[McDunkin]

The ‘one and done’ has become the trendy decision for elite talent no longer able to bypass the NCAA to make the jump to the league. They storm college basketball for a single, often stellar season and then choose to make themselves eligible for the NBA Draft after their freshman season, hence the term ‘one and done.’ There has been a fair share of successes in Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans and Kevin Love, but you don’t often hear about the guys who didn’t pan out. They become cautionary tales of how leaving college play prematurely can hinder your potential development and NBA impact. This could very well become a critical issue in the next NBA collective bargaining agreement, as it has been rumored the league might push for two seasons minimum before eligible.

Donté Greene

To qualify for the list players had to:

• Be true ‘one and done’ players with a lone NCAA season as true freshman (disqualifying Tyrus Thomas who redshirted a year at LSU)
• Be selected in an NBA Draft between 2001 and 2010 (Jereme Richmond went undrafted).
• Not recently drafted (Cory Joseph, Josh Selby, etc.)
• Limited to only NBDL play (Daniel Orton, Tiny Gallon)
• Been available for over 100 NBA games for their career outside of injury (Greg Oden)

The jury is very much out on some of these guys, more or less, but they still have time to make their NBA careers.

That said, SwishScout.com presents “The 10 Worst One-and-Done Players in the Last 10 Years.”

10. Shawne Williams (Memphis)

5. 9 pt., 2.9 reb., 17 career starts for NBA Career

13.2 pt., 6.2 reb., 1.4 blk., 1.4 stl. at Memphis

17 overall pick in 2006 NBA Draft

I don’t really like to even have Williams on this list because I think he’s become a relevant player for the Knicks and his style of play doesn’t really show up on the stat with his D and hustle play, but it’s a shallow pool to choose from. Nonetheless, it took him a few seasons and teams to find his role, which appears to be defending in the paint and stretching the floor with his 3-point shooting on offense. Clearly though, he never quite lived up to what many expected from him after a standout season at Memphis.

9. Donté Greene (Syracuse)

6.3 pt., 2.3 reb., 32 3-pt.% for NBA career

17.7 pt., 7.2 reb., 1.6 blk., 1.3 stl. at Syracuse

28th overall pick in 2008 NBA Draft

I watched Greene play in high school as a dominant low post scorer and then watched him turn into a perimeter gunner at Syracuse, which seemed like an odd change to go through, and the NBA hasn’t been much easier for him. He’s a tremendous talent who can get hot and light it up, but really hasn’t hit his stride on the floor for the Kings, nor does he appear to be a great fit with players who command the ball. For being a “shooter,” his percentages have been below par, but that potential still lingers.

 

Dajuan Wagner

 

8. Dajuan Wagner (Memphis)

9.4 pt., 1.9 ast., 32.1 3-pt.%, 28 starts in NBA career

21.2 pt., 3.6 ast., 1.2 stl. at Memphis

6th overall pick in 2003 NBA Draft

It’s almost unfair to have Wagner on this list because of his ailments and injuries that deterred his career prematurely, but technically he qualifies. He dropped 100 points in high school ball, was stellar at Memphis, produced as a rookie in half a season, but after it went downhill. Gets frowned upon because of the expectations placed upon him being the sixth pick, but being injured to the extent he was is something outside of any players hands. Unfortunately, Wagner is now out of the league and basketball altogether less than a decade later.

7. Omar Cook (St. John’s)

1.7 pt., 2.1 ast., 0 starts in NBA career

15.3 pt., 8.7 ast., 2.3 stl. at St. John’s

31st overall pick in 2001 NBA Draft

Cook lit up the Big East, dropping numerous dimes in his single season at St. John’s but didn’t get NBA scouts to bite on his playmaking until the second round. Even then, he was traded and failed to make the team that traded for him shortly after, instead signing as a free agent and received little run. While he never had great expectation placed upon him, Cook was an abysmal shooter who just didn’t have the NBA game or the opportunity to shine, but killed it in the NBDL and even lead the league in assists.

