Leading Georgia high school hoopers given that 2000
Jul 17, 2025, 09:16 AM ET In the spirit of the” SportsCenter”mission– modeled after the initial 2005 “SportsCenter Throughout America” tour to strike all 50 states in 50 days– we’re highlighting a few of the top hoopers repping key stops along the way.Editor’s Picks
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To rank the top young boys’ and ladies’ basketball talent because 2000, we’re positioning a heavy focus on high school distinctions– state titles, national honors, individual awards– together with on-court supremacy, long-term legacy, recognition and total impact on the game.In this edition, we’re heading south to Georgia.From Anthony Edwards to Maya Moore, these hoopers represent a few of the finest to ever play high school basketball in the” Peach State.”
Male
1. Dwight Howard Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Class of 2004
Dwight Howard balanced 25 points, 18 rebounds, 8.1 blocks and 3.5 helps as a high school senior. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images His case: Howard was a dominant force for the Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy Warriors as a senior in 2004 when he averaged 25 points, 18 rebounds, 8.1 blocks and 3.5 helps a game en path to posting a 31-2 record and a state title.Howard, the top possibility in the ESPN 100 that year, swept the nationwide awards– Morgan Wootten, Naismith and Gatorade– and went directly to the NBA, being selected No. 1 general by the Orlando Magic in 2004. In 18 NBA seasons, Howard played in 8 NBA All-Star games, was named Defensive Player of the Year 3 times and won an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers.2. Jaylen Brown Wheeler High School, Class of 2015 Jaylen Brown’s state title with Wheeler High School led him to being named Georgia’s Gatorade Gamer of the Year. Kelly Kline/Getty Images His case: Brown checked in at No. 4 total in the ESPN 100 in the 2015 class and as a senior led the Wheeler High School Wildcats to a 30-3 record and their first state title considering that 2009, averaging 28 points and 12 rebounds a game. That caused Brown being called Georgia’s Gatorade Gamer of the Year.He went on to get Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors, balancing 14.6 points a game for the California Golden Bears.
Brown was selected No. 3 overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2016 NBA draft and in 9 NBA seasons, he’s made 4 NBA All-Star games and won a champion in 2024 when he was called NBA Finals MVP.3. Lou Williams South Gwinnett High School, Class of 2005 Lou Williams was called to the all-stategroup 4 times and won a state title in 2004. Kent Horner/NBAE by means of Getty Images His case: Williams had a famous run
in high school, being called to the all-state group 4 times and leading the South Gwinnett High School Comets to a state title in 2004. As a senior, Williams balanced 27.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game and was called Parade National Player of the Year in 2005. He’s presently the No. 2 all-time leading scorer in Georgia history.Williams went straight to the NBA out of high school after passing up to play for
the Georgia Bulldogs, being chosen No. 45 total by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005. In his 17-year NBA career, Williams scored 13,396 points as a reserve, the most ever in NBA history, and won the Sixth Guy of the Year award 3 times.4. Anthony Edwards Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Class of 2019 Anthony Edwards balanced 25.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.7 helps, 2.1 steals and 1.1 obstructs a game for Holy Spirit School. Kevin Liles/ Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
His case: Edwards completed high school ranked No. 4 overall in the ESPN 100 for 2019. He balanced 25.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game for the Holy Spirit Preparatory School Cougars.He went on to
Georgia and was called SEC Freshman of the Year after leading all freshmen in the country in scoring, averaging 19.1 points a game for the Bulldogs. He went No. 1 total to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2020 NBA draft and has been named an NBA All-Star three times.5. Isaiah Collier Wheeler High School, Class of 2023 Isaiah Collier led Wheeler High School to three state titles while declaring Naismith Gamer of the Year and Georgia’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior. Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire by means of Getty Images on Sportswire His case: Collier is a state legend, leading the Wheeler High School Wildcats to 3 state titles and declaring Naismith Player of the Year and Georgia’s Gatorade Gamer of the Year as a senior in 2023 when he averaged 19.6 points, 6.8 helps, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.Collier finished ranked No. 1 general in the ESPN 100 in 2023 and went on to USC to average 16.3 points and 4.3 helps, sufficient to be named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman group. He was chosen No. 29 overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2024 NBA draft. In his first season as a pro, Collier balanced 8.7 points, 6.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.Women 1.
