2003 NBA draft

The 2003 NBA draft was held on June 26, 2003, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The NBA announced that 41 college and high school players and a record 31 international players had filed as early-entry candidates for the (/wiki/2003–04NBAseason) NBA draft. The Cleveland Cavaliers, who had a 22.50 percent probability of obtaining the first selection, won the NBA draft lottery on May 22, and Cleveland chairman Gordon Gund said afterward his team would select LeBron James, and they did. The Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets were second and third, respectively. This draft was the first draft to be aired on ESPN after they picked up the license from TNT.

Source: Wikipedia

Article

2003 NBA draft

The 2003 draftees represented one of the deepest talent pools in NBA history. The draft contained 15 players who combined for 26 championships. Four of the top five picks were NBA All-Stars and "Redeem Team" Olympic Gold Medalists: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and James, while three of those top five—James, Wade, and Bosh—were members of the Miami Heat Big Three. Nine of the players drafted were named All-Stars at least once. As of 2026, James is the last remaining active player from this draft class, having held this distinction since Anthony's retirement in 2023.

Overview

2003 NBA draft

Four of the top five picks of the 2003 draft became NBA All-Stars and "Redeem Team" Olympic Gold Medalists: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James, while three of those top 5—James, Wade, and Bosh—were each selected as the 1st, 4th, and 5th picks in the draft respectively, and became scoring leaders for their respective franchises over their first seven seasons before they all formed a superteam together for the Miami Heat named the Big Three, also known as the Heatles, from the 2010–11 season to the 2013–14 season. During the trio's four seasons together, the Heat advanced to the NBA Finals each year and won two NBA championships. James won NBA Most Valuable Player awards in 2012 and 2013 and was named to the All-NBA First Team in all four seasons, while Wade was All-NBA Second Team in 2011 and All-NBA Third Team in 2012 and 2013. All three of Bosh, Wade, and James were NBA All-Stars during all four seasons together. Nine players have participated in an All-Star Game. Dwyane Wade was named NBA Finals MVP in (/wiki/2006NBAFinals) and won NBA championships with the Miami Heat in 2006, 2012 and 2013, as well as the NBA All Star Game MVP in (/wiki/2009–10NBAseason). Boris Diaw won the Most Improved Player Award in (/wiki/2005–06NBAseason), Jason Kapono won the three point contest in back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008, James Jones won the three point contest in 2011, Leandro Barbosa won the Sixth Man Award in (/wiki/2006–07NBAseason), Kyle Korver set the NBA record for three point shooting percentage in (/wiki/2009–10NBAseason) (53.6%), and in the (/wiki/2008–09NBAseason), (/wiki/2009–10NBAseason), (/wiki/2011–12NBAseason), and (/wiki/2012–13NBAseason) seasons, LeBron James won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, and the NBA Finals MVP in (/wiki/2012NBAFinals), (/wiki/2013NBAFinals), (/wiki/2016NBAFinals), and (/wiki/2020NBAFinals). Carmelo Anthony won the 2013 NBA scoring title and was the only player in NBA history to win at least three Olympic gold medals until Kevin Durant won his third one in (/wiki/2020UnitedStatesmen'sOlympicbasketballteam). Zaza Pachulia and David West won NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. Matt Bonner won NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs in 2007 and 2014. Dahntay Jones and Mo Williams won the NBA championship in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Luke Walton won three NBA championships, two as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 and one as an assistant coach with the Warriors in 2015. Chris Bosh left the Toronto Raptors in 2010 as its all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, double doubles, free throws made and attempted, and minutes played; he went on to win championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013.

The 2003 draft class has drawn comparisons to the (/wiki/1984NBAdraft) and 1996 NBA draft classes but is also known for the Detroit Pistons' selection of Darko Miličić with the second overall pick over other prospects who went on to have much more success in the league. As of 2026, LeBron James is the only remaining active player from the 2003 draft class.

