St. Louis Sports Stars Rising High in Professional Leagues
From the bustling high school gyms to the dazzling lights of major league arenas, several athletes have carried their high school legacy into professional stardom. Particularly noteworthy are stars from Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, Brentwood Academy in Tennessee, Highland Park High in Texas, La Jolla Country Day in California, Norcross High in Georgia, and Allen High in Texas.
Chaminade Prep: Home to Tatum and Tkachuk
Chaminade Prep has produced notable alumni like NBA sensation Jayson Tatum and NHL star Matthew Tkachuk. Jayson Tatum, a cornerstone for the Boston Celtics, has made significant strides since his high school days when he averaged nearly 30 points per game and led his team to a state championship. Tatum was also named the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year. This season, he's averaging an impressive 30.1 points per game and recently led the Celtics to the NBA Finals, marking his fourth trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
Meanwhile, Matthew Tkachuk left Chaminade after the ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team. Now in his seventh NHL season, Tkachuk has scored 40 goals in consecutive seasons and has played a crucial role in the Florida Panthers' near-historic run towards their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Brentwood Academy: Garland and Ramsey Shine
Brentwood Academy in Tennessee boasts Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey among its distinguished alumni. Garland, who started varsity basketball in eighth grade, led his team to four state championships and averaged 27.6 points per game as a senior. Currently, he is the assist leader for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 21.6 points per game this season.
Jalen Ramsey, a multi-sport athlete at Brentwood Academy, excelled in football and track, setting a Tennessee state record in the long jump. He 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 now plays for the Miami Dolphins.
Highland Park High: Stafford and Kershaw's Legacy
At Highland Park High in Texas, Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw left indelible marks. Stafford led his team to a state championship in 2005 and has since thrown 333 touchdown passes in the NFL, along with nine 4,000-yard seasons. He also led the Los Angeles Rams to a victory in Super Bowl LVI.
Clayton Kershaw was a high school phenom with a perfect season and 139 strikeouts, including an all-strikeout perfect game. Kershaw has accumulated three Cy Young Awards, a National League MVP, and played a pivotal role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win. He also trails only Justin Verlander for most strikeouts in postseason history.
La Jolla Country Day: Rising Stars Plum and Edman
La Jolla Country Day in California has produced 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 has been a key player for the Las Vegas Aces, contributing significantly in their WNBA title victory.
Tommy Edman, another La Jolla standout, set school records for hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases. Edman has become a versatile asset for the St. Louis Cardinals, showcasing his skills at second base, third base, and shortstop, with a career batting average of .271.
Norcross High: DeShields and Carter Excel
From Norcross High in Georgia, Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter have made a mark in their respective sports. DeShields won three state basketball titles and averaged 26 points per game as a senior. She was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft and has played a crucial role in the Chicago Sky's 2021 championship run.
In football, Lorenzo Carter led Norcross to a state championship, recording 132 tackles and six sacks as a senior. Drafted in the third round by the New York Giants in 2018, an Achilles injury sidelined him for most of the 2020 season. Carter now plays for the Atlanta Falcons, achieving 18.5 career sacks.
Allen High: Dominance of Nickal and Murray
Allen High in Texas is known for its powerhouse athletes Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray. Murray led his team to three state titles with an astonishing 43 consecutive wins and accounted for 186 touchdowns during his high school career. He won the 2018 Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, and earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors, guiding the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Bo Nickal demonstrated his wrestling prowess by winning state championships in three different weight classes in high school and losing only seven matches. At Penn State, he secured three national titles and has transitioned seamlessly to professional fighting, securing a UFC contract and winning all four of his professional bouts.
These athletes have not only made significant contributions to their high school teams but have also carried their talents to the professional stage, becoming key players and earning accolades that reflect their hard work and dedication.