Eldridge Hudson (Carson) 82 These lists feature the best college basketball programs, as well as some that are knocking on the door of earning college basketball blue blood status. Top 25 Boys Hoops Players Weve Seen - Cal-Hi Sports 4. John Williams (Crenshaw, Los Angeles) 84 Gerald Walker By the time he played one season for Jerry Tarkanian, he was already a legend at Rogers Park in Inglewood, and even turned out the Drew League one year playing left-handed because of a bum shoulder. There were times the all-state guard got the best of pros, and he continued to flourish at Moorpark JC and New Mexico State, where he led the nation in assists as a senior. Each voter selects first, second, and third place votes. Only when the game was in hand for Mater Dei did Aaron Gordons stats start to even out. Narrowed college list to Kentucky, Arizona, Cal, Kansas and UCLA, Averaged 27 points, 14 rebounds and 3.1 blocks as senior, Dennis Awtrey (Blackford-San Jose), Mike Farmer (Richmond), Joe Gardere (McClymonds), Drew Gooden (El Cerrito), Drew Gordon (Mitty), Fred LaCour (St. Ignatius), Todd Lichti (Mount Diablo-Concord), Jeremy Lin (Palo Alto), Damian Lillard (Oakland), Mike Mitchell (Capuchino-San Bruno), Erwin Mueller (Livermore), Lamond Murray (Kennedy-Fremont), Gary Payton (Skyline-Oakland), Jim Pollard (Oakland Tech), Gene Ransom (Berkeley), J.R. Rider (Encinal-Alameda), Darnell Robinson (Emery-Emeryville), Phil Smith (Washington), Nate Williams (McClymonds). Oglesby is the prep school all-time state scoring leader, playing five years on the varsity at Hamden Hall. Vote now. Ernest Killum (Lynwood) 90 (Temecula, CA), Balboa City School He can be reached [email protected]. Steve "Show Time" Logan players Had very strong hands. Were going to begin this post with the best 25 players that longtime managing editor and SoCal grassroots guru Ronnie Flores has seen followed by the top 25 from longtime Cal-Hi Sports editor Mark Tennis. Then during his senior campaign, Davis averaged 25 points while rarely playing the second half of games. One of three Holiday brothers in the NBA, Jrue clearly is the one who had the most impressive high school career. Stevie Thompson (Crenshaw, Los Angeles) 86 Basketball player LaMelo Ball currently represents the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA. Always free! Peyton Watson Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, CA) SF. Two of the best big men in state history have been Bill Cartwright of Elk Grove (1975) and Tyson Chandler of Compton Dominguez (2001). Nicknamed the Claw for his amazing ball-hawking skills, Leonard is known for his quiet demeanor off-court. Correct, Im not old enough to see Walton in HS and Mark didnt have a chance to as a teenager/kid. 16. He led Sequoia to the Tournament of Champions before there was a state tournament in 1967 and went on to play for Cal and the Warriors. Stunning his fans with his precise shooting abilities, 33 points per game average and five NBA All-Star selections, Damian Lillard has only kept rising in his career as a professional basketball player. Jalen Green (San Joaquin Memorial, Fresno) 20 Lawrence Williams If a player isnt listed, its likely just because we didnt get to see that player in a game. Theus, also a head coach in college and the NBA, had his No. Aron "Hooky" Carmichael In the NBA, Miner's prowess for showmanship continued by twice winning the league's Slam Dunk Contest (1993, '95). Darnell "Dr. Dunk" Hillman, Johnson (Sacramento, Calif.) '67 Jacque Vaughn (Muir, Pasadena) 93 Did we see that guy play or not? Johnson perfected his craft at Joe Weakley's Run, Shoot and Dunk League, when it was still played at Denker Park, against the likes of Jerry "Money" Chambers, Walter Ned and James "Arkansas Red" Allen. After starring at Crenshaw, John Williams went to LSU and in 1986 he led the Tigers to the Final Four. 22. While at Verbum Dei, he was a two-time state player of the year in two divisions. California basketball fans, were ranking the best California Bears of all-time. MaxPreps is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. The South Central Los Angeles product was a two-time, first-team ParadeAll-American and McDonald's All-American. Then it was off to the NBA, where Pierce was a 10-time All-Star and helped the Boston Celtics win the 2008 championship. The key to his game is his ability to score from nearly any angle and spot on the floor. 