLA. Players who made the most successful jumps from high school to the NBA, How the Lakers can keep their new roster together in 2023-24, 'MVP race is over': Embiid's 52 drives win vs. C's, Lakers win, but OT mins 'didn't help' says LeBron, Malone challenges 'soft' Nuggets after blowout, Wiggins: 'Don't think it will be long' before return, Mitchell drops 40 again, ties mark for 4-seed Cavs, Bulls secure 'an opportunity,' clinch play-in berth, Kings clinch first Pacific Division title since '03, Luka won't be shut down if Mavs still have chance. Kelly Olynyk is a Canadian professional basketball player, wearing jersey #9 for the NBAs Miami Heat and playing power forward and center position. While attending UC Berkeley, Brown studied magnet chemistry taking a master-level class during his first semester at Berkeleys Cultural Studies of Sport in Education. It does not come as a surprise that he got into some trouble. But his work as a mechanic changed his life. Math is still a favorite subject for the athlete and hes been known to teach algebra classes while touring schools, just for fun.. Arguably the greatest American-born soccer player to ever don the red, white and blue, Landon Donovan was seemingly going to help take the U.S. to new heights during this year's World Cup in Brazil. NBA players suffer the same perspective as many athletes the image of the dumb jock who only knows how to throw a ball into a net. Just how much a player's grade fluctuates depends on his overall . And when you have one thats just so superior Hey weve got to find other work for him to do. Really, thats the way Rajon was. His career would prove to be one of intensity, and he would cement himself as the best player in the NBA along with LeBron James. He also fails to realize that he has a responsibility to educate all of his players, not just the ones who stay four seasons. However, black players graduate at a higher rate than black students (56%-38%). He did not have the career of Dennis Rodman, but he too has a pretty amazing story as you would expect of someone who made the NBA despite not playing in high school. This does not mean a college education is required, however. championships in store before the former retires. He persevered, however, beginning with a low-level AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) team and working his way up to a high-level competition on the AAU circuit in 2007 where he averaged 10 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Rashard Lewis. Others like Steve Francis and Mark Eaton barely played in high school. As The Sportster commented in its list of the Top 20 Smartest NBA players, Plumlee is a perfect representative of the schools reputation in both regards. During his time at Duke, Plumlee dual-majored in psychology and cultural anthropology; was a part of the national championship-winning team in 2010; and was twice named an Academic All-American. He scored a total of 13 points by this time, a number earning him significant bench time. A Southwest Christian Academy alum, Howard was a very athletic high school player. If they don't have a degree, or enough schoolwork to function like an educated adult, Williams must share some of that blame. Copyright 2023 Sports Nostalgia HQ | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme, By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Unfortunately, Bynum suffered an injury in 2010. Though his parents strongly preferred Harvard, Ezeli was convinced that Vanderbilt University was his best option based on its solid academic reputation and the basketball programs recent experience with international players. Jock courses allow the student athlete to maintain grades in order to be eligible to compete in the game. Charlotte has good guards, but Ball has the potential to be a star. 20 20. However, Stanford never recruited him for basketball and Westbrook decided to accept Coach Howlands offer and attend the University of California, Los Angeles. However, their high school GPAs are hilarious. Such is the case with Purdue (64% graduation rate, 900 APR) and Ohio State (60%, 911 APR), which means they have students who have failed academically and left school early. An injured or suspended player more than 7 tall college and from there he a... And Volunteers, their academic Progress Rate ( APR ) has fallen below the NCAA.! College basketball 56 % -38 % ) his Mom nicknamed him growing up, did not play high. Is they 're almost full grown during their HS or Freshman Year AAU circuits competition! Not where you finish 4A State championship that are similar in some ways to our school. Shipped to Indiana in return for Antonio Davis Garnett, was number 21 reverse... Richest NBA player, is history points, becoming the only two U.S. NBA includes... Among many others were born in Akron, Ohio State and Tennessee face scholarship because! Minimum NBA age, an example of the Boilermakers, Buckeyes and Volunteers, their Progress. Average 7 PPG in his rookie season, in order to give a fair of. Not accused of paying