Best High School Basketball Programs by State
High school sports bring people together. Football may be America's most popular sport, but basketball is a close second. All you need is a ball and hoop to play, and if you can ball, you can ball.
The game continues to grow with high school basketball tournaments across the country. Huge venues sell out for state finals as schools vie for civic pride and players make lifelong memories.
Some schools have a tradition of winning state titles and sending players to the NBA. These are the best high school basketball programs in every state. And they're ranked.
Note: All stats and records are through the 2020 season.
51. Hawaii— Iolani School
City: Honolulu
Type of school: Private
Notable players (position, graduation year): Bobby Webster (guard, 2002)
Notable coaches: Doc Mugiishi (1989-2009)
Record since 2005: 301-174 (.634)
State championships: 11 (1983, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016)
Bottom Line: Iolani School
Just as it takes a village to build a community, it takes a great coach to build a winning culture.
The Raiders became the most prestigious program in Hawaii basketball thanks to Doc Mugiishi, who guided them to seven championships and five straight between 2002 and 2006.
Dean Shimamoto took the reins of Iolani's basketball team and won three titles before he resigned in 2019.
50. North Dakota — Minot High School
City: Minot
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Jeff Brandt (guard, 1999)
Notable coaches: Gene Manson (1981-2008)
Record since 2005: 282-101-1 (.734)
State championships: 18 (1916, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1949, 1950, 1955, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1980, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Bottom Line: Minot High School
Minot didn’t produce the greatest basketball player in state history. That would be Williston High School’s Phil Jackson.
But Minot has been North Dakota’s best basketball program for about 100 years. The Magicians reached the first three state finals in North Dakota basketball history between 1914 and 1916.
They bookended that with a three-peat of Class A championships between 2015 and 2017.
49. Wyoming — Cheyenne Central High School
City: Cheyenne
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Jimmy Darden (guard, 1940)
Notable coaches: James Storey (1953-74)
Record since 2005: 200-198 (.503)
State championships: 25 (1926, 1927, 1931, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1967, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1991, 1998, 2016)
Bottom Line: Cheyenne Central High School
You can't deny greatness.
Jimmy Darden came out of Cheyenne Central and carved out a lengthy coaching career after a year in the NBA, and those 25 state championships speak for themselves.
James Storey was the coach of six of those championship squads, including three straight in the early 1960s.
48. Vermont — Burlington High School
City: Burlington
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Tyrone Conley (forward, 2007), Clancy Rugg (forward, 2009), Joe O’Shea (guard, 2010)
Notable coaches: Don Maley (1953-61), Matt Johnson (2002-16)
Record since 2005: 250-89 (.737)
State championships: 21 (1923, 1924, 1927, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1937, 1941, 1948, 1953, 1955, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2016)
Bottom Line: Burlington High School
Success breeds success.
Burlington hasn’t produced NBA talent, but its 21 state championships are by far the most in Vermont.
Matt Johnson himself guided the Seahorses to four titles and nine title-game appearances in 14 seasons before stepping down after Burlington’s last championship in 2016.
47. Montana — C.M. Russell High School
City: Great Falls
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Ryan Leaf (forward, 1992), Josh Huestis (forward, 2010)
Notable coaches: Mike McLean (1993-04)
Record since 2005: 178-156 (.503)
State championships: 8 (1976, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2018)
Bottom Line: C.M. Russell High School
What's more impressive — winning state titles or producing NBA players?
Other schools have won more titles, but C.M. Russell combines exceptional team play with NBA alumni. In fact, Russell has produced 20 percent of Montana’s total NBA players.
Josh Huestis, who played for the Oklahoma City Thunder for four seasons, helped CMR to consecutive titles in 2009 and 2010 before attending Stanford.
46. South Dakota — Mitchell High School
City: Mitchell
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Mike Miller (guard, 1998)
Notable coaches: Gary Munsen (1973-2012)
Record since 2005: 129-219 (.371)
State championships: 15 (1930, 1935, 1940, 1948, 1950, 1964, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2005)
Bottom Line: Mitchell High School
Mitchell holds the South Dakota record for most state championship wins — with nine coming under Gary Munsen.
South Dakota has only produced two NBA players, and Mitchell can claim one of them. And he's a good one.
Mike Miller, who won a pair of state titles at Mitchell, became a household name first while guiding Florida to the national championship game in 2000 before carving out a 17-season NBA career.
45. Alaska— East Anchorage High School
City: Anchorage
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Trajan Langdon (guard, 1994), Mao Tosi (forward, 1995)
Notable coaches: Chuck White (1965-99)
Record since 2005: 231-161 (.589)
State championships: 16 (1970, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2013)
Bottom Line: East Anchorage High School
College and pro basketball coaches often change teams over the course of their careers, but some of the best high school coaches stay at one school for decades.
