When the NBA instituted it’s one-and-done rule a little more than a decade ago, the league did so with good intentions. It seemed to make sense at the time.
For every Kevin Garnett, there was a Johnathan Bender. For every Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, there was a Bill Willoughby or a Korleone Young. For every Tracy McGrady, there was a James Lang, or a Robert Swift, or an Ndudi Ebi.
The preps-to-pros who have made it are highlighted and celebrated. However, for every prodigy who did make good, there were a bunch more who fell by the wayside.