Andrew Bynum is the NBA youngest player ever to get drafted, debuting six days after his 18th birthday. The NBA’s youngest active player is Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, who is currently 18 years old and was born on Nov 18, 2003.
This is an exclusive list of the youngest NBA players ever drafted in history. It doesn’t get much tougher for young players than competing against the best basketball players in the world. Every year, a few young players enter the NBA. But do you know who is the youngest player ever draafted in the NBA history? And how does a player’s age compare to the youngest player ever to make his NBA debut? Here are the youngest players ever drafted in league history:
1. Andrew Bynum- 18 years, 6 days
Andrew Bynum is an American former professional basketball player who was drafted by the Lakers with the 10th pick in the 2005 NBA draught. At the age of 18 years and 6 days, Andrew Bynum became the NBA’s youngest player ever to get drafted in the 2005-06 season. Bynum finished the majority of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Andrew Bynum Career NBA statistics:
Points- 4,822 (11.5 PPG)
Rebounds- 3,221 (7.7 RPG)
Blocks -657 (1.6 BPG)
Teams:
2005–2012 – Los Angeles Lakers
2013–2014 -Cleveland Cavaliers
2014 – Indiana Pacers
Playing Career – 2005 to 2014
2. Jermaine O’Neal- 18 years, 53 days
Jermaine O’Neal is a former professional basketball player from the United States who was drafted into the NBA at the age of 18 years and 53 days. He was the 17th pick in the 1996 NBA draught by the Portland Trail Blazers. The center-power forward had a successful high school career and declared his NBA draught eligibility straight out of high school in 1996.
Stats:
Points- 13,309 (13.2 PPG)
Rebounds- 7,261 (7.2 RPG)
Blocks- 1,820 (1.8 BPG)
Teams:
1996–2000- Portland Trail Blazers
2000–2008- Indiana Pacers
2008–2009- Toronto Raptors
2009–2010- Miami Heat
2010–2012- Boston Celtics
2012–2013- Phoenix Suns
2013–2014- Golden State Warriors
Playing Career: 1996 to 2014
3. Kobe Bryant- 18 years, 72 days
Kobe Bryant was the greatest American basketball player of all time. He was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft at the age of 18 years, 72 days before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on draught night. After reaching an agreement, the Lakers told the Hornets who to pick just minutes before the pick. Kobe was a shooting guard for the LA Lakers in the NBA for his entire 20-year career. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, having won five NBA championships, being an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA Team member, a 12-time All-Defensive Team member, the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a two-time NBA Finals MVP.
Kobe Bryant’s Career NBA Statistics:
Points- 33,643 (25.0 PPG)
Rebounds- 7,047 (5.2 RPG)
Assists- 6,306 (4.7 APG)
Teams:
1996–2016 (Los Angeles Lakers)
4. Darko Milicic- 18 years, 133 days
Darko Milicic is an ex-basketball player from Serbia. He stood 2.13 meters tall and played center. The Detroit Pistons had plenty of talent to choose from in the 2003 NBA Draft pool, but he was drafted at the age of 18 years and 133 days in 2003 (Round: 1 / Pick: 2) and became the youngest NBA player ever from 2003 to 2013.
Stats:
Points- 2,813 (6 PPG)
Rebounds- 1,971 (4.2 RPG)
Blocks- 613 (1.3 BPG)
Teams:
2001–2003- Hemofarm
2003–2006- Detroit Pistons
2006–2007- Orlando Magic
2007–2009- Memphis Grizzlies
2009–2010- New York Knicks
2010–2012- Minnesota Timberwolves
2012- Boston Celtics
2019–2020- I Came to Play
Playing Career: 2001–2012, 2019 to 2020
5. Bill Willoughby- 18 years, 156 days
Bill Willoughby is a retired American basketball player who was born in Englewood. After graduating from Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, he was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1975 NBA draught as the first pick in the second round (19th overall), making him the fifth youngest player ever to play in an NBA game.
Stats:
Points- 2,930 (6.0 PPG)
Rebounds- 1,891 (3.9 RPG)
Assists- 413 (0.8 APG)
Teams:
1975–1977 – (Atlanta Hawks)
1977–1978 – (Buffalo Braves)
1979–1980 – (Cleveland Cavaliers)
1980–1982 – (Houston Rockets)
1982–1983 – (San Antonio Spurs)
1983–1984 – (New Jersey Nets)
Playing Career: 1975–1984
6. Tracy McGrady- 18 years, 160 days
Tracy McGrady is a well-known American former professional basketball player best known for his NBA career. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, two-time NBA scoring champion, and the 2001 NBA Most Improved Player Award winner. Tracy McGrady was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 1997 NBA draught at the age of 18 years and 160 days, making him one of the youngest NBA players ever drafted.
