Terrance Ferguson in action during the round two NBL match between the Brisbane Bullets and the Adelaide 36ers.

Basketball fans in Australia and New Zealand could be the beneficiaries of the NBA's 'one-and-done' policy, should Adelaide import Terrance Ferguson emerge as the trend-setter for star youngsters seeking an alternative route to the world's best league.

The controversial 'one-and-done' scheme requires NBA draftees to be at least one year removed from high school, with many opting to undertake a year of college.

Ferguson, 18, has taken a different route, choosing instead to sign with the Australian National Basketball League's 36ers ahead of entering the 2017 NBA draft in June.

It means that unlike all those young basketballers who aren't getting paid while attending college, Ferguson is earning a healthy wage while continuing his basketball development.

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"A lot of them are like, 'man, I should have done what you did'," Ferguson told New York Times.

"The schools make a lot from you. The coaches make a lot from you.

"But you're really getting nothing from it, just the basketball experience, the college experience.

"Education is obviously important. But what are you really getting out of it if you only go for one year?"

The Texan's sentiments reflect those of Australian No.1 draft pick Ben Simmons, who told the recently-aired documentary 'One and Done' of his disdain for study during his one and only year at Louisiana State University.

"I'm going to the NBA next season ... it's not going to help me," said Simmons, who's missing the start of the NBA season with Philadelphia due to a serious foot injury.

"I have to be getting better everyday ... I'm not worried about my oceanography class. I can't get a degree in two semesters, so what's the point?"

Ferguson, a high school basketball sensation who is tipped to go in the top 25 of the draft, says he is enjoying his time in Adelaide.

The guard is averaging 17.46 minutes and 6.7 points in seven games ANBL games for the second-last placed 36ers this season.

"He had more than just this opportunity to go overseas," said Rachelle Holdman, Ferguson's mother who also moved to Adelaide.

"But this was just the most logical because of the language and the culture not being so different.

"It's just so new that I think a lot of kids don't know about this option.

"But I'm already hearing from other parents."

With the ANBL allowing teams three imports on their rosters instead of two as of this season, Ferguson could blaze a trail for other young Americans, with the 36ers revealing they have been asked by rivals teams how they went about recruiting him.

"I told them, 'No, I ain't doing that," said coach Joey Wright.

"They said, 'What do you mean?' And I was like, 'We ain't that close!"