Within the spirit of the “SportsCenter” quest — modeled after the unique 2005 “SportsCenter Throughout America” tour to hit all 50 states in 50 days — we’re spotlighting a number of the high hoopers repping key stops alongside the best way.
To lock in the very best boys’ and ladies’ basketball expertise since 2000, we’re weighing every part from profession accolades and on-court impression to legacy, recognition and affect on the sport.
On this version, we’re centered on the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia space colloquially referred to as the DMV.
From Kevin Durant to Kristi Toliver, these hoopers symbolize a number of the most interesting to ever play highschool basketball within the area.
Males
1. Kevin Durant, Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)/Montrose Christian (Maryland)
His case: Durant was a schoolboy legend within the D.C. space for a number of years, averaging 23.6 factors and 10.2 rebounds a recreation for Montrose Christian throughout his senior season in 2005-06. He was much more dominant operating with the D.C. Blue Devils AAU squad in the course of the summer season and constantly took his manufacturing up as he leveled up, profitable Participant of the Yr as a freshman at Texas, being chosen No. 2 by the Seattle SuperSonics within the 2007 NBA draft and occurring to win two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018). Durant was named NBA MVP in 2014.
2. Carmelo Anthony, Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)
His case: Anthony led the Oak Hill Warriors to a 32-1 file in 2001-02, averaging 21.7 factors and seven.4 rebounds a recreation en path to being named a McDonald’s All-American. He went on to dominate at Syracuse, averaging 22.2 factors and 10 rebounds a recreation to steer the Orange to their first nationwide title in 2003, claiming Most Excellent Participant within the NCAA event. Anthony was chosen No. 3 by the Denver Nuggets within the 2003 NBA draft and went on to be a 10-time NBA All-Star and a six-time All-NBA choice. He will probably be enshrined within the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame in September.
3. Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)
His case: Jennings dismantled the competitors on the highest degree in highschool, averaging 35.5 factors, 7.5 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals a recreation for the nationwide hoops powerhouse. He claimed Virginia’s Gatorade Participant of the Yr and Naismith Participant of the Yr awards as a senior in 2008. Jennings, who completed his highschool profession ranked No. 1 within the ESPN 100, performed professionally in Italy for one yr as an alternative of going to varsity and was chosen No. 10 by the Milwaukee Bucks within the 2009 draft. In 9 NBA seasons, Jennings averaged 14.1 factors, 5.7 assists and three rebounds a recreation.
4.Luka Garza, Maret Faculty (Washington)
His case: Garza was a matchup nightmare throughout his highschool days with the Combating Frogs, averaging 24.6 factors, 11.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.1 assists throughout his senior season in 2016-17. He solely elevated his standing at Iowa, the place his jersey hangs within the rafters after profitable Nationwide Participant of the Yr and Huge Ten Participant of the Yr honors twice. Garza is Iowa’s all-time scoring chief with 2,306 profession factors. Garza was the 52nd draft choose by the Detroit Pistons in 2021.
5.Markelle Fultz, DeMatha Catholic (Maryland)
His case: Fultz was ranked No. 7 within the ESPN 100 in 2016 and averaged 19.1 factors and eight.8 rebounds for DeMatha as a senior. He dominated the competitors in his freshman season at Washington, averaging 23.2 factors, 5.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.2 blocks, and was chosen No. 1 within the 2017 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Ladies
1. Kristi Toliver, Harrisonburg Excessive Faculty (Virginia)
Her case: Toliver dominated the competitors in highschool, pumping in 2,527 profession factors and averaging 28.5 factors, 5.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists as a senior, claiming Virginia’s Gatorade Participant of the Yr award and suiting up within the McDonald’s All-American Recreation in 2005. Toliver helped Maryland win the nationwide title as a freshman in 2006 after draining a 3-pointer to power extra time within the Terrapins’ 78-75 victory over Duke. She went on to be named a two-time All-American, three-time All-ACC choice and the 2009 ACC Participant of the Yr. Toliver was picked No. 3 by the Chicago Sky within the 2009 WNBA draft, was a three-time All-Star and gained two titles.
2. Angel Reese, St. Frances Academy (Maryland)
Her case: Reese was a dominant power with the Panthers, averaging 18 factors and 20 rebounds for her profession and checking in at No. 2 within the ESPNW 100 her senior yr in 2019-20. Reese led Saint Frances to a few straight IAAM championships then dominated for 2 years at Maryland earlier than transferring to LSU to raise her standing even additional, main the Tigers to a nationwide title as a junior. She led the SEC in scoring and rebounding throughout her junior and senior seasons earlier than being picked No. 7 by the Chicago Sky within the 2024 draft. She has already made her mark within the WNBA, changing into the quickest participant in league historical past to achieve 500 factors and 500 rebounds. That would probably pale compared to Reese’s impression on the sport off the courtroom as a cultural phenomenon via style and media.
3. Marissa Coleman, St. John’s School Excessive Faculty (Washington)
Her case: Coleman was a key playmaker for the Cadets, snagging D.C.’s Gatorade Participant of the Yr honors in 2004 and 2005 and ending her highschool profession with 2,057 factors and 1,750 rebounds. Coleman starred at Maryland as a freshman, claiming ACC Rookie of the Yr and serving to the Terrapins win the nationwide title in 2006. She amassed greater than 2,000 factors and 1,000 rebounds in her profession in School Park. Coleman performed 9 seasons within the WNBA and was an All-Star in 2015.
4. Monique Currie, Bullis Faculty (Maryland)
Her case: Currie was an All-American as a Bulldogs senior in 1999-2000, when she averaged 21.6 factors, 8.2 rebounds and a pair of.5 steals a recreation and scored 2,151 profession factors in highschool. She was much more legendary at Duke, the place she turned the primary participant in ACC ladies’s basketball historical past to put up 2,000 factors, 800 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals in her profession. Currie was named ACC Participant of the Yr in 2005 after averaging 17.5 factors and seven.1 rebounds and was chosen No. 3 by the Charlotte Sting within the 2006 WNBA draft. Currie performed 14 skilled seasons and compiled profession averages of 10.3 factors, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
5.Azzi Fudd, St. John’s School Excessive Faculty (Washington)
Her case: Fudd was the primary sophomore to be named Gatorade Nationwide Participant of the Yr after which claimed two consecutive D.C. Gatorade Participant of the Yr honors throughout her junior and senior seasons. She led the Cadets with 25.2 factors, 7.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and three.2 steals and was ranked No. 1 within the ESPNW 100 in 2020. Within the 2024-25 season, Fudd was named First Group All-Huge East and helped the UConn Huskies declare the nationwide title, averaging 17.5 factors a recreation within the NCAA event.