9. 5. MaxPreps. Ivan Rabb (Bishop ODowd, Oakland) 15 There wasn't much Adams couldn't do on the basketball court. Luke Walton (University, San Diego) 98 At Carson, he capped a memorable senior season by leading the Colts to the Div. One of California's all-time late-bloomers, Spillers pumped in 21.3 ppg in his senior season. From there, Vaughn went to Kansas, where he won Big Eight Player of the Year in 1996, and had his No. Shaquille O'Neal named him The Truth.. The current record holder, however, is still a mystery. Freeman Williams, Manual Arts (Los Angeles) '74 Web2022 Top Basketball Recruits in California. Jeremiah "Carnival" King Many of our panelists had a hard time deciding on 10 players, and several re-voted a time or two before the story went to press. Ranking McDonald's top 35 - ESPN 17. 6. Russell couldnt even make the honorable mention list. best Darius McNeill, Juhwan Harris-Dyson, Justice Sueing, Marcus Lee, Ricky was considered, but he had a poor senior campaign at Serra. As a senior at Artesia High that's after transferring from Verbum Dei the versatile O'Bannon averaged 29.6 points and 9.7 rebounds en route to winning his school winning the CIF Division II state title. Charles OBannon (Artesia, Lakewood) 93 This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Onyeka Okongwu (Chino Hills) 19 Fabian Nixon Brunner's college career at Georgetown and Fresno State was marred by plenty of issues, but he eventually found modest success in the ABA. John Williams (Crenshaw, Los Angeles) 84 The panel of 20 voters included former players, former and current high school and college coaches, and members of the media. One of the true local L.A. legends. Didnt he graduate in 92 as the #2 All Time leading scorer in CA HS history?!?! California's answer to Jackie Jackson, Hillman is one of the game's greatest leapers on all levels. But as underclassmen, yes Ricky was more highly-regarded. One of the states smoothest scorers ever, Mills had a NBA-ready game in high school. The 247Sports Composite is a proprietary algorithm that compiles rankings and ratings listed in the public domain by the major media recruiting services, creating the industry's most comprehensive and unbiased prospect and team rankingsMore Info, Powered by innovative technology products, 247Sports employs a staff of more than 50 full time recruiting reporters and evaluators that rank and compile data on the nation's elite high school recruitsMore Info. 2. (Sudan, SUDA), St. Augustine Wolfe Perry Ricky Price and Paul Pierce are not in the same class. Take Bill Russell, who went on to lead USF to consecutive national titles and the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA Championships. He was never the same player, but did help Vegas reach the 1987 NCAA Final Four. Former Berkeley High shooting guard Phil Chenier, Mitty forward Aaron Gordon, McClymonds Paul Silas and Sequoia-Redwood Citys Charles Johnson round out the starting five. 32 was retired by the school. Johnson was born in Louisiana, but eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he was the first true superstar at mighty Crenshaw High School. All-time leading high school boys basketball scorers in all 50 As could all of the players on the second team and the honorable mention list. Got it done by leading the Dragons to NorCals only CIF crown in the Open Division era. Walter "Chipper" Bentley Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner, Inglewood (Inglewood) '89 22. 2. He was on USA Todays 1st team. Goodrich, California's Mr. Basketball in 1961, would eventually have his jersey retired by the school. #20 Best High Schools for Athletes in California. 