Coach John Calipari and the University of Kentucky popularized the one-and-done phenomenon after the NBA set a minimum age requirement of 19, one year removed from high school, for players to be eligible for the NBA Draft in 2006. Because of this, high school stars were forced to play one season in college before declaring for the draft to satisfy the NBA’s guidelines.
And so we saw the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall, Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jamal Murray, Bam Adebayo, Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox, Jared Vanderbilt, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Maxey, and Cason Wallace leave the Wildcats after their freshman year.
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Back in 2017, Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar criticized the one-and-done rule, saying kids no longer go to college for education, as they merely enroll to gain exposure while waiting to become draft-eligible. KAJ added that even the one year in college isn’t really one year, but way less than 365 days.
“They’re there less than six months,” he said. “It’s not even six months, and they’re gone. It’s a travesty, I think.”
Using college as a stepping stone
It’s easy to see why Abdul-Jabbar opposes the one-and-done. He played college ball until his senior season at UCLA, and not only was he NBA-ready when he entered the draft, but he also finished his college course before playing in the association. But a lot has changed since then, especially since the 2006 rule was implemented.
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That year, when KAJ was interviewed, 10 out of the first 13 picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, including the first seven, were freshmen. Overall, 14 out of the Top 20 picks in the 2017 NBA Draft were college freshmen, led by No.1 pick Markelle Fultz, No.2 Lonzo Ball, and No.3 Jayson Tatum.
One year later, the NBA saw a record 18 one-and-done kids get drafted. Nine of the Top 10 picks were college freshmen, with only Luka Doncic the exception. Last year, only one Top 10 pick wasn’t a college freshman, and that was Collin Murray-Boyles, who was picked 9th overall.
“They’re just using the college system as a stepping stone to the NBA, and that’s really unfortunate. I think an education is vital to having a good life, and these guys aren’t getting that opportunity. It’s sad,” Kareem added.
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MJ is also against kids leaving college early
Abdul-Jabbar isn’t the only all-time great against kids leaving college early. During his 2005 interview with Cigar Afficionado, Michael Jordan also suggested that players must be at least 20 years old to be allowed into the NBA.
But while Kareem emphasized the value of college education, Michael talked about how playing for a good college basketball program for more than a year can help prepare these young players for what is to come in the NBA.
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“Anything less than that is potentially bad,”explained Jordan. “You’ve got a lot of things you have to take into consideration. The lifestyle. Just the mental and physical demands of the NBA that these kids are going to be dealing with are tough. And their whole maturity level, not only for basketball but on the personal side, too, has to be taken into account.”
“If I had been a freshman or even a sophomore, no matter how good I was, I don’t know if I would have been ready for what I had to deal with in the professional ranks. But you’ve got more and more young guys doing it. I am a firm believer that something is affected by leaving college early, or not going to college at all,” he added.
Both KAJ and MJ have valid arguments for opposing the one-and-done rule. However, the phenomenon is stronger than ever as the first ten picks in the 2026 NBA Draft are expected to be freshmen.
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Related: “No one compares” – Alfonso Ribeiro breaks down why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the GOAT
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
