High School Alumni Making a Mark in Professional Sports

Alumni from high schools across the United States have etched their names in the annals of sports history. From basketball and football to hockey and baseball, these athletes have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and achievements.

Shining Stars from Chaminade Prep

Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, boasts an impressive roster of alumni who have made a significant impact in professional sports. Among them is Jayson Tatum, a cornerstone of the Boston Celtics. Tatum, who averaged nearly 30 points per game in high school, led his team to a state championship and earned the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year award. His transition to the NBA has been nothing short of spectacular, averaging 30.1 points per game this season and guiding the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season. Tatum’s remarkable consistency has seen him reach the Eastern Conference finals four times.

Another Chaminade product, Matthew Tkachuk, left the school after ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team. Tkachuk is currently in his seventh NHL season and 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's Athletic Legacy

Brentwood Academy in Tennessee has produced top-tier athletes like Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey. Garland’s journey began as a varsity basketball player in eighth grade, ultimately winning four state championships, and averaging 27.6 points per game as a senior. Now, he plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he leads the team in assists and averages 21.6 points per game this season.

Ramsey, a multi-sport athlete in high school, set a Tennessee state record in the long jump. He achieved tremendous success at Florida State, winning a BCS national championship, and later a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. Currently with the Miami Dolphins, Ramsey is a three-time All-Pro, underscoring his status as one of the NFL’s elite defensive players.

Highland Park High's Dual Dominance

Highland Park High in Texas has witnessed the rise of two sports giants, Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw. Stafford, who led his high school team to a state championship in 2005, has had a stellar NFL career, posting nine 4,000-yard seasons and throwing 333 touchdown passes. His crowning achievement came with the Los Angeles Rams’ victory in Super Bowl LVI.

Kershaw, known for his incredible high school season where he struck out 139 batters, including a perfect game, has continued to dominate in Major League Baseball. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and National League MVP played a pivotal role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win and is in close pursuit of Justin Verlander for most strikeouts in postseason history.

La Jolla Country Day's Multifaceted Talents

La Jolla Country Day in California has cultivated talents like Kelsey Plum and Tommy Edman. Plum, who scored over 2,000 points and grabbed more than 600 rebounds in high school, was the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft. She has been instrumental in the success of the Las Vegas Aces, contributing to their WNBA title win and averaging 17.1 points per game in the 2022 playoffs.

Edman set school records for hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases and now serves as a versatile player for the St. Louis Cardinals, with a career batting average of .271. His ability to play multiple infield positions makes him an invaluable asset to his team.

Norcross High's Dynamic Duo

Georgia’s Norcross High is known for its athletic standouts, Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter. DeShields, who won three state basketball titles and averaged 26 points per game as a senior, was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. She has excelled in the professional arena, particularly during the Chicago Sky's 2021 championship run.

Carter, who led his high school team to a state championship, recorded impressive statistics with 132 tackles and six sacks as a senior. A third-round pick by the New York Giants in 2018, Carter now plays for the Atlanta Falcons, boasting 18.5 career sacks despite an Achilles injury that sidelined him for most of the 2020 season.

Allen High's Dominant Athletes

Allen High in Texas has produced exceptional talents like Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray. Murray led his high school football team to three state titles, winning 43 consecutive games and accounting for 186 touchdowns during his prep career. A Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Murray made an immediate impact, earning NFL Rookie of the Year and leading the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.

Nickal, a wrestling phenom, won state championships in three different weight classes, losing only seven matches in high school. At Penn State, he secured three national titles before transitioning to mixed martial arts, where he has remained undefeated in his professional career.

The remarkable achievements of these athletes underscore the significant role high school sports play in nurturing talent and ambition, setting the stage for future success on the professional stage.