Chuck White, who passed away in 2019, coached at East for 34 years and became a legend during his tenure at the public school in Anchorage.
He had only one losing season, won 14 of the 16 state titles in school history and put Alaska basketball on the map coaching players like Trajan Langdon, a second-team All-American at Duke, and Mao Tosi, who played three NFL seasons.
44. New Mexico — Hobbs High School
City: Hobbs
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Bill Bridges (forward, 1958), Jeff Taylor (guard, 1978), Jeffrey Taylor (forward, 2008)
Notable coaches: Ralph Tasker (1949-98)
Record since 2005: 318-128 (.713)
State championships: 17 (1956, 1957, 1958, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1988, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2015)
Bottom Line: Hobbs High School
Hobbs has enjoyed a legendary coaching lineage.
Ralph Tasker developed one of the most dominant programs anywhere, winning 11 state titles in nearly 50 years coaching Hobbs.
Russ Gilmore took over and won five state titles and ESPN national coach of the year honor in 2001 before resigning in 2011.
43. Alabama — R.C. Hatch High School
City: Uniontown
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Erwin Dudley (forward, 1999) Frankie Sullivan (guard, 2008)
Notable coaches: Eugene Mason (1965-2005)
Record since 2005: 230-117 (.663)
State championships: 10 (1978, 1985, 1987, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Bottom Line: R.C. Hatch High School
You might say Hatch is due.
The Bobcats haven't produced the type of NBA talent as schools in Montgomery or Birmingham, but it’s hard to argue against 10 state championships — the most in Alabama basketball history.
Erwin Dudley has enjoyed a standout pro career in Europe, and Frankie Sullivan played at Auburn. Who's next to make a name for the program?
42. Maine — Maine Central Institute
City: Pittsfield
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Cuttino Mobley (guard, 1993), Brad Miller (center/forward, 1994), DerMarr Johnson (forward, 1999), Caron Butler (forward, 2000)
Notable coaches: Max Good (1989-99)
Record since 2005: 137-197 (.410)
State championships: 0
Bottom Line: Maine Central Institute
Maine has produced nine NBA players, and they all came from this prestigious boarding school’s walls. It’d be near impossible to pick any other school.
Cuttino Mobley and Caron Butler went on to standout careers at Rhode Island and UConn, respectively, before reaching the NBA.
And Brad Miller became one of the best big men in basketball — who famously feuded with Shaquille O’Neal during each player's heyday.
41. Idaho — Borah High School
City: Boise
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Gary Freeman (forward, 1967), Steve Connor (guard, 1974), Craig Spjute (forward, 2010), Isaiah Wright (guard, 2014)
Notable coaches: Kirk Williams (1978-94), Cary Cada (1994-2016)
Record since 2005: 271-113 (.706)
State championships: 13 (1965, 1966, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1993, 1994, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2019, 2020)
Bottom Line: Borah High School
It's tough to beat the Borah Lions on the hardwood.
With more than 900 wins and only six sub-.500 seasons in more than 60 years of basketball at the school, Borah has been the gold standard in Idaho basketball.
Gary Freeman is still one of only four Idahoans to reach the NBA, splitting one season in Milwaukee and Cleveland.
40. Delaware — Sanford High School
City: Hockessin
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Trevor Cooney (guard, 2012), Jyare Davis (guard, 2020)
Notable coaches: Stan Waterman (1991-present)
Record since 2005: 285-72 (.798)
State championships: 8 (1986, 1991, 1992, 2002, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016)
Bottom Line: Sanford High School
Sanford has been a veritable basketball factory.
Just look at the past 10 years when the Warriors have won four state titles and made four straight championship-game appearances between 2010 and 2013.
Trevor Cooney went to Syracuse before playing overseas, and Jyare Davis is a three-star recruit set to attend Providence.
39. West Virginia — Woodrow Wilson High School
City: Beckley
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Tamar Slay (Guard, 1998)
Notable coaches: Jerome Van Meter (1929-59), Ron Kidd (2000-present)
Record since 2005: 280-106 (.725)
State championships: 16 (1946, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2008)
Bottom Line: Woodrow Wilson High School
Love conquers all, and coaching is all about the love of the game.
Jerome Van Meter is widely considered the greatest coach in West Virginia high school history, dominating in both football and basketball during his three-decade tenure Woodrow Wilson High School, better known as "Beckley." Van Meter built a monster program that's still balling.
Tamar Slay played three NBA seasons after a standout career at Marshall, then spent more than a decade playing overseas.
