The NBA has become a young man's game over the past couple of decades, with more and more players getting drafted in their late teens as opposed to their early 20s after multiple years of college, as used to be the norm.
As such, we have seen many super young players getting drafted in the late '90s and throughout the '00s and '10s.
Below, check out the youngest players ever selected in the NBA Draft who played in the league, led by the legendary Andrew Bynum, one of just three players ever to be chosen as 17-year-olds.
1. Andrew Bynum: 17 years and 245 days
ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 26: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Joe Smith #8 of the Denver Nuggets during their preseason game on October 26, 2006 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers as the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft
Career stats: 11.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg in eight seasons
2. Jermaine O'Neal: 17 years and 256 days
PORTLAND, OR - 1997: Jermaine O'Neal #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers defends against the Dallas Mavericks circa 1997 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Steve DiPaola/NBAE via Getty Images)
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers as the 17th overall pick in the 1996 draft
Career stats: 13.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.8 bpg in 18 seasons
3. Kobe Bryant: 17 years and 307 days
November 3, 1996; Inglewood, CA; Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant enters his first NBA game, against Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY-USA TODAY NETWORK
Selected by the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th overall pick in the 1996 draft
Career stats: 25.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.7 apg in 20 seasons
4. Darko Milicic: 18 years and six days
Basketball: NBA Finals: Detroit Pistons Darko Milicic (31) in action vs Los Angeles Lakers at The Palace at Auburn Hills. Game 3. Auburn Hills, MI 6/10/2004 CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X71025 TK2 )
Selected by the Detroit Pistons as the 2nd overall pick in the 2003 draft
Career stats: 6.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.3 apg in 10 seasons
5. Bill Willoughby: 18 years and 14 days
Unknown date and unknown location; USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Hawks forward Bill Willoughby (32). Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network.
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the 19th overall pick in the 1975 draft
Career stats: 6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.8 apg in eight seasons
6. Tracy McGrady: 18 years and 32 days
ORLANDO, UNITED STATES: Toronto Raptors guard Tracy McGrady takes to the air for two points during first period of the game with the Orlando Magic at the Arena 23 April 1999 in Orlando, FL. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Tony RANZE (Photo credit should read TONY RANZE/AFP via Getty Images)
Selected by the Toronto Raptors as the 9th overall pick in the 1997 draft
Career stats: 19.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.4 apg in 15 seasons
7. Ersan Ilyasova: 18 years and 44 days
MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 12: Ersan Ilyasova #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks for an open pass during the preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 12, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Bucks won 92-89. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 36th overall pick in the 2005 draft
Career stats: 10.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.1 apg in 13 seasons
8. Yaroslav Korolev: 18 years and 52 days
PORTLAND - OCTOBER 18: Yaroslav Korolev #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers goes for a hook against Ha Seung-Jin #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers during a game on October 18, 2005 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the 12th overall pick in the 2005 draft
Career stats: 1.1 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0.4 apg in two seasons
9. Amir Johnson: 18 years and 58 days
AUBURN HILLS, MI - OCTOBER 13: Amir Johnson #25 of the Detroit Pistons controls the ball during the preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks at The Palace of Auburn Hills on October 13, 2005 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Pistons won 95-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Selected by the Detroit Pistons as the 56th overall pick in the 2005 draft
Career stats: 7.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.0 bpg in 14 seasons
10. Andris Biedrins: 18 years and 83 days
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Andris Biedrins #15 of the Golden State Warriors looks for an open pass over Daniel Ewing #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the game on November 20, 2005 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 113-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Selected by the Golden State Warriors as the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft
Career stats: 6.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.1 bpg in 10 seasons
11. CJ Miles: 18 years and 102 days
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 19: (L-R) C.J. Miles #34 and Andrei Kirilenko #47 of the Utah Jazz react in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 19, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Selected by the Utah Jazz as the 34th overall pick in the 2005 draft
Career stats: 9.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.1 apg in 15 seasons
12. Al Harrington: 18 years and 128 days
17 Oct 2001: Al Harrington #3 of the Indiana Pacers moves with the ball down the court during the pre-season game against the Toronto Raptors at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Andy Hayt /Allsport
Selected by the Indiana Pacers as the 25th overall pick in the 1998 draft
Career stats: 13.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.7 apg in 16 seasons