32 was retired the same night as Prince's jersey. You had to be there when Tracy hit for 64 points in a CIF state title game and his team lost. Just unbelievable to watch.. Trevor Ariza (Westchester, Los Angeles) 03 Catalyst in making the Dons a national program sported 123-14 record and was never mentally beat by anyone. The biggest name on the SoCal hoops scene during the 1990s, Cotton won multiple AAU national championships and led Mater Dei to the Div. Wun "The Shot" Versher SportsLine. Thompson played collegiately at Syracuse, then in the CBA and briefly in the NBA. The California player of the year in 1968, Chenier was a 6-foot-3 jumping jack playing guard at a time when guys that size played center. Reggie Theus View California Basketball ranking list. Many feel he never got a fair shot at the pros after his initial contract squabble with the 76ers, but he never lost his swagger until his death in 2001. Hailing from Watts, Lewis tends to fall into the category of "best that never was," when it came to professional basketball success. In 1977, he helped the Portland Trail Blazers win an NBA championship and won another NBA championship in 1986 while playing for the Boston Celtics. 23. Taylor King outplayed James Harden in their matches but Artesia beat Mater Dei twice in the same season and came home with the trophy. 13. Best (Harbor City, CA), Rancho Verde Schea Cotton is not on this list NOR Corey Benjamin and Olougimi Man. "But the thing is, he played in dockers, pants, under shorts, whatever. Dion Brown Tough as nails point guard who won tons of big-time games edges East Bakersfields J.R. Henderson as final Central Section choice. After failing to make the varsity team as a freshman and sophomore, Pierce quickly blossomed into a prep star during his junior campaign. "Jumpin" Joey Johnson, Banning (Wilmington) '85 5. 23 was retired. (Sherman Oaks, CA), Prolific Prep Jumpin Joe Caldwell (Fremont), Billie The Hill McGill (Jefferson), Gail Goodrich (Polytechnic) for fun. Shaun Pennington For my last spot it was between the Big O and Ivan Rabb of Bishop ODowd. Unlike King, Cotton didn't develop in an NBA forward, but countless pros, both older and younger than him such as Kevin Garnett, Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant, have all been subjects in those true tales. He makes offensive life at the midfield miserable. Stephon Davis We didnt have to wonder about him going to the NBA straight from high school because the two-time Mr. Basketball was the No. A slashing point guard, Gumby left Santa Monica JC as its all-time leading scorer. Tracy Murray (Glendora) 89 He was a smooth jump shooter who could get to the rim effortlessly. Allen attended segregated and now defunct Roosevelt (Palm Beach, Fla.). Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Erron "E Money" Maxey Jason Kidd (St. Joseph, Alameda) 92. Forty-eight of Ohios top seniors, including one state champion, three Ms. Basketball finalists and 17 Division I signees highlight the Ohio High School Some states did not have any definitive sources, but we did the best we could to find the all-time leader. 1 football player, D.J. A two-time prep All-American, Robinson had a reputation that stretched across the country, thanks to Sonny Vaccaro's Dapper Dan Roundball Classic in Pittsburgh, Pa. Back home, the sleek forward was two-time city player of the year and the ringleader of a team that averaged 110.9 points per game in '66, still a state record. Jalen Green (San Joaquin Memorial, Fresno) 20 Teamed with Dane Suttle, Sr. to form one of the city's best backcourts ever. Saw him as a junior at Modesto Christian tourney so this is one list he can be on. 21. Andrew Gooden (El Cerrito) 99 The Cougars finished with a 28-1 record and even in the one game Crenshaw lost to Manual Arts, he hit an NBA three-pointer to send the game into overtime. There were so many great players out of Oakland alone, when you include the whole Bay Area, thats a serious list, former Skyline-Oakland guard and nine-time NBA All-Star Gary Payton said. Gene Ransom, Berkeley (Berkeley) '75 The 6-foot-11 Rabb also doesnt get into foul trouble and can make free throws. The college basketball blue bloods are the most elite teams in college basketball. Ray Young (St. Joseph, Alameda) 98, Ronnie Flores is the managing editor of CalHiSports.com. This is a carousel. Bishop O'Dowd basketball phenoms, Ivan Rabb, left and Paris Austin, right, stretching at the school's gym in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, March 19, 2015.