The 10 Best NBA Seasons by Teenagers

3. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (1997-98)

Without a doubt the best player on this list to date, Kobe Bryant entered the NBA straight out of Lower Merion High School at the age of 18. In his first year, he didn't get a chance to produce all that much.

It was in his second season, at age 19, that the future greatness of the Mamba was recognized. He received a lone start, but he played in 79 games while averaging 26 minutes per outing. In that time, Bryant yielded 15.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists while adding .147 win shares per 48 minutes.

Kobe was voted to the All-Star game that year -- the same year that the Lakers won 61 games and two playoff series before being knocked out by the veteran Utah Jazz in four straight games.

As we know, Bryant went on to play 18 more seasons for the Lakers, winning a total of five rings meanwhile being voted to all but one All-Star game for the rest of his career.