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 few of the high hoopers repping key stops alongside the way in which.
To rank the highest boys’ and women’ basketball expertise since 2000, we’re inserting a heavy emphasis on highschool accolades — state titles, nationwide honors, particular person awards — together with on-court dominance, long-term legacy, recognition and total affect on the sport.
On this version, we deal with the Carolinas: North and South.
From Zion Williamson to A’ja Wilson, these hoopers characterize a few of the most interesting to ever play highschool basketball within the area.
Boys
1. Zion Williamson, Spartanburg Day College (South Carolina)
Class of 2018
His case: Williamson led his squad to a few state championships, averaging 36.4 factors, 11.4 rebounds and three.5 assists throughout his highschool profession. He completed ranked No. 2 total within the ESPN 100 in 2018, the identical 12 months he was named South Carolina’s Mr. Basketball.
Williamson went on to dominate as a freshman at Duke, successful ACC Participant of the 12 months, ACC Rookie of the 12 months, ACC Match MVP, First Group All-ACC and Nationwide Participant of the 12 months. Williamson was picked No. 1 total by the New Orleans Pelicans within the 2019 NBA draft. In six seasons, Williamson has averaged 24.7 factors, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists and been named to 2 NBA All-Star video games.
2. Brandon Ingram, Kinston Excessive College (North Carolina)
Class of 2015
His case: Ingram had a legendary run in highschool, main the Vikings to four-consecutive state titles and averaging 24.3 factors and 10.4 rebounds a recreation as a senior. He secured the No. 3 total rank within the ESPN 100 for 2015. He was subsequently named Parade and McDonald’s All American and went on to star at Duke the place he averaged 17.3 factors, 6.8 rebounds, two assists and 1.4 blocks en path to successful ACC Rookie of the 12 months.
Ingram was picked No. 2 total by the Los Angeles Lakers within the 2016 NBA draft. In 9 NBA seasons, Ingram has made an All-Star Sport and been named Most Improved Participant.
3. Stephen Curry, Charlotte Christian College (North Carolina)
Class of 2006
His case: Curry was removed from a nationwide title throughout his highschool enjoying days, however put up dominant numbers as a senior in 2006, averaging 22.3 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists a recreation and ending as the college’s all-time main scorer with over 1,400 factors.
Curry went on to star at Davidson the place he gained SoCon Participant of the 12 months twice, was named First Group All-SoCon 3 times, All-American twice and led the nation in scoring. Curry was picked No. 7 total by the Golden State Warriors within the 2009 NBA draft. In 16 NBA seasons, Curry has gained 4 NBA titles, been named NBA Finals MVP, gained two NBA MVP awards, performed in 11 NBA All-Star video games and gained two scoring titles.
4. John Wall, Garner Magnet Excessive College; Phrase of God Christian Academy (North Carolina)
Class of 2009
His case: Wall was a highschool spotlight reel, averaging 22.1 factors, 5.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds and two steals a recreation and main the Holy Rams to the state title recreation in 2009. He was named to the Elite 24 and the Jordan Model Basic and completed ranked No. 5 total and No. 1 amongst level guards within the ESPN 100.
Wall went on to have a dominant freshman season at Kentucky, averaging 16.6 factors, 6.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals a recreation en path to claiming SEC Participant of the 12 months, Freshman of the 12 months and All-American standing. Wall was picked No. 1 total by the Washington Wizards within the 2010 NBA draft and has made 5 NBA All-Star video games, gained an NBA dunk contest, made an All-NBA staff and an All-Defensive staff in 13 seasons.
5. Chris Paul, West Forsyth Excessive College (North Carolina)
Class of 2003
His case: Paul averaged 30.8 factors, 9.5 assists and 6 steals a recreation as a senior in 2003. Earlier than that, he led the Kappa Magic to an AAU Nationals title in 2002 and was named MVP. He was additionally named North Carolina’s Mr. Basketball together with being a McDonald’s All American.
