Ranking the 10 greatest NBA players drafted out of high school

8. Rashard Lewis would’ve had an even more storied career in today’s NBA

Picked near the top of the second round in 1998, Rashard Lewis defied the odds by putting together a successful career that spanned 16 seasons. One of the most deadly 3-point shooters in basketball, Lewis was a 6-foot-10 forward with one-of-a-kind agility and ball-handling for his position. He made two All-Star games in his career and filled a role for Miami during its historic 2013 title run.

For a seven-year stretch from 2003 to 2010, Lewis shot 39.5% on six 3-pointers per game, which was impressive and in some regards, unusual for his era. His volume shooting from deep was crucial to some very exciting Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic teams along the way. He also made his two All-Star appearances during that span — once in 2005 and again in 2009.

Lewis averaged more than 20 points per game three times in his career while leaving his mark as a solid, versatile defender and event creator by way of his active hands. A victim of circumstance, Lewis would’ve reached much greater heights in today’s era with perimeter play being the focal point of nearly every offense. Teams spend more time getting high-quality looks for the game’s best shooters, and with that approach, Lewis could’ve been much more than a two-time All-Star.