To Earn or to Learn: Undergraduates Continue to Dominate in NBA Draft

They are youngsters with a wait problem exemplified by the first 16 selections this year. The NBA draft has become a soap opera that could be called "The Young and the Restless." Even excluding juniors, more than three times as many underclassmen (college sophomores and freshmen plus high school graduates) were chosen in the first and second rounds over the last 13 years in the 21st Century as there were covering the first 29 years of early-entry candidates from 1971 through 1999.

Jeers to those so-called experts for second-guessing the majority of college players with eligibility remaining who declare for the NBA draft. Far too many observers must digest pablum that the time isn't right for most of the undergraduates because they still need to mature. Do skeptics genuinely believe that these younger athletes need additional seasoning that can be gained only in college? Of course, it's a difficult adjustment from amateur hoops to the pros, but it would be that way even if a player had six or more years of college eligibility.

Before accepting the party line from self-serving administrators that undergraduates are making monumental mistakes, remember that the majority of the premier players in the NBA left college early. More than half of the All-NBA first- and second-team selections since the 1979-80 season departed school with eligibility remaining, including all five first-teamers in 1988-89 (Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon). The 12-man roster and three alternates for the 2012 U.S. Olympic squad all were undergraduate selections in the NBA draft.

Moreover, it is not exactly a dollars-over-diplomas issue. There is little doubt that some mercenaries weren't interested in academic pursuits. Why should they take up precious space in a classroom? The bottom line: Elite players down the line faced with deciding between forgoing college or playing for pay should see both sides of the issue, not just the superficial assessments of pious commentators and pro executives.

Some were ready and some were not. The selection of Anthony Davis as #1 overall was a no-brainer but the pick of Kentucky teammate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as #2 is debatable. We'll see if MJ's choice of Kidd-Gilchrist for Charlotte continues his string of executive decisions that have been as dreadful as he was dynamic as a player. Remember: Jordan already is credited with the worst #1 pick overall among undergrads when the Washington Wizards tabbed high schooler Kwame Brown in 2001. Following are year-by-year alphabetical lists of the undergraduate draftees who "cut class" and were high selections by the NBA or ABA:

1971

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Phil Chenier G California Jr. Baltimore 1st
Dana Lewis C Tulsa Jr. Philadelphia 1st/12
Tom Payne C Kentucky So. Atlanta 1st
Nate Williams F Utah State Jr. Cincinnati 1st
Barry Yates F Maryland So. Philadelphia 8th

NOTES: The "hardship cases" were selected in a supplementary draft and the franchises that chose them had to surrender their corresponding pick in the regular draft of college seniors. . . . Mickey Davis, who left Duquesne after his junior season, was selected by Denver in ABA special circumstances draft. His rights were traded to Pittsburgh. . . . Johnny Neumann, the nation's leading scorer, left Ole Miss after his sophomore season to sign with the ABA's Memphis Pros.

1972

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Bob McAdoo F-C North Carolina Jr. Buffalo 1st/2
Brian Taylor G Princeton Jr. Seattle 2nd/23

NOTE: Jim Chones departed Marquette late in his junior season and was selected by the New York Nets in the ABA draft.

1973

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
William "Bird" Averitt G Pepperdine Jr. Portland 4th/55
Dwight Jones F Houston Jr. Atlanta 1st/9
Larry Kenon F Memphis State Jr. Detroit 3rd/50
Raymond Lewis G Los Angeles State So. Philadelphia 1st/17
Larry McNeill F Marquette Jr. Kansas City-Omaha 2nd/25
John Williamson G New Mexico State Jr. Atlanta 6th/96

NOTES: Mel Davis missed his senior season for St. John's because of a knee injury. He was selected by the New York Knicks in the first round. . . . George Gervin, who left Eastern Michigan after his sophomore season (1971- 72), played with Pontiac in the CBA in 1972-73 before being selected by the Virginia Squires in first round of the ABA special circumstances draft. . . . Forward Bruce Seals, who left Xavier (La.) after his sophomore season, was selected by the Utah Stars in the first round of ABA undergraduate draft. . . . Forward Jim Bradley, who left Northern Illinois after his junior season due to NCAA sanctions and academic problems, was selected by San Diego in the second round of ABA undergraduate draft. . . . . Center Roy Ebron signed with the ABA's Utah Stars after leaving Southwestern Louisiana following his junior season when the NCAA gave "the death penalty" to USL's program.

1974

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Gary Brokaw G Notre Dame Jr. Milwaukee 1st/18
John Drew F Gardner-Webb (N.C.) Jr. Atlanta 2nd/25
Maurice Lucas F Marquette Jr. Chicago 1st/14
Eric Money G Arizona Jr. Detroit 2nd/33
Coniel Norman G-F Arizona So. Philadelphia 3rd/37
Cliff Pondexter F Long Beach State So. Chicago 1st/16
Michael "Campy" Russell F Michigan Jr. Cleveland 1st/8
Mike Sojourner F-C Utah So. Atlanta 1st/10

NOTES: Forward Gus Gerard, who left Virginia after his junior season, was selected by the Carolina Cougars in the second round of ABA draft. The franchise transferred to St. Louis. . . . Center Moses Malone went straight from Petersburg (Va.) High School to the ABA (third-round pick of the Utah Stars). . . . Center David Vaughn Jr., who left UNLV after his redshirt season (1973-74) following a transfer from Oral Roberts, signed with the ABA's Virginia Squires in August 1974. He played for the 1971-72 Oral Roberts freshman team and 1972-73 ORU varsity. . . . Henry Williams, who had been selected by New York in the first round of the 1973 ABA undergraduate draft, signed with the ABA's Utah franchise in November after leaving Jacksonville following his junior season.

