The world of sports continuously celebrates the contributions of extraordinary athletes hailing from various high schools across the United States. These institutions have nurtured talents that have gone on to achieve remarkable feats in professional sports. Here, we spotlight the alumni of a few such notable high schools and their impressive journeys.
Chaminade Preparatory School: A Hotbed of Talent
Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, has produced sports sensations like Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum. Tatum, currently a linchpin for the Boston Celtics, showcased his scoring prowess early on, averaging nearly 30 points per game in high school. He propelled his team to a state championship and was named the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year. Now in the NBA, Tatum continues to excel, scoring an average of 30.1 points per game this season and guiding the Celtics to the NBA Finals last year. His contributions have also seen the Celtics reach the Eastern Conference finals four times, cementing his status as one of the NBA's elite players.
Meanwhile, Matthew Tkachuk departed Chaminade after ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team. Now in his seventh NHL season, Tkachuk’s impact is undeniable. He has netted 40 goals in consecutive seasons and played a pivotal role in bringing the Florida Panthers within one win of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Brentwood Academy: A Cradle of Versatile Champions
Brentwood Academy in Tennessee has introduced the athletic prowess of Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey to the world. Garland began his varsity basketball career as early as eighth grade, leading his team to four state championships and averaging 27.6 points per game as a senior. Currently playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Garland tops his team in assists and averages 21.6 points per game this season, proving his mettle as a dynamic playmaker.
Jalen Ramsey, a multi-sport athlete at Brentwood, not only set a state record in the long jump but also enjoyed a distinguished football career. He won a BCS national championship at Florida State and later secured a Super Bowl win with the Los Angeles Rams. As a three-time All-Pro, Ramsey continues to demonstrate his skills on the field, now with the Miami Dolphins.
Highland Park High School: Producing Giants of the Game
Highland Park High in Texas boasts alumni like Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw. Matthew Stafford led his high school team to a state championship in 2005 and has since become a stalwart in the NFL. With nine 4,000-yard seasons and 333 touchdown passes, Stafford's career reached its zenith with a Super Bowl LVI victory for the Los Angeles Rams.
Clayton Kershaw, another Highland Park product, had an immaculate high school baseball career, including an all-strikeout perfect game. His professional accolades are no less impressive, with three Cy Young Awards and an MVP title to his name. Kershaw was instrumental in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win and is second only to Justin Verlander in postseason strikeouts.
La Jolla Country Day School: Breeding Excellence
California's La Jolla Country Day has alumnus Kelsey Plum and Tommy Edman contributing significantly in their respective sports. Plum scored over 2,000 points in high school, leading her team to a state championship and becoming the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft. A crucial player for the Las Vegas Aces, Plum helped secure a WNBA title and averaged 17.1 points per game in the 2022 playoffs.
Tommy Edman set school records across various statistical categories, proving his versatility early on. His 91 stolen bases in four varsity seasons are a testament to his speed and agility. Now an asset for the St. Louis Cardinals, Edman’s adaptability allows him to excel at multiple infield positions, with a commendable career batting average of .271.
Norcross High School: Producing Dynamic Athletes
Georgia’s Norcross High alumni include basketball star Diamond DeShields and footballer Lorenzo Carter. DeShields bagged three state basketball titles and was the third overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. Having been a pivotal bench player in the Chicago Sky's 2021 championship run, DeShields has also played for the Phoenix Mercury and Dallas Wings.
On the football field, Lorenzo Carter tallied 132 tackles and six sacks as a high school senior, leading Norcross to a state championship. Drafted by the New York Giants in 2018, his NFL career has been promising, despite an Achilles injury in 2020. Now with the Atlanta Falcons, Carter has accumulated 18.5 career sacks.
Allen High School: Legacy of Champions
Allen High in Texas is renowned for producing Kyler Murray and Bo Nickal. Kyler Murray's 43 consecutive high school wins and three state titles exemplify his dominance. Post-high school, Murray won the 2018 Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma and was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He went on to be named NFL Rookie of the Year and led the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Bo Nickal's wrestling prowess at Allen High was extraordinary, securing state championships in three different weight classes and losing just seven matches. His success continued at Penn State with three national titles. Now in MMA, Nickal’s professional career has started brightly with four consecutive wins, including a contract earned through Dana White’s Contender Series.
These high schools' legacies continue to grow, bolstered by the achievements of their outstanding alumni who are making an indelible mark on the world of sports.
