Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The one-and-done era has reshaped the NBA draft. Since the NBA introduced its age-limit rule in 2006, elite high school prospects have been required to spend at least one year removed from graduation before entering the league. Many of the nation’s top recruits have chosen to play a single college season before declaring for the NBA Draft, creating the modern “one-and-done” pathway.

While some one-and-done players have become MVPs and franchise cornerstones, others have struggled to meet expectations. Regardless of outcome, these prospects have had a major influence on college basketball, NBA scouting, recruiting, and player development.

What Is a One-and-Done Player?

A one-and-done player spends one season playing NCAA Division I basketball before declaring for the NBA Draft at the first opportunity.

Most are five-star recruits and projected first-round selections whose talent makes them ready for professional basketball after just one college season.

Greatest One-and-Done College Players

LeBron James Was Never One-and-Done

Although often mentioned in discussions about elite young prospects, LeBron James skipped college entirely, entering the NBA directly from high school in 2003 before the one-and-done rule existed.

Kevin Durant

  • College: Texas
  • Season: 2006–07
  • Draft: 2nd overall (2007)
  • NBA Highlights:
    • NBA MVP
    • Multiple NBA championships
    • Multiple Finals MVP awards
    • One of the greatest scorers in NBA history

Durant averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds as a freshman, winning virtually every major National Player of the Year award before becoming one of basketball’s all-time greats.

Anthony Davis

  • College: Kentucky
  • Season: 2011–12
  • Draft: 1st overall (2012)
  • NBA Highlights:
    • NBA champion
    • Olympic gold medalist
    • Multiple All-NBA selections
    • Defensive Player of the Year candidate throughout his career

Davis led Kentucky to the NCAA Championship while dominating defensively with elite shot-blocking and rebounding.

Derrick Rose

  • College: Memphis
  • Season: 2007–08
  • Draft: 1st overall (2008)
  • NBA Highlights:
    • NBA MVP
    • Rookie of the Year
    • Three-time All-Star

Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history after an explosive start to his professional career.

Kyrie Irving

  • College: Duke
  • Season: 2010–11
  • Draft: 1st overall (2011)
  • NBA Highlights:
    • NBA champion
    • Multiple All-Star selections
    • Olympic gold medalist

Although injuries limited him to just 11 college games, Irving’s elite ball handling and shot creation made him the top overall pick.

Zion Williamson

  • College: Duke
  • Season: 2018–19
  • Draft: 1st overall (2019)
  • NBA Highlights:
    • Multiple All-Star
    • One of the league’s most explosive athletes

Williamson became one of the most hyped college players ever thanks to his unmatched combination of power, speed and athleticism.

Karl-Anthony Towns

  • College: Kentucky
  • Season: 2014–15
  • Draft: 1st overall (2015)
  • NBA Highlights:
    • Rookie of the Year
    • Multiple All-Star
    • Elite shooting center

Towns showcased impressive versatility despite sharing touches on Kentucky’s loaded roster.

John Wall

  • College: Kentucky
  • Season: 2009–10
  • Draft: 1st overall (2010)
  • NBA Highlights:
    • Five-time All-Star
    • All-NBA Team selection

Wall entered the NBA as one of the fastest point guards in basketball after a spectacular freshman campaign.

Blake Griffin

  • College: Oklahoma

Although Griffin played two college seasons, he is frequently included in discussions surrounding elite modern NBA prospects. He was not a one-and-done player.

Carmelo Anthony

  • College: Syracuse
  • Season: 2002–03
  • Draft: 3rd overall (2003)

Anthony won an NCAA Championship as a freshman but entered the NBA before the one-and-done rule existed. Technically, he was not a one-and-done player because players could still jump directly from high school at that time.

Paolo Banchero

  • College: Duke
  • Season: 2021–22
  • Draft: 1st overall (2022)
  • NBA Highlights:
    • Rookie of the Year
    • All-Star
    • Franchise cornerstone

Banchero carried Duke offensively before becoming the first overall pick.

Jayson Tatum

  • College: Duke
  • Season: 2016–17
  • Draft: 3rd overall (2017)
  • NBA Highlights:
    • NBA champion
    • Multiple All-NBA First Team selections
    • Multiple All-Star selections

Tatum’s polished scoring translated almost immediately to the NBA.