Maya Moore Collins Hill High School, Class of 2007 Maya Moore won 3 state titles at Collins Hill High School. Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
Her case: Moore won the Naismith Player of the Year award twice while leading the Collins Hill High School Eagles to a 125-3 record in four years. She won 3 state titles and finished with 2,664 points, 1,212 rebounds, 407 helps and 467 steals.She completed ranked No. 1 total in the ESPNW 100 in 2007 before going on to attain legendary status at UConn, where she led the Huskies to 2 nationwide titles and ended up 150-4 in her four-year career. Moore took home Big East Gamer of the Year three times, National Gamer of the Year twice and completed her career as the fourth-leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,036 points.Moore was selected No. 1 overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the
2011 WNBA draft and had her jersey retired in 2024 after winning four WNBA titles in her eight-year career. Moore was named WNBA Finals MVP in 2013 and she’s the all-time leading scorer (441 points )in WNBA Finals history.2. Diamond DeShields Norcross High School, Class of 2013 Diamond DeShields helped lead Norcross High School to its third state title in 4 seasons. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Her case: DeShields completed ranked No. 3 total in the ESPNW 100 in 2013 and won the Naismith Player of the Year award after averaging 26 points, 7 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 3.8 assists a game and leading the Norcross High School Blue Devils to their 3rd state title in four seasons.She went on to North Carolina and balanced 18 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 takes per game en path to declaring National Freshman of the Year honors
. She transferred to Tennessee after her first year and balanced 15.7 points a game in two seasons with the Vols. DeShields was selected No. 3 total by the Chicago Sky in 2018 and went on to help them win a WNBA title in 2021.3. Asia Durr St. Pius X Catholic School, Class of 2015 Asia Durr won two state titles and back-to-back Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year awards. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Her
case: Durr completed high school ranked No. 2 general in the ESPNW 100 for 2015, led the St. Pius X Catholic School Golden Lions to two state
titles and won back-to-back Georgia Gatorade Gamer of the Year awards.Durr completed in 2015 with 2,764 points, 706 rebounds, 254 assists, 266 steals and 75 blocks. Durr elevated their play at Louisville, claiming ACC Gamer of the Year two times and All-American honors as soon as before being selected No. 2 overall by New york city Liberty in the 2019 WNBA draft.4. Dearica Hamby Norcross High School, Class of 2011 Dearica Hamby is Wake Forest’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. Lance King/Getty Images Her case: Hamby assisted the Norcross High School Blue Devils declare their 2nd straight title in 2011 and increased her dominance at Wake Forest, ending up being the Satanic force Deacons’all-time leading scorer with 1,801 points and rebounder with 1,021 boards. Hamby was picked No. 6 general by the San Antonio Stars (now the Las Vegas Aces)in the 2015 WNBA draft and in 10 seasons, she’s been named Sixth Woman of the Year twice and won a WNBA title with the Aces in 2022.5. T’ea Cooper McEachern High School, Class of 2015 Cooper won co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game in 2015. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire by means of Getty Images Her case: Cooper was a McEachern High School legend, leading her team to 3 state titles and balancing 27.3 points, 7.3 assists and 3.5 steals a game as a senior when she finished ranked No. 12 total in the ESPNW 100 for 2015. Cooper won co-MVP of the McDonald’s All American game that year and went on to star
at Tennessee, South Carolina and Baylor, where she balanced 11.2 points a game during her college career.Cooper was prepared No. 18 general by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2020 WNBA draft.