Notable Alumni from High Schools: A Look at Rising Sports Stars
Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum: Rising Stars from Chaminade Prep
Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, boasts an impressive list of athletic alumni, none more prominent today than Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum. Both athletes have made significant marks in their respective sports after starting their journeys at Chaminade.
Jayson Tatum, currently a standout player for the Boston Celtics, averaged nearly 30 points per game in high school and led his team to a state championship. His performance earned him the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year. In the NBA, Tatum has continued his stellar play, averaging 30.1 points per game this season. He led the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season and has reached the Eastern Conference finals four times.
Matthew Tkachuk, on the other hand, left Chaminade after ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team. Now in his seventh NHL season, Tkachuk has established himself as a top player in the league. He has scored 40 goals in consecutive seasons and currently has the Florida Panthers one win away from their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey: Champions from Brentwood Academy
Brentwood Academy in Tennessee produced two current sports stars: Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey. Garland made a name for himself in basketball, starting varsity in eighth grade and winning four state championships. As a senior, he averaged 27.6 points per game. Today, Garland is a key player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading the team in assists and scoring 21.6 points per game this season.
Jalen Ramsey, now with the Miami Dolphins, was a multi-sport athlete at Brentwood Academy. Besides football, he excelled in track, setting a Tennessee state record for the long jump. Ramsey went on to win a BCS national championship at Florida State and a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. A three-time All-Pro, Ramsey is one of the most formidable defensive backs in the NFL.
Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw: Icons from Highland Park High
Highland Park High in Texas counts among its alumni NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford and MLB pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Stafford, who won a state championship in 2005, became one of the top high school players in his senior season. In the NFL, he has posted nine 4,000-yard seasons and thrown 333 touchdown passes. Stafford led the Los Angeles Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI, throwing for 283 yards and three scores.
Clayton Kershaw also had a remarkable high school career, achieving a perfect record in his senior season and once striking out 139 batters, including an all-strikeout perfect game. Widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers of his era, Kershaw has won three Cy Young Awards and the National League MVP. He also played a crucial role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win. Kershaw trails only Justin Verlander for most strikeouts in postseason history.
Kelsey Plum and Tommy Edman: Standouts from La Jolla Country Day
La Jolla Country Day in California can be proud of alumni Kelsey Plum and Tommy Edman. Plum scored over 2,000 points and grabbed more than 600 rebounds during her high school career, leading her team to a state championship. She was the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft and averaged 17.1 points per game in the 2022 playoffs. A pivotal part of the Las Vegas Aces, Plum helped the team secure the WNBA title.
Tommy Edman set multiple school records, including for hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases. He had 91 stolen bases over four varsity seasons. In Major League Baseball, Edman has become a versatile asset for the St. Louis Cardinals, starting games at second base, third base, and shortstop. Over his career, Edman has maintained a .271 batting average.
Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter: Talents from Norcross
Norcross High in Georgia has produced notable athletes Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter. DeShields won three state basketball titles and averaged 26 points per game as a senior. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, DeShields has played for the Chicago Sky, Phoenix Mercury, and now the Dallas Wings. She was a crucial bench player in the Sky's 2021 championship run.
Lorenzo Carter had an impressive high school football career, recording 132 tackles and six sacks as a senior and leading Norcross to a state championship. A third-round pick by the New York Giants in 2018, Carter faced an Achilles injury that sidelined him for most of the 2020 season. Now with the Atlanta Falcons, he has amassed 18.5 career sacks.
Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray: Dominance from Allen High
Allen High in Texas is renowned for producing top-tier athletes, including Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray. Murray won 43 consecutive games and led his team to three state titles, never losing a game in high school. He accounted for 186 touchdowns during his prep career. The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma, Murray was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He went on to win the NFL Rookie of the Year and led the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Bo Nickal had an equally impressive high school career, winning state championships in three different weight classes and losing just seven matches. At Penn State, he secured three national titles. Transitioning to professional fighting, Nickal earned a UFC contract after successful performances in Dana White's Contender Series and has won all four of his professional bouts so far.