De’Aaron Fox

  • College: Kentucky
  • Season: 2016–17
  • Draft: 5th overall (2017)
  • NBA Highlights:
    • All-Star
    • All-NBA selection

Fox’s elite speed and playmaking made him one of the nation’s top guards during his lone collegiate season.

Cade Cunningham

  • College: Oklahoma State
  • Season: 2020–21
  • Draft: 1st overall (2021)

Cunningham displayed complete all-around skills as a freshman and entered the NBA as one of the most highly regarded prospects of his class.

Ben Simmons

  • College: LSU
  • Season: 2015–16
  • Draft: 1st overall (2016)

Despite LSU missing the NCAA Tournament, Simmons’ size, passing and versatility made him the consensus top prospect.

Brandon Miller

  • College: Alabama
  • Season: 2022–23
  • Draft: 2nd overall (2023)

Miller won multiple SEC awards while emerging as one of the best wing prospects in college basketball.

Cooper Flagg

  • College: Duke
  • Season: 2024–25
  • Draft: 1st overall (2025)

Flagg entered college as one of the most celebrated recruits in recent history and lived up to expectations with an outstanding freshman season before becoming the first overall pick.

Other Notable One-and-Done Players

  • Andrew Wiggins
  • Jabari Parker
  • Joel Embiid
  • DeMarcus Cousins
  • Michael Beasley
  • Marvin Bagley III
  • Deandre Ayton
  • RJ Barrett
  • Ja Morant
  • D’Angelo Russell
  • Lonzo Ball
  • LaMelo Ball (NBL pathway instead of college; not one-and-done)
  • Markelle Fultz
  • Julius Randle
  • Devin Booker
  • Tyreke Evans
  • James Wiseman
  • Evan Mobley
  • Scottie Barnes
  • Chet Holmgren
  • Jabari Smith Jr.
  • Keegan Murray
  • Amen Thompson (OTE pathway; not one-and-done)
  • Ausar Thompson (OTE pathway; not one-and-done)
  • Brandon Ingram
  • Malik Monk
  • Jonathan Kuminga (G League Ignite; not one-and-done)
  • Jalen Green (G League Ignite; not one-and-done)

Kentucky’s One-and-Done Legacy

No college embraced the one-and-done era more successfully than Kentucky under John Calipari. The Wildcats regularly signed the nation’s top recruiting classes and produced dozens of first-round NBA draft picks, including:

  • Anthony Davis
  • John Wall
  • Karl-Anthony Towns
  • DeMarcus Cousins
  • Devin Booker
  • Julius Randle
  • De’Aaron Fox
  • Bam Adebayo
  • Tyrese Maxey
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Kentucky became the model program for preparing elite freshmen for the NBA.

Duke’s One-and-Done Pipeline

Duke also emerged as a powerhouse for elite one-and-done talent, producing stars such as:

  • Kyrie Irving
  • Zion Williamson
  • Jayson Tatum
  • Paolo Banchero
  • Brandon Ingram
  • RJ Barrett
  • Jabari Parker
  • Marvin Bagley III
  • Cooper Flagg

The Blue Devils have consistently attracted many of the nation’s highest-ranked recruits.

Impact of the One-and-Done Era

The one-and-done rule changed both college basketball and the NBA by:

  • Increasing NBA-ready freshman talent.
  • Accelerating player development.
  • Making recruiting classes more important than roster continuity.
  • Creating annual turnover among powerhouse college programs.
  • Expanding scouting of elite high school prospects.

Alternative development pathways—including the G League Ignite program, Overtime Elite, the NBL’s Next Stars program, and overseas professional leagues—have also provided options for players who choose not to attend college.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the best one-and-done college player?

Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson and Carmelo Anthony all produced legendary freshman seasons. Among players who competed under the official one-and-done rule, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant are generally considered the strongest candidates.

Which college has produced the most one-and-done NBA players?

Kentucky has produced more one-and-done NBA draft picks than any other NCAA program, with Duke ranking among the closest challengers.

Are all top NBA draft picks one-and-done players?

No. Some spend multiple college seasons, while others develop through international leagues, the NBL, G League, Overtime Elite, or other professional pathways.

Can players still skip college?

Yes. College basketball is no longer the only route to the NBA. Elite prospects may instead play professionally in international leagues or other development programs before becoming draft eligible.