The list includes teams as far back as 1952 and as recent as 2016. Baylor was born in Washington, D.C. and played collegiately at Seattle University. Kareem retired after 20 seasons in the league in 1989. Shaq is considered one of the best centers of all time and is the leagues all-time leader in field goal percentage. The native of Logas, Nigeria averaged 8.5 points and 14.7 points to go along with his . After winning a national championship with Michigan State in 1979, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, leading . He is the greatest shooter the league has ever seen and lets not forget that he has won 3 NBA Championships as well. Giannis started playing basketball at a young age and quickly developed into a talented player. The couple have two children together. They scored more points in high school than anyone. High school: Woodlawn High School (Shreveport, Louisiana). Professional basketball player Bill Russell of University of San Francisco photo sourced from Wikimedia commons. He set school and SEC records at the University of Arkansas with 51 points and 13 3-pointers in a season-opening win over Alcorn State in 2009. He was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 1985 and would go on to play 18 seasons with the team. High school: Glens Falls High School (Glens Falls, New York). Choosing the most outstanding high school basketball players of all time is as difficult as it can be an argumentative stalemate. not a great guy. Miller was known for his clutch shooting and ability to hit big shots in pressure situations. The 10 States That Produce the Best College Basketball Talent He is either loved or hated, there is no middle ground. Bottom line: Mike Cronk has become much more well-known for his heroics during the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas during the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, in which 60 people were killed and hundreds more injured by a gunman. Simple. Note: We only considered point totals accumulated between ninth to 12th grade because some states allow players on the high school varsity when they're still in junior high school. In 2012, he was traded to the Houston Rockets. His skill set and basketball IQ were second to none, and he was a true leader on the court. Kareem is considered one of the best centers in league history and is the leagues all-time leader in minutes played. But there is no denying his greatness. He is also the only player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP despite being on the losing team. Fun Fact: Larry Bird is the only person in NBA history to win league MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. High school: Minden High School (Minden, Louisiana). He was a key player on the Knicks team that won the NBA Championship in 1970 and 1973. Hall of Fame center Robert Parish first gained his iconic No. Hairston and Reggie Bullock, were both homegrown talents. Gottfried also has a verbal commitment from Caleb Martin of the 2014 class. Baylor was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977. In 2010, it was Knight, and the following year Austin Rivers came out of Florida. He was drafted 11th overall by the Indiana Pacers in 1987 and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. Top 10 single-season high school basketball scoring averages, including He was a true pioneer of the game and helped popularize the 3-point shot. He won an NBA Championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983. Best Basketball Player Ever From Every State | Stadium Talk Other Indiana-born freshmen who made an impact included D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (Georgetown), Kellen Dunham (Butler), A.J. Weems' records for career 3-pointers and single-season 3-pointers stayed in place for 23 years until they were broken by Bryce Brown in 2019. He became the head coach at Union Christian Academy in Farmerville, Louisiana, in 2019 and was elected to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2020. He's currently the head boys basketball coach at Springville (Alabama) High School. Fun Fact: Barry is the only player to have been named Finals MVP for two different teams. Gervin was drafted by the Virginia Squires of the ABA in 1974, but he opted to join the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA when they acquired his rights later that year. Gerke stated he hoped toplay for Texas A&M in college, but the only record available shows he signed with Sam Houston State. Ever wonder which states produce the best college basketball players? Mikan was born in Joliet, Illinois and played collegiately at DePaul University. Tom McMillen was a sensation as a high school star in Pennsylvania, making it all the way to the cover of Sports Illustrated, which called him "the best high school basketball player in America" when he was named National Player of the Year in 1970. He has won two NBA Championships with the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018). Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player. High school: Atlanta High School (Atlanta, Louisiana). Malone was a 13-time NBA All-Star and is considered one of the best centers in league history. The Dream was one of the leagues most dominant players in the post during his prime. High school: Verdigris High School (Claremore, Oklahoma). The best players to come out of New York since 2010 are former Tennessee forward Tobias Harris and former Kentucky guard Doron Lamb. He won five NBA Championships with the San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). Last season, you could have put together an all-star team with freshmen from Indiana against the best of the rest from that class, and the Indiana team might have won. Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana and played collegiately at Indiana State. Malone is the second leading scorer in NBA history behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. There, he was the team MVP in 1976 and 1977. High school: Earlington High School (Earlington, Kentucky). He is also a member of the exclusive 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds club. (Read James Naismith's 1929 Britannica essay on his invention of basketball.) He announced his retirement at the end of the season. After his playing career, Frazier became a television commentator and analyst. Height/Weight: 6-foot-9, 215 pounds. He is one of only four players in league history to average at least 20 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds per game in a season, and he did it an incredible four times. Not gonna lie, Kevin McHale doesnt even look the slightest bit athletic. JoshPastner has quickly developed a reputation as one of the best recruiters in college basketball. He has also won back to back MVPs and Defensive Player of the year awards. Like many players on this list, Briley wasn't close to the same type of scorer in college. 1. Iverson was born in Hampton, Virginia and played collegiately at Georgetown. Virginia's Mike Tobey, who played for the U19 U.S. team this summer, is a breakout candidate this season, and Syracuse's DaJuan Coleman has been a solid contributor in his first two seasons. Nash is considered one of the greatest shooters in league history and is the only player in NBA history to have more than 50% shooting from the field, 40% shooting from three-point range and 90% shooting from the free throw line in a season (2007-2008). Stockton was a 10-time All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. Shaq was born in Newark, New Jersey and played collegiately at Louisiana State. Incoming freshmen big men Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks are both from North Carolina, and the top 2014 player in the state, Theo Pinson, has already verbally committed to Roy Williams. We also kept the rankings to players who could have their point totals verified through multiple sources. He was a 18-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP in 2008. These types of things usually go in cycles, and California had a good run before 2010 with Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love,Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Williams, Jrue Holiday, Jordan Hamilton, Paul George, Klay Thompson, James Harden and Damian Lillard. Olajuwon is considered one of the best centers in league history and was named to the NBAs 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. He was drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Conquistadors in the 1973 ABA Draft but opted to play in the NBA. But Lebron is more than just a physical specimen. He is often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time. SCNext Top 25: The best high school boys' basketball teams Durant has led the league in scoring four times and is a member of the exclusive 50-40-90 club (shooting 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free throw line). High school: Snook High School (Snook, Texas). Barry began his pro career with the San Francisco Warriors in 1966. Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States. Robinson helped lead the Spurs to two NBA Championships, in 1999 and 2003. At the University of Florida, he was eventually thrown out of school over allegations he bet on games he played in. I know some of you are thinking #3 is too high for Steph Curry; think again. This list isnt about the biggest choir boys in NBA history, though. Nash retired after 18 seasons in the league in 2015. That means getting to see them play in high school. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Thomas was drafted by the Pistons with the second overall pick in the 1981 NBA draft. Lebron James is one of the most polarizing figures in NBA history. He was a 2-time NBA MVP and 14-time NBA All-Star. Pierce played high school basketball at Inglewood High School, where he was a McDonalds All-American, before attending Kansas University. magazines 100 Most Influential People of 2018. Russell is considered one of the best centers in league history and is the leagues all-time leader in rebounds. High School basketball: National Super 25 for Feb. 7, 2022 Not all players go on to play professionally, but they still deserve to be recognized for their contributions to basketball.With the state finals approaching, the Chicago Tribune created a 100 greatest players ever list that spans the course of Illinois' 118-year-old high school basketball history. He was an excellent shooter and had a soft touch around the basket. He looks like a tall accountant. It was also the first. He's played professional basketball overseas since 2013 and was the Australian National Basketball League MVP in 2014. The 89 title was especially sweet as they had to go through the showtime Lakers of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Byron Scott. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 and has been named to the All-Defensive Team twice. Getty Images. Side Effects? With that being said, it's time to put a bow on another high school basketball season with USA TODAY Sports' final Super 25 rankings. Olajuwon retired after 18 seasons in the league in 2002. In recent years, Indiana has also produced some of the most talented siblings in college basketball. We take an in-depth look at the greatest high school hoopers ever, and how their stats compare. He currently works as the color commentator for the Knicks on the MSG Network. Strother's career after lighting up the scorebooks for Plainview High was truly defined by the era. This is who we would take. Johnson went on to become a junior college All-American at powerhouse Three Rivers Community College in 1987, then signed with Missouri State, which was known as Southwest Missouri State. From there, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft. Fun Fact: Durant was included inTime magazines 100 Most Influential People of 2018. Girard averaged 48.6 points as a senior and led Glen Falls High to its first state championship. He went on to attend the United States Naval Academy, where he continued to play basketball and earned All-American honors. High school basketball: 25 of the greatest players of all time Troy House made it into Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" section following his dynamo senior season at Ingram Tom Moore High in 1989-90, when he averaged 40.6 points. John Stockton is the all-time leader in assists and steals, a true testament to his fantastic basketball IQ. These prodigies are so unique that when we catch them early on, it's always more special than if we discover them with the rest of the masses. The area was once known for producing flashy guards, but it has been a good place to go get a big man recently. Frazier was known for his flashy style of play and was one of the first players to popularize the now-iconic afro hairstyle. North Dakota School for the Deaf's Steve Blehm ended his career by averaging a then-national record 41.5 points for his career, including an 85-point game as a senior. Reggie Miller is one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. ): 4 Scholarships per Million McHale was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, and played collegiately at the University of Minnesota. This man has totally changed the game with his three-point shooting ability. But before they were pros, basketball greats had to put in work to . He was a 6-foot-10 center who completely dominated the league in the 1940s and 50s. Fulfilling a childhood dream. Richardson (Texas . He led the Nanooks to their first appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament in 1989. He was a 10-time All-NBA First Team selection and a nine-time All-Defensive First Team selection. There is no doubt that Curry is one of the greatest players in league history and he is still in the prime of his career. He won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the USA Basketball team in 1984. In addition, the list features several different regions of the United States. He retired after nine seasons in the league due to injury. As CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish pointed out yesterday, Barnes is missing out badly in recent years. Fun Fact: Stockton has been raising peoples eyebrows lately with some ofhis claims. Sun Sign: Capricorn. Jerry West is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. Woodard II was selected No. Bottom line: Few college basketball watching experiences in recent memory have been as satisfying as watching 5-foot-9 former Pawnee High star Keiton Page dice up defenses for Oklahoma State for four seasons. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP three times (1984, 1985, 1986). He was a physical specimen that towered over his opponents, with a listed height of 71 and a weight of 275 pounds. While John Stockton was never able to get past Micheal Jordan, he is still one of the greatest players ever to play the game. Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2016 and played 3 seasons with the team before moving to the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. With that being said, this is the USA . 230 shares. Russell would go on to play 13 seasons with the Celtics. Douglas averaged 54.0 points his senior season at Marion High. The state has produced 25 players ranked in ESPN's Top 100 from 2010-2014. Bill Russell was a centre for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1956 to 1969. He is also a member of the exclusive 20,000 points, 10,000 assists club. Irving is considered one of the best small forwards in league history and was named to the NBAs 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. Bad trade for Seattle. High school: J.F. Garnett retired after 21 seasons in the league in 2016. and would go on to play for the team for 15 seasons. He was drafted 1st overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 NBA Draft and would go on to play 12 seasons with the team. Chamberlain was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978 and is widely considered one of the greatest players in league history. Fun Fact: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is known as the player who perfected the skyhook. He is also a member of the exclusive 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds club. Afterward, he enrolled at the University of Indiana, where he played college basketball for two seasons. He was a ten-time All-Star, and won an NBA Championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995. Jordan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and his number 23 was retired by the Bulls. He is the greatest player to ever come out of New York - the mecca of hoops in the United States. Fun Fact: McHale once scored 56 points in a game against the Detroit Pistons, a franchise record that still stands today. It would not be a huge leap to assume that this five-year window is similar to other five-year windows, and 100 players in each class is a solid sample size. Fun Fact: Karl Malone is one of only two players in NBA history to win back-to-back MVP awards and not win an NBA Championship. Derrick was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1970 and played five seasons in the league. One of the greatest players in Alabama high school basketball history, Lance Weems played for his father, Jerry Weems, at Clay County High and won back-to-back state championships and back-to-back Class B Player of the Year honors. He was drafted 1st overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 1997 and would go on to play 19 seasons with the team.
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