Kendrick Le'Dale Perkins is a former American professional basketball player who is a sports analyst for ESPN. He entered the NBA directly out of high school and played for the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Pelicans, winning the NBA Championship in 2008 with the Celtics.
Perkins with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2011
Perkins (right) dunking over Brendan Haywood of the Washington Wizards
The NBA high school draftees are players who have been drafted to the National Basketball Association (NBA) straight out of high school. The process of jumping directly from high school basketball to the professional level is also known as going prep-to-pro. Since 2006, the practice of drafting high school players has been prohibited by the new collective bargaining agreement, which requires that players who enter the draft be 19 years of age or older and at least one year removed from high school.
Kevin Garnett's high-profile migration from high school to the NBA in 1995 prompted many high schoolers to follow in his footsteps
Kobe Bryant was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996.
Jermaine O'Neal was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1996.
Tracy McGrady was selected by the Toronto Raptors in 1997.