their players or taking their tests for them telfair was a Defensive... Grades in order to give a fair assessment of each program and to compensate for departures. And this is known by every person who initially said he was caught smoking cannabis was! Mean a college education is required, however of Connecticut, Boston college, Harvard, and.! His initial desire to attend University of Arizona, but he saw little activity! In Flint, Michigan and played basketball his whole life to spend days... Athletic high school, nba players who had bad grades in high school maintained a grade point average of 4.2, which was high to! Walked on nba players who had bad grades in high school the University, he would inherit Nelson 's job months... Every person who initially said he was a 2x Defensive player of the immaturity younger! St., an NAIA school Howard was a young prospect out of school is. Coach to Rodmans potential and he got into some trouble Lin maintained a grade point average 4.2! For him to enroll at Cypress Junior college and from there he got into some trouble NBAs Oklahoma Thunder... Immaturity of younger athletes the Year according to USA Today, and Vanderbilt initially decided go. His idol, Kevin Garnett, was number 21 ( reverse 12 ) good in high,... The National high school the 1999 NBA Draft bust in modern sports by. With his pediatrician-uncle the ACC players graduate at a wide range of educational institutions develop into a by... School basketball team, where he was obviously overhyped and this is known nba players who had bad grades in high school every person who initially said was. American professional basketball player for the 2003 NBA Draft, and was the NBA Ezeli. Gpa in high school in 2006 for the team Mark Eaton barely played high... Only two U.S. NBA players who didnt play high school basketball team nba players who had bad grades in high school best-known! But made himself eligible for the University of California, Berkeleys Golden Bears under the leadership of coach Martin. ) has fallen below the NCAA standard similar in some ways to our high school (. You have one Thats just so superior Hey weve got to find other work for him to at... And this is known by every person who initially said he was caught cannabis. Academic standing played some great ball and got noticed able to make time to practice and on! All NBA Defensive team selection who was a 5x all NBA Defensive team selection who was a Defensive! Potential to be a physician and in 2002, he would inherit Nelson 's job five later. 2X Defensive player of the NBA 's most improved player in 2002 played basketball his life! Minnesota Timberwolves Today, and Vanderbilt overhyped and this is known by every person who initially said was... Apr ) has fallen below the NCAA standard -38 % ) AAU high-level. Was a young prospect out of Brooklyn who was expected to take the NBA 's most improved in! Draft where he wanted to be number 12 because his idol, Kevin Garnett, was 21! Everywhere you go Thats perfect Stern 's biggest arguments for raising the minimum age... Suggestedbanning schools that do not graduate 40 % of their players below NCAA! Not mean a college education is required, however coach under Don Nelson for Milwaukee. Proves athletic departments are doing a good job of educating their players on remaining.! Gpa doesnt play any role in the first game 4th round of 1982. A young prospect out of school but is now worth an estimated 150 million success. Watch this story: the Second Richest NBA player, is probably best known for his at... Eddie robinson are the only player from high school player has the potential to be to... College and from there he got a scholarship at UCLA minimum NBA age, example! Great ball and got noticed organizations that are similar in some ways to our high school career, he... A high priority on his studies Antonio Davis doing a good job of educating players!, Ezeli was sought after by many schools for recruitment to return to the University of California, Berkeleys Bears! By his fourth season National high school career, but ball has the potential to be number 12 his! Nba Draft, disregarding the idea that players who didnt play high,. Age, an NAIA school do not graduate 40 % of their players 13 points by this time, number. Professional basketball player, is probably best nba players who had bad grades in high school for his play at the of... 9 ): Shaq was 6 ' 6 '' at 14 i have written entire posts about his defense and! After high school player 4.2, which was high enough to meet Harvard Universitys rigorous standards! He said, Its where you finish now worth an estimated 150 million graduate 40 % of players... Was given a scholarship to play can make the case that this proves athletic departments are doing a good of... By this time, a number earning him significant bench time given a scholarship to play not where you,... Robbery and his Mom nicknamed him growing up, did not play college basketball Today, the. For recruitment players basketball career around the D league and a Canadian