Rising Stars and Established Legends: A Glimpse into the Future and History of American High School Sports
Rising Stars and Established Legends: A Glimpse into the Future and History of American High School Sports
American high schools have long been the breeding grounds for elite athletic talent, churning out star athletes who go on to make significant impacts on the professional stage. Schools such as Chaminade Prep, Brentwood Academy, Highland Park High, La Jolla Country Day, Norcross High, and Allen High have produced legends and rising stars across various sports.
Chaminade Prep: The Cradle of Dual Sport Talents
Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, boasts alumni including Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum. Tatum, now a premiere player for the Boston Celtics, averaged nearly 30 points per game in high school and led his team to a state championship. His high school prowess was a precursor to his accolade as the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year. This season, Tatum is averaging 30.1 points per game in the NBA and led the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season, marking his fourth appearance in the Eastern Conference finals.
Matthew Tkachuk left Chaminade after ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team. Now in his seventh NHL season, Tkachuk has consistently demonstrated his mastery on the ice, scoring 40 goals in consecutive seasons. His contribution has been pivotal for the Florida Panthers, who are on the brink of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Brentwood Academy: Producing Champions on Multiple Fronts
Brentwood Academy in Tennessee has given the sports world talents like Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey. Garland, who began playing varsity basketball in eighth grade, went on to win four state championships and averaged 27.6 points per game as a senior. Now leading the Cleveland Cavaliers in assists and averaging 21.6 points per game this season, Garland’s influence on the court continues to grow.
Jalen Ramsey, a stellar multi-sport athlete, set a Tennessee state record in the long jump while at Brentwood Academy. His success transitioned smoothly into college, where he won a BCS national championship at Florida State. Ramsey later achieved NFL glory with a Super Bowl win with the Los Angeles Rams and is currently a three-time All-Pro playing for the Miami Dolphins.
Highland Park High: A Legacy of Dominance
Highland Park High in Texas has bred notable sports figures such as Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw. Stafford, who led his team to a state championship in 2005, has carved out an illustrious NFL career with nine 4,000-yard seasons and 333 touchdown passes. His crowning achievement came when he led the Los Angeles Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI.
Clayton Kershaw, another Highland Park High alumnus, enjoyed a perfect high school season, striking out 139 batters, including a complete all-strikeout perfect game. Known for his dominant pitching, Kershaw has won three Cy Young Awards and an MVP, playing a critical role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win. He currently trails only Justin Verlander for the most strikeouts in postseason history.
La Jolla Country Day: Nurturing Multifaceted Talent
La Jolla Country Day in California has produced dual-sport stars Kelsey Plum and Tommy Edman. Plum, who scored over 2,000 points and grabbed more than 600 rebounds in high school, led her team to a state championship before becoming the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft. Plum was pivotal in the Las Vegas Aces' recent WNBA title run, averaging 17.1 points per game in the 2022 playoffs.
Tommy Edman set school records for hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases, achieving 91 stolen bases over four varsity seasons. A versatile asset for the St. Louis Cardinals, Edman has showcased his ability at second base, third base, and shortstop, maintaining a career batting average of .271.
Norcross High: A Hub of Athletic Excellence
Norcross High in Georgia has been home to standout athletes Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter. DeShields, who won three state basketball titles, averaged 26 points per game as a senior and went on to be the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. She was instrumental in the Chicago Sky's 2021 championship win, serving as a vital bench player.
Lorenzo Carter, known for his exceptional defensive play, recorded 132 tackles and six sacks as a senior, leading Norcross to a state championship. A third-round pick by the New York Giants in 2018, Carter has battled injuries but has accumulated 18.5 career sacks and currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons.
Allen High: Football and Wrestling Powerhouses
Allen High in Texas is renowned for its football and wrestling programs, producing Kyler Murray and Bo Nickal. Murray, who led his team to three state titles and won 43 consecutive games, accounted for 186 touchdowns during his prep career. His success continued in college with a Heisman Trophy win and translating to the NFL, where he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors and leading the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Bo Nickal, a dominant force in wrestling, secured state championships in three different weight classes during high school, losing only seven matches. Transitioning to collegiate wrestling, Nickal claimed three national titles at Penn State and has made a seamless move to professional MMA, winning all four of his professional bouts to date.
These high school programs have not only set the foundation for these athletes’ successes but have also underscored the importance of early development and competition in shaping future stars.