Eleven of the players selected in this draft never played in an NBA game throughout their professional basketball careers. Two of those players were the sole selection of the draft by their respective teams: Malick Badiane (Houston's only pick) and Paccelis Morlende (Philadelphia's only pick).

Draft selections

2003 NBA draft

LeBron James was one of the most anticipated first overall draft picks in the history of any sport. He is the second high school draftee to be a first overall pick, the first being Kwame Brown in 2001, and was followed by Dwight Howard in 2004.

Darko Miličić was selected 2nd overall by the Detroit Pistons; however, he never played at the level expected of him in the NBA and is widely considered a draft bust.

Carmelo Anthony was selected 3rd overall by the Denver Nuggets.

Chris Bosh, selected 4th overall by the Toronto Raptors, was the first member of the draft class to be elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Dwyane Wade was selected 5th overall by the Miami Heat.

Chris Kaman was selected 6th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.

David West was selected 18th overall by the New Orleans Hornets.

Josh Howard was selected 29th overall by the Dallas Mavericks.

Mo Williams was selected 47th overall by the Utah Jazz.

Kyle Korver was selected 51st overall by the New Jersey Nets (traded to the Philadelphia 76ers).

<table><thead><tr><th>^</th><th>Denotes player who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game and All-NBA Team</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game</td></tr><tr><td>#</td><td>Denotes player who has never appeared in an NBA regular-season or playoff game</td></tr><tr><td>~</td><td>Denotes player who has been selected as Rookie of the Year</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Round</th><th>Pick</th><th>Player</th><th>Position</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Team</th><th>School/club team</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>LeBron James~</td><td>SF/PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Cleveland Cavaliers</td><td>St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (Akron, Ohio)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>Darko Miličić</td><td>C</td><td> Serbia and Montenegro</td><td>Detroit Pistons (from Memphis)</td><td>Hemofarm Vršac (Serbia and Montenegro)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>Carmelo Anthony^</td><td>SF/PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Denver Nuggets</td><td>Syracuse (Fr.)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>Chris Bosh^</td><td>PF/C</td><td> United States</td><td>Toronto Raptors</td><td>Georgia Tech (Fr.)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>Dwyane Wade^</td><td>SG</td><td> United States</td><td>Miami Heat</td><td>Marquette (Jr.)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>Chris Kaman+</td><td>C</td><td> United States</td><td>Los Angeles Clippers</td><td>Central Michigan (Jr.)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>7</td><td>Kirk Hinrich</td><td>PG</td><td> United States</td><td>Chicago Bulls</td><td>Kansas (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>8</td><td>T. J. Ford</td><td>PG</td><td> United States</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks (from Atlanta)</td><td>Texas (So.)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>9</td><td>Michael Sweetney</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>New York Knicks</td><td>Georgetown (Jr.)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>10</td><td>Jarvis Hayes</td><td>F/G</td><td> United States</td><td>Washington Wizards</td><td>Georgia (Jr.)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>11</td><td>Mickaël Piétrus</td><td>G/F</td><td> France</td><td>Golden State Warriors</td><td>Pau-Orthez (France)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>12</td><td>Nick Collison</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Seattle SuperSonics</td><td>Kansas (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>13</td><td>Marcus Banks</td><td>PG</td><td> United States</td><td>Memphis Grizzlies (from Houston, traded to Boston)</td><td>UNLV (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>14</td><td>Luke Ridnour</td><td>PG</td><td> United States</td><td>Seattle SuperSonics (from Milwaukee)</td><td>Oregon (Jr)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>15</td><td>Reece Gaines</td><td>F/G</td><td> United States</td><td>Orlando Magic</td><td>Louisville (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>16</td><td>Troy Bell</td><td>PG</td><td> United States</td><td>Boston Celtics (traded to Memphis)</td><td>Boston College (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>17</td><td>Žarko Čabarkapa</td><td>SF</td><td> Serbia and Montenegro</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>Budućnost Podgorica (Serbia and Montenegro and Adriatic League)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>18</td><td>David West+</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>New Orleans Hornets</td><td>Xavier (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>19</td><td>Sasha Pavlović</td><td>F/G</td><td> Serbia and Montenegro</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>Budućnost Podgorica (Serbia and Montenegro and Adriatic League)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>20</td><td>Dahntay Jones</td><td>SG</td><td> United States</td><td>Boston Celtics (from Philadelphia, traded to Memphis)</td><td>Duke (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>21</td><td>Boris Diaw</td><td>PF</td><td> France</td><td>Atlanta Hawks (from Indiana)</td><td>Pau-Orthez (France)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>22</td><td>Zoran Planinić</td><td>G/F</td><td> Croatia</td><td>New Jersey Nets</td><td>Cibona Zagreb (Croatia and Adriatic League)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>23</td><td>Travis Outlaw</td><td>SF</td><td> United States</td><td>Portland Trail Blazers</td><td>Starkville HS (Starkville, Mississippi)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>24</td><td>Brian