<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div><span style="color: rgb0 0 0"><u><span style="font-size: 180%;">1st Team </span></u></span></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%;">Kevin Garnett</span> 6'10 forward Farragut Academy, Chicago</div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 85%;">"Little Ticket"</span></div> <div>Was there anyone better? LeBron, maybe, but Kevin Garnett changed the game. Kevin began high school as a 6’6, pencil thin 9th grader immediately earning the starting nod for the Maudlin High School Mavericks. His game was beginning to take off and Kevin was starting to build a name for himself, when everything took a turn. In the summer going into Kevin’s Sr. year of high school, Kevin and 5 friends were charged with second-degree lynching (charges were later dropped). This prompted the move to Chicago where Kevin would flourish. When he arrived in Chicago, Kevin was a player possessed. He absolutely dominated averaging 25.2 points, 17.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 6.5 blocks per game as a senior leading Farragut Academy to a 28-2 record and the city championship. He owned the summer circuit, took home MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game and established himself as the prize recruit in the star studded 1995 class. After failing to qualify academically, Kevin decided to do something that had not been done in the 20 years prior. Kevin declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. This move would eventually open the flood gates for players like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and LeBron James to go straight from High School to the pros. Minnesota selected Kevin with the 5th pick and I think that it’s safe to say, the gamble paid off. An MVP in 2003 – 2004, 10 all star teams, 8 All-NBA and All-NBA Defensive Teams later, the “Big Ticket” has become one of the all-time greats.</div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%;"> LeBron James</span> 6'7 Forward St. Vincent-St. Mary's Akron, OH, 2003</div> <div> <span style="font-size: 85%;">"Your prayers were answered"</span></div> <div>LeBron James is the most highly touted high school basketball player ever. As a 6’3 freshman LeBron led the St. Vincent-St.Mary's Fighting Irish to a perfect 27-0 record and their first state championship in over 15 years. LeBron was just getting started. During the summer LeBron continued to grow, literally, getting up to 6-7 and pretty much making himself unstoppable. Sophomore year was more dominance as LeBron captured another state championship. That summer was when things escalated, as LeBron went from the man in Akron, to the best high school player in the nation. Lenny Cooke entered ABCD Camp with all the hype, but left known as the player abused by LeBron James. His stock took quite a hit as LeBron outscored the #1 player in the Sr. class, 23 – 9. LeBron had left his mark for the entire country to take notice. Junior and Senior seasons were more of the same for “The King” on the court, but the buzz off the court was getting out of control. St Vincent-St Mary’s was broadcasting home games on pay-per-view for $7.95, season-ticket packages for the Fighting Irish soared to $125, and the Fighting Irish made on appearance on ESPN. All was well, until the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSSA) started to investigate how the son of a poor mother was suddenly rolling in a Hummer and rocking expensive retro-jerseys. LeBron was eventually suspended, but the decision was ultimately overturned and LeBron was able to return in time to lead the Fighting Irish back to the state championship, their 3rd in 4 years.</div> <div> At this point, the high school all-American games were a joke for LeBron as nobody was even close to his level. LeBron went on to become the #1 pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers and receive an unheard of $90 million to sign with Nike. I think we all know the rest of the story…</div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%;"> DaJuan Wagner</span></div> <div>6'2 Guard Camden, NJ, 2001</div> <div> <span style="font-size: 85%;">"100 pts in a 32 minute game - that's nuts"</span></div> <div> There really isn’t much DaJuan Wagner didn’t accomplish in his high school basketball career. DaJuan was a scoring machine, putting up 27.3, 35.3, 31.9, and 42.5 points per game in his 4 year high school career. As a freshman, DaJuan absolutely burst onto the scene leading Camden to a South Jersey Group 3 championship. Being dubbed “The Messiah,” DaJuan had gone from legend in South Jersey to the consensus #1 player in his class. As a senior, Dajuan earned national recognition, after he dropped 100 pts in a 32 minute game. Despite the low level of competition, anytime you are able to shoot 42 of 61 and hit 10 from 3-point range, the future looks very bright. DaJuan ended up taking his game to