The 2019 NBA Draft is in the books and the 2019 freshman class are months away from making their college careers, so that means it's time for me to copy something I did last year. It's been 10 years since the Class of 2009 committed to their colleges of choice and took the next step in their careers. These 10 players were rated higher than everyone else by ESPN, and now, I'm going to take a look at how they're careers turned out. And before I start, here are some notable players who didn't crack the top 10.
- Khris Middleton ranked #82. He played at Texas A&M University for three years before declaring for the 2012 NBA Draft. He was selected 39th overall by the Detroit Pistons and holds career averages 15.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game and career shooting percentages of 45% from the field and 39% from three-point range. Additionally, he is a former all-star in 2019.
- Kawhi Leonard ranked #56. He played at San Diego State University for two years before declaring for the 2011 NBA Draft. He was selected 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers and currently holds career averages 17.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game and holds career shooting percentages of 50% from the field and 38% from three-point range. Additionally, Leonard is a three-time all-star, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time All-NBA 1st team member, a three-time All-Defensive 1st team member, a two-time NBA Champion, and a two-time Finals MVP.
- Lance Stephenson ranked #12. He played at the University of Cincinnati for one year before declaring for the 2010 NBA Draft. He was selected with the 40th pick by the Indiana Pacers
10. Mason Plumlee
All three of the Plumlee brothers were highly touted coming out of high school. The most highly-touted of them was the middle child, Mason Plumlee. Born in Warsaw, Indiana, Plumlee would transfer to Christ School in Arden, North Carolina, where he would truly begin his journey to the NBA. In his three years at Christ, Plumlee would lead the team to a record of 99-8 and to North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championships. During that time, Plumlee would also win a silver medal in the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship with the 2008 U18 national team. After a senior year where he was named North Carolina Mr. Basketball after averaging 15.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, Plumlee would attend Duke University. In four years at Duke, Plumlee would average 9.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 57% from the field. Plumlee would have his breakout season during his senior year, averaging 17.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, a steal, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 60% from the field, being named to the All-ACC 1st team and the consensus All-American 2nd team.
Following his time at Duke, Plumlee declared for the 2013 NBA Draft and was selected 22nd overall by the Brooklyn Nets. He would play his first two seasons with the Nets as a regular rotation player, averaging 8.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 61% from the field. In his first season, Plumlee would also be named to the All-Rookie 1st team, beating out the likes of Steven Adams and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Following his sophomore season in 2015, Plumlee would be traded to Portland Trail Blazers, where he would have the best stretch of his career. In over a season and a half with Blazers, Plumlee would average 9.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 52% from the field. Midway through the 2016-17 season, Plumlee would be traded again, this time being sent with a 2nd round pick and cash to the Denver Nuggets for Jusuf Nurkic and a first-round pick. Through two and a half seasons with the Nuggets, Plumlee holds averages of 7.7 points, 6 rebounds and a block per game while shooting 59% from the field. While he hasn't turned into a top player in the league, Plumlee has established himself as a more than reliable role player in the NBA.
9. Kenny Boynton Jr.
Coming out of high school as the then third-highest scorer in the history of Florida high school basketball, Kenny Boynton Jr. had established himself as one of biggest scoring threats heading into the NCAA. Attending American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida, Boynton Jr would finish his senior year averaging 33 points per game on route to becoming a McDonald's All-American and a Parade All-America 1st team member. Boynton would attend the University of Florida and would end up playing all four years of his eligibility. Through those four seasons, Boynton would post a disappointing stat line, averaging 14 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 40% from the field and 34% from three-point range. While underwhelming, Boynton would make the All-SEC 1st team in his junior year and the All-SEC 2nd team in his sophomore and senior years. Following his college career, Boynton would declare for the 2013 NBA Draft but would go undrafted. He would be signed to the Los Angeles Lakers' Summer League team, but would not make the team. Since then, Boynton has played overseas in the likes of Israel, France, Turkey, Russia, and China. He currently plays for the Shenzhen Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association, where he averaged 24.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.
