Spotlight on Remarkable High School to Pro Athletes
Spotlight on Remarkable High School to Pro Athletes
It's a storied journey from high school athlete to professional sports star, and several high schools have the distinct honor of sending numerous standout players into the upper echelons of their respective sports. Institutions like Chaminade Prep, Brentwood Academy, Highland Park High, La Jolla Country Day, Norcross High, and Allen High have cultivated talents that now shine in the NBA, NFL, MLB, WNBA, NHL, and even the UFC.
Chaminade Prep: Breeding Ground for NBA and NHL Talent
Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, boasts two high-profile alumni in the sports world: Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum. Tatum, now a cornerstone of the Boston Celtics, had an illustrious high school career, averaging nearly 30 points per game and leading his team to a state championship. His prowess on the court earned him the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year. Fast forward to the present, and Tatum continues to dominate, averaging 30.1 points per game this season and leading the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season. His consistent excellence has seen him reach the Eastern Conference finals four times.
Matthew Tkachuk left Chaminade after ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team, a decision that laid the foundation for his success in the NHL. Now in his seventh season, Tkachuk has scored 40 goals in consecutive seasons and is a critical player for the Florida Panthers as they stand on the brink of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Brentwood Academy: Producing Champions Across Disciplines
Brentwood Academy in Tennessee is another school famed for its exceptional sports program, producing athletes like Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey. Garland's early start in varsity basketball from eighth grade led to four state championships, and he went on to average 27.6 points per game as a senior. Now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Garland leads his team in assists and averages 21.6 points per game this season.
Jalen Ramsey, a star in multiple sports during his time at Brentwood Academy, set a Tennessee state record in the long jump. He carried his winning ways to college and beyond, securing a BCS national championship with Florida State and a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. Ramsey, currently a Miami Dolphin, has been named an All-Pro three times.
Highland Park High: Producing Professional Excellence
Highland Park High in Texas has a notable legacy with alumni like Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw. Stafford, who led his high school team to a state championship in 2005, has posted nine 4,000-yard seasons in the NFL and thrown 333 touchdown passes. His crowning achievement came when he led the Los Angeles Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI.
Clayton Kershaw’s high school career was equally stellar, highlighted by a perfect season in which he struck out 139 batters, including an all-strikeout perfect game. Kershaw transitioned his dominance to the MLB, where he has won three Cy Young Awards and the National League MVP, contributing significantly to the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win.
La Jolla Country Day: A Hub for Versatile Talents
In California, La Jolla Country Day has contributed elite athletes to professional sports, including 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. She was the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft and played a pivotal role in the Las Vegas Aces securing a WNBA title.
Tommy Edman, an indispensable player for the St. Louis Cardinals, set school records for hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases at La Jolla. His versatility on the field, having started at second base, third base, and shortstop, has been a significant asset to the Cardinals.
Norcross High: Cultivating Top-Tier Competitors
Norcross High in Georgia can proudly claim Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter as its notable alumni. DeShields, who won three state basketball titles in high school and averaged 26 points per game as a senior, was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. She has played crucial roles for the Chicago Sky, Phoenix Mercury, and Dallas Wings, proving to be a key bench player in the Sky's 2021 championship run.
Lorenzo Carter, who recorded 132 tackles and six sacks as a senior, led Norcross to a state championship and now plays for the Atlanta Falcons with an impressive 18.5 career sacks.
Allen High: Champions and Record-Breakers
Allen High in Texas has cultivated athletes like Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray. Murray, who led his high school team to three state titles and accounted for 186 touchdowns, won the 2018 Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. His early career highlights include winning the NFL Rookie of the Year and leading the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Bo Nickal, dominating the wrestling mats in high school with three state championships, continued his success at Penn State with three national titles. Transitioning to mixed martial arts, Nickal has won all four of his professional bouts after earning a UFC contract through stellar performances in Dana White's Contender Series.
These high schools have proven to be fertile grounds for nurturing champions across various sports, contributing significantly to the professional sports landscape. The success stories of their alumni serve as testaments to the exceptional talent and determination that define these institutions.