1975

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Alvan Adams F-C Oklahoma Jr. Phoenix 1st/4
*Tom Boswell C-F South Carolina Jr. Boston 1st/17
Joe Bryant F La Salle Jr. Golden State 1st/14
Luther "Ticky" Burden G Utah Jr. New York 2nd/26
Darryl Dawkins C Maynard Evans, Fla. HS Philadelphia 1st/5
Larry Fogle F Canisius So. New York 2nd/34
Lloyd Free G Guilford (N.C.) Jr. Philadelphia 2nd/23
Robert "Bubbles" Hawkins G Illinois State Jr. Golden State 3rd/51
Frank Oleynick G Seattle Jr. Seattle 1st/12
*Joe Pace C Coppin State Jr. Phoenix 5th/76
Eugene Short F Jackson State Jr. New York 1st/9
Bill Willoughby F Dwight Morrow, N.J. HS Atlanta 2nd/19

*Boswell transferred to South Carolina from South Carolina State and Pace transferred to Coppin State from Maryland-Eastern Shore. NOTE: Pittsburgh's Mel Bennett and Minnesota's Mark Olberding left college after their freshman seasons and were selected in the first round of the ABA draft by the Virginia Squires and San Antonio Spurs, respectively.

1976

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Norm Cook F Kansas Jr. Boston 1st/16
Adrian Dantley F Notre Dame Jr. Buffalo 1st/6
Jacky Dorsey F Georgia So. New Orleans 2nd/26
Lonnie Shelton F-C Oregon State Jr. New York 2nd/25
Richard Washington F UCLA Jr. Kansas City 1st/3
Larry Wright G Grambling Jr. Washington 1st/14

1977

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Kenny Carr F North Carolina State Jr. L.A. Lakers 1st/6
Brad Davis G Maryland Jr. L.A. Lakers 1st/15
Ray Epps G-F Norfolk State Jr. Golden State 5th/104
Bernard King F Tennessee Jr. New York Nets 1st/7

1978

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Winford Boynes G-F San Francisco Jr. New Jersey 1st/13
James Hardy F San Francisco Jr. New Orleans 1st/11
Frankie Sanders F Southern (La.) Jr. San Antonio 1st/20
Reggie Theus G UNLV Jr. Chicago 1st/9

1979

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Earvin "Magic" Johnson G Michigan State So. L.A. Lakers 1st/1
Cliff Robinson F Southern California So. New Jersey 1st/11
Sly Williams F Rhode Island Jr. New York 1st/21

1980

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Wes Matthews G Wisconsin Jr. Washington 1st/14
Jeff Ruland F-C Iona Jr. Golden State 2nd/25
DeWayne Scales F Louisiana State Jr. New York 2nd/36

1981

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Mark Aguirre F DePaul Jr. Dallas 1st/1
Isiah Thomas G Indiana So. Detroit 1st/2
Charles "Buck" Williams F Maryland Jr. New Jersey 1st/3

1982

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
John Bagley G Boston College Jr. Cleveland 1st/12
Terry Cummings F DePaul Jr. San Diego 1st/2
Quintin Dailey G San Francisco Jr. Chicago 1st/7
Clark Kellogg F Ohio State Jr. Indiana 1st/8
Cliff Levingston F Wichita State Jr. Detroit 1st/9
LaSalle Thompson C Texas Jr. Kansas City 1st/5
Dominique Wilkins F Georgia Jr. Utah 1st/3
Rob Williams G Houston Jr. Denver 1st/19
James Worthy F North Carolina Jr. L.A. Lakers 1st/1

1983

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Russell Cross F Purdue Jr. Golden State 1st/6
Clyde Drexler G-F Houston Jr. Portland 1st/14
Derek Harper G Illinois Jr. Dallas 1st/11
Glenn "Doc" Rivers G Marquette Jr. Atlanta 2nd/31
Byron Scott G Arizona State Jr. San Diego 1st/4
Ennis Whatley G Alabama So. Kansas City 1st/13

1984

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Charles Barkley F Auburn Jr. Philadelphia 1st/5
Cory Blackwell F Wisconsin Jr. Seattle 2nd/28
Stuart Gray C UCLA Jr. Indiana 2nd/29
Michael Jordan G North Carolina Jr. Chicago 1st/3
Tim McCormick C-F Michigan Jr. Cleveland 1st/12
Hakeem Olajuwon C Houston Jr. Houston 1st/1

1985

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Benoit Benjamin C Creighton Jr. L.A. Clippers 1st/3
Manute Bol C Bridgeport (Conn.) Fr. Washington 2nd/31
Kenny Green F Wake Forest Jr. Washington 1st/12
Karl Malone F Louisiana Tech Jr. Utah 1st/13
Jerry Reynolds G-F Louisiana State Jr. Milwaukee 1st/22
Wayman Tisdale F Oklahoma Jr. Indiana 1st/2

1986

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
William Bedford C Memphis State Jr. Phoenix 1st/6
Walter Berry F St. John's Jr. Portland 1st/14
Cedric Henderson F Georgia So. Atlanta 2nd/32
Chris Washburn C North Carolina State So. Golden State 1st/3
Dwayne "Pearl" Washington G Syracuse Jr. New Jersey 1st/13
John Williams F Louisiana State So. Washington 1st/12

1987

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Vincent Askew G-F Memphis State Jr. Philadelphia 2nd/39
Norris Coleman F Kansas State So. L.A. Clippers 2nd/38
Derrick McKey F Alabama Jr. Seattle 1st/9
Olden Polyice C Virginia Jr. Chicago 1st/8