Paul went on to star at Wake Forest the place he was named ACC Rookie of the 12 months, All-ACC twice and All-American. Paul was picked No. 4 total by the New Orleans Pelicans within the 2005 NBA draft. In 20 NBA seasons, Paul has gained NBA Rookie of the 12 months, made 12 All-Star video games, 11 All-NBA groups and 9 All-NBA Defensive groups.
Women
1. A’ja Wilson, Heathwood Corridor Episcopal College (South Carolina)
Class of 2014
Her case: Wilson snagged a state title in her senior season in 2014, averaging 35 factors, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks a recreation. She completed ranked No. 1 total within the ESPNW 100 and was named Parade Participant of the 12 months and South Carolina’s Gatorade Participant of the 12 months in addition to Ms. Basketball for the state.
She went on to have a legendary run at South Carolina the place she gained a nationwide title, was named SEC Freshman of the 12 months, SEC Participant of the 12 months 3 times, SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months twice, First Group All-American 3 times and First Group All-SEC all 4 years. Wilson went No. 1 total to the Las Vegas Aces within the 2018 WNBA draft. In seven WNBA seasons, Wilson has gained two titles, been named Rookie of the 12 months, league MVP 3 times, WNBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months twice, gained a scoring title and made the All-Star recreation yearly.
2. Ivory Latta, York Excessive College (South Carolina)
Class of 2003
Her case: After main her staff to a state title as a junior, Latta averaged 44.6 factors a recreation, together with a 70-point recreation, as a senior in 2003. She additionally turned the all-time main scorer — boys or women — in South Carolina historical past totaling 4,319 factors. Latta gained Ms. Basketball and Morgan Wootten Participant of the 12 months earlier than heading to North Carolina the place she was named ACC Participant of the 12 months, ACC Match MVP 3 times, First Group All-ACC 3 times and All-American twice.
Latta was picked No. 11 total by the Detroit Shock within the 2007 WNBA draft. Throughout her 10-year profession, she was named to the All-Star recreation twice.
3. Sarah Strong, Fuquay-Varina Excessive College; Grace Christian College (North Carolina)
Class of 2024
Her case: Sturdy completed her highschool profession ranked No. 1 total within the ESPNW 100 in 2024, after main Grace Christian to a few state titles, snagging Naismith Participant of the 12 months, North Carolina Ms. Basketball twice and Gatorade North Carolina Participant of the 12 months twice.
She had a formidable freshman season at UConn, serving to the Huskies to a nationwide title, averaging 16.4 factors, 8.9 rebounds and three.6 assists a recreation. Sturdy was named Freshman of the 12 months, All-American and First Group All-Huge East.
4. Saniya Rivers, Eugene Ashley Excessive College (North Carolina)
Class of 2021
Her case: Rivers was a scoring machine, averaging 34.3 factors, 12.1 rebounds, 6.1 steals and 5.8 assists a recreation as a senior in 2021 when she completed ranked No. 3 total within the ESPNW 100. Rivers was named North Carolina’s Gatorade Participant of the 12 months 3 times and gained Gatorade Nationwide Participant of the 12 months as a senior. She earned All-State honors all 4 years.
Rivers went on to assist South Carolina win a nationwide title as a freshman earlier than transferring to NC State, the place she was named First Group All-ACC twice, All-ACC Defensive staff twice and ACC Sixth Participant of the 12 months. Rivers was picked No. 8 total by the Connecticut Sun within the 2025 WNBA draft.
5. Alaina Coates, Dutch Fork Excessive College (South Carolina)
Class of 2013
Her case: Coates was a dominant pressure, main her squad to back-to-back state titles and averaging 20.1 factors, 11.6 rebounds and three.6 blocks a recreation as a senior in 2013. Coates was named All-State 3 times and gained South Carolina’s Ms. Basketball and Gatorade Participant of the 12 months.
She starred at South Carolina, serving to the Gamecocks win a nationwide title, being named SEC Freshman of the 12 months and All-SEC 4 occasions. Coates was picked No. 2 total by the Chicago Sky within the 2017 WNBA draft and gained the title in 2023.