Zion Williamson and the 20 best one-and-done players of all time

Zion Williamson and the 20 best one-and-done players in college basketball history

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: Teammates Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils react against the Syracuse Orange during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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2 APR 2012: Forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) from the University of Kentucky puts up a shot attempt in front of center Jeff Withey (5) from the University of Kansas during the Championship Game of the 2012 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship Final Four held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome hosted by Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. Kentucky defeated Kansas 67-59 to claim the championship title. Chris Steppig/ NCAA Photos via Getty Images. /

14. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky, 2011-2012

The first of several Wildcats to make the list, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was among the first wave of one-and-dones to play for John Calipari at Kentucky. Kidd-Gilchrist was an integral player on the Wildcats in 2012, averaging 11.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.0 steal per game and 0.9 blocks per game for the national champions.

Even though Anthony Davis was the Wildcats’ best player, Kidd-Gilchrist was arguably the most valuable because of all the different things he could do for Kentucky. Kidd-Gilchrist was named to the All-Tournament team that year, along with Davis and Doron Lamb, and was a second-team All-American as well.

After winning the national championship, Kidd-Gilchrist went pro and was picked second overall in that June’s draft by Charlotte. Kidd-Gilchrist has continued to play excellent defense at the NBA level, but his offense hasn’t progressed from his college days, which has capped his pro upside.

Despite the fact that he has been in the NBA for eight years, Kidd-Gilchrist is still only 25 years old. Kidd-Gilchrist may never become worthy of the status he garnered by being picked second, but he has at least developed into a capable role player in the NBA.