Kevin Garnett skipped college partially out of necessity, but also perhaps because he realized that it was just an extra, intermediate step toward his ultimate goal. Convention was the only thing holding him back, and when you're as gifted as young K.G. was, that's not much of an impediment. Read more »

The NBA is the only organization in America with the prestige, the cultural capital and the incentive to spearhead a more tightly regulated youth club system that prioritizes the safety and skill development of players. Read more »

Zion Williamson is a remarkable athlete who has shown glimpses of a very appealing skill-set as a shot creator from the perimeter. The question now becomes how exactly does he fit in a team that doesn't exist with the sole purpose of giving him the ball. Read more »

It's crucial to remember that when it comes to a developmental system in basketball, a perfect solution doesn't exist. But a better one certainly does. Read more »

On Josh Green, Sekou Doumbouya, Paul Eboua, AJ Lawson, Luka Samanic and the other top prospects of the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp. Read more »

While it was largely the Michael Porter Jr. show this week, Wendell Carter Jr., Mohamed Bamba, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Collin Sexton had notable showings. Read more »

LaVar is preceding his sons' feats with a reel of hyperbolic myth-making that turns them into more than athletes. Before any of them have taken a shot in the NBA, the Ball family have already become legend. Read more »

There are three parties in this equation: The NCAA (and their coaches), the NBA, and the players. They all have money to make or lose under any system. Read more »

Since the NBA instituted the current age limit, experienced college players and high school superstars have been replaced atop the draft with one-and-done supernovas. This year's different with Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn, Denzel Valentine and others. Read more »

The usual suspects of Jayson Tatum, De’Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo shined the most as future NBA lottery picks for 2017 in the same building they will likely be drafted in come 14 months from now. Read more »

On Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, Jonathan Isaac, De'Aaron Fox, Markelle Fultz, DeAndre Ayton, Terrance Ferguson, Wenyen Gabriel and the other notables for the 2016 Nike Hoop Summit. Read more »

Guys like Cliff Alexander are why the one-and-done rule exists and they are why the NBA is going to fight to extend it to two seasons during the next CBA. Read more »

The depth of future lottery talent in the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit wasn't as strong as past seasons, including last year's edition that comprises a good percentage of the draft crop, but there are three potential franchise-changing talents in Skal Labissiere, Ben Simmons and Jaylen Brown. Read more »

T.J. Warren is the first player drafted that worked directly with David West through his AAU Garner Road Basketball Club program. Read more »

Damian Lillard, Stephen Curry, Paul Millsap, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Roy Hibbert were given three or fewer stars coming out of high school. Read more »

While Dante Exum isn’t quite as long and athletic as Andrew Wiggins, he’s far more skilled. He’s an elite athlete in his own right and plays with more poise. You have to play Trading Places with these guys - what would have happened if Exum was on the AAU circuit every summer and Wiggins was in the AIS? Read more »

The Nike Hoop Summit is the best of the high school All-Star games. Something happens when players put on the Team USA uniform. This isn’t just an all-star dunk contest. You get to see a little bit more of the player’s character. Read more »