Top 5 Active American NBA players who didn't go to college

#3 LaMelo Ball | Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball (right) in action for the Charlotte Hornets

2021 Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball is another player on our list who decided to ditch the college route to the NBA and plied his trade abroad instead. Ball joined the Illawara Hawks in the Australian NBL and played one season, averaging 17 points, 7.5 rebounds, seven assists and 1.7 steals per game.

It quickly became apparent that Ball could compete with those much older than himself. However, there was still skepticism with respect to his ability to cope with the step up to the NBA. The Charlotte Hornets took their chance on him with their third pick in the draft and he did not disappoint.

Kia NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball discusses his incredible first season with the @hornets. #KiaROY #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/G2R2gZxJMb

— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2021

Despite missing part of the campaign through injury, Ball was still able to earn the award for best rookie after putting up 15.7 points, six assists and 1.6 steals per game. He has been touted as a superstar of the future and could help propel the Hornets franchise into the Eastern Conference's elite sides.

They came narrowly close to competing in the playoffs this year and would have done so if not for Ball's and Gordon Hayward's untimely injuries.

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#2 Dwight Howard | Philadelphia 76ers

Dwight Howard in action for the Philadelphia 76ers

After an illustrious career, Dwight Howard was finally able to lift the Larry O'Brien trophy in the 2020 NBA bubble with the LA Lakers. Before he was seen as a reliable backup big man, Howard dominated the league in the paint. He was drafted 1st overall straight out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy in 2004 and helped turn around the Orlando Magic's fortunes.

In his eight seasons with the franchise, Howard averaged 18.4 points and 13 rebounds per game. He led them to the Eastern Conference Finals twice and the NBA Finals once where they lost to the LA Lakers in 2009. 'Superman', as he was dubbed during the 2008 slam dunk contest, led the league in rebounds on five occasions, in blocks twice and was Defensive Player of the Year three times.

Another look at the Tyrese Maxey to Dwight Howard alley-oop on TNT. pic.twitter.com/yyjZ11Keeo

— NBA (@NBA) January 8, 2021

It wasn't just his rim protection and dominance in the paint that made Howard a future Hall-of-Famer. He is also a scoring center, averaging over 16 points per game throughout his career. Despite not shooting threes aplenty, he has led the NBA in field-goal percentage before and connected with 73% of his efforts in the 2019-20 season.

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#1 LeBron James | LA Lakers

LeBron James won his fourth title last year in the bubble

The most famous active NBA player to never hit college is LeBron James. In fact, 'The King' is arguably the most famous player in league history to have made the leap from high school.

James was an anomaly from the beginning, receiving outrageous hype for a player who was essentially unproven. Nevertheless, after being drafted by his hometown franchise, the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, James settled into NBA life straight away. He averaged over 20 points a game in his first season and was crowned Rookie of the Year.

He has since won four NBA titles, four NBA Finals MVP awards, and has played in 17 consecutive All-Star games. James' fame goes beyond the league, though. He has his own charity, is one of the leading voices against social justice issues in the USA and has his own entertainment company as well. He certainly didn't need college to achieve all of that.