38. Massachusetts — Notre Dame Prep School
City: Fitchburg
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Michael Beasley (forward, 2007), Sean Kilpatrick (guard, 2010), Steven Adams (center, 2012)
Notable coaches: Ryan Hurd (2006-17), Jason Kaanta (2017-present)
Record since 2005: 56-49 (.533)
State championships: 0
Bottom Line: Notre Dame Prep School
Notre Dame long eschewed state play to compete in the prestigious New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC).
The school then become a breeding ground for post-grads to boost their academic standards before reaching college basketball — hence its robust number of NBA prospects.
The school abandoned the postgrad program to play in state tournament play in 2018, but still gets credit as the factory it is.
37. Nebraska — Creighton Prep High School
City: Omaha
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Wally Anderzunas (forward/center, 1966), Zach Potter (center, 2004)
Notable coaches: Josh Luedtke (2002-present)
Record since 2005: 291-92 (.760)
State championships: 13 (1924, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1945, 1964, 1969, 1976, 1981, 1994, 2009, 2015, 2018)
Bottom Line: Creighton Prep High School
They got game.
The Jr. Jays have developed an exceptional feeder program to Creighton University, which has become one of the best programs in the Big East.
Zach Potter went onto an NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets, and Wally Anderzunas played a year of NBA with the Cincinnati Royals.
36. Wisconsin — Dominican High School
City: Whitefish Bay
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Jay Guidinger (center, 1987), Diamond Stone (center, 2015), Kostas Antetokounmpo (forward, 2015)
Notable coaches: Derek Berger (2013-16)
Record since 2005: 294-70 (.808)
State championships: 7 (2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Bottom Line: Dominican High School
Talent is one thing. Maximizing talent is what Dominican does thanks to stellar leadership.
The school has enjoyed a legacy of exceptional coaches, including Don and Jim Gosz, and Derek Berger, who won a state championship in each of his four seasons coaching the Knights.
Diamond Stone reached the University of Maryland before he was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016. Kostas Antetokounmpo, the younger brother of the famous Milwaukee Bucks star, is playing for the Lakers' G-League affiliate.
35. Iowa— Ames High School
City: Ames
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Dick Gibbs (forward, 1967), Fred Hoiberg (guard, 1991), Harrison Barnes (forward, 2010), Doug McDermott (Guard, 2010)
Notable coaches: Vance Downs (2004-present)
Record since 2005: 231-140 (.623)
State championships: 8 (1936, 1945, 1955, 1973, 1976, 1991, 2009, 2010)
Bottom Line: Ames High School
You know your school is pretty good when it's won a state championship in seven different decades.
Davenport Central might have won more titles, but Ames High gets the nod by virtue of its longevity and four NBA alumni, including Harrison Barnes and Doug McDermott, who are both active today.
Fred Hoiberg reached the NBA as well, both as a player and coach with the Chicago Bulls, and is the University of Nebraska head coach.
34. Kansas — Wyandotte High School
City: Kansas City
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Lucius Allen (guard, 1966), Pierre Russell (guard, 1968), Larry Drew (guard, 1976)
Notable coaches: Walter Shublom (1955-69)
Record since 2005: 97-188 (.340)
State championships: 20 (1923, 1930, 1933, 1941, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1998)
Bottom Line: Wyandotte High School
Kansas loves its basketball. Even the Wyandotte program has fallen on hard times in the 21st century, it was the team to beat for many years.
Walter Shublom won 10 state championships in just 14 years and coached Lucius Allen, who was referred to as the state’s best player of the 20th century, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Larry Drew spent more than a decade in the NBA and coached 388 NBA games as of 2020.
33. Kentucky — Lafayette High School
City: Lexington
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Vern Hatton (guard, 1955), Jeff Mullins (guard, 1961), Dirk Minniefield (guard, 1979)
Notable coaches: Jock Sutherland (1972-79)
Record since 2005: 196-208 (.485)
State championships: 6 (1942, 1950, 1953, 1957, 1979, 2001)
Bottom Line: Lafayette High School
Basketball wasn't born in the Bluegrass State, but it's very popular there.
Kentucky plays down to only one state champion in basketball — a near unheard-of standard but one that also rules. Lafayette has won six "Sweet 16" championships, tied for the most in Kentucky.
Jock Sutherland himself is something of a legend and coached Dirk Minniefield, named Mr. Kentucky 1979 before reaching the NBA.
32. Louisiana — McKinley High School
City: Baton Rouge
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Don Chaney (guard, 1965), Tommie Green (guard, 1974), Keith Smart (guard, 1984), Tyrus Thomas (forward/center, 2004)
Notable coaches: Devan Clark (2017-present)
Record since 2005: 260-189 (.579)
State championships: 2 (1981,1993)
Bottom Line: McKinley High School
McKinley’s resume looks worse solely due to segregation, and a two-year, all-sports ban during the mid-2010s.
But the school was a predominantly black institution that was ineligible for state tournament play until the 1970s.
