The NBA’s “one-and-done” rule was instituted in 2005, forcing players to be a year removed from high school graduation and 19 years old before entering the draft. Since then, only two players have come from high school directly to the NBA, as Satnam Singh (2015) and Thon Maker (2016) were each ruled eligible after participating as fifth-year players at their prep schools.
The 2018 NBA Draft appears set for a similar situation, except for the first time it won’t be an international prospect that has come to the states for high school. Anfernee Simons, a five-star shooting guard out of IMG Academy in Florida, is considered one of the top college prospects for next year, but as ESPN’s Jonathan Givony uncovered, the guard will be draft eligible this summer and is considering entering.
Simons reclassified when he was a sophomore and, like Singh, is a fifth-year participant at IMG having graduated high school last year. He will also turn 19 in June, meaning he meets the NBA’s requirements to enter the 2018 Draft. While Simons can enter the draft, there will certainly be questions from NBA teams about whether he’s physically ready to make the jump. He’s listed on 247Sports at 6’3, 165 pounds, which is exceptionally thin for someone trying to head to the NBA level.
Simons told Givony that, if the opportunity is there and teams show interest, he will seriously consider it, but did note those question marks regarding his size.
“Some people have brought it to my attention,” Simons told ESPN during an interview in Connecticut, where his team was participating in the National Prep Showcase. “As long as the opportunity is there, I will do it.
“I can see myself going to the NBA combine, if I have enough teams to actually invite me or recommend me for the combine and enough teams want to bring me for workouts. I really need to hit the weight room hard and get a little stronger.”
Despite questionsa bout his size, entering this year’s draft could be a legitimate choice for Simons because of the lack of strength at the guard position at the top of this year’s draft. He’s the top-rated combo guard on 247Sports and beyond Luka Doncic, there’s not much in the way of top level shooting guards in this year’s draft. Our first mock draft from Brad Rowland projects only five backcourt players, including Doncic, going in the lottery.
Simons would have to weigh the pros and cons of coming out this year compared to going to college and getting the chance to prove himself against better competition and also have the chance to spend a full year in a college weight room, but the option is open to him and will be an interesting story to watch as the draft process heats up next spring.