Memphis, where he would meet up with his newly hired father, Milt Wagner. Yes, he was that good that John Calipari, not only hired his father, but also gave best friend Arthur Barclay a scholarship, to ensure DaJuan would bring his game to Memphis. It turned into a short pit stop as DaJuan declared for the NBA after a productive freshman season. After being selected 6th and having a solid rookie campaign, DaJuan was hit with serious health issues including severe colitis which led to the removal of his colon. He hasn’t spent much time in the NBA since. Last summer, the Golden State Warriors gave him a chance, but DaJuan appeared in just one regular season game before they decided to part ways. At only 24, it appears his NBA career is over for now, but he’ll forever be a hero in South Jersey.</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%;"> Felipe Lopez</span> 6’5 guard Rice HS, New York, NY, 1994</div> <div> <span style="font-size: 85%;">"Not many magazine covers followed"</span> When you’re put on the cover of Sports Illustrated without having played a college or professional basketball game, you must have dominated in high school and that’s exactly what Felipe Lopez did. Felipe came to the US when he was just 13 years old, from his native Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. From the moment he stepped foot in the US, he began tearing up the NYC courts. By his senior year he was heralded as the #1 player in the nation, and led Rice High School to the city championship. When put against the best high school competition, Felipe was the star among stars. Felipe earned MVP of both the McDonald’s High School All-American game after scoring 24 points, and the Magic Roundball Classic pouring in 25 pts, 11 assists and 4 steals. Expectations were so out of control for Felipe that it would have been nearly impossible to live up to them. After deciding to stay close to home and attend St. John’s, people thought Felipe was the savior for a program that was on a steadfast decline. His college career was solid (No. 3 on St. John's career scoring list), but certainly not what people envisioned.</div> <div></div> <div>Following St.John’s, Felipe was the 24th pick of the San Antonio Spurs and ultimately traded to the Vancouver Grizzles. He was never a splash in the pro’s, bouncing around and eventually ending up overseas and playing CBA ball. Felipe has since retired from the game of basketball, but he’ll always be remembered as a High School Basketball legend.</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%;">Stephon Marbury</span></div> <div>6’1 guard Abraham Lincoln High School, Brooklyn, N.Y. 1995 </div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 85%;">"The only title Steph will win at MSG"</span> </div> <div>It didn’t take Stephon Marbury long to gain national recognition. At age 11, he was touted by HoopScoop as the #1 sixth grader in the nation, and was creating his mark on the playgrounds outside of his Coney Island Projects housing development. By the time Stephon entered Lincoln, he already had a huge reputation. Many believed that Stephon would lead Lincoln to the New York City championship, something that eluded his 3 older brothers, who were also stars at Lincoln. Stephon’s high school career got off to a brilliant start. As a freshman, he was not only living up to expectations, but exceeding them, as Lincoln coasted through their schedule. Sophomore and Junior years were more of the same. By his Senior year, Stephon had achieved everything on the court except for the NYC Championship. He was not to be denied. As the final buzzer went off in Madison Square Garden, Stephon cried uncontrollably as he finally lead Lincoln to the title. He finished his high high-school career, averaging more than 28 points per game and 9 assists, and was involved in one of the biggest recruiting battles of all time. He would eventually choose Georgia Tech, but that was a one year stop on his way to the league. Depending on which way you look at it, you can argue whether Stephon has had a successful pro career. His numbers are unbelievable. Stephon is one of only 2 players to average 20ppg and 8assists (Oscar Robertson) throughout his career. Off the court, he got paid. Growing up in the Brooklyn projects and coming from nothing, to driving Bentley’s and getting contracts worth over $20 million per season is quite a feat. The flip side is Stephon is a career loser who nobody wants to play with. He is yet to make it past the first round of the playoffs and teams have had instant success the moment Stephon has been traded away.</div> <div> One thing is for sure, he’ll always have the high school championship that no other Marbury brother was able to bring home.