Keith Smart famously led Indiana to the national championship in 1987, and Don Chaney became a great NBA player with the Boston Celtics.
31. Colorado — Manual High School
City: Denver
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Billy Lewis (guard, 1956), Micheal Ray Richardson (guard, 1974)
Notable coaches: Rudy Carey Jr. (1979-1996)
Record since 2005: 133-164 (.448)
State championships: 12 (1939, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1955, 1966, 1972, 1976, 1988, 1990, 1991, 2019)
Bottom Line: Manual High School
Rudy Carey Jr. knows how to win.
His Denver East program, which he took over in 1996, rivals that of Manual, but Manual earns the honor by virtue of its 2019 championship, which put it atop the list of Colorado high schools.
Micheal Ray Richardson's NBA career was cut down by drugs, but he still was a four-time NBA All-Star before playing abroad.
30. Rhode Island— St. Andrew’s School
City: Barrington
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Demetris Nichols (forward, 2003), Michael Carter-Williams (guard, 2010), Bonzie Colson (forward, 2014)
Notable coaches: Michael Hart (1994-present)
Record since 2005: 177-125 (.586)
State championships: 0
Bottom Line: St. Andrew’s School
Michael Hart has built a winning program at St. Andrew’s.
Under Hart's leadership, the St. Andrew's has won seven New England championships in the NEPSAC and produced five pro alums, including Michael Carter-Williams, who has been in the NBA since 2013.
Demetris Nichols played four years at Syracuse and two seasons in the NBA.
29. Georgia — Southwest High School
City: Macon
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Norm Nixon (guard, 1973) Jeff Malone (guard, 1979), Sharone Wright (forward, 1990), Chris Robinson (guard, 1992)
Notable coaches: Duck Richardson (1971-90)
Record since 2005: 112-201 (.358)
State championships: 6 (1973, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1989)
Bottom Line: Southwest High School
There’s some serious competition for this title, specifically from schools in the Atlanta region, but no other school has had the playoff success and produced NBA talent quite like Southwest.
Duck Richardson led Southwest to each of its championships, coaching Norm Nixon, a two-time NBA champion, Jeff Malone, a two-time. NBA All-Star, and many other D1 prospects.
28. Utah — Provo High School
City: Provo
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Brett Vroman (center, 1974), Devin Durrant (forward, 1978), Brandon Davies (forward, 2009), Kyle Collinsworth (guard, 2010)
Notable coaches: Craig Drury (1983-2015)
Record since 2005: 188-168 (.528)
State championships: 17 (1941, 1944,1945, 1956, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2007, 2008)
Bottom Line: Provo High School
Provo High’s selection wasn’t that difficult.
The Bulldogs lead Utah in state championships and pro-basketball alumni. We didn’t even include the Wesley brothers, Mekeli and Tai, who played abroad.
Craig Drury guided Provo to nine state titles and coached Brandon Davies, who spent two seasons in the NBA, and Kyle Collinsworth, who is still active in the G-League.
27. Pennsylvania — Overbrook High School
City: Philadelphia
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Wilt Chamberlain (center, 1955), Wayne Hightower (forward, 1959), Walt Hazzard (guard, 1961), Mike Gale (guard, 1967), Wali Jones (guard, 1961), Lewis Lloyd (guard/forward, 1977), Malik Rose (forward, 1992)
Notable coaches: Cecil Mosenson (1953-57)
Record since 2005: 130-163 (.444)
State championships: 0
Bottom Line: Overbrook High School
The Panthers boast the most NBA alumni (12) of any Pennsylvania school, and although they only reached the state tournament in 2018 — and haven’t won the Philadelphia city championship since 1983 — they still earn the top spot in the Keystone State.
Producing Wilt Chamberlain, arguably the most dominant player in basketball history, helps that. But each player listed above reached the NBA, most recently Malik Rose, who won two NBA titles in 13 seasons and became the Detroit Pistons' assistant general manager in 2018.
In 2020, Rose became the NBA's vice president of basketball operations.
26. Arizona — Phoenix Shadow Mountain High School
City: Phoenix
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Mike Bibby (guard, 1996), Michael Bibby (guard, 2016)
Notable coaches: Mike Bibby (2014-19)
Record since 2005: 284-153 (.650)
State championships: 8 (1996, 1999, 2000, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Bottom Line: Phoenix Shadow Mountain High School
Mike Bibby was a part of six of Shadow Mountain's eight Arizona state titles after coaching the school to four straight 4A titles and five in six years before he resigned in February 2019.
Bibby guided Shadow Mountain to its first state championship in 1996 as a player and was a McDonald’s All-American. Then, he starred at the University of Arizona and had a standout NBA career.
That's why Bibby is an Arizona legend and has been called the greatest player in Arizona preps history.
