The one-and-done era of NBA basketball

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Images

Cooper Flagg of the Duke University Blue Devils, wearing jersey number 2, dribbles a basketball during an NCAA tournament game against the University of Alabama.

Spencer Haywood, wearing number 31 for the Los Angeles Lakers, prepares to shoot a free throw during a basketball game.

Greg Oden of the Portland Trail Blazers, wearing jersey number 52, looks over his shoulder on the basketball court during a game.

Kevin Durant, wearing a Phoenix Suns jersey with number 35, prepares to shoot a free throw during an NBA game against the Houston Rockets.

Derrick Rose, wearing a light blue Memphis Grizzlies jersey with number 23, dribbles a basketball during a game, with spectators visible in the background.

Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers prepares to shoot a free throw during a basketball game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.

Michael Beasley of the Miami Heat holds the basketball while being closely guarded by Joe Smith of the Atlanta Hawks during an NBA game at Philips Arena.

Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles a basketball up the court during a playoff game, wearing a navy blue jersey with number 11.

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, wearing a yellow jersey, protects the basketball while being guarded closely by Wendell Carter Jr. of the Orlando Magic in a blue jersey.

Karl-Anthony Towns wearing a Minnesota Timberwolves jersey with number 32 stands on the basketball court with his hands on his hips during a game.

The one-and-done era of NBA basketball: Media

Since 2006 the best hoops prospects have spent one year in college before turning pro

Images

Cooper Flagg of the Duke University Blue Devils, wearing jersey number 2, dribbles a basketball during an NCAA tournament game against the University of Alabama.

Cooper Flagg

American basketball player Cooper Flagg playing for Duke University during March...

© Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Spencer Haywood, wearing number 31 for the Los Angeles Lakers, prepares to shoot a free throw during a basketball game.

Spencer Haywood

Spencer Haywood of the Los Angeles Lakers shooting a free throw during an NBA game,...

Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Greg Oden of the Portland Trail Blazers, wearing jersey number 52, looks over his shoulder on the basketball court during a game.

Greg Oden

Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, 2008.

© Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Kevin Durant, wearing a Phoenix Suns jersey with number 35, prepares to shoot a free throw during an NBA game against the Houston Rockets.

Kevin Durant

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant shooting a free throw in a game, 2024.

© Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Derrick Rose, wearing a light blue Memphis Grizzlies jersey with number 23, dribbles a basketball during a game, with spectators visible in the background.

Derrick Rose

American basketball player Derrick Rose of the Memphis Grizzlies handling the ball...

© Justin Ford/Getty Images

Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers prepares to shoot a free throw during a basketball game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.

Kevin Love

American basketball player Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers, 2020.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Sport

Michael Beasley of the Miami Heat holds the basketball while being closely guarded by Joe Smith of the Atlanta Hawks during an NBA game at Philips Arena.

Michael Beasley

Miami Heat power forward Michael Beasley, 2009.

© Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles a basketball up the court during a playoff game, wearing a navy blue jersey with number 11.

Kyrie Irving

Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving, 2023.

© Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, wearing a yellow jersey, protects the basketball while being guarded closely by Wendell Carter Jr. of the Orlando Magic in a blue jersey.

Anthony Davis

Basketball star Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers being defended by Wendell...

© Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

Karl-Anthony Towns wearing a Minnesota Timberwolves jersey with number 32 stands on the basketball court with his hands on his hips during a game.

Karl-Anthony Towns

Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns, 2016.

© Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles a basketball up the court in a white uniform and bright pink shoes during a game against the Sacramento Kings.

Zion Williamson

American basketball player Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans, 2023.

© Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Cooper Flagg, wearing jersey 31, leaps to score a basket while being fouled by Bam Adebayo, jersey 13, during a USA Basketball practice scrimmage in a gym.

Playing against the pros

A 17-year-old Cooper Flagg going for a dunk against Bam Adebayo in Las Vegas, July...

© Ethan Miller/Getty Images