Introduction
The world of college basketball is a competitive one. Teams are constantly vying for the top recruits in the country in order to build a winning program. Over the years, there have been some truly exceptional high school players who have gone on to have illustrious careers in college and the NBA.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the all-time greatest high school recruits in college basketball history. We will examine their high school careers, their college careers, and their NBA careers (if applicable).
The All-Time Elite
The following is a list of some of the all-time greatest high school recruits in college basketball history:
- Lebron James
- Kobe Bryant
- Kevin Durant
- Kyrie Irving
- Derrick Rose
These players were all considered to be can’t-miss prospects coming out of high school. They all had the size, athleticism, and skill to be successful at the highest level.
High School Careers
The high school careers of these players were all impressive. They all led their teams to state championships and were named Gatorade National Player of the Year. They also all participated in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.
College Careers
The college careers of these players were also impressive. They all played for major college basketball programs and helped their teams win NCAA championships. They also all won individual awards, such as the Naismith College Player of the Year Award.
NBA Careers
Four of the five players who were named in the previous section (excluding Kobe Bryant) all went on to have successful NBA careers. They all won NBA championships and were named to multiple NBA All-Star teams.
Conclusion
The all-time elite high school recruits in college basketball history are a special group of players. They were all incredibly talented and successful at the high school, college, and NBA levels. They are all role models for young basketball players and they have all left a lasting legacy on the game of basketball.
Additional Information
In addition to the five players who were named in the previous section, there are a number of other players who could be considered to be among the all-time greatest high school recruits in college basketball history. These players include:
- Michael Jordan
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Tim Duncan
- Yao Ming
- Allen Iverson
These players all had exceptional high school careers and went on to have successful college and NBA careers. They are all considered to be among the greatest players in the history of the game.
Table of High School Recruit Rankings
The following table shows the rankings of the top 10 high school recruits in the 2023 class, according to ESPN:
| Rank | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arch Manning | QB | Isidore Newman School |
| 2 | Cade Klubnik | QB | Westlake High School |
| 3 | Dante Moore | QB | Martin Luther King Jr. High School |
| 4 | Kelvin Banks | OT | Saguaro High School |
| 5 | Shemar Stewart | DL | South Oak Cliff High School |
| 6 | CJ Hicks | LB | James Martin High School |
| 7 | Davison Igbinosum | DL | Hutchinson Community College |
| 8 | Luther Burden | WR | Cardinal Ritter College Prep |
| 9 | Domani Jackson | CB | Santa Ana Mater Dei High School |
| 10 | Emery Jones | OT | Lufkin High School |
Table of College Basketball All-Americans
The following table shows the list of consensus All-Americans in NCAA Division I men’s basketball for the 2022-23 season:
| Player | School | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Armando Bacot | North Carolina | Center |
| Oscar Tshiebwe | Kentucky | Center |
| Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana | Forward |
| Jalen Hood-Schifino | Indiana | Guard |
| Drew Timme | Gonzaga | Forward |
Table of NBA Draft Picks
The following table shows the list of the first 10 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft:
| Pick | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Wembanyama | Indiana Pacers |
| 2 | Scoot Henderson | Detroit Pistons |
| 3 | Nick Smith Jr. | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 4 | Keyontae Johnson | Sacramento Kings |
| 5 | Cam Whitmore | Houston Rockets |
| 6 | Anthony Black | Charlotte Hornets |
| 7 | Brandon Miller | Chicago Bulls |
| 8 | Kris Murray | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 9 | GG Jackson | Washington Wizards |
| 10 | Ausar Thompson | Orlando Magic |
FAQs
1. Who is the greatest high school recruit of all time?
There is no consensus on who the greatest high school recruit of all time is, but Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant are all considered to be among the top candidates.
2. What are the most important factors in evaluating a high school recruit?
The most important factors in evaluating a high school recruit are their size, athleticism, skill, and character.
3. What are the most common mistakes that colleges make when recruiting high school players?
The most common mistakes that colleges make when recruiting high school players are overevaluating their potential and underrating their character.
4. What are the benefits of recruiting high school players?
The benefits of recruiting high school players are that they can provide a college program with a talented player who can contribute immediately. They can also help to build a winning culture and attract other top recruits.
5. What are the challenges of recruiting high school players?
The challenges of recruiting high school players are that they can be difficult to evaluate and they can be easily influenced by outside factors. They can also be difficult to keep on track academically.
6. What is the future of high school basketball recruiting?
The future of high school basketball recruiting is uncertain. The NCAA is currently considering changing its recruiting rules, which could have a major impact on the way that colleges recruit high school players.