25. Mississippi — Murrah High School
City: Jackson
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Lindsey Hunter (guard, 1988), James Robinson (guard, 1990), Othella Harrington (center, 1992), Mo Williams (guard, 2001)
Notable coaches: Orsmond Jordan (1970-94)
Record since 2005: 243-172-1 (.584)
State championships: 5 (1970, 1986, 1991, 1992, 2013)
Bottom Line: Murrah High School
Murrah has become a dynasty in girls basketball, but Orsmond Jordan oversaw a legendary program that produced countless Division-I players.
Lindsay Hunter and James Robinson claimed a state championship in 1986, and each of them went on to the NBA,.
Then Othella Harrington, who went to Georgetown before a 12-season NBA career, guided Murrah to a pair of state titles.
24. New Hampshire — Brewster Academy
City: Wolfeboro
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Jeff Adrien (forward, 2005), Thomas Robinson (forward, 2009), Will Barton (guard, 2010), TJ Warren (forward, 2012), JaKarr Sampson (forward, 2012), Donovan Mitchell (guard, 2015)
Notable coaches: Jason Smith (2000-present)
Record since 2005: 437-55 (.888)
State championships: 0
Bottom Line: Brewster Academy
Winning is a habit at Brewster Academy.
Matt Lawlor has coached Brewster to six prep national championships and five New England championships and produced 12 active NBA players.
Brewster’s 15 NBA alums exceed in-state rivals Phillips-Exeter, Tilton Prep and New Hampton School.
23. Texas — Wheatley High School
City: Houston
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Dwight Jones (center/forward, 1970), Eddie Owens (forward, 1973), Josh Gray (guard, 2012)
Notable coaches: Jackie Carr (1969-85)
Record since 2005: 319-129 (.712)
State championships: 17 (1942, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1978)
Bottom Line: Wheatley High School
Is everything bigger in Texas?
Wheatley was dominant before segregation, then again under Jackie Carr after Texas opened its state tournament in 1968.
The Wildcats may not have won a state title in more than 40 years, but they still produced Josh Gray as an NBA player.
22. Indiana — Muncie Central High School
City: Muncie
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Jim Davis (forward, 1961), Ron Bonham (forward, 1961), Allen Leavell (guard, 1975), Bonzi Wells (forward/guard, 1994)
Notable coaches: Bill Harrell (1975-92, 1999-2003)
Record since 2005: 214-154 (.582)
State championships: 8 (1928, 1931, 1951, 1952, 1963, 1978, 1979, 1988)
Bottom Line: Muncie Central High School
Indiana and high school basketball go together like a pick and roll.
Marion High has had more success lately, but between Muncie Central’s record-tying eight state titles and volume of NBA alumni, the Bearcats get the nod.
Bill Harrell, who won 596 games and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991, won three titles in two tours with Muncie Central.
21. South Carolina — Great Falls
City: Great Falls
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Banks McFadden (guard, 1935), Torrey Craig (forward, 2010)
Notable coaches: John Smith (1969-2016)
Record since 2005: 280-78 (.782)
State championships: 11 (1935, 1936, 1977, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2011, 2012, 2020)
Bottom Line: Great Falls
John Smith holds just about every record you can in South Carolina history.
He has the most wins, and Great Falls has the most state titles, while also making the most state championship game appearances (19).
He also coached Torrey Craig, who is playing for the Denver Nuggets.
20. Arkansas — Little Rock Parkview High School
City: Little Rock
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Duane Washington (guard, 1983), Derek Fisher (guard, 1992), Quincy Lewis (forward/guard, 1995), Daryl Macon (guard, 2014)
Notable coaches: Al Flanigan (1996-2019), Scotty Thurman (2019-present)
Record since 2005: 336-100 (.771)
State championships: 14 (1971, 1972, 1978, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2018)
Bottom Line: Little Rock Parkview High School
Parkview trails intracity rival Little Rock Central in state championships, but the Patriots produced three more NBA prospects and have won two state crowns since 2016, which puts them ahead.
Derek Fisher is probably the most famous Parkview alum, since he was a stalwart guard for the Lakers, Knicks and Warriors and has coached in both the NBA and WNBA.
Scotty Thurman, a national champion for the 1994 University of Arkansas team, took over coaching duties in 2019.
19. Minnesota — Hopkins High School
City: Minnetonka
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Kris Humphries (center, 2003), Royce White (forward, 2009), Amir Coffey (guard, 2016)
Notable coaches: Ken Novak Jr. (1989-present)
Record since 2005: 412-49 (.894)
State championships: 10 (1952, 1953, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2019)
Bottom Line: Hopkins High School
Ken Novak, whose dad Ken Sr. also coached the Royals, has turned Hopkins into a veritable dynasty, winning eight state championships and making 17 state-tournament appearances.
