NBA's Most Successful One-and-Done Prospects of Past Decade

Kentucky Wildcat star Anthony Davis' coronation as king of college basketball is complete, and now everyone is discussing how he and the other one-and-done prospects will fare in the NBA.

Davis will likely be a huge hit at the next level, but not everyone is so lucky.

There were nearly 50 one-and-done prospects over the last 10 years, and there's been mixed results once they hit the professional hardwood.

For example: Anthony Randolph has a minimal role in the league, Greg Oden was hampered by injuries, but Derrick Rose is the reigning league MVP. 

Some prospects have transitioned smoothly and flourished as pros. Let's take a look at the most successful NBA players who were one-and-done college stars.

15. Brandon Knight

After scoring more than 3,500 points in high school, Brandon Knight took his talents to the college scene for one year with John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats.

His one NCAA season was a huge success, as he showed upperclassmen-type savvy in leading the Wildcats to the Final Four in 2011.

Detroit's lottery pick has been a consistent contributor in his rookie year, giving the Pistons 33 minutes and 13 points per game while dishing four assists.

14. Thaddeus Young

He didn't garner national honors in his freshman year at Georgia Tech, but Thaddeus Young knew his draft potential was strong enough to make the leap to the NBA.

The first-round pick didn't get a whole lot of playing time for the Philadelphia 76ers in his rookie year (2007-08), but once he was given the chance in his second year, he shined.

Over the past couple of seasons, he's filled every role the 76ers have asked him to, whether it's starting, scoring or coming off the bench. He's a threat to drop 20 points on any given night.

13. Mike Conley, Jr.

After a stellar freshman year with Greg Oden at Ohio State, Mike Conley Jr. entered the 2007 NBA draft and was selected fourth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Conley has carved out a solid career as a starting point guard, averaging 12 points and five assists per game over four years. The left-handed floor general uses his quickness to create for his teammates.

This season, he's averaging 13 points and seven assists as the Grizzlies are the fifth-best team in the Western Conference.

12. Tyreke Evans

As a freshman for John Calipari's Memphis Tigers, Tyreke Evans tore up Conference USA and emerged as one of the best NBA prospects in the country.

The Sacramento Kings grabbed him in the lottery of the 2009 draft, and he quickly made his mark on the association. Evans won the 2009-10 Rookie of the Year Award with 20.1 points and 5.8 assists per game.

He's a dynamic guard who can attack the basket, create for himself and also facilitate the Kings' offense. Evans has the size and skills to play point guard, shooting guard or small forward.

11. O.J. Mayo

One of the most highly touted high school and college players ever, O.J. Mayo was destined to be a one-and-done prospect out of USC.

He made an immediate impact for Memphis in 2008-09, dropping 18 points per game as a rookie and finishing runner-up to Derrick Rose in the Rookie of the Year race.

Unfortunately, his playing time and production has declined since then, but that's partially due to Memphis having a better team. Mayo still scores more than 12 points per game off the bench.

10. Michael Beasley

In his freshman year at Kansas State, Michael Beasley led the nation in rebounding while putting up gaudy offensive numbers.

The 6'10" shooter cashed in on his high draft stock, as he was picked second in the 2008 NBA draft after Derrick Rose.

Beasley's rookie and sophomore years in the NBA were somewhat turbulent, but he found his niche last year in Minnesota, where he scored 19 points per game.

9. John Wall

Former Kentucky Wildcat John Wall electrified Big Blue Nation for a year and proved to the Washington Wizards that he was worth the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft.

He's almost as unguardable in the NBA as he was in college. His blistering speed and athleticism fuel the Wizards attack.

If Wall can improve his outside shooting and get a legitimate supporting cast, he could make Washington a contender in the future.

For now, he's a fun player to watch who doesn't play past April.

8. DeMarcus Cousins

John Wall's fellow Kentucky freshman DeMarcus Cousins also took the NBA by storm in 2010.

The fifth overall pick has turned out to be a worthwhile investment for Sacramento. Cousins has improved significantly over the past couple of seasons, and he's now a force in the Western Conference.

He's a capable scorer in the post and a mean rebounder. His Player Efficiency Rating went from 14.6 in 2010-11 to 22.1 in 2011-12, signaling that his prime is approaching.

7. Kyrie Irving

His NBA career is still in its infancy, but Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving is already establishing himself as one of the best one-and-done stories in the league.

The one-time Duke Blue Devil is putting together a terrific rookie campaign.

Not only is Irving a great ball-handler and playmaker, but his long-distance shooting is better than expected.

His six three-pointers last Friday show how dangerous he is beyond the arc.

6. Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon lit up the Big Ten in 2007-08 on his way to All-American honors at Indiana. The Hoosiers star translated that success into a lottery pick, as he was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers.

Throughout his three years in Los Angeles, Clippers fans saw the hot-shooting guard as one of the cornerstones of the club's future.

After being traded to New Orleans as part of the Chris Paul deal, his stock might be down, but he still has plenty of time to put together a nice career.

5. Chris Bosh

Following an impressive freshman year at Georgia Tech, Chris Bosh decided to forgo the rest of his college career as he entered the 2003 NBA draft.

The Toronto Raptors picked the lanky lefty fourth overall, right after Denver chose Carmelo Anthony.

Bosh's role and production with Miami has been highly publicized—almost to the point that we forgot how good he was before becoming the Heat's third wheel.

He carried the Raptors for years, putting up 20/10 numbers.

4. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony captured the hearts of Syracuse fans by winning the school's only NCAA title in 2003.

But then he was gone in the blink of an eye, off to make millions in the same draft as LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

'Melo became one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA. He has a pure shooting touch, a great mid-range game and a phenomenal knack for getting to the hoop.

We'll see if he can lead the Knicks to the promised land in the next few years.

3. Kevin Love

It's rare that someone lives up to expectations on both the college and professional level, but Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love has done exactly that.

His freshman Final Four run with UCLA in 2008 led to a lottery selection in the ensuing draft. After his rookie and sophomore NBA seasons, Love became a beast for the Wolves.

He has a nose for the ball around the glass and a flawless jump shot. Last year, Love averaged 20 points and a whopping 15 rebounds per game. 

He's putting up similar numbers this year, along with a top-five Player Efficiency Rating.

2. Derrick Rose

Memphis' dynamic point guard came within a couple of shots of winning the NCAA crown in 2008. When the curtain closed on the Tigers' title try, Derrick Rose didn't come back for more college hoops.

The Chicago Bulls used the first pick in the 2008 NBA draft to select their hometown hero. Rose was (and still is) grateful for the opportunity to play in the Windy City, and he leaves his heart and soul on the court.

His extraordinary athleticism, unselfishness and determination led the Bulls to an NBA-best 62 wins in 2011. League MVP honors were well-deserved.

1. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant terrorized Big 12 defenses during his lone year at Texas, but the Big 12's problem soon became a bigger problem for NBA defenses in 2007 and beyond.

Despite his ultra-thin frame, Durant transitioned well to the pro level, scoring over 20 points per game for the Seattle Sonics in his rookie year.

He used his wingspan and guard-like fluidity to lead the NBA in scoring twice before he even turned 23.

Next stop, Larry O'Brien trophy?