are there pro- basketball players that started playing basketball late in there lives?? like 16-17??
953831
Tim Duncan was a swimmer, Akeem Olajuwon was a soccor player, most players in the league who started late are big men.
1014506
Yes. the pros start playing junior tournament tennis at 12-14 yrs old. Even college players miss the curve. Enjoy rec tennis.
693489
DUH LOOK AT KOBE DUMB*** HE CAME OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AND IF U HAD NOT BEEN LIVING UNDER A ROCK U WOULD KNOW THAT THE AGE LIMIT PROHIBITS THAT!!!!!!
516684
I watched Jordan played since 82-84 @ North Carolina thru the years in Chicago until his career ended at the Wizards. Jordan was "The Best" period. There are similarities in their style of play. The difference is that Kobe was probably more consistence on the outside with his jumper and 3-point shot. Jordan was a nightmare when he took the ball to the hole and doing so without that much dribbling when he drove to the basket. When Jordan elevated to the basket it was pretty much a sure 2 points. Although Kobe has skills to get pass his opponent driving to the basket, Kobe did not and will never have the explosiveness as Jordan. Physical attributes are somewhat important in the NBA. Both had similar physique, but Jordan had 2 gifts which were his big hands and powerful legs.Both were outstanding scores, but Jordan's defense was much stronger than Kobe's.  Jordan played with tenacity especially thru the championship years. Jordan brought fear with him, looking into his opponents eyes when he stepped on the court and anyone that guarded him had to worry and think constantly on both ends of the court for 40 mins guaranteed. I believe its safe to say that Kobe was a better dribbler than Jordan but not by much and outside shooter, again not by much. Jordan all around game was far more superior than Kobe's. From career blocks, steals, assist, points, FG%, rebounds to truly being a basketball genius. Checkout the Career stat of both players and see for yourself. Although stat does not say much when it comes to  courts smarts, strategies, control of the game, team leadership and respect on the court. Jordan had it all. Hey, let's ask Coach Phil Jackson 10 years from now to give an "honest" assessment of both players. The reason I said 10 years from now is that I dont think Phil has the balls to tell the truth right now. A few years back a topic came up asking if kobe was better than Jordan when they were the same age 24.Phil said kobe was better, I said Phil must be smoking "Crack". No disrespect to Phil which is a great coach, but let's be serious. Phli only said it to help build up Kobe's confidence going in the playoffs and to win a championship. Finally, we will never know how great a player Jordan truly was until 10, 15, 20 years plus from now. So let's us enjoyed the memories of a living legacy.\n\n                                     Truly, Harrison, C.
633365
son I can't believe you just asked a question , like that.\n\n\nI think it was that big dude that played for the Lakers and Magic.  \n\n\nnotable mentions:\nAntoine Walker\nBen Wallace\nWilt Chamberlain\nDennis Rodman
540451
If the young members of the team live up to their potential, and Boston picks up a few decent veterans to help them along the way, they could compete for a championship in 3 or 4 years. The only problem is, that if and when their young players are probably experienced enough to contribute in a major way, Pierce will be in his early 30s. They are going to have to have a different franchise player or two by that time, so keep your fingers crossed that one of the kids really steps up. Also, it will depend on whether the Celtics can resign their talent when their rookie contracts expire. If these high draft picks start playing well, what is going to keep them in Boston? Are the Celtics a team that players think they can compete for championships with at this point? Will the Celtics spend the money to keep these players, assuming they work out? There are a lot of factors, but if everything goes well, 3 years, minimum.
1103513
It's now 19 years old or at least 1 year out of high school. We're probably going to see a lot of players now leaving the collegiate level after freshman year just to keep their stock high. NBA feels that throwing 18 year olds fresh out of high school with huge contract and money decisions isn't professional for the NBA. So now players are kind of forced to go to college and get a feel of basketball life on the road and playing at high levels with other future NBA players.
51742
Basketball players are [at times] considered to be the best athletes because of the required stamina, flexibility and strength required to be good.  So, yes it's good, everywhere but the knees and sometimes ankles.  I played for about 20 years (high school and college, plus post college (not pro)) and some mornings I can barely get out of bed.
994074
have fun with that. i live in america as a 6' sg/pg and shoot over 50% from 3. the most ive done is talk to a d2 coach or two. but fill out the ncaa clearinghouse info and just look on college websites and email coaches. that and make a video of yourself playing real games and send that to them.
117738
I'll be frank with you: Don't bother unless you have a lot of scouts and college coaches hounding you right now. Most future pro players in any sport are usually spectacularly good at a young age. They show so much natural ability that even if they had an off-night, it would still carry them to a great game. If you find yourself singlehandedly blowing out basketball teams at the JV and Varsity level, there's a good chance you're going to the NBA. If you make basketball look easy, you're going to the NBA. If you're not painfully exceptional at your age, don't bother! Go study, learn a skill, it will pay off more than playing basketball all day trying to fulfill a stupid dream. I know people tell you not to give up your dream, blah blah blah, but come on. If you've ever coached young kids, you're well aware that there are rare exceptional talents that are born naturals, that learn fast.\n\nMoral of the story: Just play basketball for fun, and get your friends/teammates to do so too. Too many kids spoil a fun game because of the potential to make money in the NBA. My friends had such bad attitudes about basketball, and it ended up so that none of them even played community college ball. Unless the local newspaper is going gaga over you, don't even begin to get dreams of the NBA. Hard facts, have fun man...\n\nMight I suggest investing more time into football, baseball or maybe even soccer if you're not going to be tall? Basketball is a very size-discriminatory sport!
134168
They used to be prior to 1992, but in 1992 professionals were allowed to compete. This is how Torvill and Dean were able to compete in Lillehammer in 1994 and the American "Dream Team" basketball team could compete in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996
204367
Well there are a lot of international players in the NBA, but they really shouldn't call themselves that.  THere's the Olympics and International tournaments to determine world champions.
466939
No AND he hated basketball until his late teens...probably when he found out how much money he could make in the NBA...
1037943
I love the game of basketball beyond what most people do.  I follow high school, college, and pro.  I played two years of Junior College basketball, and I've coached.  From the time I turned 14 til the day I turned 18 I played 8 hours a day during the summers.  Currently I am 8 autographs shy of having the Top 50 of All-Time.  My favorite autograph is a 16x20 of Larry Bird and Julius Erving-"Dr. J".  Other than God, family, and friends-basketball is my love.  If you love to play, I hope you put in the time to become the best you can be.  I
495469
well there is this organization called AAU (Armature Athletic Union) it will only be helpful to you if you are between the ages of 10 and 18 you can go to the website and find teams in your area and try out for them. they compete nationally across the u.s \nwww.aausports.org then you click on basketball
1028872
No current NBA players participated in the 1976 Summer Games. FIBA allowed professional athletes to play in international competition for the first time in 1989 and the next Olympics was in '92.
1136630
Yes, I do. You don't have to play something your entire life to be good at it. I know someone who started playing tennis when they were 10 and they're the best tennis player I know. They went to state, and they're only 16 years old. They've only been playing for six years and they're good enough to go to state, so if you play for 15 years, who knows what you could do... Just stick with it, and if you really love tennis, you'll be willing to put all the hard work that's needed into it. \n\nBest of luck!\nSarah ^_^