Kris Humphries sometimes gets remembered as a famous beau of Kim Kardashian but broke out with the New Jersey Nets — and was the bright spot for some putrid teams.
Amir Coffey went on to Minnesota and is playing on the Clippers' G-League affiliate.
18. Missouri — Scott County Central High School
City: Sikeston
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Marcus Timmons (forward, 1991), Otto Porter (forward, 2011)
Notable coaches: Ronnie Cookson (1970-95, 2007-09)
Record since 2005: 257-110 (.700)
State championships: 18 (1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015)
Bottom Line: Scott County Central High School
Ronnie Cookson won 12 state titles in 25 years coaching the Braves and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
He also started a girl’s basketball program that became one of Missouri’s best.
Otoo Porter was the third overall pick in 2013 of the Washington Wizards and now plays for the Chicago Bulls.
17. Oregon — Jefferson High School
City: Portland
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Ime Udoka (forward/center, 1997), Aaron Miles (guard, 2001), Thomas Gardner (guard, 2003), Terrence Ross (guard/forward, 2010) Terrence Jones (forward, 2010)
Notable coaches: Pat Strickland (2008-present)
Record since 2005: 323-77 (.808)
State championships: 9 (1951, 1972, 2000, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017)
Bottom Line: Jefferson High School
Five of the 32 NBA players from Oregon high schools graduated from Jefferson, and the school has become a veritable dynasty under Pat Strickland, who has won five state titles in 12 seasons as of 2020.
Terrence Ross and Terrence Jones each helped Jefferson win three straight championships before eventually becoming first-round draft picks.
Jones played eight seasons in the NBA. Ross is still active in the league today.
16. Washington, D.C. — Archbishop Carroll
City: Washington, D.C.
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Tom Hoover, (Center, ’60), John Thompson (Center/Forward, ’61), Johnny Dawkins (Guard, ’82), Eddie Jordan (Guard, ’73), Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje (Center, ’97)
Notable coaches: Bob Dwyer (1955-64)
Record since 2005: 149-232 (.391)
State championships: 2 (1989, 1993)
Bottom Line: Archbishop Carroll
Washington, D.C., isn't a state, but it is a hotbed of basketball talent.
Carroll has fallen on hard times but still boasts a robust NBA alumni base — the biggest in the district. The school also scores major points for its ability to integrate under Bob Dwyer in the early times.
In fact, if not for a falling out with administration, Dwyer and Carroll might’ve been the highest-profile Washington, D.C.-area program. But that title belongs to DeMatha Catholic.
15. Florida — Miami Senior High School
City: Miami
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Doug Edwards (forward, 1990), Udonis Haslem (center, 1998)
Notable coaches: Shakey Rodriguez (1981-95), Frank Martin (1995-99)
Record since 2005: 209-144 (.592)
State championships: 18 (1925, 1931, 1935, 1942, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Bottom Line: Miami Senior High School
Frank Martin, now the coach at South Carolina, presided over three titles after taking the reins from Shakey Rodriguez in 1995. Martin coached Udonis Haslem, a two-time national champion at Florida and NBA champion with the Heat.
Aside from its state-record number of championships, Miami Senior has played 165 state-tournament games in 58 playoff appearances, both records.
But the storied program was stripped of its1998 title for player recruiting violations.
14. Michigan — Pershing High School
City: Detroit
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Mel Daniels (guard, 1963), Spencer Haywood (guard, 1967), Ralph Simpson (guard/forward, 1969), Kevin Willis (forward/center, 1980), Steve Smith (forward, 1987)
Notable coaches: Will Robinson (1960-71), Johnny Goston (1984-99)
Record since 2005: 233-95 (.710)
State championships: 5 (1967, 1970, 1992, 1993, 2009)
Bottom Line: Pershing High School
Detroit high school basketball is as competitive as it gets.
Even if you threw out Will Robinson’s legendary coaching, Pershing still reigns as the cream of the Detroit high school hoops scene (though there might be some pushback on this one).
Kevin Willis and Steve Smith each enjoyed dominant NBA careers. They played together with the Atlanta Hawks for four seasons before also winning NBA championships together in San Antonio.
13. Tennessee — Brentwood Academy High School
City: Brentwood
Type of school: Private
Notable players: David Harrison (center, 2001), Brandan Wright (forward, 2006), Darius Garland (guard, 2018)
Notable coaches: Hubie Smith (2013-19)
Record since 2005: 293-122-1 (.704)
State championships: 8 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
Bottom Line: Brentwood Academy High School
Some schools have a long history of success, but the Brentwood Academy, which was established in 1969, found the winning formula in the 21st century.
Brandan Wright, a McDonald’s All-American in 2006, helped carry the Eagles to four straight state championships.