1988

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Rex Chapman G Kentucky So. Charlotte 1st/8
Sylvester Gray F Memphis State So. Miami 2nd/35
Tito Horford C Miami (Fla.) So. Milwaukee 2nd/39
Jerome Lane F Pittsburgh Jr. Denver 1st/23
Charles Shackleford F North Carolina State Jr. New Jersey 2nd/32
Rod Strickland G DePaul Jr. New York 1st/19

1989

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Nick Anderson G-F Illinois Jr. Orlando 1st/11
Jay Edwards G Indiana So. L.A. Clippers 2nd/33
*Shawn Kemp F Trinity Valley JC, TX Fr. Seattle 1st/17
J.R. Reid F North Carolina Jr. Charlotte 1st/5

*Kemp attended Kentucky in the fall of 1988 before dropping out of school because of off-the-court problems. He attended but did not play in junior college.

1990

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Carl Herrera F Houston Jr. Miami 2nd/30
Sean Higgins G-F Michigan Jr. San Antonio 2nd/54
Chris Jackson G Louisiana State So. Denver 1st/3
Marcus Liberty G-F Illinois Jr. Denver 2nd/42
Jerrod Mustaf F Maryland So. New York 1st/17
Dennis Scott G-F Georgia Tech Jr. Orlando 1st/4
Kenny Williams F Elizabeth City State (N.C.) So. Indiana 2nd/46

1991

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Kenny Anderson G Georgia Tech So. New Jersey 1st/2
Terrell Brandon G Oregon Jr. Cleveland 1st/11
Donald Hodge C Temple Jr. Dallas 2nd/33
Billy Owens F-G Syracuse Jr. Sacramento 1st/3
Stanley Roberts C Louisiana State* Jr. Orlando 1st/23
Brian Williams C-F Arizona Jr. Orlando 1st/10

*Roberts played in Spain after his sophomore season in 1989-90.

1992

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Jim Jackson G Ohio State Jr. Dallas 1st/4
Harold Miner G Southern California Jr. Miami 1st/12
Tracy Murray F UCLA Jr. San Antonio 1st/18
Shaquille O'Neal C Louisiana State Jr. Orlando 1st/1

1993

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Shawn Bradley C Brigham Young So. Philadelphia 1st/2
Anfernee Hardaway G Memphis State Jr. Golden State 1st/3
Jamal Mashburn F Kentucky Jr. Dallas 1st/4
James Robinson G Alabama Jr. Portland 1st/21
Rodney Rogers F Wake Forest Jr. Denver 1st/9
Chris Webber F Michigan So. Orlando 1st/1
Luther Wright C Seton Hall Jr. Utah 1st/18

1994

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Yinka Dare C George Washington So. New Jersey 1st/14
Darrin Hancock G-F Kansas* Jr. Charlotte 2nd/38
Juwan Howard F-C Michigan Jr. Washington 1st/5
Jason Kidd G California So. Dallas 1st/2
Donyell Marshall F Connecticut Jr. Minnesota 1st/4
Lamond Murray F California Jr. L.A. Clippers 1st/7
Glenn Robinson Jr. F Purdue Jr. Milwaukee 1st/1
Jalen Rose G Michigan Jr. Denver 1st/13
Cliff Rozier F Louisville Jr. Golden State 1st/16
Dontonio Wingfield F Cincinnati Fr. Seattle 2nd/37
Sharone Wright F Clemson Jr. Philadelphia 1st/6

*Hancock had transferred to Indiana State but dropped out of school before the season to play professionally in France.

1995

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Cory Alexander G Virginia Jr. San Antonio 1st/29
Mario Bennett F Arizona State Jr. Phoenix 1st/27
Chris Carr F Southern Illinois Jr. Phoenix 2nd/56
*Kevin Garnett F Farragut, Ill. HS Minnesota 1st/5
Rashard Griffith C Wisconsin So. Milwaukee 2nd/38
Antonio McDyess C-F Alabama So. L.A. Clippers 1st/2
Joe Smith F-C Maryland So. Golden State 1st/1
Jerry Stackhouse F North Carolina So. Philadelphia 1st/3
Gary Trent F Ohio University Jr. Milwaukee 1st/11
David Vaughn III F Memphis Jr. Orlando 1st/25
Rasheed Wallace C-F North Carolina So. Washington 1st/4
Corliss Williamson F Arkansas Jr. Sacramento 1st/13

*Garnett attended high school in South Carolina before moving to Chicago for his senior season.

1996

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Shareef Abdur-Rahim F-C California Fr. Vancouver 1st/3
Ray Allen G Connecticut Jr. Minnesota 1st/5
Kobe Bryant G-F Philadelphia, Pa. HS Charlotte 1st/13
Marcus Camby C Massachusetts Jr. Toronto 1st/2
Erick Dampier C Mississippi State Jr. Indiana 1st/10
Ronnie Henderson G Louisiana State Jr. Washington 2nd/55
Allen Iverson G Georgetown So. Philadelphia 1st/1
Dontae' Jones F Mississippi State Jr. New York 1st/21
Randy Livingston G Louisiana State So. Houston 2nd/42
Stephon Marbury G Georgia Tech Fr. Milwaukee 1st/4
Jeff McInnis G North Carolina Jr. Denver 2nd/37
Jermaine O'Neal C Columbia, S.C. HS Portland 1st/17
Victor Potapenko C Wright State Jr. Cleveland 1st/12
Darnell Robinson C Arkansas Jr. Dallas 2nd/58
Antoine Walker F-G Kentucky So. Boston 1st/6
Samaki Walker C Louisville Jr. Dallas 1st/9
Lorenzen Wright F Memphis So. L.A. Clippers 1st/7

