From Prep Schools to Pro Glory: Remarkable Journeys of Elite Athletes
From Prep Schools to Pro Glory: Remarkable Journeys of Elite Athletes
The paths to professional stardom often wind through high school gyms and fields, where talents are honed and legends begin. Several U.S. high schools have become veritable breeding grounds for top-tier athletes, producing a remarkable array of talent across various sports.
Chaminade Prep: Cradle of Champions
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Chaminade Prep boasts an impressive roster of alumni, including NHL standout Matthew Tkachuk and NBA star Jayson Tatum. Tatum's journey from Chaminade to the bright lights of the NBA has been nothing short of spectacular. Averaging nearly 30 points per game in high school, he led his team to a state championship and earned the prestigious title of the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Currently, Tatum is a key player for the Boston Celtics, averaging 30.1 points per game this season. Under his leadership, the Celtics reached the NBA Finals last season, and he has guided them to the Eastern Conference finals four times. Tkachuk, who left Chaminade after ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team, has also made significant strides in his career. Now in his seventh NHL season, Tkachuk has scored 40 goals in consecutive seasons. His contributions have propelled the Florida Panthers to the brink of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Brentwood Academy: A Nexus of Versatility
Brentwood Academy in Tennessee is another institution with an illustrious history of producing professional athletes. Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey are two standout alumni making waves in their respective sports. Garland started playing varsity basketball in eighth grade and won four state championships. Averaging 27.6 points per game as a senior, he now leads the Cleveland Cavaliers in assists and averages 21.6 points per game this season.
Ramsey, a multi-sport athlete during his high school years, set a Tennessee state record in the long jump. His athletic prowess eventually led him to a BCS national championship at Florida State and a Super Bowl win with the Los Angeles Rams. Currently, a three-time All-Pro, Ramsey now plays for the Miami Dolphins.
Highland Park High: Producing Grit and Greatness
Highland Park High in Texas has been the launching pad for NFL star Matthew Stafford and MLB ace Clayton Kershaw. Stafford led his team to a state championship in 2005 and has since posted nine 4,000-yard seasons in the NFL while throwing 333 touchdown passes. His crowning achievement came when he guided the Los Angeles Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI.
Kershaw, who had a perfect high school season, struck out 139 batters in a season, including an all-strikeout perfect game. His MLB career is studded with accolades, including three Cy Young Awards and a National League MVP. Kershaw played a crucial role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win and is currently chasing Justin Verlander for most strikeouts in postseason history.
La Jolla Country Day: Hub of Future Pros
In California, La Jolla Country Day has produced WNBA star Kelsey Plum and MLB player 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 and was the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft. She averaged 17.1 points per game in the 2022 playoffs and has been instrumental in helping the Las Vegas Aces secure a WNBA title.
Edman, known for his versatility, set school records for hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases. In four varsity seasons, he snagged 91 bases. Now playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Edman has proven to be a valuable asset, capable of starting at second base, third base, and shortstop, with a career batting average of .271.
Norcross High: Cultivating Talent
Norcross High in Georgia counts Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter among its celebrated alumni. DeShields won three state basketball titles and averaged 26 points per game as a senior. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, DeShields has played for several teams, including the Chicago Sky, where she was a crucial bench player in their 2021 championship run.
Carter, who led Norcross to a state championship, recorded 132 tackles and six sacks as a senior. Drafted in the third round by the New York Giants in 2018, Carter now plays for the Atlanta Falcons and has accumulated 18.5 career sacks, despite an Achilles injury that sidelined him for much of the 2020 season.
Allen High: Excellence in Athletics
Allen High in Texas has been home to outstanding athletes like Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray. Murray's high school career was defined by 43 consecutive wins and three state titles. He accounted for 186 touchdowns during his prep career, which set the stage for his Heisman Trophy win at Oklahoma in 2018. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Murray won the NFL Rookie of the Year and led the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Nickal, a wrestling prodigy, won state championships in three different weight classes and lost only seven matches in high school. He continued his dominance at Penn State, winning three national titles. Now thriving in mixed martial arts, Nickal secured a UFC contract after impressive performances in Dana White's Contender Series and has won all four of his professional bouts to date.
From Chaminade Prep to Allen High, these schools have not only fostered athletic excellence but have also been the starting point for the careers of some of today's most remarkable sports stars. Their contributions to professional sports continue to inspire the next generation of athletes.
