In the spirit of the search for “Sportscentr”, modeled after the original 2005 tour “SportsCenter in America” to reach 50 states in 50 days, we are highlighting some of the main ones that represent the key stops along the way.
To classify the basketball talent of the best boys and girls since 2000, we are putting a great emphasis on the praise of high school (state titles, national honors, individual awards) together with the domain on the court, the long -term legacy, the recognition and general influence in the game.
In this edition, we focus on Florida.
From Cooper Flagg to Dananni Henderson, these hoopers represent some of the best to play basketball in high school in the state of Sunshine.
1. Amar'e Stoudemire, Cypress Creek High School
2002 class
Your case: Stoudemire dominoes in Cypress Creek in 2002, averaging 29.1 points, 15 rebounds, 6.1 blocks and 2.1 robberies per game. His performance earned him Mr. Basketball in Florida and the all-American honors of McDonald's.
Jumping directly to the NBA, StoudeMire was selected No. 9 by the Phoenix Suns in the 2002 Draft. He became the first preparation player to win the rookie of the year with LeBron James doing the same the same the following season. In more than 14 NBA seasons, he averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds, making six All-Star teams and winning two first team selections All-NBA.
2. Cooper Flagg, Montverde Academy
2024 class
Your case: After starting his career at high school in Maine at Nokomis Regional Secondary School, Flagg promoted the Montverde Academy for a perfect season of 33-0 and a title of Chipotle Nationals, with an average of 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 blockages. His domain earned him multiple honors of 2024, including the national player of the year of Gatorade, the player Naismith of the year, the Scholastic player Nike Eybl of the year and the defensive player of the year.
Flagg immediately starred to Duke, guiding the Blue Devils to the last four while averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists. The player of the year, the rookie of the year, the first All-ACC team and the All-American honors, together with the Naismith Awards and the wooden player of the year, before being recruited No. 1 for the Dallas Mavericks in 2025.
3. Cameron Boozer, Columbus High School
2025 class
Your case: Boazer promoted his team to four consecutive state championships and limited his senior season with a title of Chipotle Nationals, publishing 22.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 blocks per game. He classified the number 3 at ESPN 100, collected two National Player of the Year of Gatorade, three basketball titles of Mr. Florida, the Morgan Wootten Prize and the Honors CO-MVP in the All-American game of McDonald's.
Boazer also captured three Nike Peach Jam titles with Nightrydas Elite, where it exceeded the 17U circuit in score (24.5) and rebounds (13.4). It will adapt to the Duke Blue Devils in autumn.
4. Brandon Knight, Pine Crest High School
2010 class
Your case: Knight reached four state finals, winning two of them during his time at Pine Crest. As a last year student in 2010, he averaged 32.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and four assists, winning a second Gatorade player of the year and the Award for Mr. Basketball of Florida while ending No. 4 in ESPN 100.
In Kentucky, Knight averaged 17.3 points, four rebounds and 4.2 assists, winning the honors of the first All-SEC and Sec All-Freshman team. Written No. 8 for the Detroit Pistons in 2011, he played nine seasons of the NBA, averaging 14 points and 3.9 assists, and made the first NBA All-Rookie team.
5. Austin Rivers, Winter Park High School
2011 class
Your case: Rivers guided the Winter Park Wildcats to consecutive state titles and averaged 29.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and two robberies as a senior, finishing No. 2 in ESPN 100. That season captured Mr. Basketball, the Gatorade player of the year of Florida, the player Naismith of the year and the Morgan Wootten Award.
In Duke, he obtained the honors of ACO royal of the year and the first All-ACC team before being selected No. 10 by the then New Orleans Hornets in 2012. Rivers spent 11 seasons in the NBA.
Girls
1. Sylvia Fowles, Edison Senior High School; 2004 Gulliver High School Class
Your case: Fowles won three state titles in two different schools. The last one arrived in Gulliver Prep, where he averaged 20.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game as a senior in 2004. That led her to win all-American honors of McDonald's before starring in LSU.
In Baton Rouge, Fowles was appointed for the SEC All-Freshman team, first All-SEC team three times and the player of the year of the SEC. Fowles was the number 2 of the Chicago Sky in the 2008 WNBA draft. Then it was named for eight WNBA stars, capture two WNBA titles and claim the MVP of the WNBA finals.
2. Erlana Larkins, the 2004 Benjamin school class
Your case: Larkins took Benjamin to four state championships, averaging 22.3 points, 14.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists as a last year student in 2004. The player of the year Gatorade de Florida and the Honors All-American of McDonald obtained.
In North Carolina, it was three times MVP of ACO selection of first team and MVP of the ACC Tournament. The Freedom of New York wrote its number 14 in 2008, and went on to play eight seasons of the WNBA, winning a championship in 2012.
3. Tiffany Hayes, Winter Have High School
2008 class
Your case: Hayes directed Winter Haven to two state titles and a record of 117-9, winning the Basketball honors of Florida and Gatorade Player of the Year in 2008. He also helped the essence of the team to ensure a national title of AAU in 2007.
In UConn, Big East All-Freshman converted, he was twice selection of the first All-Big East team and helped the Huskies claim two national titles. Drafted No. 14 by Atlanta Dream in 2012, Hayes averaged 13.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 12 seasons, winning all-rookie honors and an assent from All WNBA in 2018. He currently plays for the Valkyries Golden State.
4. Dorian “Shante” Williams, Jean Ribault High School
2003 class
Your case: Williams anchored Ribault High to four consecutive state championships and a 143-3 record, including 101 consecutive victories. He won consecutive awards for the player of the year of Florida Gatorade and graduated in 2003 with 2,780 race points.
In the state of Florida, it was an All-ACC selection as a first-year student and completed his career with 2,177 points, 897 assists, 649 robberies, 558 rebounds and 53 blockages.
He returned to Ribault as a coach, helping to win a state title in 2017 as an assistant before meeting eight seasons as a chief coach and renounce at the end of the 2025 school year.
Your case: Henderson directed Fort Myers High to three state championships, for a total of 1,649 race points. As a last year student in 2018, he averaged 15.2 points, 6.1 assists and 3.3 robberies, winning the Basketball honors of Florida and Gatorade player of the year.
In South Carolina, it helped the Gamecocks win a national title and two sec championships. Drafted No. 20 by the Indiana Fever in 2022, Henderson played three seasons of the WNBA and currently play abroad.