1997

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Tony Battie C-F Texas Tech Jr. Denver 1st/5
Chauncey Billups G Colorado So. Boston 1st/3
Mark Blount C Pittsburgh So. Seattle 2nd/55
C.J. Bruton G Indian Hills CC, IA So. Vancouver 2nd/53
James Cotton G Long Beach State Jr. Denver 2nd/33
Danny Fortson F Cincinnati Jr. Milwaukee 1st/10
Adonal Foyle C-F Colgate Jr. Golden State 1st/8
Marc Jackson C-F Temple Jr. Golden State 2nd/38
Gordon Malone F West Virginia Jr. Minnesota 2nd/44
Tracy McGrady F-G Mount Zion, N.C. HS Toronto 1st/9
Ron Mercer G-F Kentucky So. Boston 1st/6
Paul Rogers C Gonzaga Jr. L.A. Lakers 2nd/54
Olivier Saint-Jean F San Jose State Jr. Sacramento 1st/11
Mark Sanford F Washington Jr. Miami 2nd/31
God Shammgod G Providence So. Washington 2nd/46
Maurice Taylor F Michigan Jr. L.A. Clippers 1st/14
Tim Thomas F Villanova Fr. New Jersey 1st/7

NOTE: Bruton had signed a letter-of-intent with Iowa State.

1998

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Rafer Alston G Fresno State Jr. Milwaukee 2nd/39
Corey Benjamin G-F Oregon State So. Chicago 1st/28
Mike Bibby G Arizona So. Vancouver 1st/2
Vince Carter F-G North Carolina Jr. Golden State 1st/5
Ricky Davis F Iowa Fr. Charlotte 1st/21
Tremaine Fowlkes F Fresno State Jr. Denver 2nd/54
Al Harrington F Elizabeth, N.J. HS Indiana 1st/25
Larry Hughes G Saint Louis Fr. Philadelphia 1st/8
Jerome James C Florida A&M Jr. Sacramento 2nd/36
Antawn Jamison F North Carolina Jr. Toronto 1st/4
Rashard Lewis F Houston, Tex. HS Seattle 2nd/32
Tyronn Lue G Nebraska Jr. Denver 1st/23
Jelani McCoy F-C UCLA Jr. Seattle 2nd/33
Nazr Mohammed C Kentucky Jr. Utah 1st/29
Paul Pierce G-F Kansas Jr. Boston 1st/10
Robert "Tractor" Traylor F Michigan Jr. Dallas 1st/6
Jason Williams G Florida Jr. Sacramento 1st/7
Korleone Young F Wichita, Kan. HS Detroit 2nd/40

1999

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Ron Artest F St. John's So. Chicago 1st/16
William Avery G Duke So. Minnesota 1st/14
Jonathan Bender F-C Picayune, MS HS Toronto 1st/5
Elton Brand C-F Duke So. Chicago 1st/1
Baron Davis G UCLA So. Charlotte 1st/3
Steve Francis G Maryland Jr. Vancouver 1st/2
Dion Glover G Georgia Tech Fr. Atlanta 1st/20
Richard Hamilton F-G Connecticut Jr. Washington 1st/7
Jumaine Jones F Georgia So. Atlanta 1st/27
Corey Maggette F Duke Fr. Seattle 1st/13
Shawn Marion F UNLV Jr. Phoenix 1st/9
Lamar Odom F Rhode Island So. L.A. Clippers 1st/4
Alek Radojevic C Barton County J.C., KS So. Toronto 1st/12
Leon Smith C-F Chicago, IL HS San Antonio 1st/29

NOTES: Glover sat out the 1998-99 season as a medical redshirt (knee surgery). . . . Junior college recruit Radojevic had signed a letter-of-intent with Ohio State.

2000

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Erick Barkley G St. John's So. Portland 1st/28
Ernest Brown C Indian Hills (IA) CC So. Miami 2nd/52
Jamal Crawford G Michigan Fr. Cleveland 1st/8
Keyon Dooling G Missouri So. Orlando 1st/10
Khalid El-Amin G Connecticut Jr. Chicago 2nd/34
Marcus Fizer F Iowa State Jr. Chicago 1st/4
Donnell Harvey F Florida Fr. New York 1st/22
Corey Hightower G-F Indian Hills (IA) CC So. San Antonio 2nd/54
DerMarr Johnson G Cincinnati Fr. Atlanta 1st/6
Mark Karcher F Temple Jr. Philadelphia 2nd/48
Chris Mihm C Texas Jr. Chicago 1st/7
Darius Miles F East St. Louis, IL HS L.A. Clippers 1st/3
Mike Miller F Florida So. Orlando 1st/5
Jerome Moiso F UCLA So. Boston 1st/11
Joel Przybilla C Minnesota So. Houston 1st/9
Michael Redd G-F Ohio State Jr. Milwaukee 2nd/43
Quentin Richardson G-F DePaul So. L.A. Clippers 1st/18
*DeShawn Stevenson G Fresno, CA HS Utah 1st/23
Stromile Swift F Louisiana State So. Vancouver 1st/2

*Stevenson gave an oral commitment to Kansas but opted to turn pro after his eligibility was questioned because of a dramatic increase in his SAT score.

