High school athletics often serve as the breeding ground for future sports stars, and several institutions have produced incredible talent that has gone on to garner national spotlight. Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, Brentwood Academy in Tennessee, Highland Park High in Texas, La Jolla Country Day in California, Norcross High in Georgia, and Allen High in Texas are among the schools that have significantly contributed to the pool of elite athletes gracing various professional leagues. These institutions are intricately linked with the development journeys of some of the top names in sports today.
Stellar Performers from Chaminade Prep
Chaminade Prep boasts an impressive list of alumni, including Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum. Tatum, who currently plays for the Boston Celtics, demonstrated his prodigious talent early on, averaging nearly 30 points per game in high school and leading his team to a state championship. His prowess earned him the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year title. Fast forward to his NBA career, Tatum has continued to excel, averaging 30.1 points per game this season and leading the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season. Notably, he has reached the Eastern Conference finals four times.
Meanwhile, Matthew Tkachuk took his talents to the ice, leaving Chaminade after ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team. Now in his seventh NHL season, Tkachuk has established himself as a consistent goal scorer, netting 40 goals in consecutive seasons. His contributions have been pivotal in propelling the Florida Panthers to the brink of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Brentwood Academy's Dual Threats
Brentwood Academy is renowned for producing versatile athletes like Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey. Garland's basketball career took off early as he started playing varsity in eighth grade and went on to win four state championships. His senior year saw him averaging 27.6 points per game. Now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Garland leads the team in assists and posts an average of 21.6 points per game this season.
Jalen Ramsey, a multi-sport athlete in high school, set a Tennessee state record in the long jump before making his mark in football. Ramsey's illustrious career includes a BCS national championship with Florida State and a Super Bowl victory with the Los Angeles Rams. Currently playing for the Miami Dolphins, Ramsey is a three-time All-Pro, underscoring his dominance on the field.
Highland Park Legends
Highland Park High has given the sports world names like Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw. Stafford led his high school team to a state championship in 2005, a prelude to his NFL career where he has achieved nine 4,000-yard seasons and thrown 333 touchdown passes. His leadership was instrumental in the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory.
Clayton Kershaw, a baseball prodigy, had a perfect high school season and once struck out 139 batters, including an all-strikeout perfect game. His professional accolades with the Los Angeles Dodgers include three Cy Young Awards, a National League MVP title, and a crucial role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win. Kershaw is on the cusp of surpassing Justin Verlander for the most strikeouts in postseason history.
La Jolla Country Day's Dynamic Duo
Kelsey Plum and Tommy Edman are standout alumni from La Jolla Country Day in California. Plum scored over 2,000 points and grabbed more than 600 rebounds in high school, leading her team to a state championship. She was the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft and played a crucial role in the Las Vegas Aces' WNBA title. Plum continues to be a key player, averaging 17.1 points per game in the 2022 playoffs.
Tommy Edman, known for his versatility, set school records in hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases. He amassed 91 stolen bases over his high school career. In the MLB, Edman is a crucial asset for the St. Louis Cardinals, adeptly playing at second base, third base, and shortstop, with a career batting average of .271.
Norcross High's Basketball and Football Prodigies
Norcross High in Georgia has produced exceptional talents like Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter. DeShields won three state basketball titles, averaging 26 points per game as a senior. She was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft and has since played for the Chicago Sky, Phoenix Mercury, and Dallas Wings. DeShields played a pivotal role off the bench during the Sky's 2021 championship run.
Lorenzo Carter was a force in high school football, recording 132 tackles and six sacks as a senior. After a successful high school and collegiate career, he was a third-round pick by the New York Giants in 2018. Despite an Achilles injury in 2020, Carter has made a strong comeback and currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons, accumulating 18.5 career sacks.
Allen High's Undefeated Champions
In Texas, Allen High's Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray represent athletic excellence. Nickal, a wrestling phenom, bagged state championships in three different weight classes and lost just seven matches throughout high school. He continued his dominance at Penn State, securing three national titles, and is now making waves in mixed martial arts with a perfect professional record.
Kyler Murray's high school football career was nothing short of legendary, with 43 consecutive wins and three state titles. Murray's talents were on full display at Oklahoma, where he won the 2018 Heisman Trophy. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft and won the NFL Rookie of the Year award. Murray led the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021, solidifying his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
These high schools have undoubtedly played a crucial role in shaping the careers of these sports luminaries, providing them with the foundation to build successful professional pathways. The achievements of these athletes continue to add to the storied legacies of their alma maters.