Zion Williamson is one of the most decorated and highly-ranked players to play high school basketball in South Carolina.
There have many players with outstanding high school talent to come out of the Palmetto State. So The State compiled a list of the top 10 based on their notoriety as prep recruits and their performance in high school.
Here’s our Top 10:
1. Kevin Garnett
Didn’t finish high school career in SC but became a national name during his time at Mauldin High School. Was Gatorade SC Player of Year as a junior and was McDonald’s All-American and No. 1 ranked prospect in country by Sporting News coming out of high school. Went straight to the NBA, played 21 seasons in the league, was 15-time NBA All-Star and MVP in 2004.
2. Jermaine O’Neal
Eau Claire standout was SC Gatorade Player of Year and McDonald’s All-American as a senior. No. 2 ranked prospect in country by Hoop Scoop. Went straight to NBA was a first-round pick by the Portland Trail Blazers. Played 18 seasons in NBA and was six-time all-star.
3. Zion Williamson
Spartanburg Day standout might be the most decorated players coming out of South Carolina. He is ranked No. 2 or 3 nationally in various recruiting rankings and was selected to be a McDonald’s All-American. He will announce his college choice Saturday.
4. Stanley Roberts
Lower Richland standout was two-time SC Gatorade Player of Year, selected to McDonald’s All-American game in 1988 and a Parade All-American. Ranked in top 10 for Class of 1988 by HoopScoop. Played one season at LSU before turning pro. Played in the NBA for eight seasons and finished his career overseas.
5. Raymond Felton
Latta standout was McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Award for top high school basketball player in the country in 2002. Two-time Gatorade SC Player of Year and established the state scoring record with 2,992 points. Played at North Carolina and is in his 13th season in the NBA, currently playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder
6. Jerome Harper
Keenan standout was McDonald’s All-American in 2000 and one of the top players in the county as a senior. Was a Parade All-American and Sporting News rated him as the 13th-best player in the nation of the class of 2000. Was recruited by Cincinnati, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Georgetown, Maryland, Michigan, N.C. State, South Carolina and UCLA. Signed with Cincinnati out of high school but finished career with Iowa State.
7. Rolando Howell
Lower Richland standout was MVP of Beach Ball Classic, a McDonald’s All-American in 2000 and SC Gatorade Player of the Year. He was No. 9 ranked prospect by Bob Gibbons coming out of high school. Signed with South Carolina over Duke, UConn and Kentucky. Played 12 seasons professionally overseas.
8. B.J. McKie
Irmo standout was McDonald’s All-American and SC Gatorade Player of Year in 1995. Ranked No. 26 in country by HoopScoop his senior year and signed with South Carolina. Was Gamecocks all-time leading scorer for Gamecocks when he graduated. Played overseas and in the CBA for 11 years. Currently an assistant coach at East Tennessee State.
9. PJ Dozier
Spring Valley standout was a McDonald’s All-American and ranked No. 19 ESPN and No. 25 by 247Sports coming out of high school. Picked South Carolina over Georgetown, Louisville, Michigan and North Carolina. Played two seasons at South Carolina and is playing in the G League for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
10. Ray Allen
Played at Hillcrest High in Sumter and was Gatorade Player of Year in 1993. Was Top 40 recruit in country by HoopScoop. Picked UConn over Kentucky and Alabama coming out of high school. Played 18 seasons in NBA and was 10-time all-star.
Others considered
Derick Carroll, Tyrone Corbin, Larry Davis, Devan Downey, Alex English, JoJo English, Jalek Felton, Milton Jennings, Ricky Jones, Joe Rhett, Xavier McDaniel, Derrick McQueen, Barry Manning, Khris Middleton, Marvin Orange, LJ Peak, Sindarious Thornwell, Seventh Woods
This story was originally published January 18, 2018 4:17 PM.