Rising Stars and Resilient Champions: High School Alumni Making Waves in Professional Sports
Rising Stars and Resilient Champions: High School Alumni Making Waves in Professional Sports
In the world of professional sports, high schools from various corners of the United States have cultivated talents who now shine on the grandest stages. Alumni from these institutions have written their names in the annals of sports history, showcasing remarkable skills and tenacity.
Chaminade Prep in St. Louis: Home of Tatum and Tkachuk
Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, boasts alumni like Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk. Tatum, currently a pivotal player for the Boston Celtics, has consistently demonstrated his scoring prowess. During his high school career, Tatum averaged nearly 30 points per game and led his team to a state championship. Honoring his phenomenal high school tenure, he was named the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Tatum has successfully transitioned these talents to the NBA, where he averages 30.1 points per game this season. Leading the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals four times, Tatum continues to be a formidable force on the court.
Matthew Tkachuk’s journey diverged from Tatum's when he left Chaminade after ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team. Now in his seventh NHL season, Tkachuk has scored 40 goals in consecutive seasons. His contributions have been instrumental in propelling the Florida Panthers to within one win of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Brentwood Academy: Garland and Ramsey Leading by Example
Brentwood Academy in Tennessee has produced stellar athletes such as Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey. Garland began his varsity basketball career in eighth grade, claiming four state championships and averaging 27.6 points per game as a senior. Now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Garland leads the team in assists and averages 21.6 points per game this season.
Jalen Ramsey, a versatile athlete from Brentwood, excelled in multiple sports and set a state record in the long jump. Ramsey's illustrious career includes winning a BCS national championship at Florida State and a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. Currently a three-time All-Pro, Ramsey brings his expertise to the Miami Dolphins.
Highland Park High: Stafford and Kershaw’s Legendary Careers
Highland Park High in Texas is the alma mater of Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw. Stafford, who won a state championship in 2005, has an impressive NFL career with nine 4,000-yard seasons and 333 touchdown passes. Leading the Los Angeles Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI remains one of his crowning achievements.
Clayton Kershaw’s high school career was nothing short of perfection. Striking out 139 batters in a season and pitching an all-strikeout perfect game, Kershaw demonstrated his dominance early on. His professional accolades include three Cy Young Awards, an NL MVP, and playing a pivotal role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win. Kershaw is currently second only to Justin Verlander in postseason strikeouts.
La Jolla Country Day: Plum and Edman’s Rise
La Jolla Country Day in California has seen remarkable talents like Kelsey Plum and Tommy Edman. Plum scored over 2,000 points and grabbed more than 600 rebounds in high school, leading her team to a state championship. The first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft, Plum averaged 17.1 points per game in the 2022 playoffs and was crucial in the Las Vegas Aces’ WNBA title run.
Tommy Edman’s high school records for hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases reflect his all-around prowess. With 91 stolen bases in four varsity seasons, Edman now brings his versatility to the St. Louis Cardinals, starting at second base, third base, and shortstop while maintaining a career batting average of .271.
Norcross High: Dominance of DeShields and Carter
Norcross High in Georgia produced outstanding athletes Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter. DeShields led her high school team to three state basketball titles, averaging 26 points per game as a senior. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, she played a significant role in the Chicago Sky's 2021 championship run and has also contributed to the Phoenix Mercury and Dallas Wings.
Lorenzo Carter, with 132 tackles and six sacks as a senior, spearheaded Norcross to a state championship. Drafted by the New York Giants in 2018, Carter’s career has been marked by resilience, overcoming an Achilles injury and currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons with 18.5 career sacks.
Allen High: Unstoppable Nickal and Murray
Allen High in Texas has nurtured talents like Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray. Murray led his team to three state titles with a 43-game winning streak and 186 touchdowns. The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma, Murray was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft and won NFL Rookie of the Year. He led the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Bo Nickal’s high school wrestling career was highlighted by championships in three weight classes, losing just seven matches. At Penn State, he secured three national titles and parlayed his prowess into a successful MMA career, earning a UFC contract and winning all four of his professional bouts.
These athletes, hailing from diverse high school backgrounds, have transcended their early promise to become pillars of their respective sports. Their journeys from high school prodigies to professional superstars illustrate the unyielding dedication and talent that define their careers.
