Is transferring in high school a red flag for NBA Draft prospects?

Video: EYBL teammates Michael Porter Jr. and Trae Young

Consistent with national trends, the number of former high school transfers being picked in the NBA Draft has slowly increased since 2001.

From 2001-2005, 78 percent of first round NBA Draft picks played at one high school, while 68 percent of first-rounders stuck with one school for their prep career from 2013-2017.

Of the players projected as first round picks in 2018, 56 percent (15 of 27 non-international players) played for one high school.

Elite prospects Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr., Michael Porter Jr., Miles Bridges and Collin Sexton all made at least one move during their high school careers. Bagley transferred because his father was hired as an assistant at Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.), then transferred again because of NCAA eligibility concerns. Jackson left Indianapolis to play against better competition at La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.).

Porter's family relocated from Missouri to Washington state and Miles Bridges left Flint, Mich., for Huntington St. Joseph Prep (Huntington, W.Va.) to focus on academics and improving his game.

The NBA is laying the groundwork to roll back the one-and-done rule, which could be a boost for elite basketball programs like Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) and Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), in addition to aforementioned Huntington St. Joseph Prep and La Lumiere.

These independent programs offer the opportunity to face elite competition and gain national exposure at an earlier age, which could be a major draw for professional prospects still at traditional high schools.