10 Greatest NBA Players Straight Outta High School

10. Andrew Bynum

Truth in Numbers: 11.5 PTS / 7.7 REB / 1.2 AST / 19.6 PER / 1x All-Star / 1x All-NBA / 2x Champion

Now, I don't want to lose you on the first entry...but you have to remember for a couple seasons Andrew Bynum of the Lakers was arguably the best center in the league. Josh Smith had better averages during a solid 9 years with the Atlanta Hawks, but no rings nor all-star appearances. An argument could be made for JR Smith, Al Harrington and Shawn Livingston, but none of them had the defense nor PER of Bynum.

As a 2004-2005 McDonald's All-American, Andrew Bynum was 17 when he was taken 10th overall by Los Angeles. In his 8 seasons, Bynum only ever completed one 82 game season, and never started more than 65 games. However, between 2009-2012, he averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds culminating in his only all-star and all-NBA honors.

Injuries mostly derailed the 2 time champion, and his lasting legacy will be his part in the massive 4-team Dwight Howard trade. Bynum was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers, never played a single game for them and forced Philly to jumpstart "the Process"