</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><u>2nd Team</u></span></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%;"> Ronnie Fields</p> </span></div> <div>6’3 Guard Farragut Academy, Chicago, IL, 1996</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%;">Kobe Bryant</span> 6’6 Guard Lower Merion HS, Ardmore, PA, 1996</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%;">Tim Thomas</span> 6’10 Forward Paterson Catholic, Paterson, NJ 1996</div> <div> </div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Dwight Howard</span> 6’11 Center Southwest Atlanta Christian, Atlanta, GA, 2004</div> <div> </div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> </div> <div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><span style="font-size: 180%;">Greg Oden</span></div> <div>7'0 Center Lawrence North, Indianapolis, IN, 2006</div> <div> </div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><u>Honorable Mention</u> (in no particular order)</div> <div>Ron Mercer 6'7 Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA</div> <div>Baron Davis 6'2 Santa Monica (Crossroads) CA Al Harrington 6'8 Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ</div> <div>Jason Kidd 6'3 Alameda (St. Joseph) CA</div> <div>Shaheen Holloway 5'10 Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ</div> <div>Rasheed Wallace 6'11 Philadelphia (Simon Gratz) PA</div> <div>Chris Burgess 6'10 Irvine (Woodbridge) CA</div> <div>Gerald Wallace 6'7 Childersburg (H.S.) AL</div> <div>Tracy McGrady 6'8 Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC</div> <div>Eddie Griffin 6'9 Philadelphia (Roman Catholic) PA</div> <div>Amare Stoudamire 6'8 Orlando (Cypress Creek) FL</div> <div>Jerry Stackhouse 6'6 Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA</div> <div>Jay Williams 6'2 Metuchen (St. Josephs) NJ</div> <div>Carmelo Anthony 6'7 Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA</div> <div>Ronald Curry 6'3 Hampton (H.S.) VA</div> <div></div> <div>*I chose to spare the many specific high school accolades because if you are on this list, you are a Mr. Basketball, Parade Magazine, etc award winner…</div> <div></div> <div> To steal a line from my boy Bud, "this is simply one man's opinion."</div></p> Source: From the Courtside Blog</p> I was shocked to see Jason Kidd not mentioned, and also no one from LA making the first or second teams. JR Rider should've received an honorable mention, he was all-world in highschool.</p> </div> </div> </div>
This might be opening up a can of worms, but I was surpised no one from the '01 draft was on there. Wagner might have been a terrific prospect coming out of high school, and perhaps only went to college since he was a small guard, but guys like Curry, Chandler, and of course Kwame Brown, were very highly touted. There was a reason Brown as the #1 pick that year, mainly b/c he'd been getting mad press for the previous year and half as being the most NBA-ready high school player since Moses Malone. Sure that wasn't the case, but this list doesn't seem to take NBA performance into account.</p> I'm also surprised that Shandon Anderson isn't on the list. I can't remember what year he graduated, and I'm too lazy to look it up, but the only reason he didn't go pro out of high school is that it wasn't done yet. Anderson was Lebron before there was a Lebron, and without the national media hype. But he had the cred among those who knew. I remember that John Lucas got in trouble for letting Lebron practice with the Cavs when he was in high school. Anderson used to play pickup games with the Spurs(his older brother Willie was a star shooting guard who led San Antonio in scoring his rookie year, the year before DRob arrived) and hold his own while still a teen. But maybe he missed the cutoff by a year.</p>
Gerald Green??? Bogus article... no T-Mac either phew......................... that blows</p> Wagner???????????? He sucks!!!!!!!!!!1</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (High54Life)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Gerald Green??? Bogus article... no T-Mac either phew......................... that blows</p> Wagner???????????? He sucks!!!!!!!!!!1</p> </div></p> Wagner maybe isn't anything to write home about now, but in high school he was a man among boys, for sure one of the best high school palyers of all time.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (High54Life)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Gerald Green??? Bogus article... no T-Mac either phew......................... that blows</p> Wagner???????????? He sucks!!!!!!!!!!1</p> </div></p> Wagner absolutely dominated in high school. No one could touch him.</p> </p> <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Ggdd5UBrxo"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Ggdd5UBrxo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xCww8fdjvVg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xCww8fdjvVg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Did Felipe ever even have a good NBA game? About everyone else on that list with their picture up has had some success beyond HS.</p>