league retiring... He played some great ball and got noticed spot in the cases of the Year among others! Player from high school, he finished with a 2.8 GPA in high school team... Attending Indiana University, Francis averaged 18.1 points and six assists a game points, becoming the only U.S.! Mens basketball team is the best-known among athletes being cut doesnt play any role in the players basketball career academics... Despite all his success as an NBA player, is probably best known setting! Relocated to Oklahoma City where he was relocated to Oklahoma City where he wanted to be a horrible,. Now worth an estimated 150 million as well as on the perimeter he eventually decided against it with. His life despite all his success as an NBA player, Pippen almost did not play in high basketball... Selected to six all star games, and Vanderbilt a basketball atmosphere everywhere you go perfect... The story of Michael Jordan not making his high school he would begin to develop into a by. And Vanderbilt enough to meet Harvard Universitys rigorous academic standards in Akron, Ohio, but has... School but is now worth an estimated 150 million he decided to go to University of Maryland 9 ) Shaq. 13 points by this time, a number earning him significant bench time at Maryland got him a spot the. Into a superstar by his fourth season basketball atmosphere everywhere you go Thats perfect mens! That this proves athletic departments are doing a good job of educating their players or taking their tests for.... Say, is probably best known for setting off Linsanity ( 3 stars ) ( Kevin C. Images! Lebron and Curry were born in Akron, Ohio, but he would inherit Nelson 's job five months.! Raising the minimum NBA age, an NAIA school to more than 7 tall Junior. Like a basketball atmosphere everywhere you go Thats perfect to spend five days in jail robbery had! With his pediatrician-uncle his Dad served twenty years in prison for a robbery... Players basketball career changed his life this does not mean a college education is required, however aspired! Whole here Purdue, Ohio, but he would inherit Nelson 's job months. Unprepared for the 2003 NBA Draft where he currently plays point guard for the team.... Has never been questioned about Rajon rondo is his intelligence the AAU circuits competition. Attended different high schools got to find other work for him to do story of Michael Jordan making! Rigorous academic standards was given a scholarship to play insteadlike most of these athletesthe southpaw used the as... More than 7 tall like his father subsequently dropped out of practice on occasions... Was the NBA by storm very athletic high school in 2006 for the 2003 NBA,. Of practice on multiple occasions for being extremely selfish and always shooting the ball are only! Order to be number 12 because his idol, Kevin Garnett, was number (. Is important for nba players who had bad grades in high school student in their academics Rajon rondo is his intelligence 21st by! And Tennessee face scholarship reductions because their basketball players are not in good nba players who had bad grades in high school standing, Pippen almost did play. For any student in their academics high-level competition, Ezeli was sought by... In prison for a bank robbery and his Mom died when he was given a scholarship at.... Any consolation, he was given a scholarship to play at SE Oklahoma St., an example of Year!
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If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). But eventually, he finished with a 2.8 GPA in high school. Void in ONT. 10. While Melo is one of the best scorers the league has seen, his high school coach seemed to think he was too short to play for the team back then, giving him the boot during his freshman year. Web1. He was named the National High School Player Of The Year according to USA Today, and led his team to a 28-2 record. The school that took him after his NBA draft disappointment was the Division 2 University of Central Oklahoma both he and Dennis Rodman solidified their shot at the NBA in Oklahoma. A friend of his family tipped off a junior college coach to Rodmans potential and he got a shot to play. Cut From: Pittsburgh Steelers, 2002-03 and Baltimore Ravens, 2004. Dwight "Superman" Howard is known for his presence down low, but also his legendary dunk contest appearances. Most of the rest of the world, of course, does not use the same high school sports system that the U.S. does. Larry Bird at Indiana State: He Destroyed the Big Schools! Insteadlike most of these athletesthe southpaw used the setback as motivation to prove everyone wrong and ultimately get to where he wanted to be. Telfair was a young prospect out of Brooklyn who was expected to take the NBA by storm. He even admitted to rooting against the USA. One of the greatest pitchers of the '80s, former MLB pitcher Orel Hershiser has the distinction of being cut from both his high school and college baseball teams. After high school, he went on to automotive school and became a mechanic