Can high school basketball stars succeed in the NBA?

Jet, Jan 29, 1996

American high school basketball stars across the country are finding it more and more tempting to forego college and jump straight to the NBA to compete against the world's best.

But can they succeed there?

Only four have made the jump, with mixed results. And experts have different opinions on the subject.

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Kevin Garnett is only the fourth and most recent high school star to leave high school to join the pros. He mad his decision after his test score were not high enough for him qualify for a college scholarship.

After two months of spot duty off the bench, Garnett recently earned his start with the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 19-year-old, 6-foot-10, 210 pound rookie scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds as a small forward, but had to miss the entire fourth quarter after cutting his hand on the rim after a dunk. His modest performance, however, helped rekindle talks about other prep players following in Garnett's footsteps.

The four to make the jump from preps to pro ranks are Moses Malone one, Darryl Dawkins, Bill Willoughby and Garnett.

All four of the prep stars-turned-pros have admitted that it was a difficult adjustment to make and so did the experts who spoke with Jet on the subject.

"Of course they can make it, but there are other things that go into making you a professional ball player," mused former NBA star Norm Van Lier. "One is growing up time. The other is the level of competition you play against to get there," said Van Lier, who is now a TV sports commentator and sports radio talk show host in Chicago.

But even Garnett will admit the rigors of the NBA have taken their toll on the young gun who was the top-rated high school prospect from Chicago's Farragut High School.

"I've heard that there are high school kids who are thinking about going straight into the NBA like I did Well, they're crazy. If I could've gone to college, I would have, in a heartbeat," Garnett said in the USA Today.

Former high school and college basketball coach Bob Wade added, "I think it's very difficult for a student athlete to make that jump from a prep level to an NBA level because of his maturity both physically and mentally.

"Because in the NBA, they play a rugged schedule. One must be disciplined as far as traveling and disciplined as far as being able to get his rest. And it's a business. That's why I think it's difficult for a prep star to make that jump," said Wade, who as coach of Baltimore's Dunbar High School, coached the late Reggie Lewis, and NBA stars Reggie Williams and Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues in what is being hailed as one of the greatest high school basketball teams ever assembled.

Wade, who is now head of the city's parks and recreation department, added that none of his star players ever considered turning pro. And he offered this advice for coaches and parents of hot prep prospects considering the move:

"I would try to talk to the student athlete and the parent to tell them to give `Jimmy' an opportunity to grow and develop. I would try and convince him to at least enroll in college. And if those offers are still there, they will be even greater," Wade added.

Van Lier expressed concerns about all parties involved not stressing the importance of academics.

"I really think the college people have cheapened the academics of it... The more Blacks have gotten involved in basketball, the less interest they have put on academics in the sports world," said Van Lier, a 1969 graduate from St. Francis College in Philadelphia.

Malone, 40, has had a future Hall of Fame career in the NBA. Holding the record for most consecutive games (1,212), most free throws made (8,531) and most offensive rebounds (6,731), he was the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP), in 1979, '82 and '83. Malone, one of the oldest NBA players, is currently the backup center with the San Antonio Spurs behind last year's MVP David Robinson.

He told Jet in a prior interview (Jet, June 5, 1995), he had no regrets and offered this advice to youths.

"I think if a young guy makes the decision to come to the pros, they should prepare themselves.

"Be ready for the let downs," Malone continued, "and be ready for the ups, because you can come to this game and fall right on your face or you can come to this game and go straight to the top."

Dawkins, now 38, started out with promise, playing in the NBA Finals with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1980 and thrilling fans with his trademark "Chocolate Thunder" slam dunks. Dawkins is the predecessor to Shaquille O'Neal when it comes to shattering fiberglass backboards. But his career faded by the mid '80s.

After a stint with the Harlem Globerotters last season, he is attempting a comeback to the NBA via the Sioux Falls (SD) Skyforce of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) - the minor league system of the NBA. He is averaging 13 points and 6.6 rebounds per game and is a member of this year's CBA All-Star team.

Willoughby, 37, was a journeyman role player who came off the bench most of his career. He did play in the 1983 NBA finals for the Rockets.