Stats:
Points- 18,381 (19.6 PPG)
Rebounds- 5,276 (5.6 RPG)
Assists- 4,161 (4.4 APG)
Teams:
1997–2000- Toronto Raptors
2000–2004- Orlando Magic
2004–2010- Houston Rockets
2010- New York Knicks
2010–2011- Detroit Pistons
2011–2012- Atlanta Hawks
2012–2013- Qingdao Eagles
2013- San Antonio Spurs
Playing Career: 1997 to 2013
7. Yaroslav Korolev- 18 years, 181 days
Yaroslav Korolev was the youngest NBA player to be drafted, being selected 12th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2005 NBA Draft at the age of 18 years, 181 days.
Teams:
2003–2004- Avtodor Saratov
2004–2005- CSKA Moscow
2005–2007- Los Angeles Clippers
2007–2009- Dynamo Moscow
2009–2010- Albuquerque Thunderbirds
2010- Reno Bighorns
2010–2011- CB Granada
2011–2012- Gipuzkoa BC
2012–2014- Spartak Saint Petersburg
2014–2015- Panionios
2015- Rethymno Cretan Kings
2016- Navarra
Playing Career: 2003 to 2016
8. Andris Biedrins- 18 years, 217 days
Andris Biedrins is a former professional basketball player from Latvia. He became the youngest NBA player to be drafted at the age of 18 years, 217 days when the Golden State Warriors selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2004 NBA draught.
Teams:
2002–2004- BK Skonto
2004–2013- Golden State Warriors
2013–2014- Utah Jazz
Playing Career: 2002 to 2014
9. C. J. Miles- 18 years, 241 days
CJ Miles was the best basketball player for the NBA G League Ignite of the NBA G League at the age of 18 years, 241 days. After graduating from high school, CJ Miles was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the second round (pick 34) in 2005. In six of his 15 NBA seasons, he averaged 10.0 points, including four straight double-digit scoring seasons from 2014-15 to 2017-18.
Teams:
2005–2012- Utah Jazz
2006- Albuquerque Thunderbirds
2007- Idaho Stampede
2012–2014- Cleveland Cavaliers
2014–2017- Indiana Pacers
2017–2019- Toronto Raptors
2019- Memphis Grizzlies
2019–2020- Washington Wizards
2021- NBA G League Ignite
2021- Boston Celtics
2022–present- NBA G League Ignite
Playing Career – 2005 to Present
10. Amir Johnson- 18 years, 268 days
Amir Johnson is the NBA’s youngest drafter, having last played for the NBA G League Ignite of the NBA G League. Before that, he played for the Detroit Pistons, who drafted him in the second round of the 2005 NBA draught at the age of 18 years, 268 days. He is one of the final players to be drafted directly out of high school into the NBA.
Teams:
2005–2009- Detroit Pistons
2006- Fayetteville Patriots
2007- Sioux Falls Skyforce
2009–2015- Toronto Raptors
2015–2017- Boston Celtics
2017–2019- Philadelphia 76ers
2019- Delaware Blue Coats
2020–2022- NBA G League Ignite
Playing Career: 2005 to present
Exclusive List Of Youngest NBA players Drafted In The World
| Player | Playing Position | Date of Birth | First game | Drafted Age | Draft year & (pick) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Bynum | Center | Oct 27, 1987 | Nov 2, 2005 | 18 years, 6 days | 2005 (10th) |
| Jermaine O’Neal | F/C | Oct 13, 1978 | Dec 5, 1996 | 18 years, 53 days | 1996 (17th) |
| Jim Browne | Center | Oct 3, 1930 | Nov 30, 1948 | 18 years, 58 days | Undrafted |
| Kobe Bryant | Guard | Aug 23, 1978 | Nov 3, 1996 | 18 years, 72 days | 1996 (13th) |
| Darko Milicic | Center | Jun 20, 1985 | Oct 31, 2003 | 18 years, 133 days | 2003 (2nd) |
| Stan Brown | Forward | Jun 27, 1929 | Nov 13, 1947 | 18 years, 139 days | Undrafted |
| Bill Willoughby | F/C | May 20, 1957 | Oct 23, 1975 | 18 years, 156 days | 1975 (19th) |
| Tracy McGrady | G/F | May 24, 1979 | Oct 31, 1997 | 18 years, 160 days | 1997 (9th) |
| Yaroslav Korolev | Forward | May 7, 1987 | Nov 4, 2005 | 18 years, 181 days | 2005 (12th) |
| Andris Biedrins | Center | Apr 2, 1986 | Nov 5, 2004 | 18 years, 217 days | 2004 (11th) |
| C. J. Miles | G/F | Mar 18, 1987 | Nov 14, 2005 | 18 years, 241 days | 2005 (34th) |
| Amir Johnson | Forward | May 1, 1987 | Jan 24, 2006 | 18 years, 268 days | 2005 (56th) |
| Darryl Dawkins | Center | Jan 11, 1957 | Oct 27, 1975 | 18 years, 289 days | 1975 (5th) |
| Joe Graboski | F/C | Jan 15, 1930 | Nov 6, 1948 | 18 years, 296 days | Undrafted |
