The Statistics
Let’s break down the truth about professional sports.
Becoming a professional athlete is an incredible achievement, as the odds of making it to the professional level are exceptionally low across most sports.
Here are the numbers, as of 2025.
BASKETBALL
NBA, WNBA, International Leagues
The Pathway
Odds of Advancing in Professional Basketball
High School to NCAA (Men’s): ~3.5% | NCAA to Professional (Men’s): ~1.2% | High School to Professional (Men’s): ~0.03% (~1 in 3,300) | No Professional Career ~95.27%
High school
⬇
College (NCAA)
⬇
NBA/WNBA draft or international leagues.
FOOTBALL
NFL
The Pathway
Odds of Advancing in Professional Football
High School to NCAA (Men’s): ~7.3% | NCAA to Professional (Men’s): ~1.6% | High School to Professional (Men’s): ~0.02% (~1 in 5,000) |
No Professional Career: ~91.08%
High school
⬇
College (NCAA)
⬇
NFL Draft or Free Agency
BASEBALL
MLB
The Pathway
Odds of Advancing in Professional Baseball
High School to NCAA: ~6.9% | NCAA to Professional: ~9.1% | High School to MLB: ~0.5% (~1 in 200) |
No Professional Career: ~83.5%
High school
⬇
College (NCAA) or Minor League
⬇
MLB draft
⬇
Major Leagues
Odds of Advancing in Professional Hockey
High School to NCAA: ~6.9% | NCAA to Professional: ~9.1% | High School to MLB: ~0.5% (~1 in 200) | No Professional Career: ~83.5%