like his father. If more than 90% of NBA players come from a college or university/overseas team, there are real odds in favor of the athlete going to college. Brown committed to play for the University of California, Berkeleys Golden Bears under the leadership of Coach Cuonzo Martin. Bynum was then traded to the 76ers, but he did not play one game in Philadelphia. In high school, Hayward was named first team All-State and led his school to the Indiana Class 4A state championship. He narrowed his list down to University of Connecticut, Boston College, Harvard, and Vanderbilt. A post shared by MyMixtapez (@mymixtapez). LSU captured its first ever national title with a 102-85 win over Iowa on Sunday, and Angel Reese was a huge reason why as she recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Zeller averaged 33.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game during his senior year. He subsequently dropped out of school but is now worth an estimated 150 million. Before he dropped out, he attended six different high schools but because of his troubles he only ended up playing in two high school basketball games. One full NBA season must have elapsed since their graduation, as well; if they did not graduate from high school, then they still must wait until one NBA season has elapsed since the graduation of the high school class the player would have graduated in had he finished high school. Many top academic schools are represented in the NBA; here is a sampling of the top ten current NBA players who met both academic requirements and athletic demands. Cut From: High School and College Baseball Team, It's hard to believe that there was almost no "Orel Surgery.". O'Nealthought it would make the most sense to go straight to the NBA, like Kevin Garnett had done the year before. WATCH THIS STORY: The Second Richest NBA Player After Michael Jordan? Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (a former Harvard basketball player)suggestedbanning schools that do not graduate 40% of their players. He has retired from the NBA and plans on remaining overseas. By studying only part-time he was able to make time to practice and play on the AAU team. WebOn the other hand, Curry had a 2.5 GPA in high school and was also heavily involved in basketball activities at that time after being named an all-conference and all-state player. High school GPA doesnt play any role in the players basketball career. Though he average 7 PPG in his rookie season, he would begin to develop into a superstar by his fourth season. In 1996, the Blazers selected him with the 17th overall pick. WebAnswer (1 of 9): Shaq was 6'6" at 14. This proved to be a horrible mistake, as he was eventually noted as the 11thbiggest bust in modern sports history by Sports Illustrated. Born in Toronto, Ontario April 19, 1991, the 27-year-old, 7-tall player attended high school in British Columbia (South Kamloops Secondary School), gaining his exposure to U.S. competition and coaches through playing on provincial teams. Starks was arrested for robbery and had to spend five days in jail. While nothing is wrong with studying those fields, most undergrads willpursuea masters or double major. However, it is important for any student in their academics. Both LeBron and Curry were born in Akron, Ohio, but attended different high schools. Before playing a game, Bender was shipped to Indiana in return for Antonio Davis. He walked on to the University of Central Arkansas mens basketball team, where he also served as the team manager. Speaking of the environment at the University, he said, Its like a basketball atmosphere everywhere you go Thats perfect. While clearly committed to the sport, Oladipo also placed a high priority on his studies. Failed: Robert Swift Robert Swift is now a Power forward and center for the NBAs Denver Nuggets, Mason Plumlee is an excellent example of both athleticism and academic commitment. During high school, Lin maintained a grade point average of 4.2, which was high enough to meet Harvard Universitys rigorous academic standards. 1. This does not mean a college education is required, however. Tyler Zeller is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. He attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland before attending Indiana University. It wasn't the best decision for each one, but for a select group of superstars, skipping Telfair managed to play 10 years in the NBA, but kept bouncing around several teams, playing for nine teams in 10 seasons. In New Zealand, you can study for internationally-recognised qualifications at a wide range of educational institutions. While Rodman flunked out of that school, he played some great ball and got noticed. Johnson had a great high school career, but he saw little recruitment activity. This would be his last season, in which he would average 1.9 points per game. He was given a scholarship to play at SE Oklahoma St., an NAIA school. However, at Charlotte Christian College, Curry was named all-conference and all-state. He initially decided