Best Chicago High School Basketball Players All-Time
Chicago has been known for producing some of the best basketball players in the world for decades. From Isiah Thomas to Derrick Rose, these players started their journey in high school and built their skills in the Windy City. Here is a list of the best Chicago high school basketball players of all time:
Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas is not only one of the best high school basketball players to come out of Chicago, but he is also one of the greatest NBA players of all time. He played for St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, and led his team to back-to-back state championships in 1979 and 1980. Thomas went on to play for Indiana University and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1981, where he won two NBA championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose played for Simeon Career Academy on Chicago's South Side and led his team to two state championships in 2006 and 2007. He went on to play for the University of Memphis and was drafted first overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2008. In his rookie season, Rose became the youngest player to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2011. He is currently playing for the New York Knicks.
Candace Parker
Candace Parker is one of the best female high school basketball players to come out of Chicago. She played for Naperville Central High School and led her team to the state championship in 2003 and 2004. Parker went on to play for the University of Tennessee and was the first pick in the 2008 WNBA draft. She has won two WNBA championships and two Olympic gold medals.
Ben Wilson
Ben Wilson was a standout player at Simeon Career Academy and considered one of the best high school basketball players in the country in 1984. Tragically, he was shot and killed before his senior season, but his legacy lives on through the Ben Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to Chicago Public School students.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis played for Perspectives Charter School in Chicago and led his team to the state quarterfinals in 2010. He went on to play for the University of Kentucky and was drafted first overall by the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) in 2012. Davis has been named an NBA All-Star seven times and won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many incredible high school basketball players to come out of Chicago. From Isiah Thomas to Derrick Rose, these players have made their mark on the sport and continue to inspire future generations of basketball players. Their hard work, dedication, and talent have made them some of the best players of all time.