8. Jordan Hamilton
By the time he was a sophomore in high school, Jordan Hamilton was already a highly sought after prospect. In his second year at Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, California, Hamilton averaged 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. After transferring to Manuel Dominguez High School, Hamilton would average 27.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game as he led Dominguez to a 32-3 record and the CIF Southern Section Division I-AA championship. By his senior year, Hamilton was considered a five-star recruit and the best small forward in the nation. Hamilton would commit to the University of Texas, where he would play two seasons for the Longhorns, averaging 14.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 43% from the field and 38% from three-point range. During his sophomore season, Hamilton would have a standout year, averaging 18.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 44% from the field and 39% from three-point range and being named to the All-Big 12 1st team and the consensus All-American 2nd team.
Hamilton would forego his last two years of eligibility and declare for the 2011 NBA Draft. He would be selected 26th overall by the Dallas Mavericks, only to be sent to Denver Nuggets as part of a three-team trade on draft night. Hamilton would spend two and a half seasons with the Nuggets, averaging 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from the field and 36% from three-point range. Hamilton would also spend time in the D-League with the Idaho Stampede. Midway through the 2013-14 season, Hamilton would be traded to the Houston Rockets for Aaron Brooks. He would finish out the season with Rockets, averaging 6.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 39% from the field and 36% from three-point range through 21 games. Since then, he has bounced around different teams and leagues. He would sign with, and then be cut by, both the Toronto Raptors and the Utah Jazz without playing a game before signing with the Iowa Energy of the D-League. He would be traded two weeks later to the Reno Bighorns, where he would play well enough to earn a spot in the D-League All-Star game. He would go on to play 14 games with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015 before heading overseas in Russia. He would return to the D-League in 2016 with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers before playing 11 games with the New Orleans Pelicans. Those would be the last games he'd play in the NBA as of now, as since then, he's played in Venezuela, Turkey, the Dominican Republic, Israel, and Italy.
7. Renardo Sidney
As a sophomore in high school. Renardo Sidney was already a dominant force in California high school basketball. After leading Artesia High School to the State 3 Championship and earning All-State honors, Sidney transferred to Fairfax High School, where he became even more dominant than he already was. In his junior year, he'd average 24 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, and in his senior year he'd average 26.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game, being selected to All-State honors both years and being named a McDonald's All-American in his senior year. After committing to Mississippi State University, he looked like he had the potential to be the best player in the history of the school. Unfortunately, his college career would be marred with controversy early on. He'd miss his entire freshman season and the first nine games of his sophomore year after receiving improper benefits. Sidney would play two seasons at Mississippi State, averaging 11.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 51% from the field and 36% from three-point range. Sidney would declare for the 2012 NBA Draft but would go undrafted. Since then, he's played for the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the D-League, played in Venezuela, and was the first player ever selected in California Basketball Association. Having barely even sniffed a spot on an NBA roster, Sidney's career post-high school has to be considered very disappointing.
6. John Henson
There weren't many high school players in 2009 who were as big a threat on defense than John Henson. After spending three years at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas, Henson would transfer to Sickles High School in Tampa, Florida and averaged 17.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and a staggering 6.1 blocks per game as a senior. While his team failed to make the Florida FHSAA Class 6A championship game, Henson would still be selected as a McDonald's All-American, an all-state first-team member, and the Tampa Bay Coaches Association Player of the Year. Considered one of the best forwards in the recruiting class, Henson committed to play for the University of North Carolina under legendary coach Roy Williams. In his three seasons as a member of the Tar Heels, Henson would average 10.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 50% from the field. During that time, Henson was one of the top players in the ACC, making the All-ACC second team in his sophomore year and the first team in his junior year, along with winning the ACC Defensive Player of the Year twice.
Henson would forego his final year of eligibility to declare for the 2012 NBA Draft. Henson was selected with the 14th overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks, who he would spend the first six and a half seasons of his career with. In those six years, Henson would average 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 54% from the field. This past season, Henson would be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-team trade, but due to a torn wrist ligament, he wouldn't play following the trade. While he's not the star player he seemed destined to be high school, Henson is still a reliable big man and a solid defender in the league right now.
