High School Stars

Imagine a world where the phenom that became Kobe Bryant was already a household name even before the NBA Draft. Well, Kobe isn't the player but we are living that world here and now. The introduction of sites like HoopMixtape, Ballislife, and other basketball highlight sites have kids as young as 12 making a name for themselves on social media and the internet. In the 80s and 90s, you started to see some broadcasts of high school basketball like the McDonald's All-American Game, which gives a glimpse of who the future stars could be but there still wasn't a lot of publicity around players unless they were a top college player. Nowadays players like Zion Williamson or RJ Barrett already had thousands of followers and social media views from his high-flying dunks and blocks that he did in high school as a sophomore. The culture around basketball and basketball recruiting has changed drastically in the modern era. No longer are players first mentioned in national sports coverage as "the top pick in the draft" out of college, rather players that make lists like the ESPN 100 list are getting recognition on a national scale before they can even drive. Some players are even talked about as NBA prospects as much as they are collegiate prospects. I don't think there's anything wrong with this, but it is fascinating to experience. Even when I was in high school, there were kids younger than me making more of a name for themselves then I will in possibly my whole life. The biggest issue I have is that often these players just want to be high school kids. Live their lives normally and play the game they love. Some players may feel that their future is already being shaped in front of them before they even play a game in college. All of this has also raised the question of if players can join the NBA Draft straight out of high school like in previous years. Personally, I think the development in the college game can teach a lot to young players so the one-and-done rule should remain in effect. Social media can make anyone a star instantly, so gone are the days of dreaming of NBA stardom and glory, because the next big thing is being a high school phenom.