Cook</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>Illinois (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>25</td><td>Carlos Delfino</td><td>SG</td><td> Argentina</td><td>Detroit Pistons</td><td>Skipper Bologna (Italy)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>26</td><td>Ndudi Ebi</td><td>SF</td><td> United Kingdom Nigeria</td><td>Minnesota Timberwolves</td><td>Westbury Christian HS (Houston, Texas)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>27</td><td>Kendrick Perkins</td><td>C</td><td> United States</td><td>Memphis Grizzlies (from Sacramento via Orlando, traded to Boston)</td><td>Ozen HS (Beaumont, Texas)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>28</td><td>Leandro Barbosa</td><td>SG</td><td> Brazil</td><td>San Antonio Spurs (traded to Phoenix)</td><td>Bauru Tilibra (Brazil)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>29</td><td>Josh Howard+</td><td>F/G</td><td> United States</td><td>Dallas Mavericks</td><td>Wake Forest (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>30</td><td>Maciej Lampe</td><td>PF</td><td> Poland</td><td>New York Knicks (from Denver)</td><td>Complutense University of Madrid (Spain)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>31</td><td>Jason Kapono</td><td>F/G</td><td> United States</td><td>Cleveland Cavaliers</td><td>UCLA (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>32</td><td>Luke Walton</td><td>SF</td><td> United States</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers (from Toronto)</td><td>Arizona (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>33</td><td>Jerome Beasley</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Miami Heat</td><td>North Dakota (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>34</td><td>Sofoklis Schortsanitis#</td><td>C</td><td> Greece</td><td>Los Angeles Clippers</td><td>Iraklis BC (Greece)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>35</td><td>Szymon Szewczyk#</td><td>PF</td><td> Poland</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks (from Memphis)</td><td>Braunschweig (Germany)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>36</td><td>Mario Austin#</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Chicago Bulls</td><td>Mississippi State (Jr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>37</td><td>Travis Hansen</td><td>SG</td><td> United States</td><td>Atlanta Hawks</td><td>BYU (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>38</td><td>Steve Blake</td><td>PG</td><td> United States</td><td>Washington Wizards</td><td>Maryland (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>39</td><td>Slavko Vraneš</td><td>C</td><td> Serbia and Montenegro</td><td>New York Knicks</td><td>Budućnost Podgorica (Serbia and Montenegro and Adriatic League)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>40</td><td>Derrick Zimmerman</td><td>PG</td><td> United States</td><td>Golden State Warriors</td><td>Mississippi State (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>41</td><td>Willie Green</td><td>SG</td><td> United States</td><td>Seattle SuperSonics (traded to Philadelphia)</td><td>Detroit (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>42</td><td>Zaza Pachulia</td><td>PF</td><td>Georgia</td><td>Orlando Magic</td><td>Ülkerspor (Turkey)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>43</td><td>Keith Bogans</td><td>SG</td><td> United States</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks (traded to Orlando)</td><td>Kentucky (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>44</td><td>Malick Badiane#</td><td>PF</td><td> Senegal</td><td>Houston Rockets</td><td>Langen (Germany)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>45</td><td>Matt Bonner</td><td>F</td><td> United States</td><td>Chicago Bulls (from Phoenix, traded to Toronto)</td><td>Florida (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>46</td><td>Sani Bečirović#</td><td>SG</td><td> Slovenia</td><td>Denver Nuggets (from Boston)</td><td>Virtus Bologna (Italy)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>47</td><td>Mo Williams+</td><td>PG</td><td> United States</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>Alabama (So)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>48</td><td>James Lang</td><td>C</td><td> United States</td><td>New Orleans Hornets</td><td>Central Park Christian HS (Birmingham, Alabama)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>49</td><td>James Jones</td><td>SF</td><td> United States</td><td>Indiana Pacers</td><td>Miami (Florida) (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>50</td><td>Paccelis Morlende#</td><td>PG</td><td> France</td><td>Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Seattle)</td><td>Dijon (France)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>51</td><td>Kyle Korver+</td><td>SG</td><td> United States</td><td>New Jersey Nets (traded to Philadelphia)</td><td>Creighton (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>52</td><td>Remon van de Hare</td><td>C</td><td> Netherlands</td><td>Toronto Raptors (from Los Angeles Lakers)</td><td>FC Barcelona (Spain)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>53</td><td>Tommy Smith#</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Chicago Bulls (from Detroit via Miami)</td><td>Arizona State (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>54</td><td>Nedžad Sinanović#</td><td>C</td><td> Bosnia and Herzegovina</td><td>Portland Trail Blazers</td><td>Brotnjo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>55</td><td>Rick Rickert#</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Minnesota Timberwolves</td><td>Minnesota (So)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>56</td><td>Brandon Hunter</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Boston Celtics (from Sacramento)</td><td>Ohio (Sr)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>57</td><td>Xue Yuyang#</td><td>C</td><td> China</td><td>Dallas Mavericks (traded to Denver)</td><td>Hong Kong Flying Dragons (China)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>58</td><td>Andreas Glyniadakis</td><td>C</td><td> Greece</td><td>Detroit Pistons (from San Antonio)</td><td>AEK (Greece)</td></tr></tbody></table>