Hubie Smith then took over as coach and won four straight as well, led largely by Darius Garland, a three-time Tennessee Mr. Basketball who was taken with the fifth pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
12. Oklahoma — Booker T. Washington High School
City: Tulsa
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Waymon Tisdale (forward, 1982), Richard Dumas (forward, 1987), Clint McDaniel (guard, 1991), Etan Thomas (forward, 1996), Ryan Humphrey (forward, 1997)
Notable coaches: Nathan Harris (1982-2007), Shea Seals (2007-12)
Record since 2005: 272-89 (.753)
State championships: 16 (1973, 1977, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2011, 2019)
Bottom Line: Booker T. Washington High School
The Hornets have produced NBA players, mostly tough big men, and won state championships.
Although Oklahoma basketball doesn’t have the same reputation as other states nationally, the ranking here for Washington High School is justified.
Shea Seals, the former University of Tulsa star, coached BTW to two titles in just six seasons before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach.
11. North Carolina — Kinston High School
City: Kinston
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Cedric Maxwell (guard, 1973), Tony Dawson (forward, 1985), Charles Shackleford (center/forward, 1985), Reggie Bullock (forward, 2009), Brandon Ingram (guard, 2015)
Notable coaches: Paul Jones (1957-95)
Record since 2005: 309-64 (.828)
State championships: 11 (1950, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1965, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
Bottom Line: Kinston High School
Kinston is arguably the richest talent pool in a state obsessed with hoops. ESPN referred to it as "America’s Basketball Heaven" in 2018.
Paul Jones was a major reason why, helping Kinston develop a slew of NBA prospects, including Cedric Maxwell, who became an NBA champion with the Celtics.
Brandon Ingram, a star at both Duke and in the NBA, won four state titles at Kinston and was a 2015 McDonald’s All-American.
10. Washington — Rainier Beach High School
City: Seattle
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Doug Christie (guard, 1989), Jamal Crawford (guard, 1999), Nate Robinson (guard, 2002), Terrence Williams (forward, 2005), Kevin Porter Jr. (guard, 2018)
Notable coaches: Mike Bethea (1994-present)
Record since 2005: 340-92 (.787)
State championships: 9 (1988, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016)
Bottom Line: Rainier Beach High School
When you got it, you got it. Even if everybody doesn't know it.
Mike Bethea has led the Vikings to eight of their nine state titles and made Rainier Beach the class of the underrated Seattle hoops scene.
Rainier Beach has made a habit of producing dominant guards, including Jamal Crawford — who only retired in 2019 — and Nate Robinson, a two-time dunk-contest champion despite standing just 5-foot-9.
9. Connecticut — Hillhouse High School
City: New Haven
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Paul McCracken (guard, 1968), Tharon Mayes (guard, 1986)
Notable coaches: Sam Bender (1928-65), Tony Vitolo (1965-90) Renard Sutton (2010-present)
Record since 2005: 347-54-1 (.859)
State championships: 24 (1924, 1926, 1932, 1937, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1955, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1990, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2016, 2017)
Bottom Line: Hillhouse High School
Not only does Hillhouse lead Connecticut in state championships, but it also produced Maurice Podoloff, the former NBA commissioner.
The school's proximity to Yale in New Haven is how Hillhouse got its "Academics" nickname, but they don't play like bookworms.
Their consistent lineage of basketball success started with Sam Bender‘s tenure in 1928 and continues today with Renard Sutton, who also played for Hillhouse during his high school days.
8. Illinois — Simeon High School
City: Chicago
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Bobby Simmons (forward, 1998), Derrick Rose (guard, 2007), Jabari Parker (forward, 2013),
Notable coaches: Bob Hambric (1980-2004), Robert Smith (2004-present)
Record since 2005: 384-80 (.828)
State championships: 7 (1984, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Bottom Line: Simeon High School
The Chicago basketball scene dominates Illinois basketball, so there's no shortage of strong programs.
We chose Simeon for the top spot due to its championship pedigree and robust number of alumni playing D-1 college ball and in the NBA.
Derrick Rose and Jabari Parker each were top-two picks in the draft, and Rose won the NBA MVP in 2011.
7. New Jersey — The Patrick School
City: Elizabeth
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Al Harrington (forward,1998), Sam Dalembert (center, 1999), Kyrie Irving (guard, 2010), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (forward, 2011), DeAndre Bembry (forward, 2013), Angel Delgado (center, 2014)
Notable coaches: Kevin Boyle (1989-2011)
Record since 2005: 340-87 (.796)
State championships: 14 (1947, 1948, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2017)
Bottom Line: The Patrick School
It’s tough for some schools to stay open these days, due to operating costs and declining enrollment.