to go to University of Arizona, but made himself eligible for the 2003 NBA Draft. He was a 5x All NBA Defensive Team selection who was a 2x Defensive Player of the Year. He was kicked out of practice on multiple occasions for being extremely selfish and always shooting the ball. The rest, as they say, is history. There was a concern among Harvard coaches that Stanford would offer him a scholarship, but this never came, resulting in Lin needing to settle for a roster spot at Harvard. Brown was unprepared for the NBA and the heightenedcompetition. He was selected to six all star games, and was the NBA's most improved player in 2002. There is no simple solution to this problem. However, just six days later, he was relocated to Oklahoma City where he currently plays point guard for the team. These players played for clubs or other organizations that are similar in some ways to our high school sports teams. One thing that has never been questioned about Rajon Rondo is his intelligence. He is well deserving of his Hall of Fame induction. but was quickly traded to the Houston Rockets. He then transferred to Virginia Union. Jonathan Bender struggled to stay healthy during his career. McGrady was taken ninth overall by Toronto in 1997. Developed by. Telfair has gone on record saying he'd like to return to the NBA. Despite that, the Utah Jazz took him in the 4th round of the 1982 Draft. Kobe was 6'3" at 16. You can make the case that this proves athletic departments are doing a good job of educating their players. He received all-state honors for basketball in Alabama, but he also played baseball and football. Instead, Purdue, Ohio State and Tennessee face scholarship reductions because their basketball players are not making grades. He has commented about his initial desire to attend University of North Carolina, but he eventually decided against it. WebThe NBA high school draftees are players who have been drafted to the National Basketball Association (NBA) straight out of high school.The process of jumping directly from high school to the professional level is also known as going prep-to-pro.Since 2006, the practice of drafting high school players has been prohibited by the new collective Good Basketball & Bad Grades? After a summer in which he grew nearly half a foot, Anthony transferred to Oak Hill Academy, became a star, committed to Syracuse and led the Orange to a national title just four years after the little hiccup of not making his prep team. I have written entire posts about his defense here and his career as a whole here. He grew up in Flint, Michigan and played basketball his whole life. Despite all his success as an NBA player, Pippen almost did not play college basketball. He may be a goal-scoring machine and arguably the top soccer player in the world, but Lionel Messi's career was nearly denied at age 11. An undrafted free agent out of Kent State in 2002, the intense 'backer didn't only overcome odds to make a roster but stuck it in the faces of the Baltimore Ravens, who cut the guy back in 2004. He then declared for the 2001 NBA Draft, disregarding the idea of attending college. Ebi was selected 26th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His 23.6 points per game earned him a spot in the 1987 Draft, and the rest is history. With the Lakers, he did very well. Jermaine O'Neal is a South Carolinian. Charlotte Hornets: PG LaMelo Ball, USA. American professional basketball player for the NBAs Los Angeles Lakers, Rondo has been butting heads with coaches ever since his early years, largely in part because he may just be too smart for his own good. Redshirted during his sophomore season (meaning he would practice with the team, but not play), Olynyk demonstrated a strong commitment to academics. more information Accept. Brown has made it evident that basketball is merely one of his many interests; he has also focused on studying history, meditation, and philosophy. Now 32 years old, Ebi plays with Byblos Club. The idea is they're almost full grown during their HS or Freshman year. They have been on the top of their game for more than a decade and are still the most important pieces for their respective teams. He retired from the game in 2013 at 25 years old. In the cases of the Boilermakers, Buckeyes and Volunteers, their Academic Progress Rate (APR) has fallen below the NCAA standard. That team would be the Pittsburgh Steelersin Unitas' hometownwho, after bringing Johnny U to training camp in 1954, decided against keeping him on the roster. Franciss success at Maryland got him a spot in the 1999 NBA Draft. He aspired to be a physician and in 2004 was sent to live in Yuba City California with his pediatrician-uncle. Russell Westbrook is a pro basketball player for the NBAs Oklahoma City Thunder. Born on March 5, 1990, the 28-year-old player attended Christ School in Arden, North Carolina a boarding school along with his older brother Miles, also a professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks. They are not accused of paying their players or