Spotlight on High School to Pro Athletes: A Journey of Excellence
Spotlight on High School to Pro Athletes: A Journey of Excellence
From the high school gyms and fields to the grand stages of the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, and WNBA, several schools have produced athletes whose contributions shape professional sports today. These institutions are not just academic centers but incubators of future sports stars.
Chaminade Prep: Breeding Grounds of Excellence
Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, boasts a legacy with alumni like Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum. Tkachuk left after the ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team and has since etched his name in the NHL record books. Now in his seventh season, Tkachuk has scored 40 goals in consecutive seasons and has been pivotal in pushing the Florida Panthers to the brink of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Jayson Tatum, on the other hand, has cemented his status as an NBA superstar with the Boston Celtics. Tatum led his high school team to a state championship, averaging nearly 30 points per game. His excellence earned him the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year. This season, Tatum is averaging 30.1 points per game and has already led the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season, marking their fourth Eastern Conference finals under his leadership.
Brentwood Academy: Champions in Multiple Arenas
In Tennessee, athletes like Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey hail from Brentwood Academy, each carving their niche in professional sports. Garland dazzled in high school, starting varsity basketball in eighth grade and winning four state championships. Now a key player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Garland averages 21.6 points per game and leads the team in assists.
Jalen Ramsey, a multi-sport talent, set a Tennessee state record in the long jump and went on to win a BCS national championship at Florida State. He’s now a three-time All-Pro football player with a Super Bowl win with the Los Angeles Rams and currently represents the Miami Dolphins.
Highland Park High: A Tale of Two Legends
In Texas, Highland Park High has a history of producing elite athletes like Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw. Stafford, who led his high school team to a state championship in 2005, has achieved significant success in the NFL. With nine 4,000-yard seasons under his belt and 333 touchdown passes, Stafford was instrumental in the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory.
Kershaw, with an impeccable high school record, struck out 139 batters in a season, including an all-strikeout perfect game. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and National League MVP played a crucial role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win. Though trailing Justin Verlander for most strikeouts in postseason history, Kershaw’s legacy in baseball is undisputed.
La Jolla Country Day: Aces and Infield Wonders
La Jolla Country Day in California has given the sports world 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, earning her the accolade of the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft. With an average of 17.1 points per game in the 2022 playoffs, Plum was integral in the Las Vegas Aces' WNBA title win.
Tommy Edman, holding school records for hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases, has seamlessly transitioned into a versatile role for the St. Louis Cardinals. Edman, with a career batting average of .271, showcases his utility by starting at second base, third base, and shortstop.
Norcross High: Diverse Talents Honing Success
Norcross High in Georgia is another hub for talent, producing athletes like Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter. DeShields, a three-time state basketball champion in high school, averaged 26 points per game as a senior and was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. She was a crucial bench player in the Chicago Sky's 2021 championship run and has also played for the Phoenix Mercury and Dallas Wings.
Lorenzo Carter, after leading Norcross to a state championship and recording 132 tackles with six sacks as a senior, went on to play for the New York Giants and is now with the Atlanta Falcons, boasting 18.5 career sacks.
Allen High: Undefeated Talent Pipeline
Allen High in Texas is celebrated for athletes like Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray. Murray’s high school career was nothing short of extraordinary, leading his team to three state titles and winning 43 consecutive games. With 186 touchdowns to his name, Murray's prowess carried through to his collegiate career at Oklahoma, where he won the 2018 Heisman Trophy. Drafted No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL draft, Murray won Rookie of the Year and led the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Bo Nickal, dominating three state championships in different weight classes, lost just seven matches in high school. At Penn State, he secured three national titles and has won all four of his professional bouts so far, earning a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series.
These institutions continue to foster athletic excellence, producing athletes who carry their high school success into their professional careers, leaving indelible marks on the sports world.