Although St. Anthony in Jersey City had an impressive number of state championships and NBA alumni, because it closed in 2017 and St. Pat’s was reborn as The Patrick School in 2012, the Celtics make the cut here instead of the Friars.
Those schools were rivals, as Kevin Boyle and Hall of Famer Bob Hurley developed a hatred for one another before Boyle left for Montverde Academy in Florida in 2011.
6. Nevada — Bishop Gorman High School
City: Las Vegas
Type of school: Private
Notable players: C.J. Watson (guard, 2002), Shabazz Muhammad (forward/guard, 2012), Stephen Zimmerman (center, 2015), Zach Collins (center/forward, 2016)
Notable coaches: Grant Rice (2002-present)
Record since 2005: 401-78 (.837)
State championships: 22 (1962, 1963, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Bottom Line: Bishop Gorman High School
What have you done lately?
Findlay Prep would appear in this spot if it hadn’t closed in 2019, but Bishop Gorman is also deserving of a top-10 spot based on its state-high number of championships and robust NBA alumni base.
Grant Rice himself has guided a dominant era for Gorman, which has won 12 state titles — and nine straight — under him.
5. Ohio — St. Vincent-St. Mary High School
City: Akron
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Jerome Lane (forward, 1985), LeBron James (forward, 2003)
Notable coaches: Dru Joyce II (2001-present)
Record since 2005: 305-104 (.751)
State championships: 8 (1984, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2017, 2018)
Bottom Line: St. Vincent-St. Mary High School
St. Vincent-St. Mary is more than just the high school where LeBron James got his start.
Producing James, arguably the greatest basketball player ever, would be enough to put the Fightin’ Irish in consideration.
But the fact they produced a McDonald’s All-American in Jerome Lane and are among the leaders in state championships in Ohio history, puts St. Vincent-St. Mary over the top.
4. New York — DeWitt Clinton
City: Bronx
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Dolph Schayes (forward, 1944), Tiny Archibald (guard,1966), Ron Behagen (forward, 1969), Tom Henderson (guard, 1970), Ricky Sobers (guard, 1971)
Notable coaches: Arthur Epstein (1965-94)
Record since 2005: 159-138 (.535)
State championships: 0
Bottom Line: DeWitt Clinton
New York might have lost some of its luster as the mecca of basketball. But blame the Knicks, not the youth.
There’s a lot of history in New York City high school hoops, and while a case for other New York City schools could be made here, most notably Lincoln High School, DeWitt Clinton still boasts the largest number of NBA alums of any New York school.
It also has won more city titles than anyone else.
3. California — Crenshaw
City: Los Angeles
Type of school: Public
Notable players: Marques Johnson (forward, 1973), Robert Smith (guard, 1974), John Williams (guard, 1984), Kevin Ollie (guard, 1991), Tremaine Fowlkes (guard, 1994),
Notable coaches: Willie West (1970-2007)
Record since 2005: 296-145 (.671)
State championships: 8 (1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997)
Bottom Line: Crenshaw
There’s a litany of acceptable options for this crown.
And we’re sure there’ll be nothing but debate from Northern and Southern Californians alike.
But we’ll take the school with the second-most state titles and the undefeated 8-0 record in championship games.
2. Maryland — DeMatha Catholic High School
City: Hyattsville
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Adrian Dantley (forward, 1973), Sidney Lowe (guard, 1979), Danny Ferry (forward, 1985), Keith Bogans (guard/forward, 1999), Victor Oladipo (guard, 2010), Markelle Fultz (guard, 2016)
Notable coaches: Morgan Wootten (1956-2002)
Record since 2005: 432-94 (.821)
State championships: 0
Bottom Line: DeMatha Catholic High School
Sometimes, a program gets so good that it outgrows the competition.
DeMatha passes on competing against the rest of Maryland to participate in the ultra-competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, where it has won 41 championships.
Morgan Wootten himself led the Stags to 33 and 22 D.C. city championships in 46 years coaching.
1. Virginia — Oak Hill Academy
City: Mouth of Wilson
Type of school: Private
Notable players: Jerry Stackhouse (forward,1993), Carmelo Anthony (guard/forward, 2002), Josh Smith (forward, 2004), Rajon Rondo (guard, 2004), Ty Lawson (guard, 2006), Brandon Jennings (guard, 2008)
Notable coaches: Steve Smith (1984-present)
Record since 2005: 535-51 (.882)
State championships: 0
Bottom Line: Oak Hill Academy
Oak Hill is a boarding school but also a basketball powerhouse.
Virginia hoops are exceptional, and the Warriors are the cream of the crop.
Coach Steve Smith takes his team around the country to play the best of the best, producing 30 NBA players and nine national championships, most recently in 2016.
Related: High Schools That Have Produced the Most NBA Players