2001

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Gilbert Arenas G Arizona So. Golden State 2nd/31
Brandon Armstrong G Pepperdine Jr. Houston 1st/23
Michael Bradley F Villanova Jr. Toronto 1st/17
Jamison Brewer G Auburn So. Indiana 2nd/41
Kedrick Brown F Okaloosa-Walton CC, FL So. Boston 1st/11
Kwame Brown F Brunswick, GA HS Washington 1st/1
Tyson Chandler F-C Compton, CA HS L.A. Clippers 1st/2
Osumane Cisse C Montgomery, AL HS Denver 2nd/47
Jason Collins C Stanford So. Houston 1st/18
Omar Cook G St. John's Fr. Orlando 2nd/32
Eddy Curry C Chicago, IL HS Chicago 1st/4
Samuel Dalembert C Seton Hall So. Philadelphia 1st/26
DeSagana Diop C Oak Hill, VA HS Cleveland 1st/8
Alton Ford F Houston Fr. Phoenix 2nd/51
Joseph Forte G North Carolina So. Boston 1st/21
Eddie Griffin F Seton Hall Fr. New Jersey 1st/7
Trenton Hassell G-F Austin Peay Jr. Chicago 2nd/30
Kirk Haston F Indiana Jr. Charlotte 1st/16
Steven Hunter C DePaul So. Orlando 1st/15
Richard Jefferson F Arizona Jr. Houston 1st/13
Joe Johnson G-F Arkansas So. Boston 1st/10
Troy Murphy F Notre Dame Jr. Golden State 1st/14
Zach Randolph C Michigan State Fr. Portland 1st/19
Jason Richardson G-F Michigan State So. Golden State 1st/5
Kenny Satterfield G Cincinnati So. Dallas 2nd/54
Bobby Simmons F DePaul Jr. Seattle 2nd/42
Will Solomon G Clemson Jr. Memphis 2nd/33
Gerald Wallace F Alabama Fr. Sacramento 1st/25
Rodney White F Charlotte Fr. Detroit 1st/9
Michael Wright F Arizona Jr. New York 2nd/39

NOTE: Community college recruit Kendrick Brown had signed a letter-of-intent with Louisiana State.

2002

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Carlos Boozer C Duke Jr. Cleveland 2nd/35
Curtis Borchardt C Stanford Jr. Orlando 1st/18
Caron Butler F Connecticut So. Miami 1st/10
Mike Dunleavy G-F Duke Jr. Golden State 1st/3
Drew Gooden F Kansas Jr. Memphis 1st/4
Rod Grizzard G Alabama Jr. Houston 2nd/39
Marcus Haislip F Tennessee Jr. Milwaukee 1st/13
Casey Jacobsen F Stanford Jr. Phoenix 1st/22
Chris Jefferies F Fresno State Jr. L.A. Lakers 1st/27
Jared Jeffries F Indiana So. Washington 1st/11
Tito Maddox G Fresno State So. Houston 2nd/38
Roger Mason Jr. G Virginia Jr. Chicago 2nd/31
Kareem Rush F Missouri Jr. Toronto 1st/20
Jamal Sampson F-C California Fr. Utah 2nd/47
Amare Stoudemire F Orlando, FL HS Phoenix 1st/9
Marcus Taylor G Michigan State So. Minnesota 2nd/52
Dajuan Wagner G Memphis Fr. Cleveland 1st/6
Chris Wilcox F Maryland So. L.A. Clippers 1st/8
Frank Williams G Illinois Jr. Denver 1st/25
Jay Williams G Duke Jr. Chicago 1st/2
Qyntel Woods F Northeast Mississippi JC So. Portland 1st/21

NOTE: Junior college recruit Woods had signed a letter-of-intent with Memphis.

2003

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Carmelo Anthony F Syracuse Fr. Denver 1st/3
Mario Austin F Mississippi State Jr. Chicago 2nd/36
Chris Bosh F Georgia Tech Fr. Toronto 1st/4
Ndudi Ebi F Houston, TX HS Minnesota 1st/26
T.J. Ford G Texas So. Milwaukee 1st/8
Jarvis Hayes G-F Georgia Jr. Washington 1st/10
LeBron James F Akron, OH HS Cleveland 1st/1
Chris Kaman C Central Michigan Jr. L.A. Clippers 1st/6
Travis Outlaw F Starkville, MS HS Portland 1st/23
Kendrick Perkins* F-C Beaumont, TX HS Memphis 1st/27
Rick Rickert F Minnesota So. Minnesota 2nd/55
Luke Ridnour G Oregon Jr. Seattle 1st/14
Mike Sweetney F Georgetown Jr. New York 1st/9
Dwyane Wade F Marquette Jr. Miami 1st/5
Mo Williams G Alabama So. Utah 2nd/47

*Perkins originally committed to Memphis before opting instead to make jump to the pros.

2004

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Trevor Ariza F UCLA Fr. New York 2nd/43
Josh Childress F Stanford Jr. Atlanta 1st/6
Luol Deng F Duke Fr. Phoenix 1st/7
Ben Gordon G Connecticut Jr. Chicago 1st/3
Devin Harris G Wisconsin Jr. Washington 1st/5
David Harrison C Colorado Jr. Indiana 1st/29
Dwight Howard C Atlanta, GA HS Orlando 1st/1
Kris Humphries F Minnesota Fr. Utah 1st/14
Andre Iguodala F Arizona So. Philadelphia 1st/9
Al Jefferson F Jackson, MS HS Boston 1st/15
Shaun Livingston G Peoria, IL HS L.A. Clippers 1st/4
Kevin Martin F Western Carolina Jr. Sacramento 1st/26
Emeka Okafor C-F Connecticut Jr. Charlotte 1st/2
Donta Smith G Southeastern Illinois JC Atlanta 2nd/34
Josh Smith F Mouth of Wilson, VA HS Atlanta 1st/17
J.R. Smith G Newark, NJ HS New Orleans 1st/18
Kirk Snyder G Nevada Jr. Utah 1st/16
Robert Swift C Bakersfield, CA HS Seattle 1st/12
Sebastian Telfair G Brooklyn, NY HS Portland 1st/13
Delonte West G St. Joseph's Jr. Boston 1st/24
Dorell Wright F South Kent, CT HS Miami 1st/19

