In basketball, the term "One-and-Done" refers to a rule that requires players to be at least 19 years old and one year removed from high school to be eligible for the NBA Draft.
This means that many top prospects play one season of college basketball before declaring for the draft, hence the term "one-and-done."
The Rules
The one-and-done rule was implemented in the 2006 NBA Draft as part of the league's collective bargaining agreement with the players' union.The goal was to give players more time to develop their skills and mature physically before entering the professional ranks. Before 2006, players could be drafted straight out of high school.
Impact on College Basketball
The one-and-done rule has had a significant impact on the college game.Many of the nation's top recruits now view college as a brief stop on their way to the NBA, rather than a place to develop their game over several years. This has led to criticism that the rule has turned college basketball into a "pit stop" for future pros.
Notable One-and-Done Players
Despite the controversy, the one-and-done era has produced some of the biggest stars in the National Basketball Association. Some notable one-and-done players include:- Kevin Durant (Texas, 2007)
- Derrick Rose (Memphis, 2008)
- John Wall (Kentucky, 2010)
- Anthony Davis (Kentucky, 2012)
- Zion Williamson (Duke, 2019)
These players all had dominant freshman seasons in college before becoming top picks in the NBA draft and going on to stardom at the professional level.
Potential Changes
In recent years, there has been growing momentum to change or eliminate the one-and-done rule.
Critics argue that players should have the right to pursue their professional dreams directly out of high school, without being forced to go to college for a year.
In 2018, a commission led by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recommended that the NBA end the one-and-done rule and allow players to enter the draft straight out of high school. The NBA has indicated that it is open to making this change in the near future.