6. Brandan Wright (North Carolina)

5.4 pt., 3 reb., 31 starts for NBA career

14.7 pt., 6.2 reb., 1.8 blk., 1 stl. at North Carolina

8th overall pick in 2007 NBA Draft

Another player who has caught the injury bug, Wright’s productivity has been setback by a number of injuries that have kept him on the bench. There’s no denying his physical gifts, talent and NBA potential, but it really hasn’t emerged during his time in the league. He showed so much promise with his play for the Tar Heels but just hasn’t adjusted the way many teams have hoped. At 210 lb.s, he’s less than ideal mass for a true post player at the power forward position, but you would think his length and athleticism might help make up for it. He still has a lot of learning and experience to make him a successful pro, and not saying it’s not possible for him to be a good player, but history suggests its an uphill battle.

 

Brandan Wright

 

5. Kosta Koufos (Ohio State)

3.3 pt., 2.3 reb., 9 starts for NBA Career

14.4 pt., 6.7 reb., 1.8 blk. at Ohio State

23rd overall pick in 2008 NBA Draft

Even playing at the prep level, Koufos looked destined for the NBA eventually, but maybe he pulled the trigger too quickly. He’s played three NBA seasons for three different teams already in his short career and is averaging 8.7 minutes of run per game over that span, which is less than ideal for a developing player. He has some NBA post moves and skill in the paint, but he’s a black hole with the ball, doesn’t play great D or understand how to play within the team game yet. He needs experience and it appears being a ‘one and done’ too soon could be the downfall in his potential development or even NBA career.

4. Jamal Sampson (Cal-Berkeley)

2 pt., 3.4 reb., 5 starts in NBA career

6.4 pt., 6.5 reb., 1.7 blk. at Cal

47th overall pick in 2001 NBA Draft

Sampson was a ‘potential’ pick that became an NBA project from the get go, but clearly never produced the desired results. He had prototypical big man size at 6’11”, 235 lb.s, but never quite understood how to play at the NBA level or understand how to be effective on the floor. He left school for the money and immediate shot to play in the league, but leaving Pac-10 play too soon was a big reason he’s playing overseas now. Never had great expectations as a second rounder to begin with, but it’s classic case of ‘one and done’ gone wrong.

 

Javaris Crittenton

 

3. Javaris Crittenton (Georgia Tech)

5.3 pt., 2.4 reb., 1.8 ast., 10 starts for NBA career

14.4 pt., 5.8 ast., 3.7 reb., 2 stl., 3.9 TO at Georgia Tech

19th overall pick in 2007 NBA Draft

Crittenton was an uber talented athletic point guard who had a high ceiling but had a career suffered by injuries and an obscure off-the-court incident involving Gilbert Arenas and handguns. Another player who may have ‘jumped the gun’ (bad joke) in leaving Georgia Tech too early, as he looked and produced like an inexperienced guard, turning the ball over an eye popping 3.9 times per game as a freshman. While gifted in terms of athleticism, creating ability and ability to set up his teammates, it was all offset by poor decision-making, inexperience and lack luster perimeter shooting that made him a career backup during his three NBA seasons. May scare some Knicks fans into thinking Iman Shumpert could end up becoming the next Crittenton, as he inherited the role as the next GT point guard, has a similar type game and does have that ‘fools gold’ look to him. He is currently playing overseas, but don’t rule out seeing him on an NBA court in coming years.

2. Rodney White (Charlotte)

7.1 pt., 2.2 reb., 21 starts in NBA career

18.7 pt., 6.5 reb., 1.2 stl. at Charlotte

9th overall pick in 2001

There haven’t been many ‘one and done’ players from mid-majors that didn’t scream NBA in their games get drafted high (outside of Memphis during John Calipari’s tenure) in recent years, and White may be a reason. Usually you see guys with more tenure, experience and more proven play get a good look like Kenneth Faried, Jimmer Fredette, Gordon Hayward and Larry Sanders to name a few. He dominated the Atlantic 10 conference for Charlotte and his stock rose greatly leading up to the draft because of his potential and athleticism. He possessed some NBA post play, but never buckled down on D and failed to impress the Pistons as a rookie. It’s tough to blame White for making the jump early based on his ability to make the best of the situation as he did, but did he sure fool the NBA that year as a ‘hot commodity’, which is why he is now playing overseas.