2005

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Alex Acker G Pepperdine Jr. Detroit 2nd/60
Brandon Bass F Louisiana State So. New Orleans 2nd/33
Andray Blatche F-C South Kent (CT) Prep HS Washington 2nd/49
Andrew Bogut C Utah So. Milwaukee 1st/1
Andrew Bynum C St. Joseph, NJ HS L.A. Lakers 1st/10
Ike Diogu F Arizona State Jr. Golden State 1st/9
*Monta Ellis G Lanier, MS HS Golden State 2nd/40
Raymond Felton G North Carolina Jr. Charlotte 1st/5
Francisco Garcia G Louisville Jr. Sacramento 1st/23
Gerald Green G Houston, TX HS Boston 1st/18
Jarrett Jack G Georgia Tech Jr. Denver 1st/22
Amir Johnson F Westchester, CA HS Detroit 2nd/56
Linas Kleiza F Missouri So. Portland 1st/27
Sean May F North Carolina Jr. Charlotte 1st/13
Rashad McCants G North Carolina Jr. Minnesota 1st/14
C.J. Miles G Dallas, TX HS Utah 2nd/34
Chris Paul G Wake Forest So. New Orleans 1st/4
Nate Robinson G Washington Jr. Phoenix 1st/21
Ricky Sanchez F IMG Academy, FL HS Portland 2nd/35
Charlie Villanueva F Connecticut So. Toronto 1st/7
Von Wafer G Florida State So. L.A. Lakers 2nd/39
Martell Webster G Seattle, WA HS Portland 1st/6
Deron Williams G Illinois Jr. Utah 1st/3
Louis Williams G South Gwinnett, GA HS Philadelphia 2nd/45
Marvin Williams F North Carolina Fr. Atlanta 1st/2
Antoine Wright F Texas A&M Jr. New Jersey 1st/15
Bracey Wright G Indiana Jr. Minnesota 2nd/47

*Ellis committed to Mississippi State before choosing to turn pro.

2006

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
LaMarcus Aldridge F Texas So. Chicago 1st/2
Renaldo Balkman F South Carolina Jr. New York 1st/20
Will Blalock G Iowa State Jr. Detroit 2nd/60
Josh Boone F Connecticut Jr. New Jersey 1st/23
Ronnie Brewer G Arkansas Jr. Utah 1st/14
Shannon Brown G Michigan State Jr. Cleveland 1st/25
Guillermo Diaz G Miami (Fla.) Jr. L.A. Clippers 2nd/52
Quincy Douby G Rutgers Jr. Sacramento 1st/19
Jordan Farmar G UCLA So. L.A. Lakers 1st/26
Rudy Gay F Connecticut So. Houston 1st/8
Daniel Gibson G Texas So. Cleveland 2nd/42
Alexander Johnson F Florida State Jr. Indiana 2nd/45
Kyle Lowry G Villanova So. Memphis 1st/24
Paul Millsap F Louisiana Tech Jr. Utah 2nd/47
Adam Morrison F Gonzaga Jr. Charlotte 1st/3
Patrick O'Bryant C Bradley So. Golden State 1st/9
Danilo Pinnock G George Washington Jr. Dallas 2nd/58
Leon Powe F California So. Denver 2nd/49
Rajon Rondo G Kentucky So. Phoenix 1st/21
Cedric Simmons F-C North Carolina State So. New Orleans/OKC 1st/15
Tyrus Thomas F Louisiana State Fr. Portland 1st/4
P.J. Tucker F Texas Jr. Toronto 2nd/35
Marcus Williams G Connecticut Jr. New Jersey 1st/22
Shawne Williams F Memphis Fr. Indiana 1st/17

2007

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Arron Afflalo G UCLA Jr. Detroit 1st/27
Corey Brewer G-F Florida Jr. Minnesota 1st/7
Wilson Chandler F DePaul So. New York 1st/23
Mike Conley Jr. G Ohio State Fr. Memphis 1st/4
Daequan Cook G Ohio State Fr. Philadelphia 1st/21
Javaris Crittenton G Georgia Tech Fr. L.A. Lakers 1st/19
JamesOn Curry G Oklahoma State Jr. Chicago 2nd/51
Glen Davis F Louisiana State Jr. Seattle 2nd/35
Kevin Durant F Texas Fr. Seattle 1st/2
Jeff Green F Georgetown Jr. Boston 1st/5
Taurean Green G Florida Jr. Portland 2nd/52
Spencer Hawes C Washington Fr. Sacramento 1st/10
Al Horford F Florida Jr. Atlanta 1st/3
Dominic McGuire F Fresno State Jr. Washington 2nd/47
Josh McRoberts F Duke So. Portland 2nd/37
Joakim Noah F Florida Jr. Chicago 1st/9
Greg Oden C Ohio State Fr. Portland 1st/1
Gabe Pruitt G Southern California Jr. Boston 2nd/32
Ramon Sessions G Nevada Jr. Milwaukee 2nd/56
Jason Smith C Colorado State Jr. Miami 1st/20
Rodney Stuckey G Eastern Washington So. Detroit 1st/15
Marcus Williams F Arizona So. San Antonio 2nd/33
Sean Williams F-C Boston College Jr. New Jersey 1st/17
Brandan Wright F North Carolina Fr. Charlotte 1st/8
Julian Wright F Kansas So. New Orleans 1st/13
Nick Young G-F Southern California Jr. Washington 1st/16
Thaddeus Young F Georgia Tech Fr. Philadelphia 1st/12