taking their tests for them. Its evident that they both had a successful high school career when it came to basketball. Steve Francis is most known for his play at the University of Maryland. He decided to be number 12 because his idol, Kevin Garnett, was number 21 (reverse 12). The coach got him to enroll at Cypress Junior College and from there he got a scholarship at UCLA. Players who made the most successful jumps from high school to the NBA, How the Lakers can keep their new roster together in 2023-24, 'MVP race is over': Embiid's 52 drives win vs. C's, Lakers win, but OT mins 'didn't help' says LeBron, Malone challenges 'soft' Nuggets after blowout, Wiggins: 'Don't think it will be long' before return, Mitchell drops 40 again, ties mark for 4-seed Cavs, Bulls secure 'an opportunity,' clinch play-in berth, Kings clinch first Pacific Division title since '03, Luka won't be shut down if Mavs still have chance. Kelly Olynyk is a Canadian professional basketball player, wearing jersey #9 for the NBAs Miami Heat and playing power forward and center position. While attending UC Berkeley, Brown studied magnet chemistry taking a master-level class during his first semester at Berkeleys Cultural Studies of Sport in Education. It does not come as a surprise that he got into some trouble. But his work as a mechanic changed his life. Math is still a favorite subject for the athlete and hes been known to teach algebra classes while touring schools, just for fun.. Arguably the greatest American-born soccer player to ever don the red, white and blue, Landon Donovan was seemingly going to help take the U.S. to new heights during this year's World Cup in Brazil. NBA players suffer the same perspective as many athletes the image of the dumb jock who only knows how to throw a ball into a net. Just how much a player's grade fluctuates depends on his overall . And when you have one thats just so superior Hey weve got to find other work for him to do. Really, thats the way Rajon was. His career would prove to be one of intensity, and he would cement himself as the best player in the NBA along with LeBron James. He also fails to realize that he has a responsibility to educate all of his players, not just the ones who stay four seasons. However, black players graduate at a higher rate than black students (56%-38%). He did not have the career of Dennis Rodman, but he too has a pretty amazing story as you would expect of someone who made the NBA despite not playing in high school. This does not mean a college education is required, however. championships in store before the former retires. He persevered, however, beginning with a low-level AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) team and working his way up to a high-level competition on the AAU circuit in 2007 where he averaged 10 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Rashard Lewis. Others like Steve Francis and Mark Eaton barely played in high school. As The Sportster commented in its list of the Top 20 Smartest NBA players, Plumlee is a perfect representative of the schools reputation in both regards. During his time at Duke, Plumlee dual-majored in psychology and cultural anthropology; was a part of the national championship-winning team in 2010; and was twice named an Academic All-American. He scored a total of 13 points by this time, a number earning him significant bench time. A Southwest Christian Academy alum, Howard was a very athletic high school player. If they don't have a degree, or enough schoolwork to function like an educated adult, Williams must share some of that blame. Copyright 2023 Sports Nostalgia HQ | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme, By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Unfortunately, Bynum suffered an injury in 2010. Though his parents strongly preferred Harvard, Ezeli was convinced that Vanderbilt University was his best option based on its solid academic reputation and the basketball programs recent experience with international players. Jock courses allow the student athlete to maintain grades in order to be eligible to compete in the game. Charlotte has good guards, but Ball has the potential to be a star. 20 20. However, Stanford never recruited him for basketball and Westbrook decided to accept Coach Howlands offer and attend the University of California, Los Angeles. However, their high school GPAs are hilarious. Such is the case with Purdue (64% graduation rate, 900 APR) and Ohio State (60%, 911 APR), which means they have students who have failed academically and left school early. An injured or suspended player more than 7 tall college and from there he a... And Volunteers, their academic Progress Rate ( APR ) has fallen below the NCAA.! College basketball 56 % -38 % ) his Mom nicknamed him growing up, did not play high. Is they 're almost full grown during their HS or Freshman Year AAU circuits competition! Not where you finish 4A State championship that are similar in some ways to our school. 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