5. John Wall
Coming from a troubled upbringing, John Wall used basketball as a way to keep him on the right path. After being cut from his school's team in his sophomore year due to attitude problems, Wall transferred to the Word of God Christian Academy. After working on his issues with his coach, Wall was able to blossom and become one of the best high school players in the nation. By his senior year, Wall was among the top of his recruiting class. In his final year of high school, Wall averaged 19.7 points, 9 assists, and over 8 rebounds per game and led Word of God to the North Carolina Class 1A state championship game, only losing after United Faith Christian Academy scored on a 40-foot buzzer-beater. A highly sought after recruit, Wall would commit to the University of Kentucky to play under John Calipari. In his sole season with the Wildcats, Wall would average 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 46% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Additionally, Wall's freshman season would earn him multiple accolades, including the SEC Player & Co-Rookie of the Year, Adolph Rupp Trophy, and an All-American first-team selection.
Wall would be a one-and-done in college, opting to declare for the 2010 NBA Draft and going on to be the 1st overall pick by the Washington Wizards. Wall has spent the entirety of his nine-year career with the Wizards, with current career averages of 19 points, 4.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 43% from the field and 32% from three-point range. Additionally, Wall is a former five-time all-star and a one-time member of the All-Rookie first-team, the All-Defensive second-team, and the All-NBA third-team. It would be hard to argue that Wall not only lived up to but exceeded his ranking, as he's easily one of the top three players from this high school class.
4. DeMarcus Cousins
Right up there with Wall in the top three players to come out of this recruiting class is, coincidentally, his college teammate in DeMarcus Cousins. A five-star recruit coming out of LeFlore Magnet High School in Mobile, Alabama, Cousins ended his high school career with his team coming up short in the Alabama Class 6A state championship game. Cousins' journey to NCAA basketball was quite a rollercoaster. After initially committing to the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) during his junior year, Cousins would rescind that and instead commit to the University of Memphis. That was until Memphis coach John Calipari was hired by Kentucky, and Cousins decided to follow him there. Like Wall, Cousins would play a single season with the Wildcats, averaging 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, a steal and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 56% from the field. Additionally, Cousins would be named Co-SEC Rookie of the Year with Wall and was named to the All-American second-team.
Again, just like Wall, Cousins would forego his final three years of eligibility and declared for the 2010 NBA Draft. He would be selected four picks after Wall, going 5th overall to the Sacramento Kings. Cousins would spend the first six and a half seasons of his career with the Kings, averaging 21.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 46% from the field and 32% from three-point range. During that time, Cousins would be selected to three all-star appearances, made the All-Rookie first team, and made the All-NBA second team twice. Unfortunately, his time with the Kings was probably better known for various incidents resulting in multiple suspensions from both the NBA and the team, including a tense relationship with former Kings' coach Paul Westphal. Midway through the 2016-17 season, Cousins would be traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, teaming him with another star big man in Anthony Davis. Cousins' time in New Orleans was brief, playing only 65 games for the Pelicans over a season and a half before tearing his Achilles. He did, however, earn another all-star selection that season and became the first player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972 to record a 40-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist game. Cousins would sign with an already stacked Golden State Warriors, only playing 30 games for the Warriors due to his injury. Following that season, Cousins would join another superteam in the Los Angeles Lakers. While the last two seasons have since big woes for Boogie, he's still had a strong career and is easily among the best this recruiting class had to offer.
3. Xavier Henry
DeMarcus Cousins wasn't the only player who's college choice was changed following John Calipari's move to Kentucky. There was also Xavier Henry, a top prospect coming out Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City. Henry had already committed to play at the University of Memphis with his brother CJ before the end of his senior year. That year would end with Henry leading his team to an Oklahoma Class 6A state championship win and a change in commitment, instead opting to play at the University of Kansas. Henry would play one season with the Jayhawks, averaging 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 46% from the field and 42% from three-point range, earning a Big 12 All-Freshman team selection thanks to his performance.
