Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors is averaging 6.1 points and Martell Webster of the Portland Trailblazers 6.0 to lead the pack.

Beginning with this year's draft, prep players must wait one year after their class graduates and turn 19 by the end of the calendar year to join the NBA.

Stern thinks the new age limit, part of the league's collective bargaining agreement, makes sense.

"I think from the business perspective, it's better for our teams to be able to see a player after he has played against harder competition, which will be the collegiate ranks," Stern said.

"Some of our basketball experts believe that if a youngster comes out too early, it isn't about catching up, it's about the possibility that he might not develop into what he could have been.

"That would be bad for the young man's prospects and the team's prospects."