 

Byron Mullens

 

1. Byron Mullens (Ohio State)

1.5 pt., 1.3 reb., 0 starts for NBA Career

8.8 pt., 4.7 reb., 1.1 blk. at Ohio State

24th overall pick in 2009 NBA Draft

If ever there was a player who could fool teams with a combination of tantalizing size, length and athleticism, then Mullens is it. He produced 26 points and 15 rebounds as a high school senior and proved himself worthy of being an elite recruit with his talents, but it was very clear his single season for the Buckeyes he was not quite ready for the league. Despite the inexperience, developing basketball IQ, unpolished offensive play, and numerous red flags surrounding his game, the potential to be drafted was clearly too much for him to ignore. Mullens would have been taken even higher if he would have stuck around and refined his NCAA play, and may have even been a top pick in a class like the 2011 Draft. In Oklahoma City, he’s a project that has seen the floor in only 26 games over two seasons and its not expected to get any easier for him. Behind the likes of Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison, Nazr Mohammed and Cole Alrdich, minutes are going to be tough to come by. He is still a tremendous talent with big time gifts and upside, but there is a lot to figure in the way of if he will ever learn how to play within the team game, develop his talent, or even become a factor in the league. Its calling him a bust early, but I don’t see where he ever gets the opportunity in an ideal situation in the league to ever be more than a sparsely used back up because of his inexperience, lower basketball IQ and lack of polish.

 

http://swishscout.com/?p=6991

[FLYNTFLOSSYBABY]

Donte Greene should of been a star by now

[FLYNTFLOSSYBABY]

Donte Greene should of been a star by now

[Leonard WashingtonParticipant]

I would say Dermarr Johnson was a bust too as a no. 6 pick

[Leonard WashingtonParticipant]

I would say Dermarr Johnson was a bust too as a no. 6 pick

[yellowdunkerParticipant]

 Dajaun Wagner wouldve been a stud this dude was a real scoring machine imagine him and LeBron in there prime together…..

[yellowdunkerParticipant]

 Dajaun Wagner wouldve been a stud this dude was a real scoring machine imagine him and LeBron in there prime together…..

[MagikKnickParticipant]

When I saw the title I said "If BJ Mullens isn’t #1 im gonna kill somebody"

A life has been spared.

[MagikKnickParticipant]

When I saw the title I said "If BJ Mullens isn’t #1 im gonna kill somebody"

A life has been spared.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I was really high on DerMarr, even got to see MCI when they came to Canada for a tournament. DerMarr won tourney MVP, though you could tell their was a guy named Caron Butler chasing his coat tails as being the best player on the team. I did not want to believe he was better at the time, but I remember Caron looking like a damn good player. DerMarr should have probably found his way onto the list somehow, though maybe the fact he played a few more games than some of these folks did not hurt. He also had the horrible car accident, but Wagner made the list with his health issues as well. He was another player I was really high on as well.

BJ Mullens looked like a solid athlete, and people were honestly raving about the kid as an HS player. I atleast thought he might put up some Koufos type numbers at Ohio State, but he did nothing close. Seeing how little progress BJ has made over the years, the "a top pick in the 2011 draft" thing seems a little far fetched, though if he had a decent junior year, I guess it would have been possible. Still, at this point, my Mullens expectations are incredibly low. Luckily enough for the Thunder, they got really nice value with the 24th pick the year before in Serge Ibaka.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I was really high on DerMarr, even got to see MCI when they came to Canada for a tournament. DerMarr won tourney MVP, though you could tell their was a guy named Caron Butler chasing his coat tails as being the best player on the team. I did not want to believe he was better at the time, but I remember Caron looking like a damn good player. DerMarr should have probably found his way onto the list somehow, though maybe the fact he played a few more games than some of these folks did not hurt. He also had the horrible car accident, but Wagner made the list with his health issues as well. He was another player I was really high on as well.

BJ Mullens looked like a solid athlete, and people were honestly raving about the kid as an HS player. I atleast thought he might put up some Koufos type numbers at Ohio State, but he did nothing close. Seeing how little progress BJ has made over the years, the "a top pick in the 2011 draft" thing seems a little far fetched, though if he had a decent junior year, I guess it would have been possible. Still, at this point, my Mullens expectations are incredibly low. Luckily enough for the Thunder, they got really nice value with the 24th pick the year before in Serge Ibaka.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 I was surprised not to see Jerryd Bayless on this.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 I was surprised not to see Jerryd Bayless on this.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Bayless still has a alot of time to prove himself, and he actually produced when given starter minutes.