2008

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Joe Alexander F West Virginia Jr. Milwaukee 1st/8
Ryan Anderson F California So. New Jersey 1st/21
Darrell Arthur F Kansas So. New Orleans 1st/27
D.J. Augustin G Texas So. Charlotte 1st/9
Jerryd Bayless G Arizona Fr. Indiana 1st/11
Michael Beasley F Kansas State Fr. Miami 1st/2
Mario Chalmers G Kansas Jr. Minnesota 2nd/34
Chris Douglas-Roberts G Memphis Jr. New Jersey 2nd/40
Eric Gordon G Indiana Fr. L.A. Clippers 1st/7
Donte Greene F Syracuse Fr. Memphis 1st/28
Richard Hendrix F Alabama Jr. Golden State 2nd/49
J.J. Hickson F North Carolina State Fr. Cleveland 1st/19
George Hill G IUPUI Jr. San Antonio 1st/26
DeAndre Jordan C Texas A&M Fr. L.A. Clippers 2nd/35
Kosta Koufos C Ohio State Fr. Utah 1st/23
Brook Lopez F-C Stanford So. New Jersey 1st/10
Robin Lopez F-C Stanford So. Phoenix 1st/15
Kevin Love F UCLA Fr. Memphis 1st/5
O.J. Mayo G Southern California Fr. Minnesota 1st/3
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute F UCLA Jr. Milwaukee 2nd/37
JaVale McGee C Nevada So. Washington 1st/18
Trent Plaisted F-C Brigham Young Jr. Seattle 2nd/46
Anthony Randolph F Louisiana State Fr. Golden State 1st/14
Derrick Rose G Memphis Fr. Chicago 1st/1
Brandon Rush G Kansas Jr. Portland 1st/13
Walter Sharpe F UAB So. Seattle 2nd/32
Marreese Speights F Florida So. Philadelphia 1st/16
Bill Walker F Kansas State Fr. Washington 2nd/47
Russell Westbrook G UCLA So. Seattle 1st/4

2009

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Patrick Beverley G Arkansas Jr. L.A. Lakers 2nd/42
DeJuan Blair F Pittsburgh So. San Antonio 2nd/37
Derrick Brown F Xavier Jr. Charlotte 2nd/40
Chase Budinger F Arizona Jr. Detroit 2nd/44
Nick Calathes G Florida So. Minnesota 2nd/45
Earl Clark F Louisville Jr. Phoenix 1st/14
Stephen Curry G Davidson Jr. Golden State 1st/7
Austin Daye F Gonzaga So. Detroit 1st/15
DeMar DeRozan F Southern California Fr. Toronto 1st/9
Wayne Ellington G North Carolina Jr. Minnesota 1st/28
Tyreke Evans G Memphis Fr. Sacramento 1st/4
Jonny Flynn G Syracuse So. Minnesota 1st/6
Taj Gibson F Southern California Jr. Chicago 1st/26
Blake Griffin F Oklahoma So. L.A. Clippers 1st/1
James Harden G Arizona State So. Oklahoma City 1st/3
Gerald Henderson G Duke Jr. Charlotte 1st/12
Jordan Hill F Arizona Jr. New York 1st/8
Jrue Holiday G UCLA Fr. Philadelphia 1st/17
Brandon Jennings G Los Angeles/Oak Hill (VA) HS Milwaukee 1st/10
James Johnson F Wake Forest So. Chicago 1st/16
Ty Lawson G North Carolina Jr. Minnesota 1st/18
Jodie Meeks G Kentucky Jr. Milwaukee 2nd/41
Patrick Mills G Saint Mary's So. Portland 2nd/55
B.J. Mullens C Ohio State Fr. Dallas 1st/24
DaJuan Summers F Georgetown Jr. Detroit 2nd/35
Jeff Teague G Wake Forest So. Atlanta 1st/19
Hasheem Thabeet C Connecticut Jr. Memphis 1st/2

NOTE: Jennings signed with Arizona but chose to play one year overseas in Italy. . . . Beverley played two college seasons before he was suspended for academic reasons and played one year overseas in the Ukraine.

2010

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Solomon Alabi C Florida State Jr. Dallas 2nd/50
Cole Aldrich C Kansas Jr. New Orleans 1st/11
Al-Farouq Aminu F Wake Forest So. L.A. Clippers 1st/8
James Anderson G Oklahoma State Jr. San Antonio 1st/20
Luke Babbitt F Nevada So. Minnesota 1st/16
Eric Bledsoe G Kentucky Fr. Oklahoma City 1st/18
Craig Brackins F Iowa State Jr. Oklahoma City 1st/21
Avery Bradley G Texas Fr. Boston 1st/19
Derrick Caracter F Texas-El Paso Jr. L.A. Lakers 2nd/58
DeMarcus Cousins C-F Kentucky Fr. Sacramento 1st/5
Jordan Crawford G Xavier So. New Jersey 1st/27
Ed Davis F North Carolina So. Toronto 1st/13
Devin Ebanks F West Virginia So. L.A. Lakers 2nd/43
Derrick Favors F Georgia Tech Fr. New Jersey 1st/3
Keith "Tiny" Gallon C Oklahoma Fr. Milwaukee 2nd/47
Paul George F Fresno State So. Indiana 1st/10
Gordon Hayward F Butler So. Utah 1st/9
Xavier Henry G Kansas Fr. Memphis 1st/12
Darington Hobson F-G New Mexico Jr. Milwaukee 2nd/37
Armon Johnson G Nevada Jr. Portland 2nd/34
Wesley Johnson F Syracuse Jr. Minnesota 1st/4
Dominique Jones G South Florida Jr. Memphis 1st/25
Gani Lawal F Georgia Tech Jr. Phoenix 2nd/46
Greg Monroe C Georgetown So. Detroit 1st/7
Daniel Orton C-F Kentucky Fr. Orlando 1st/29
Patrick Patterson F Kentucky Jr. Houston 1st/14
Larry Sanders F Virginia Commonwealth Jr. Milwaukee 1st/15
Lance Stephenson F Cincinnati Fr. Indiana 2nd/40
Evan Turner G Ohio State Jr. Philadelphia 1st/2
Ekpe Udoh F Baylor Jr. Golden State 1st/6
John Wall G Kentucky Fr. Washington 1st/1
Willie Warren G Oklahoma So. L.A. Clippers 2nd/54
Terrico White G Mississippi So. Detroit 2nd/36
Hassan Whiteside C Marshall Fr. Sacramento 2nd/33
Elliot Williams G Memphis So. Portland 1st/22

