Is It Possible To Play In The NBA Without College?

It is not easy to make it onto a professional basketball team, but it is achievable. Focusing your goals on the NBA, whether in college or not, can help you develop your skills, so don’t be reluctant to dream big. If you’re wondering if you can play in the NBA without going to college, we’ve got you covered!

Is It Possible To Play In The NBA Without College?

Is It Possible To Play In The NBA Without College?

It’s possible to play in the NBA without going to college. The NBA’s system states that one must be one year away from college entry to be recruited. That is, between the time one completes high school and the time he/she joined the League, at least one complete NBA season had to pass.

In other words, you don’t have to go to college to play in the NBA, but you must be at least 19 years old. Furthermore, the association selects players who are eligible and want to join the league and also looks at other factors when choosing people.

Things NBA Scouts Look For In Prospective Players.

The NBA only accepts a few players every year, and during the recruitment stage, they focus on specific skills and characteristics. Here are a few examples:

The vertical and athletic ability

The athletic ability of a player will be scrutinized by NBA scouts. This is because a game is meant to be won, and teams must have the best players to achieve that. They do this to know if a player can easily hit the net. Not to mention their ability to jump in the lane to score over an attacker and catch the ball if required. Therefore, bouncing vertically is useless if you don’t have enough necessary lateral movements.

Speed and agility

If a player lacks the lateral agility to get to the hoop, he or she will never get there. This eliminates the possibility of them tripping over openings on the ground. Coaches, on the other hand, are looking for fast body control and rapid agility.

Speed of Dribbling

They search for players that have a quick breakaway speed and a good first step with the ball. It is for this reason that lateral quickness is so crucial. A player’s footwork must be considered when moving with purpose when handling the ball.

Those with good first steps with the ball are difficult to protect because they can easily turn around the defense, whereas players with quick free kick speeds are tough to stop.

Scoring skill

Given that the team with the highest point total wins the play, this is a skill that scouts will notice right away. Players who can strike with either hand attract recruiters. They will observe when a player makes a correct jump one shot and then a moved layup next.

The ability for a Jump Shot

If a player has a remarkably consistent high jump, they will catch a coach’s attention. Coaches will notice a player’s good aim and excellent aiming technique, as well as his rapid release. They will, however, keep a watch on individuals who have the potential to improve their shooting.

Excellent Behavior

While physical attributes are crucial to NBA observers, they will also consider a player’s attitude. Because it’s not an outward attribute like dribbling ability, this element of the draft process is a little more difficult. While observing a player on the field, recruiters search for specific physical qualities.

People who can be coached

Those who can take any advice are very likely to be accepted. Recruiters look at a player’s coachability because they want someone ready to learn and do the best for the team.

Basketball Players Who Didn’t Attend College

Below are some of the players:

  • Moses Malone.
  • Darryl Dawkins & Bill Willoughby.
  • Kevin Garnett.
  • Kobe Bryant.
  • Kwame Brown.
  • Korleone Young. 
  • Eddy Curry.
  • Johnathan Bender.
  • Darius Miles.
  • LeBron James.

NOTE: The NBA has decided that athletes must be at least a year after high school before joining the Nba season. This has caused numerous athletes to reconsider their options: attend college for a year or completely avoid it entirely and either play for the national team in another nation or focus on working out with experienced trainers in preparation for the NBA Draft.

Conclusion

Playing for the NBA has nothing to do with college qualifications. Without a college diploma, one can play in the NBA, but one must be 19 years old and have a good personality. However, the players that have all are the ones that will advance to the next level. You will benefit from the aforementioned abilities.

FAQS

Is it possible for anyone to try out for the NBA?

You can’t try out for the NBA right away. This is due to the NBA League’s open tryouts. You have a possibility of making the NBA if you are signed by the franchise. But keep in mind that you must have the necessary expertise.

Is there a minimum height basis for NBA players?

Basketball, like other sports, is a game for tall people. On a basketball floor, though, these normal heights would make you the shortest player. An average NBA center is around 7 feet tall. Players, who are the shortest athletes in the game, are frequently taller than 6 feet.

Is it hard to get into the NBA?

Basketball is the sport that demands the most skill to play of any other sport on the planet. It takes a lot of skill to be able to throw the ball in a basketball with complete control while moving at speed and making the effort to shoot,  and regularly score a goal.

That’s, the players aren’t birthed prepared to play in the league. As a result, height and inherent ability aid in the process. However, reaching far enough to be in the basketball league to join the association requires a lot of effort over time.

What is the average salary of NBA players?

NBA players make a substantial sum of money. They are paid an average of $7.5 million per year. The average pay is $3.8 million.