He became the first kid in 20 years to bypass college for the NBA draft, prompting a flurry of future prospects to follow his lead.
Garnett's final two years in school made the high school-to-pro jump seem plausible. He averaged 27 points and 17 boards for Maudlin High, winning South Carolina's Mr. Basketball and carrying his school to the state championship game.
Garnett transferred to Farragut Academy in Chicago for his senior season, where he continued to overwhelm the competition. Farragut finished with a 28-2 record, a city title and an appearance in state quarterfinals. Garnett finished as Illinois' Mr. Basketball, USA Today's National Player of the Year, and with eye-popping averages of 25 points, 17.9 boards, 6.7 assists and 6.5 blocks per game.
