2020 NBA Draft: Athletes’ High School Origins

2020 NBA Draft

2020 NBA Draft: Athletes’ High School Origins

With the 2020 NBA Draft taking place on Nov. 18, a few former high school greats will see their dreams turn into a reality. These players have been performing under the bright lights since high school, and went on to college to show that they are ready for the big time. These former high school basketball greats are three names to monitor as the 2020 NBA Draft draws near. 

Anthony Edwards was a star in high school rated as one of the top overall players in the class of 2019. Edwards played his high school ball at Holy Spirit Preparatory School in Atlanta, GA, and won numerous awards such as USA Today All-USA First Team, McDonald’s All-American, and he played in the Jordan Brand Classic. Edwards would go on to play at Georgia where he was one of the best freshman in the country averaging 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while making 2nd Team All-SEC and SEC Freshman of the Year. Edwards is currently projected as a top 3 pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

James Wiseman was also dominant playing high school basketball. Spending his freshman and sophomore seasons at The Ensworth School in Nashville, Wiseman started to rise up recruiting boards throughout the country by averaging around 20 points and 6 rebounds per game his sophomore season. Wiseman transferred to Memphis East High School for his junior and senior seasons where he became the top overall recruit in the country and earned numerous awards including McDonald’s All-American, Gatorade National Player of the Year, and the Tennessee 3A Mr. Basketball award. Wiseman went on to play at Memphis, but only played a few games for the Tigers due to eligibility issues. Wiseman is currently projected as a top 5 pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

Isaac Okoro played his high school basketball at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he had a storied career. Okoro averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds per game during his freshman season, as well as 22.5 points per game during his sophomore season leading McEachern each season deep into the Georgia 7A playoffs. As a junior, Okoro averaged 20.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while winning numerous awards. As a senior, Okoro averaged 19.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.7 steals per game leading his team to an undefeated 32-0 record and the Class 7A state championship. Okoro went on to Auburn and averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while earning All-SEC 2nd Team and SEC All-Freshman Team honors. Okoro is currently projected as a top 10 pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

These three players all had storied high school basketball careers, and while they only played college basketball for a year, they will all shine in the NBA for years to come. 

Written by: Matt Melton

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