^ a: Chris Kaman was born in the United States, but also has German citizenship through his great-grandparents and competes internationally for Germany.

Notable undrafted players

2003 NBA draft

These players were not selected in the 2003 NBA draft, but have played at least one game in the NBA.

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Position</th><th>Nationality</th><th>School/club team</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Earl Barron</td><td>C</td><td> United States</td><td>Memphis (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Kevin Burleson</td><td>PG</td><td> United States</td><td>Minnesota (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>José Calderón</td><td>PG</td><td> Spain</td><td>Tau Cerámica (Spain)</td></tr><tr><td>Matt Carroll</td><td>SG</td><td> United States</td><td>Notre Dame (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Marquis Daniels</td><td>SG</td><td> United States</td><td>Auburn (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Ronald Dupree</td><td>SF</td><td> United States</td><td>LSU (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Noel Felix</td><td>PF</td><td> United States Belize</td><td>Fresno State (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Hiram Fuller</td><td>PF</td><td> United States Libya</td><td>Fresno State (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Britton Johnsen</td><td>SF/PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Utah (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Desmond Penigar</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Utah State (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Kirk Penney</td><td>SG/SF</td><td> New Zealand</td><td>Wisconsin (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Josh Powell</td><td>PF</td><td> United States</td><td>NC State (So.)</td></tr><tr><td>Kasib Powell</td><td>SF</td><td> United States</td><td>Texas Tech (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Quinton Ross</td><td>SG</td><td> United States</td><td>SMU (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Melvin Sanders</td><td>SG/SF</td><td> United States</td><td>Oklahoma State (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>James Singleton</td><td>SF/PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Murray State (Sr.)</td></tr><tr><td>Theron Smith</td><td>SF/PF</td><td> United States</td><td>Ball State (Sr.)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Draft lottery

