Straight Outta High School
This soon to be HOF player, drafted out of St. Vincent St. Mary's High School in 2003, has racked up both stats and accolades ever since he was drafted by his hometown team.
Who is Lebron James?
This center, picked just after Kevin Durant, was never regarded as one of the best players in the NBA, but has carved out an excellent career as a defensive stalwart and actually got a measure of revenge on his former draftmate by knocking him out in the 2022 playoffs on the way to a Finals appearance.
Who is Al Horford?
Despite being much more well known for his shot making and clutchness, this player actually put up 7 straight seasons of 5+ assists and climbed up the Hornets all time assist charts to second place, even if he's still very far away from passing Muggsy Bogues.
Who is Kemba Walker?
One of the greatest point guards of all time, this MJ ended up getting defeated by Michael Jordan on the way to Jordan's first ring before this MJ was forced to retire from the NBA due to a medical condition.
Who is Magic Johnson?
Although he never went to medical school, this player actually was the inspiration for the first ever Slam Dunk Contest, which he fittingly won, adding another accolade to a career that would eventually see him in the HOF.
Who is Julius Erving?
This former 2x Allstar, picked out of Alief Elsik High School in 1998, was the second leading scorer in the playoffs for a team in the Southeast Division that made it all the way to the Finals, but ended up winning his only ring on a different team in the same division.
Who is Rashard Lewis?
This center carved out a solid 8 year career in the NBA with his most notable stint on the Lakers, but the Knicks clearly would have preferred Stephen Curry instead, considering they traded him just 24 games into his rookie season.
Who is Jordan Hill?
Although he does hold the single season record for most assists in a game, this player was actually passed by Jameer Nelson for the most assists in Orlando Magic history.
Who is Scott Skiles?
A talented floor general, this MJ led the league in assists in 1997 despite getting traded about halfway through the year, and is probably most well known for getting a rule named after him and being the guy before the guy for one of the greatest dynasties in recent NBA history.
Who is Mark Jackson?
Despite his diminutive height, this short king holds the most NBA Slam Dunk Championships in NBA history with 3, winning one of his competitions by jumping over a previous NBA Slam Dunk Champ.
Who is Nate Robinson?
This former role player, drafted out of Clifton J Ozen High School in 2003, recently made the jump to the national media in his post playing career, featuring on shows such as First Take on ESPN.
Who is Kendrick Perkins?
This forward is actually top 10 in points per game for his draft class, appeared in 3 finals, and was actually inducted to the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018, but his NBA career could certainly never measure up to that of his former UNC teammate who was picked just before him, Michael Jordan.
Who is Sam Perkins?
One of the best passing big men in the recent decades, this player was probably more well known for his defensive prowess as the anchor of the Memphis Grizzlies, even if he had to go elsewhere to win a championship.
Who is Marc Gasol?
Although he shares a name with a current NBA player, this MJ was actually a one time 20 ppg scorer, putting up 20.3 points on an incredible .442 from 3 for the awful 05-06 Raptors.
Who is Mike James?
A key member of one of the greatest underdog teams of all time, "We Believe" this two time NBA Slam Dunk Champion will be remembered as one of the most exciting players of his era.
Who is Jason Richardson?
This multiple time MVP and "Fo'" time All-NBA first teamer, drafted out of Petersburg High School in 1974, had actually already been selected during the ABA-NBA merger by the New Orleans Jazz, but was put back into the class in exchange for a first round pick that was eventually used on Gail Goodrich.
Who is Moses Malone?
This Forward/Center put up the best statistical season of his career as a rookie and was traded for a Hall of Famer, but the Bulls probably have wished they ended up winning the coin toss, as they just missed out on Magic Johnson.
Who is Dave Greenwood?
Although he was one of the most iconic players of his era, this player was not a point guard and was never really known for his passing prowess, which makes it all the more surprising that he is only behind John Stockton in total assists for the Utah Jazz.
Who is Karl Malone?
This MJ might not be in the HOF, but he's a legend in Milwaukee, where he notched 5 All-star appearances and an All-NBA First team appearance, had his Number 8 retired by the Bucks, and currently works in Milwaukee as a basketball Analyst.
Who is Marques Johnson?
A one time all-star with the Lakers, this Slam Dunk Champion also spent a large portion of his career in Phoenix and is actually the second cousin of his former teammate, NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
Who is Cedric Ceballos?
This former NBA player, picked out of Picayune Memorial High School in 1999, was the first high school draftee to score in double digits on his debut.
Who is Jonathan Bender?
This Brazilian international was drafted by an Eastern conference team, then traded to another Eastern conference team, but ended up spending his entire career on a third Eastern Conference team, just like how previous pick Giannis Antetokounmpo has only played with the Milwaukee Bucks.
(100 bonus points if you can name the team he played for in the NBA)
Who is Lucas Nogueira? Team is the Raptors.
Who is Bill Melchionni?
This MJ hasnt done much in the NBA since he went undrafted out of Arkansas, but he did make 4 appearances for the Lakers in the 2021-22 season, and was on their 2022 Summer League Roster.
Who is Mason Jones?
Although he only spent 4 seasons in the NBA, this former Miami Heat player, who was nicknamed Baby Jordan, somehow managed to get 2 Slam Dunk Contest titles in his short career.
Who is Harold Miner?