| Joshua Primo | G | Dec 24, 2002 | Oct 20, 2021 | 18 years, 300 days | 2021 (12th) |
| LeBron James | Forward | Dec 30, 1984 | Oct 29, 2003 | 18 years, 303 days | 2003 (1st) |
| Jonathan Bender | Forward | Jan 30, 1981 | Dec 10, 1999 | 18 years, 314 days | 1999 (5th) |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | G/F | Dec 6, 1994 | Oct 30, 2013 | 18 years, 318 days | 2013 (15th) |
| Eddy Curry | Center | Dec 5, 1982 | Oct 31, 2001 | 18 years, 330 days | 2001 (4th) |
| Dwight Howard | Center | Dec 8, 1985 | Nov 3, 2004 | 18 years, 331 days | 2004 (1st) |
| Josh Smith | Forward | Dec 5, 1985 | Nov 3, 2004 | 18 years, 334 days | 2004 (17th) |
| Sekou Doumbouya | Forward | Dec 23, 2000 | Nov 23, 2019 | 18 years, 335 days | 2019 (15th) |
| Martell Webster | G/F | Dec 4, 1986 | Nov 4, 2005 | 18 years, 335 days | 2005 (6th) |
| Robert Swift | Center | Dec 3, 1985 | Nov 3, 2004 | 18 years, 336 days | 2004 (12th) |
| Dragan Bender | F/C | Nov 17, 1997 | Oct 26, 2016 | 18 years, 344 days | 2016 (4th) |
| Maciej Lampe | Forward | Feb 5, 1985 | Jan 23, 2004 | 18 years, 352 days | 2003 (30th) |
| Al Harrington | Forward | Feb 17, 1980 | Feb 5, 1999 | 18 years, 353 days | 1998 (25th) |
| Devin Booker | Guard | Oct 30, 1996 | Oct 28, 2015 | 18 years, 363 days | 2015 (13th) |
Who Is The Youngest Nba Player Right Now?
Jalen Duren is the NBA’s youngest player this season (2022-23). Jalen Duren made his NBA debut at the age of 18 years, 287 days after being drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 13th overall pick in the 2022 draught. Here’s a look at the list of the youngest NBA players expected to play in the 2022-2023 season, organized by birthday:
| The current Youngest player in the NBA | Playing Position | Date of Birth | Age | Current Team | Drafted year & pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Duren | Center | Nov 18, 2003 | 18 years, 287 days | Detroit Pistons | 2022 (13th) |
| Trevor Keels | Guard | Aug 26, 2003 | 19 years, 6 days | New York Knicks | 2022 (42nd) |
| AJ Griffin | Forward | Aug 25, 2003 | 19 years, 7 days | Atlanta Hawks | 2022 (16th) |
| Nikola Jovic | G/F | Jun 9, 2003 | 19 years, 84 days | Miami Heat | 2022 (27th) |
| Shaedon Sharpe | Guard | May 30, 2003 | 19 years, 94 days | Portland Trail Blazers | 2022 (7th) |
| Ousmane Dieng | G/F | May 21, 2003 | 19 years, 103 days | Oklahoma City Thunder | 2022 (11th) |
| Jeremy Sochan | Forward | May 20, 2003 | 19 years, 104 days | San Antonio Spurs | 2022 (9th) |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | Forward | May 13, 2003 | 19 years, 111 days | Houston Rockets | 2022 (3rd) |
| Malaki Branham | G/F | May 12, 2003 | 19 years, 112 days | San Antonio Spurs | 2022 (20th) |
| Kendall Brown | G/F | May 11, 2003 | 19 years, 113 days | Indiana Pacers | 2022 (48th) |
| Dyson Daniels | G/F | Mar 17, 2003 | 19 years, 168 days | New Orleans Pelicans | 2022 (8th) |
| Blake Wesley | Guard | Mar 16, 2003 | 19 years, 169 days | San Antonio Spurs | 2022 (25th) |
| Max Christie | Guard | Feb 10, 2003 | 19 years, 203 days | Los Angeles Lakers | 2022 (35th) |
| Caleb Houstan | G/F | Jan 9, 2003 | 19 years, 235 days | Orlando Magic | 2022 (32nd) |
| Joshua Primo | Guard | Dec 24, 2002 | 19 years, 251 days | San Antonio Spurs | 2021 (12th) |
| Josh Minott | Forward | Nov 25, 2002 | 19 years, 280 days | Minnesota Timberwolves | 2022 (45th) |
| Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Forward | Nov 18, 2002 | 19 years, 287 days | Golden State Warriors | 2022 (28th) |
| Paolo Banchero | Forward | Nov 12, 2002 | 19 years, 293 days | Orlando Magic | 2022 (1st) |
| Bryce McGowens | Guard | Nov 8, 2002 | 19 years, 297 days | Charlotte Hornets | 2022 (40th) |
| Josh Giddey | Guard | Oct10, 2002 | 19 years, 326 days | Oklahoma City Thunder | 2021 (6th) |
Read also- Top 10 Best Basketball Prediction Site In The World
Conclusion
I hope now you know the complete list of youngest NBA players ever drafted. Please let us know your opinion in the comments section below. Content data credits go to Wikipedia. And the information on our website www.beginbasketball.com is subject to change, we cannot guarantee that it is correct.
