​The news is official: LeBron James is leaving the Lakers. Yet, even as he moves on, he isn’t exiting the league itself. James’s record-setting NBA journey has rewritten history and redefined longevity, a career that began long ago right after high school graduation. Among the elite group of players who jumped straight from high school to the NBA, several have forged enduring careers, with James serving as a prime example. Here are the five longest NBA careers by players who were drafted straight from high school:
1. LeBron James — Seasons in the NBA: 23 and counting
Undoubtedly the standout, the king tops the list. Drafted in 2003 by the Cleveland Cavaliers straight out of St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, James has become the face of the league. His career has spanned the Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers, and with his recent move, he could be headed for another chapter.
2. Kevin Garnett — Seasons in the NBA: 21
Among the earliest to jump from high school to the pros, Garnett left a lasting mark over two decades. After graduating from Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, the 15-time All-Star was taken fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995, earned MVP honors in 2004, and won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. He retired in 2016 and has since rejoined the Timberwolves as a team ambassador.
3. Kobe Bryant — Seasons in the NBA: 20
A perennial GOAT conversation staple, Bryant’s ascent from Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 proved to be a game-changing move. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, becoming a franchise icon and five-time NBA champion before retiring in 2016.
4. Tyson Chandler — Seasons in the NBA: 19
Drafted directly from Manuel Dominguez High School in California to the Chicago Bulls in 2001, Chandler played for eight different teams over nearly two decades, winning a 2011 championship with the Dallas Mavericks. He retired in 2020 and later returned to the game as a player development coach for the Mavericks.
5. Jermaine O’Neal — Seasons in the NBA: 18
Although he never captured a championship ring, O’Neal’s 18-year run stands as a testament to durability. After being drafted 17th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1996—just after Bryant—from Eau Claire High School in South Carolina, he became a six-time All-Star and a key figure for the Indiana Pacers. He retired in 2014 and now runs Dynamic Prep, a high school basketball academy in Texas.
This recap, originally published by USA TODAY, highlights that LeBron isn’t the sole high school draftee with a career of unusual length and impact.