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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 09-01-2021, 02:51 PM:

Following the disappointing saga that led to the No. 1 prospect of the 2019 class, James Wiseman, playing only three college games, we were treated to a show last season by Cade Cunningham, who was 2020's No. 1 overall prospect, according to 247Sports. The Oklahoma State guard produced countless highlights and helped his program to one of its best seasons in recent memory before getting selected No. 1 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

But how does Cunningham's lone college season stack up against the collegiate tenures of previous No. 1 overall prospects? The legacy of Anthony Davis at Kentucky is a high bar to clear, but Cunningham certainly ranks among the most impactful No. 1 prospects of the 247Sports rankings era.

More often than than not since age-minimum rules were implemented for the NBA Draft in 2005, the prospects with the top spot in the 247Sports rankings end up playing key roles on championship-contending college teams before they depart for the NBA. Chet Holmgren appears likely to continue that trend in the 2021-22 season as he prepares to play for a Gonzaga team coming off an appearance in the national title game.

Aside from Wiseman, Brandon Jennings is the most noteworthy exception, as he opted to play overseas for a season before entering the NBA Draft after he was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 1 prospect in the 2008 class.

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