Who is the Best High School Basketball Player in California?
California is one of the biggest states in the US, and it’s home to some of the best high school basketball players in the nation. Every year, the state produces many talented athletes who go on to star in college and the NBA. With so many talented players, it can be difficult to decide who is the best.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top high school basketball players in California and discuss who might be the best.
Notable High School Basketball Players
There have been many great high school basketball players from California over the years. Here are a few of the most notable:
- Shaquille O’Neal: Growing up in San Antonio, California, Shaq was an impressive high school basketball player. He was named California’s Mr. Basketball in 1989 and was the #1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft.
- Kobe Bryant: Kobe was born in Philadelphia, but moved to California at a young age. He attended Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, but he was actually recruited heavily by several California schools. He was named the Naismith High School Player of the Year in 1996.
- Lebron James: Another great player from California, Lebron James was born in Akron, Ohio, but moved to California when he was 11. He attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004.
Recent High School Basketball Stars
In recent years, California has produced some outstanding high school basketball players. Here are a few of the most notable:
- Marvin Bagley III: Bagley was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but moved to California as a young child. He attended Sierra Canyon High School, where he was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2017. He was the #2 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
- Deandre Ayton: Ayton was born in the Bahamas, but moved to the US at a young age. He attended Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, Arizona, but was recruited by several California schools. He was the #1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
- Michael Porter Jr.: Porter was born in Columbia, Missouri, but attended Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, Washington. He was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2017, and was the #14 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Who Is the Best High School Basketball Player in California?
It’s hard to pick just one player as the best high school basketball player in California. Each of the players listed above has had an impressive high school career, and all of them went on to have successful NBA careers.
However, if we had to pick one player as the best high school basketball player in California, it would have to be Shaquille O’Neal. He was the most highly recruited player in the state when he was in high school, and he was the #1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career, and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time.
Other Notable California High School Basketball Players
There are many other high school basketball players from California who deserve recognition. Here are a few of the most notable:
- Bill Walton: Walton attended Helix High School in San Diego and was named California’s Mr. Basketball in 1972. He was the #1 overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft and went on to have a successful NBA career.
- Jason Kidd: Kidd was born in San Francisco, California, and attended St. Joseph Notre Dame High School. He was the #2 overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft, and he went on to become one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.
- James Harden: Harden was born in Los Angeles, California and attended Artesia High School. He was the #3 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and has been named the NBA’s MVP in 2018 and 2019.
California High School Basketball Programs
In addition to producing some of the best players in the nation, California is also home to some of the best high school basketball programs. Here are a few of the top programs in the state:
- Mater Dei High School: Mater Dei is one of the top high school basketball programs in the country. The school has won 11 California state championships, and it has produced many great players, including Kobe Bryant, Deandre Ayton, and Marvin Bagley III.
- Sierra Canyon High School: Sierra Canyon is another top high school basketball program in California. The school has won six California state championships, and it has produced many great players, including Marvin Bagley III and LaMelo Ball.
- St. John Bosco High School: St. John Bosco is a top high school basketball program in California. The school has won six California state championships, and it has produced many great players, including Lebron James and Aaron Gordon.
California High School Basketball Tournaments
The state of California is home to many high school basketball tournaments, including the CIF Southern California Regionals and the CIF State Championship. These tournaments bring together some of the best teams in the state, and they provide a great opportunity for players to showcase their skills.
Conclusion
California has a long history of producing great high school basketball players, and the state is home to some of the best programs and tournaments in the nation. While it’s hard to pick just one player as the best high school basketball player in California, Shaquille O’Neal is certainly one of the best ever to come out of the state.