Where’s Donell Harvey on the list? I remember everyone was calling him the next Ben Wallace/Dennis Rodman.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Bayless still has a alot of time to prove himself, and he actually produced when given starter minutes.

Where’s Donell Harvey on the list? I remember everyone was calling him the next Ben Wallace/Dennis Rodman.

[SubZeroParticipant]

Daniel Orton will be on this list in a few years

[SubZeroParticipant]

Daniel Orton will be on this list in a few years

[ghrghrParticipant]

Daniel Orton will not only be on the list, but he will be number one on the list. How does a team give a guaranteed contract to a player that averaged 3 ppg in college?

 Great post, by the way

[ghrghrParticipant]

Daniel Orton will not only be on the list, but he will be number one on the list. How does a team give a guaranteed contract to a player that averaged 3 ppg in college?

 Great post, by the way

[WizardofOzParticipant]

I think Orton will be out of the league by the end of his rookie contract. He sucks!

[WizardofOzParticipant]

I think Orton will be out of the league by the end of his rookie contract. He sucks!

[Da1potParticipant]

 I think Koufos sucks the most out of everyone on here…. This dude literally shoots 100% of the time he gets the ball and he is terrible at every aspect of the game except he is an ok post scorer I guess. Mullens has got to be either traded or cut soon becasue honestly what can OKC do with him at all?

[Da1potParticipant]

 I think Koufos sucks the most out of everyone on here…. This dude literally shoots 100% of the time he gets the ball and he is terrible at every aspect of the game except he is an ok post scorer I guess. Mullens has got to be either traded or cut soon becasue honestly what can OKC do with him at all?

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Maybe it’s because I went to elementary school with him or the fact that I played against and watched him play a bunch in high school, but I really thought Bayless would have had a bigger impact in the league so far.  I just had too high expectations I guess.  

On another note I’ve never seen Mullens in an NBA game at any point.  He didn’t do much at Ohio State, but I do remember him doing well in the McDonalds All-American game. 

I’m still scratching my head on the Magic drafting Orton.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Maybe it’s because I went to elementary school with him or the fact that I played against and watched him play a bunch in high school, but I really thought Bayless would have had a bigger impact in the league so far.  I just had too high expectations I guess.  

On another note I’ve never seen Mullens in an NBA game at any point.  He didn’t do much at Ohio State, but I do remember him doing well in the McDonalds All-American game. 

I’m still scratching my head on the Magic drafting Orton.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Shawne Williams was good at Memphis but he wasn’t spectacular. He did everything fairly well and had a pretty good post up game. He didn’t always seem intense and that carried over to his early pro career. He did shut down Adam Morrison in a game at Memphis when he guarded him in the second half after Morrison torched Antonio Anderson in the first half. To me Williams looked very steady, but he was no superstar. He’s the kind of guy that you would predict to be a high level role player which I think is what he will turn into on the Knicks. I think Marvin Williams should be on this list. He played one year, won a championship and was picked high, and has failed to live up to expectations. At the very least he should be a do-it-all top sixth man similar to Lamar Odom but right now he is not even as good as Shawne Williams who some think is a mild disappointment. Marvin Williams is an even bigger disappointment since the Hawks. passed on Chris Paul and Deron Williams to draft him.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Shawne Williams was good at Memphis but he wasn’t spectacular. He did everything fairly well and had a pretty good post up game. He didn’t always seem intense and that carried over to his early pro career. He did shut down Adam Morrison in a game at Memphis when he guarded him in the second half after Morrison torched Antonio Anderson in the first half. To me Williams looked very steady, but he was no superstar. He’s the kind of guy that you would predict to be a high level role player which I think is what he will turn into on the Knicks. I think Marvin Williams should be on this list. He played one year, won a championship and was picked high, and has failed to live up to expectations. At the very least he should be a do-it-all top sixth man similar to Lamar Odom but right now he is not even as good as Shawne Williams who some think is a mild disappointment. Marvin Williams is an even bigger disappointment since the Hawks. passed on Chris Paul and Deron Williams to draft him.

[Author]

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