Spotlight on Prep Schools Producing Elite Athletes
Prep schools across the United States have a storied history of developing elite athletes who go on to achieve greatness at the professional level. From hardwood courts to ice rinks, these institutions have been the breeding ground for stars in the NBA, NFL, NHL, WNBA, MLB, and beyond. Let’s take a closer look at some of these schools and the exceptional talents they've produced.
Chaminade Prep: A Cradle of Multi-Sport Stars
Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, boasts impressive alumni, including NBA star Jayson Tatum and NHL standout Matthew Tkachuk. Tatum, currently a cornerstone for the Boston Celtics, left high school with near-legendary status, averaging nearly 30 points per game and leading his team to a state championship. His preternatural talents earned him the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year. In the NBA, he's continued to excel, averaging 30.1 points per game this season and guiding the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season, marking his fourth trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
On the ice, Matthew Tkachuk has carved out his own impressive career. He departed Chaminade after ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team and is now in his seventh NHL season. With back-to-back 40-goal seasons, Tkachuk is a major force for the Florida Panthers, who are just one win away from their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Brentwood Academy: Producing Dual Threats
Brentwood Academy in Tennessee hasn’t lagged in generating high-caliber athletes, with NBA player Darius Garland and NFL star Jalen Ramsey among its notable alumni. Garland was a phenom from the start, playing varsity basketball in eighth grade and capturing four state championships. His senior year saw him average 27.6 points per game. Now playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Garland leads his team in assists and averages 21.6 points per game.
Jalen Ramsey, another Brentwood Academy graduate, demonstrated exceptional versatility as a multi-sport athlete. He set a state record in the long jump and later won a BCS national championship at Florida State. Ramsey's NFL career has been equally impressive, with a Super Bowl win with the Los Angeles Rams and three All-Pro selections. Currently, he is a defensive stalwart for the Miami Dolphins.
Highland Park High: Icons on the Field and the Mound
Highland Park High in Texas is another powerhouse, having nurtured talents like NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford and MLB pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Stafford, who won a state championship in 2005, has had a prolific NFL career, with nine 4,000-yard seasons and 333 touchdown passes. His leadership was instrumental in the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory.
Clayton Kershaw’s high school career was nothing short of extraordinary, highlighted by a perfect season and a remarkable all-strikeout perfect game. Kershaw has accumulated accolades including three Cy Young Awards and an MVP. His pitching prowess was a crucial factor in the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series triumph, and he trails only Justin Verlander for most strikeouts in postseason history.
La Jolla Country Day: Scoring Legends
Over in California, La Jolla Country Day has given rise to basketball star Kelsey Plum and MLB player Tommy Edman. Plum’s high school career saw her amass over 2,000 points and 600 rebounds, leading her team to a state championship. The first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft, Plum has established herself as a linchpin for the Las Vegas Aces, averaging 17.1 points per game during the 2022 playoffs and helping clinch a WNBA title.
Tommy Edman, renowned for his versatility, set school records at La Jolla Country Day in hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases. Over his varsity career, he swiped 91 bases. Now, as a key player for the St. Louis Cardinals, Edman continues to shine with a career batting average of .271 and the ability to start at multiple infield positions.
Norcross High: Dominance Across Sports
Norcross High in Georgia has produced stars like Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter. DeShields dominated on the basketball court, winning three state titles and averaging 26 points per game in her senior year. Drafted third overall in the 2018 WNBA draft, she has played pivotal roles for the Chicago Sky, Phoenix Mercury, and Dallas Wings, including a significant contribution to the Sky's 2021 championship victory.
In football, Lorenzo Carter was a force in high school, recording 132 tackles and six sacks as a senior while leading Norcross to a state championship. A third-round pick by the New York Giants in 2018, Carter has overcome an Achilles injury to secure a spot with the Atlanta Falcons, amassing 18.5 career sacks.
Allen High: A Powerhouse of Talent
Finally, Allen High in Texas boasts multi-sport legends Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray. Murray is regarded as one of the most electrifying athletes in recent memory, leading his high school team to 43 consecutive wins and three state titles while accounting for 186 touchdowns. His stellar college career culminated in winning the 2018 Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma, and he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Named the NFL Rookie of the Year, Murray also guided the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Bo Nickal’s wrestling career is similarly remarkable. A three-time state champion in three different weight classes, Nickal lost just seven matches in high school and went on to secure three national titles at Penn State. Now a budding star in mixed martial arts, Nickal remains unbeaten in his four professional bouts.
Prep schools across America continue to serve as crucibles for athletic talent, shaping young athletes who excel at the highest levels of competition. From the courts to the fields, and onto the professional stage, these institutions lay the groundwork for enduring legacies in sports.