A Legacy of Elite Athletes: Chaminade Prep to Allen High
A Legacy of Elite Athletes: Chaminade Prep to Allen High
Chaminade Prep: The Birthplace of Basketball and Hockey Stars
Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, boasts a remarkable lineage of athletic talent. Among its alumni are two prominent sports figures: NBA star Jayson Tatum and NHL standout Matthew Tkachuk.
Tatum, a critical player for the Boston Celtics, has displayed extraordinary skill since his high school days. Averaging nearly 30 points per game back then, Tatum led Chaminade to a state championship and earned the prestigious 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year award. His exceptional high school performance set the stage for his professional career, where he currently averages 30.1 points per game in the NBA. Tatum's leadership propelled the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season, marking his fourth appearance in the Eastern Conference finals.
On the ice, Matthew Tkachuk embarked on his athletic journey at Chaminade before joining the U.S. National Development Team after ninth grade. Now in his seventh NHL season, Tkachuk has proven his prowess by scoring 40 goals in consecutive seasons. His contributions have the Florida Panthers on the cusp of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Brentwood Academy: Producing Multi-Sport Champions
In Tennessee, Brentwood Academy has its own impressive roster of alumni, including NBA star Darius Garland and NFL standout Jalen Ramsey. Garland's basketball talent shone early, as he started varsity basketball in eighth grade and went on to win four state championships. With an average of 27.6 points per game as a senior, Garland's remarkable skills earned him a spot on the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he leads the team in assists and averages 21.6 points per game this season.
Meanwhile, Jalen Ramsey's athletic versatility was evident during his high school years, where he set a Tennessee state record in the long jump. Ramsey continued his success in football, winning a BCS national championship at Florida State and a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. A three-time All-Pro, Ramsey now plays for the Miami Dolphins, showcasing his defensive prowess in the NFL.
Highland Park High: Dominant Across Sports Seasons
Highland Park High in Texas has shaped the careers of two major professional athletes: quarterback Matthew Stafford and pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Stafford led his high school team to a state championship in 2005 and has demonstrated remarkable consistency in the NFL with nine 4,000-yard seasons and 333 touchdown passes. His leadership culminated in the Los Angeles Rams' victory in Super Bowl LVI.
Clayton Kershaw, a high school contemporary of Stafford, had an equally illustrious prep career with a perfect season. Kershaw's high school highlights include striking out 139 batters in a season and pitching an all-strikeout perfect game. In the MLB, Kershaw has won three Cy Young Awards, the National League MVP, and played a crucial role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win. He remains just behind Justin Verlander for most strikeouts in postseason history.
La Jolla Country Day: From Court to Field
La Jolla Country Day in California is home to athletes like Kelsey Plum and Tommy Edman. Plum's basketball tenure in high school saw her score over 2,000 points and grab more than 600 rebounds, leading her team to a state championship. The first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft, Plum has become a vital player for the Las Vegas Aces, contributing significantly to their WNBA title and averaging 17.1 points per game in the 2022 playoffs.
Tommy Edman, another La Jolla alumnus, set school records in hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases during his high school years. With 91 stolen bases over four varsity seasons, Edman transitioned to the MLB, becoming a versatile asset for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he boasts a career batting average of .271.
Norcross High: From the Hardwood to the Gridiron
Norcross High in Georgia produced notable talents like WNBA star Diamond DeShields and NFL player Lorenzo Carter. DeShields' high school career was decorated with three state basketball titles and an average of 26 points per game as a senior. As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, DeShields has played for multiple teams and was instrumental in the Chicago Sky's 2021 championship run.
Lorenzo Carter, a dominant force in high school football, recorded 132 tackles and six sacks as a senior, leading Norcross to a state championship. Drafted in the third round by the New York Giants in 2018, Carter now plays for the Atlanta Falcons, amassing 18.5 career sacks despite overcoming an Achilles injury in 2020.
Allen High: A Hotbed of Athletic Excellence
Allen High in Texas is renowned for producing extraordinary athletes such as Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray. Murray's high school football career was marked by an astounding 43 consecutive wins and three state titles, accounting for 186 touchdowns. His remarkable achievements continued at Oklahoma, where he won the 2018 Heisman Trophy before being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Murray went on to win NFL Rookie of the Year and led the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Bo Nickal, a wrestling prodigy, won state championships in three different weight classes during high school and lost just seven matches. At Penn State, Nickal secured three national titles, later transitioning to a professional career in mixed martial arts. Thus far, Nickal has won all four of his professional bouts, earning a UFC contract.
From the courts of Chaminade Prep to the fields of Allen High, these schools have cultivated an impressive array of talent, each athlete leaving an indelible mark on their respective sports.
