[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

It seems like there is a good chance it will come to an end, or at least things will change with more options outside of college basketball. This week on Viseland, my brother and I talk about the end of one-and-done, plus how different things would be if it had never existed. We predict who would have gone #1 in the drafts from 2006-2015, trying to use more of the context of the time as opposed to hindsight. Very hypothetical and takes some imagination, though it was an interesting exercise. Think that there would have been some #1 picks that would have been less than ideal, but overall it still seems like high school players going to the NBA would not have the worst track record, as was the case from 1995-2005 on the whole.

Here is the episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qo6VQr4RpA

Our Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Viseland

Do you guys feel like the #1 picks would have been different than the ones we had listed, without the use of hindsight, but just have a different memory on how the NBA felt about these prospects? Would like to know how people view one-and-done, what people feel would be the best way to train for the draft or any other alternatives that might make sense for prospects.

One thing that was hard to take into account is how different incentive out of HS would have been and how things really could have changed with prospects who had to prove they were immediately pro ready rather than having that one year after HS to prepare. Seems like things might change and evaluation of top HS players will become even more crucial, guess we will see when that happens.

Thank you to everyone who has interacted, checked out Viseland. Had a lot of great years posting and writing on this site, appreciate all who have supported us!

[bt102Participant]

I actually don’t think it should be taken away. I think it helps sift through a lot of the top recruits that were only good due to some reason that won’t translate to the NBA. I think the G-league should expand it’s select team, and I’m ok with players going to the NBL. I also then think college basketball in turn, should at least give athletes full rides, and pay them enough so that they don’t have to work, so they can stay healthy, while also receiving a good education.

I get that some prospects don’t need it, but look how many top recruits didn’t translate at all.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

2006- would have clearly been Greg Oden if he were allowed to enter. He was viewed as much of a can’t miss prospect as anyone I can remember coming out of high school with the exception of Lebron.
2007- This would depend on whether or not Durant had declared straight out of high school or still gone to Texas for a season. If Durant is available he likely goes first. If not, it would probably be Derrick Rose, who almost definitely would not have gone to Memphis if he were able to enter the draft.
2008- Most of the top picks in this draft were one and dones and I’m assuming guys like Rose, Beasley and Mayo probably wouldn’t have gone to college if they didn’t have to. There is no clear cut here but I’m guessing it would have been between Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Brandon Jennings or maybe even Tyreke Evans.
2009- One of the rare instances in the modern era where a two year college player went first. Even if a John Wall were available here, I don’t think it changes anything. Its still most likely Blake.
2010- As crazy as it sounds, my money would be on Harrison Barnes here, even if John Wall or DeMarcus Cousins were on the board. People forget about how highly regarded of a prospect he was coming out of high school.
2011- There wasn’t really a clear cut in this draft. It was between Kyrie and Derrick Williams. But if Anthony Davis had been available, he would’ve likely been the pick imo.
2012- Assuming Davis isn’t available, I’m going with Nerlens Noel here. Even though he was pretty raw, I think scouts would drool over his defensive potential. He was pretty much a lock to go first overall in 2013 before his ACL tear.
2013- This clearly would have been Wiggins if he were allowed to enter. He was about as hyped of a high school prospect as anyone since Lebron.
2014- This is tough to say. Embiid would have likely been available here but had a lot of injury concerns. Jahlil Okafor, and Emanuel Mudiay were both extremely highly regarded as high school players. Karl Anthony Towns wasn’t considered as much of a can’t miss and might still have gone to college for a season. My guess is that if Cleveland was making the pick they would have taken Okafor first.
2015- This would have almost certainly been Ben Simmons if allowed to enter, even if KAT was available.

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