2011

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Alec Burks G Colorado So. Utah 1st/12
Jordan Hamilton G-F Texas So. Dallas 1st/26
Tobias Harris F Tennessee Fr. Charlotte 1st/19
Tyler Honeycutt F UCLA So. Sacramento 2nd/35
Kyrie Irving G Duke Fr. Cleveland 1st/1
Reggie Jackson G Boston College Jr. Oklahoma City 1st/24
Cory Joseph G Texas Fr. San Antonio 1st/29
Brandon Knight G Kentucky Fr. Detroit 1st/8
Malcolm Lee G UCLA Jr. Chicago 2nd/43
Kawhi Leonard F San Diego State So. Indiana 1st/15
Travis Leslie G Georgia Jr. L.A. Clippers 2nd/47
Shelvin Mack G Butler Jr. Washington 2nd/34
Darius Morris G Michigan So. L.A. Lakers 2nd/41
Marcus Morris F Kansas Jr. Houston 1st/14
Markieff Morris F Kansas Jr. Phoenix 1st/13
Josh Selby G Kansas Fr. Memphis 2nd/49
Iman Shumpert G Georgia Tech Jr. New York 1st/17
Chris Singleton F Florida State Jr. Washington 1st/18
Isaiah Thomas G Washington Jr. Sacramento 2nd/60
Trey Thompkins F Georgia Jr. L.A. Clippers 2nd/37
Klay Thompson G Washington State Jr. Golden State 1st/11
Tristan Thompson F Texas Fr. Cleveland 1st/4
Nikola Vucevic F Southern California Jr. Philadelphia 1st/16
Kemba Walker G Connecticut Jr. Charlotte 1st/9
Derrick Williams F Arizona So. Minnesota 1st/2
Jordan Williams C Maryland So. New Jersey 2nd/36

2012

Undergraduate Pos. College Yr. Drafted By Round/Pick Overall
Harrison Barnes G North Carolina So. Golden State 1st/7
Will Barton G Memphis So. Portland 2nd/40
Bradley Beal G-F Florida Fr. Washington 1st/3
Jared Cunningham G Oregon State Jr. Cleveland 1st/24
Anthony Davis C Kentucky Fr. New Orleans 1st/1
Andre Drummond C Connecticut Fr. Detroit 1st/9
Justin Hamilton C Louisiana State Jr. Philadelphia 2nd/45
Maurice Harkless F St. John's Fr. Philadelphia 1st/15
John Henson C North Carolina Jr. Milwaukee 1st/14
John Jenkins G Vanderbilt Jr. Atlanta 1st/23
Perry Jones III F Baylor So. Oklahoma City 1st/28
Terrence Jones F Kentucky So. Houston 1st/18
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist F Kentucky Fr. Charlotte 1st/2
Doron Lamb G Kentucky So. Milwaukee 2nd/42
Jeremy Lamb G Connecticut So. Houston 1st/12
Meyers Leonard C Illinois So. Portland 1st/11
Damian Lillard G Weber State Jr. Portland 1st/6
Kendall Marshall G North Carolina Jr. Phoenix 1st/13
Fab Melo C Syracuse So. Boston 1st/22
Khris Middleton F Texas A&M Jr. Detroit 2nd/39
Quincy Miller F Baylor Fr. Denver 2nd/38
Arnett Moultrie F-C Mississippi State Jr. Miami 1st/27
Austin Rivers G Duke Fr. New Orleans 1st/10
Thomas Robinson F Kansas Jr. Sacramento 1st/5
Terrence Ross G-F Washington So. Toronto 1st/8
Jared Sullinger F Ohio State So. Boston 1st/21
Marquis Teague G Kentucky Fr. Chicago 1st/29
Dion Waiters G Syracuse So. Cleveland 1st/4
Royce White F Iowa State So. Houston 1st/16
Tony Wroten Jr. G Washington Fr. Memphis 1st/25

ABA EARLY BIRDS: Averitt, Bennett, Burden, Chones, Mickey Davis, Gerard, Haywood, Kenon, Lucas, Malone, Olberding, Seals, Taylor, Fly Williams and Williamson began their pro careers in the American Basketball Association. . . . Ralph Simpson left Michigan State after his sophomore season (1969-70) and signed with the ABA's Denver franchise in March although it wasn't announced until June. Denver was fined $10,000 for not first informing league and ordered to forfeit a first-round pick in the next draft. . . . Elvin Ivory left Southwestern Louisiana after his sophomore season (1967-68) and was signed by the ABA's Los Angeles franchise prior to the next campaign.