Henry would forego the rest of his college eligibility to declare for the 2010 NBA Draft and was selected with the 12th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. Henry would play just 38 games in his rookie season, averaging 4.3 points and a rebound per game while shooting 41% from the field. He wouldn't play the next season until he was traded to the New Orleans Hornets as part of a three-team trade. He'd play two seasons with the Hornets, averaging 4.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game while shooting 40% from the field and 39% from three-point range, while also spending time in the D-League with the Iowa Energy. Henry would sign with the Lakers in the 2013 offseason, also spending time with the D-League's Los Angeles D-Fenders. He'd have the best season of his career, averaging 10 points, 2.7 rebounds, and a steal per game while shooting 42% from the field and 35% from three-point range. He'd re-sign with the Lakers, only to have his season cut short due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Since then, he's played in the D/G-League with both the Santa Cruz Warriors and the Oklahoma City Blue.
2. Derrick Favors
A top-five recruit in just about every ranking of high school prospects, few players were as dominate in high school as Derrick Favors was in his senior year. That year, Favors would average an incredible 28.1 points, 13.3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 5 blocks per game and led South Atlanta High School to a Georgia Class AAA state championship win after putting up 38 points and grabbing 21 rebounds. On top of all that, Favors was named Mr. Georgia Basketball, Mr. Basketball USA, and the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, establishing himself as a huge grab for any college in the country. Before the end of his senior year, Favors would commit to Georgia Tech. In his freshman year, Favors would average 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 61% from the field, earning the ACC Rookie of the Year in the process.
Like the other top five prospects in this class, Favors would only spend a year in college before declaring for the 2010 NBA Draft. Favors would be selected 3rd overall by the New Jersey Nets, but his time in East Rutherford would be brief. After 56 games, Favors was shipped to the Utah Jazz as part of the Deron Williams trade. He would finish out the season with the Jazz, earning an All-Rookie second-team selection along the way, before spending the next eight seasons in Utah. During his time with the Jazz, Favors would average 12.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 53% from the field. Favors' time with the Jazz would come to an end, as he was sent to the Pelicans for two second-round picks. While not as dominant as he was in high school, Favors is still a good big man and a solid piece for a team to have.
1. Avery Bradley
Oak Hill Academy is one of the top basketball schools in the country. For someone to lead a team to beat them, they have to be something special. That player was Avery Bradley, ESPN's #1 ranked high school recruit in 2009. In his senior year, Bradley would take Findlay College Prep in Henderson, Nevada to the National High School Basketball championship to face the famous Oak Hill Academy. Bradley would lead the team to a 56-53 victory and earned Parade Magazine's National High School Basketball Player of the Year Award. Capping off his senior year with a McDonald's All-American selection, Bradley would commit to the University of Texas. In his freshman year, Bradley would average 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 43% from the field and 38% from three-point range. Additionally, Bradley would earn a Big 12 All-Rookie team selection for his performance in his only college season.
Bradley would forego his final three years of eligibility to declare for the 2010 NBA Draft. He would be selected with the 19th overall pick by the Boston Celtics. He would spend the first seven seasons of his career with the Celtics, averaging 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals while shooting 44% from the field and 37% from three-point range. Bradley would also establish himself as a strong defender during his time in Boston, earning an All-Defensive second-team selection in 2013 and a first-team selection in 2016. He would also play for the D-League's Maine Red Claws and in Israel during the 2011 lockout. In 2017, Bradley was traded to the Detroit Pistons for Marcus Morris. Bradley would proceed to play for four teams over the next two years, being traded from the Pistons to Los Angeles Clippers in 2018, then to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019. Bradley would be waived by the Grizzlies before being signed by the Los Angeles Lakers. While he's cooled down over the last few years, Bradley has still had a solid NBA career, as to be expected from the top player in the recruiting class.
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