Charlie Villanueva is from Queens. Luol Deng is from Sudan. Now they’re both top-10 prep talents, and both are playing in rural New Jersey at Blair Academy. Never heard of it? You will.

Whether he goes to college or not, Dominguez High School center Tyson Chandler is set on dominating at the next level. Soon. Deal with it.

Like so many before him, Shaun Livingston came up in Peoria, Illinois, with a tough-as-nails game and an untouchable handle. And even when he leaves, he’ll always take a little bit of Peoria with him.

These days, LOTS of players CONSIDER leaving school early FOR THE NBA. LeBron James WILL FACE THAT DECISION NEXT YEAR. Did we mention he’s gonna be a Junior in high school?

We would’ve heard of him eventually, but listen to those who saw him first—even as an “unknown” high school sophomore, KEVIN GARNETT looked like an all-time great.

Last year, Dwight Howard was barely on anyone’s radar. This year, he’s the best high school player in the country. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Were Dunbar High’s 1982 & 1983 teams—featuring future NBA players Muggsy Bogues, Reggie Williams, Reggie Lewis and David Wingate—the greatest high school teams the world will ever see?
{Originally published in SLAM 2, 1994}

The fundamentals are there. The support system is there. The style is there. Even the tats are there. Yet Dajuan Wagner has still chosen to attend college. Good for him.

Amare Stoudemire has had almost zero stability in his life—and virtually no formal basketball training—and he’s still probably the best high school player in the class of ’02.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.