2003 NBA draft

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>2002–03 record</th><th>Lottery</th><th>Lottery probabilities</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1st</td><td>2nd</td><td>3rd</td><td>4th</td><td>5th</td><td>6th</td><td>7th</td><td>8th</td><td>9th</td><td>10th</td><td>11th</td><td>12th</td><td>13th</td></tr><tr><td>Cleveland Cavaliers</td><td>17–65</td><td>225</td><td>.225^</td><td>.215</td><td>.178</td><td>.357</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets</td><td>17–65</td><td>225</td><td>.225</td><td>.188</td><td>.171^</td><td>.319</td><td>.123</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto Raptors</td><td>24–58</td><td>157</td><td>.157</td><td>.157</td><td>.156</td><td>.226^</td><td>.265</td><td>.040</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat</td><td>25–57</td><td>120</td><td>.120</td><td>.126</td><td>.133</td><td>.099</td><td>.350^</td><td>.161</td><td>.013</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Clippers</td><td>28–54</td><td>89</td><td>.089</td><td>.097</td><td>.107</td><td>—</td><td>.261</td><td>.360^</td><td>.084</td><td>.004</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>Memphis Grizzlies</td><td>28–54</td><td>64</td><td>.064</td><td>.071^</td><td>.081</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>.440</td><td>.304</td><td>.040</td><td>.001</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls</td><td>30–52</td><td>44</td><td>.044</td><td>.049</td><td>.058</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>.599^</td><td>.232</td><td>.018</td><td>.000</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks</td><td>35–47</td><td>29</td><td>.029</td><td>.022</td><td>.027</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>.724^</td><td>.197</td><td>.011</td><td>.000</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks</td><td>37–45</td><td>15</td><td>.015</td><td>.022</td><td>.027</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>.784^</td><td>.143</td><td>.005</td><td>.000</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>Washington Wizards</td><td>37–45</td><td>14</td><td>.014</td><td>.021</td><td>.025</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>.846^</td><td>.087</td><td>.002</td><td>.000</td></tr><tr><td>Golden State Warriors</td><td>38–44</td><td>7</td><td>.007</td><td>.009</td><td>.012</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>.907^</td><td>.063</td><td>.001</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics</td><td>40–42</td><td>6</td><td>.006</td><td>.008</td><td>.010</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>.935^</td><td>.039</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets</td><td>43–39</td><td>5</td><td>.005</td><td>.007</td><td>.009</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>.960^</td></tr></tbody></table>

Early entrants

College underclassmen

In terms of underclassmen declaring for this year's draft, the number of players available for entry this year would increase up to 73 after previously being down a bit the previous year. However, it would also see the most withdrawn entries from underclassmen either in college, overseas, or even high school in the case of Charlie Villanueva with 27 total people doing exactly that. As such, there would actually be 46 underclassmen that qualified as such for this year's draft, which would be an overall step down when compared to last year's official number of underclassmen entering the NBA draft. The following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance.

High school players

This would be the ninth straight year in a row where at least one high school player would declare their entry into the NBA draft directly out of high school after previously only allowing it one time back in (/wiki/1975NBAdraft). However, it would be one of the most famous ones due to the entry of high school phenom LeBron James entering the NBA draft this year, being the second high schooler to be drafted at #1 behind only Kwame Brown back in (/wiki/2001NBAdraft), as well as being the second high schooler to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award behind Amar'e Stoudemire only a year prior. This draft also saw a high schooler named Charlie Villanueva initially enter for the NBA draft, but withdraw his name and go to college before the draft began. The following high school players successfully applied for early draft entrance.

International players

The following international players successfully applied for early draft entrance.