Ranking the 10 greatest NBA players drafted out of high school

6. Amar’e Stoudemire was a superstar cut short due to injuries.

For seven years, there was no doubt that Amar’e Stoudemire was one of the best big men in basketball with an argument to be made he was among the best overall players. His strength, skill and athleticism at 6-foot-10 made him one of the best power forwards in basketball. In tandem with point guard extraordinaire Steven Nash, the Phoenix Suns were a powerhouse.

Stat was the Rookie of the Year in 2003 after being picked ninth overall coming straight from High School. Needless to say, he made the All-Rookie team that season. From his third year to his ninth (including a three-game season shortened by injuries), Stoudemire averaged 23.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest.

Sadly, the injury bug was persistent throughout Stoudemire’s NBA career. His peak quickly declined as he reached his late 20s, going from a 20+ point per game scorer on a nightly basis to a role player overnight. However, that fantastic stretch from his mid-to-late 20s included six All-Star appearances and five All-NBA teams.

There was an argument to be made that Stat put up the best performance in the 2005 Western Conference Playoffs. Through 15 games and a Western Conference Finals run, Stoudemire averaged 29.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and two blocks per game including one of the best Playoff series anyone ever played while directly matched up with Tim Duncan.

Even though it didn’t finish how it started, Stoudemire had a phenomenal career that won’t be forgotten any time soon.