Basketball is one of the most popular sports worldwide, and high school basketball is where many greats start their careers. Over the years, the United States has produced some of the most talented high school basketball players in history. From Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant, these players have achieved incredible success and are remembered as legends in the sport. Here are the top 35 high school basketball players of all time.
1. LeBron James
LeBron James is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his high school career was a preview of what was to come. He led St. Vincent-St. Mary High School to three state championships and was named Ohio's Mr. Basketball three times. He was also a McDonald's All-American and the 2003 Naismith High School Player of the Year.
2. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant's high school career at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania was nothing short of impressive. He led his team to the state championship and was named Pennsylvania's Mr. Basketball in 1996. He was also a McDonald's All-American and the Naismith High School Player of the Year that same year.
3. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his high school career was no different. He played at Emsley A. Laney High School in North Carolina and averaged 25 points per game during his senior year. He also earned a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina.
4. Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal is known for his dominance on the court, and he showed that early on in his high school career. He played at Cole High School in Texas and led his team to a state championship. He was also named the 1989 Texas High School Player of the Year.
5. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain is one of the most dominant basketball players in history, and his high school career was a preview of what was to come. He played at Overbrook High School in Pennsylvania and scored 2,252 points during his high school career. He was also named a high school All-American.
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, formerly known as Lew Alcindor, is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played at Power Memorial Academy in New York and led his team to three consecutive state championships. He was also named the 1965 New York State Player of the Year.
7. Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett's high school career at Farragut Academy in Illinois was very impressive. He led his team to a state championship and was named Illinois' Mr. Basketball in 1995. He was also a McDonald's All-American and the 1995 Naismith High School Player of the Year.
8. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his high school career was a preview of what was to come. He led Everett High School in Michigan to a state championship and was named the 1977 Michigan High School Player of the Year.
9. Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard's high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy in Georgia was very impressive. He led his team to a state championship and was named the 2004 Naismith High School Player of the Year. He was also a McDonald's All-American.
10. Moses Malone
Moses Malone is one of the best rebounders in NBA history, and his high school career was a preview of what was to come. He played at Petersburg High School in Virginia and was named Virginia's Player of the Year in both his junior and senior years. He was also a high school All-American.
11. Jerry Lucas
Jerry Lucas is one of the greatest basketball players in Ohio history, and his high school career at Middletown High School was very impressive. He led his team to two state championships and was named Ohio's Mr. Basketball three times. He was also a high school All-American.
12. Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing played his high school basketball at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Massachusetts. He led his team to three consecutive state championships and was named the 1981 Massachusetts Player of the Year. He was also a high school All-American.
13. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan played his high school basketball at St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School in the United States Virgin Islands. He was a two-time Virgin Islands Player of the Year and also played for the United States Virgin Islands national team before attending college in the United States.
14. Chris Paul
Chris Paul's high school career at West Forsyth High School in North Carolina was very impressive. He led his team to a state championship and was named the 2003 North Carolina Mr. Basketball. He was also a high school All-American.
15. Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony's high school career at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia was very impressive. He led his team to a national championship and was named the 2002 USA Today National Player of the Year. He was also a McDonald's All-American.
16. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant played his high school basketball at Montrose Christian School in Maryland. He was a two-time Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year and was also a McDonald's All-American.
17. Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose played his high school basketball at Simeon Career Academy in Illinois. He led his team to two state championships and was named the 2007 Illinois Mr. Basketball. He was also a high school All-American.
18. John Wall
John Wall played his high school basketball at Word of God Christian Academy in North Carolina. He was named the 2009 North Carolina Mr. Basketball and was also a high school All-American.
19. Chris Webber
Chris Webber played his high school basketball at Detroit Country Day School in Michigan. He led his team to three consecutive state championships and was named the 1990 Michigan Mr. Basketball. He was also a high school All-American.
20. Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson played his high school basketball at Bethel High School in Virginia. He led his team to a state championship and was named the 1993 Virginia Player of the Year. He was also a high school All-American.
21. Karl Malone
Karl Malone played his high school basketball at Summerfield High School in Louisiana. He led his team to the state championship and was named Louisiana's Mr. Basketball in 1981. He was also a high school All-American.
22. Penny Hardaway
Penny Hardaway played his high school basketball at Treadwell High School in Tennessee. He was named the 1990 Tennessee Mr. Basketball and was also a high school All-American.
23. Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo Mourning played his high school basketball at Indian River High School in Virginia. He led his team to a state championship and was named the 1988 Virginia Player of the Year. He was also a high school All-American.
24. Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady played his high school basketball at Mount Zion Christian Academy in North Carolina. He was named the 1997 North Carolina Player of the Year and was also a high school All-American.
25. Bill Walton
Bill Walton played his high school basketball at Helix High School in California. He led his team to two state championships and was named the 1970 California Player of the Year. He was also a high school All-American.
26. Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor played his high school basketball at Phelps Vocational High School in Washington D.C. He was a two-time Washington, D.C. All-Met Player of the Year and was also a high school All-American.
27. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson played his high school basketball at Indianapolis Crispus Attucks High School in Indiana. He led his team to two state championships and was named the 1956 Indiana Mr. Basketball. He was also a high school All-American.
28. Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas played his high school basketball at St. Joseph High School in Illinois. He led his team to a state championship and was named the 1979 Illinois Mr. Basketball. He was also a high school All-American.
29. James Harden
James Harden played his high school basketball at Artesia High School in California. He was named the 2007 California Mr. Basketball and was also a high school All-American.
30. Vince Carter
Vince Carter played his high school basketball at Mainland High School in Florida. He led his team to a state championship and was named the 1995 Florida Mr. Basketball. He was also a high school All-American.
31. Grant Hill
Grant Hill played his high school basketball at South Lakes High School in Virginia. He led his team to a state championship and was named the 1990 Virginia Player of the Year. He was also a high school All-American.
32. Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce played his high school basketball at Inglewood High School in California. He led his team to a state championship and was named the 1995 California Mr. Basketball. He was also a high school All-American.
33. David Robinson
David Robinson played his high school basketball at Osbourn Park High School in Virginia. He was named the 1983 Virginia Player of the Year and was also a high school All-American.
34. Stephon Marbury
Stephon Marbury played his high school basketball at Lincoln High School in New York. He led his team to two state championships and was named the 1995 New York Mr. Basketball. He was also a high school All-American.
35. Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins played his high school basketball at Washington High School in North Carolina. He was named the 1979 North Carolina Mr. Basketball and was also a high school All-American.
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