The rookies I remember having immense hype, the kind where the draft is considered a sweepstakes for who will get them:

Shaquille O’Neal (1992) Tim Duncan (1997) LeBron James (2003) Zion Williamson (2019) Victor Wembanyama (2023)

Three out of four have had top 10-15 all time careers. I hope Zion gets it together to have at least a Hall of Fame career.

Who am I forgetting / who was there before 1992?

  • Lakers2020Champs3@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    I’m from Indiana so I’m sure that skews my perception him being from my homestate, but people were saying he was the best high school player since Kareem. Then he went to Ohio State and dominated. The dude couldn’t use his right hand to shoot for half the year and still dominated with his offhand. He was touted as a can’t miss generational big man and I’d argue moreso than AD because he accomplished way more in high school and college.

    • RVAIsTheGreatest@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      Maybe I’m missing the boat on Oden myself. Guess it depends on the circles you were/weren’t in and how clued in you were with the consensus. No question he was very hyped though. Deservedly.