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 the Carolinas: North and South.
From Zion Williamson to A'JA Wilson, these Hoopepers represent some of the best to play basketball in high school in the region.
Guys
1. Zion Williamson, Spartanburg Day School (South Carolina)
2018 class
Your case: Williamson took three state championships to his team, averaging 36.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists during his high school in high school. It ended in number 2 in general at ESPN 100 in 2018, the same year that Mr. Basketball of South Carolina was appointed.
Williamson continued to dominate as a first-year student at Duke, player of ACC winner of the year, ACO Ruedo del Year, MVP of the ACC Tournament, the first All-ACC team and the national player of the year. Williamson was chosen No. 1 in general by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019 NBA Draft. In six seasons, Williamson has averaged 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists and has been appointed for two NBA stars games.
2. Brandon Ingram, Kinston High School (North Carolina)
2015 class
Your case: Ingram had a legendary career in high school, taking the Vikings to four consecutive state titles and averaging 24.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as senior. General range No. 3 was secured in ESPN 100 for 2015. Subsequently, Parade and McDonald's All American and starred Duke, where he averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, two assists and 1.4 blocks en route to the winning route of the ACC of the year.
Ingram was chosen No. 2 in general by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2016 NBA Draft. In nine NBA seasons, Ingram has made a star game and has been named more improved player.
3. Stephen Curry, Charlotte Christian School (North Carolina)
2006 class
Your case: Curry was far from being a national name during his days of the secondary school play, but presented dominant numbers as a last year student in 2006, averaging 22.3 points, five rebounds and five assists per game and ending as the leading scorer of all school time with more than 1,400 points.
Curry went to star Davidson, where the socon player of the year won twice, was appointed first team All-Socon three times, there twice and led the country in annotations. Curry was chosen No. 7 in general by the Golden State Warriors in the 2009 NBA Draft. In 16 seasons of the NBA, Curry has won four NBA titles, has been named MVP of the NBA finals, won two NBA MVP awards, played in 11 NBA stars games and won two score titles.
4. John Wall, Garner Magnet High School; Word of God Christian Academy (North Carolina)
2009 class
Your case: Wall was an outstanding reel of the high school, with an average of 22.1 points, 5.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds and two robberies per game and took the Santos Rams to the game of the state title in 2009. It was named for Elite 24 and the Jordan Brand Classic and finished number 5 in general and number 1 among the Point guards in ESPN 100.
Wall went on to have a dominant first year season in Kentucky, with an average of 16.6 points, 6.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 robberies a route game to claim the SEC player of the year, the first year student of the year and the US state. The Washington Wizards in the 2010 NBA draft chosen number 1 in general in the 2010 NBA draft and has made five Games of NBA stars, won a NBA overturned contest, formed an All-NBA team and a totally defensive team in 13 seasons.
5. Chris Paul, West Forsyth High School (North Carolina)
2003 class
Your case: Paul averaged 30.8 points, 9.5 assists and six robberies a game as a senior in 2003. Before that, the Kappa Magic took to a title of AAU Nationals in 2002 and was appointed MVP. Mr. Basketball of North Carolina was also appointed along with being McDonald's All American.
Paul was starring Wake Forest, where he was appointed APR Rueda of the year, All-ACC twice and all-American. Paul was chosen No. 4 in general by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2005 NBA Draft. In 20 NBA seasons, Paul won the NBA Year's Rookie, he held 12 All-Star Games, 11 All-NBA teams and nine defensive equipment All-NBA.
Girls
1. A'JA Wilson, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (South Carolina)
2014 class
Your case: Wilson hooked a state title in his senior season in 2014, averaging 35 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks per game. It ended in number 1 in general at ESPNW 100 and was appointed player of the year of the parade and the Gatorade player of the year of South Carolina, as well as Mrs. Basketball for the State.
He then had a legendary race in South Carolina, where he won a national title, was named Sec Freshman of the Year, player of the year of the SEC three times, defensive player of the year of the SEC twice, the first team All-American three times and the first All-SEC team for four years. Wilson was number 1 in general to Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA 2018 draft. In seven seasons of the WNBA, Wilson has won two titles, has been appointed rookie of the year, MVP of the League three times, defensive player of the WNBA year twice, won a score title and made the game of stars every year.
2. Ivory Latta, York High School (South Carolina)
2003 class
Your case: After taking his team to a state title like Junior, Latta averaged 44.6 points per game, including a game of 70 points, as Senior in 2003. It also became the top scorer of all time, boys or girls, in the history of South Carolina with a total of 4,319 points. Latta won Mrs. Basketball and the player of the year of Morgan Wootten before heading to North Carolina, where she was appointed player of the year of ACC, MVP of the ACC Tournament three times, first All-ACC team three times and all-American twice.
Latta was chosen number 11 in general by Detroit shock in the WNBA 2007 Draft during her 10 -year career, she was appointed for the stars game twice.
3. Sarah Strong, Fuquay-Varina High School; Grace Christian School (North Carolina)
2024 class
Your case: Strong ended his career at high school in number 1 position in general at ESPNW 100 in 2024, after taking Grace Christian to three state titles, hooking the player of the year of Naismith, Basketball of North Carolina twice and the player of the year of North Carolina Gatorade twice.
He had an impressive first year season in UCONN, helping Huskies to a national title, with an average of 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Strong was appointed first-year student of the year, All-American and First Team All-Big East.
4. Saniya Rivers, Eugene Ashley High School (North Carolina)
2021 class
Your case: Rivers was a scoring machine, with an average of 34.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, 6.1 robberies and 5.8 assistance to a game such as senior in 2021 when the number 3 in general in the ESPNW 100. He obtained honors of all states the four years.
Rivers helped help South Carolina to win a national title as a first-year student before transferring to NC State, where she was appointed first All-ACC Twice team, All-ACC Defensive Team twice and the sixth player of the year of ACC. Rivers was chosen No. 8 in general by the Connecticut Sun in the 2025 WNBA draft.
5. Alaina Coates, Holch Fork High School (South Carolina)
2013 class
Your case: Coates was a dominant force, which led his team to consecutive state titles and averaging 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game as a senior in 2013. Coates was appointed All-State three times and won Mrs. Basketball of South Carolina and Gatorade Player of the Year.
He starred in South Carolina, helping the Gamecocks win a national title, appointed SH Freshman of the Year and All-SEC four times. Coates was elected No. 2 in general by the Chicago Sky in the WNBA 2017 draft and won the title in 2023.
