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LOS ANGELES, CA. JAN. 04, 2015. Lakers’ #24 Kobe Bryant all smiles after an assist from teammate Carlos Boozer in a game vs the Pacers’ in the 1st half of the game at Staple Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 04, 2015. LA Lakers play the Indiana Pacers in a regular NBA season game. (Photo by Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA. JAN. 04, 2015. Lakers’ #24 Kobe Bryant all smiles after an assist from teammate Carlos Boozer in a game vs the Pacers’ in the 1st half of the game at Staple Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 04, 2015. LA Lakers play the Indiana Pacers in a regular NBA season game. (Photo by Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
It’s not an easy feat for a young high school player to compete in a league full of experienced and talented players. Merely a handful of players make a commendable debut performance at the age of seventeen. Setting a new trend in the NBA, Boston Celtics legend Kevin Garnett kicked off his pro career right after high school. He was soon followed by the Lakers legend, the late Kobe Bryant.
In 2005, the NBA raised the minimum draft eligibility to 19 years, which saw high school players mandatorily attend a year of college to enter the league. However, things were quite different in the year 1996, when eligible players could enter the league. Quite a special year, as Kobe Bryant was drafted into the league.
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Kobe Bryant jumped into the league after high school?
Lakers fans are grateful that a young Kobe Bryant joined the league right after high school. That?s a significant decision in Kobe?s life that gave him the opportunity that led him to the coveted Los Angeles Lakers.
In spite of a watered-down rookie season, the player managed to pull off a great career. At the age of 17, he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets only to get traded to the Lakers. The rest, as they say, is history.?
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LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – JAN. 13, 2015. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant warms up before a game against the Miami Heat on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
But this indeed takes us back to the year 1995, when Kevin Garnett paved the way for young aspiring basketball players to take their chance in the pro league. He was the first high school player to join the league in more than a decade.
KG was selected the 5th overall in the 1995 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves and soon became a fierce yet graceful player in the league. He laid the foundation for young athletes such as Bryant and LeBron James to join the league.?
Did you know that KG even has a name for the squad of high schoolers who managed to achieve great things??
Kevin Garnett?s ?special ops? feature Kobe Bryant and other legendary players
According to the 2008 NBA champion, high school players are some of the best players in the league. With LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, and Tracy McGrady making the list, it would be hard to argue with the Celtics legend.
He said, ?I always call the high school guys, the special ops. You know you got the Navy, right? Then you got the special ops and the SEALS and they are on a different level.?
What do you think about this story? Do you agree with KG? Tell us in the comments
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Written by
Edited by
Sharan Nair