13. Andrei Kirilenko: 18 years and 132 days
28 Nov 2001: Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko #48 shoots the ball during the NBA game against the Seattle SuperSonics at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City Utah. The SuperSonics defeated the Jazz 112-88.Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Selected by the Utah Jazz as the 24th overall pick in the 1999 draft
Career stats: 11.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.7 apg in 13 seasons
14. Bruno Sundov: 18 years and 135 days
OAKLAND, CA 2000: Bruno Sundov #40 of the Dallas Mavericks grabs a rebound against the Golden State Warriors circa 2000 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2000 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
Selected by the Dallas Mavericks as the 35th overall pick in the 1998 draft
Career stats: 1.7 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.2 apg in seven seasons
15. Maciej Lampe: 18 years and 141 days
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 12: Maciej Lampe #6 of the New York Knicks stands on the court during the preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on October 12, 2003 in New York, New York. The Spurs won 85-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Selected by the New York Knicks as the 30th overall pick in the 2003 draft
Career stats: 3.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.3 apg in three seasons
16. Darryl Dawkins: 18 years and 143 days
LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1975: Darryl Dawkins #53 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots over Elvin Hayes #11 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1975 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Dawkins played for the 76ers from 1975-82. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 5th overall pick in the 1975 draft
Career stats: 12.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.4 bpg in 14 seasons
17. Jonathan Bender: 18 years and 151 days
13 Oct 2001: Jonathan Bender #24 of the Indiana Pacers moves to pass the ballduring the Pre-Season Game against the Chicago Bulls at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Glenn James /NBAE/Getty Images
Selected by the Toronto Raptors as the 5th overall pick in the 1999 draft
Career stats: 5.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.6 apg in eight seasons
18. LeBron James: 18 years and 178 days
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: LeBron James from the Rookies Team flies to dunk against Yao Ming from the Sophomore team during the NBA All Star's Rookies Challenge game in Los Angeles 13 February 2004 . AFP PHOTO Hector MATA (Photo credit should read HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images)
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the 1st overall pick in the 2003 draft
Career stats: 27.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 7.4 apg in 22 seasons
19. Sekou Doumbouya: 18 years and 179 days
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28: Sekou Doumbouya #45 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 28, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Selected by the Detroit Pistons as the 15th overall pick in the 2019 draft
Career stats: 5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.7 apg in three seasons
19. Ulrich Chomche: 18 years and 179 days
MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 06: Ulrich Chomche #22 of the Toronto Raptors defends the ball against Johnny Davis #1 of the Washington Wizards during the second half of a preseason NBA game at the Bell Centre on October 6, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Washington Wizards 125-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Selected by the Toronto Raptors as the 57th overall pick in the 2024 draft
Career stats: 0.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 0.2 apg in one season
21. GG Jackson: 18 years and 187 days
Oct 12, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson (45) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies as the 45th overall pick in the 2023 draft
Career stats: 14.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.2 apg in one season
22. Dwight Howard: 18 years and 198 days
ORLANDO - JULY 6: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic is on the court during the 2004 Pepsi Pro Summer League game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the RDV Sportsplex on July 6, 2004 in Orlando, Florida. The Cavaliers won 89-73. Note to User: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
Selected by the Orlando Magic as the 1st overall pick in the 2004 draft
Career stats: 15.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.8 bpg in 18 seasons
23. Josh Smith: 18 years and 201 days
ATLANTA - DECEMBER 17: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks is fouled by Darius Miles #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers on December 17, 2004 at Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The Blazers defeated the Hawks 100-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the 17th overall pick in the 2004 draft
Career stats: 14.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.1 apg in 13 seasons
24. Robert Swift: 18 years and 203 days
SEATTLE - APRIL 2: Robert Swift #31 of the Seattle SuperSonics shoots against Joel Przybilla #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers at Key Arena on April 2, 2006 in Seattle, Washington. The Sonics defeated the Blazers 122-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Otto Greule/Getty Images)
Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics as the 12th overall pick in the 2004 draft
Career stats: 4.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.2 apg in four seasons
24. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 18 years and 203 days
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 draft
Career stats: 23.7 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 5.9 apg in 12 seasons
