The state of Georgia’s high school basketball scene is brimming with talent, particularly in the Class of 2025. Here’s a look at ten exceptional players who are making waves on the court, listed from 1 to 10:
| 1 | Caleb Wilson | F | Holy Innocents | 6’9″ forward, averaging 20.8 points, 14.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 4.4 blocks per game. A top national recruit with offers from Kentucky, Auburn, and Tennessee. | Undecided – Being recruited by Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee, and other top schools. |
| 2 | Jacob Wilkins | F | Grayson | 6’7″ forward, son of NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins. Top-50 recruit committed to the University of Georgia. | University of Georgia – Committed to the Bulldogs. |
| 3 | Tylis Jordan | F | Wheeler | 6’9″ forward, Ole Miss recruit. Known for size, shooting, and basketball IQ. Transferred from Shiloh High School. | Ole Miss – Committed to the University of Mississippi. |
| 4 | Zac Foster | G | Woodward Academy | 6’4″ guard, Clemson commit. Averaged 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season. Expected to make an immediate impact at Clemson. | Clemson – Committed to Clemson University. |
| 5 | JR Leonard | G | Riverwood | 6’3″ guard, averaged 24.4 points and 6.3 rebounds last season. Led Riverwood to a state title with a 31-point performance in the championship game. | Undecided – Currently evaluating options, but schools are monitoring his outstanding performance. |
| 6 | Amir Taylor | F | Grayson | 6’7″ forward, 230 pounds. Key player in Grayson’s state championship victory last season. Ready for another strong year. | Undecided – Actively being recruited, with several top programs showing interest. |
| 7 | Zach Bleshoy | G | Pope | 6’3″ guard, committed to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Known for shooting, passing, and defensive reliability. | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – Committed to UTC. |
| 8 | Cameron Smith | F | Pebblebrook | 6’6″ forward with guard-like ball-handling skills. A rising star who could surprise many this season. | Undecided – A sleeper in recruitment, but expected to attract interest from major programs. |
| 9 | Eric Chatfield | G | Pace Academy | 5’11” point guard, committed to Georgia Tech. Averaged 15.2 points and 3.2 steals last season, recognized for dynamic two-way play. | Georgia Tech – Committed to the Yellow Jackets. |
| 10 | Chane Bynum | F | Kipp Atlanta Collegiate | 6’8″ forward, transferred from Washington High School. Known for his impressive skills and has offers from Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Xavier, and more. | Undecided – Receiving offers from Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Xavier, and others. |
The Legacy of Georgia High School Basketball: A Journey to the NBA
Georgia’s high school basketball scene has been a powerhouse in producing NBA talent over the years, with the state’s high schools becoming a proving ground for future NBA stars. From the bustling streets of Atlanta to the small towns that dot the state, Georgia has always been a hotbed for basketball talent. Over the past 30 years, Georgia has not only produced some of the best players in college basketball but has also been the launchpad for several future NBA stars.
Georgia: A Basketball Hotbed
The story of Georgia high school basketball is one of intense competition, hard work, and talent that often goes unnoticed until players take the national stage. For years, the state has produced players with a mix of athleticism, skill, and basketball IQ that makes them stand out at both the college and professional levels.
Georgia’s reputation as a basketball powerhouse was solidified in the 1990s and has only grown since. With a deep talent pool and highly competitive programs, Georgia’s high school basketball teams have consistently produced players who have made an impact at the collegiate and NBA levels. From the suburbs of Atlanta to rural areas, high schools across the state have turned out players who have gone on to achieve greatness.
Key GA High School Stars Who Made It to the NBA, WNBA, and or Olympics
Several players from Georgia high schools have made the leap from the prep level to the NBA/WNBA and beyond, each contributing to the state’s rich basketball legacy. Below are a few of the notable names who have represented Georgia on basketball’s biggest stage:
- Dwight Howard – Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy (NBA All-Star selection in the following years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015)
- Javaris Crittenton – Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy
- Derrick Favors – South Atlanta High School
- Lou Williams – South Gwinnett High School
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Greenville High School
- Anthony Edwards – Holy Spirit Preparatory School
- Kwame Brown – Glynn Academy (Brunswick)
- Josh Smith – Oak Hill Academy (Virginia, but from Georgia)
- Al-Farouq Aminu – Norcross High School
- Jeremy Lamb – Norcross High School
- Shareef Abdur-Rahim – Wheeler High School (NBA All-Star)
- Malcolm Brogdon – Greater Atlanta Christian School (NBA Rookie of the Year)
- Jaylen Brown – Wheeler High School (NBA Champion and Finals MVP)
- Collin Sexton – Pebblebrook High School
- Jabari Smith Jr. – Sandy Creek High School
- Walker Kessler – Woodward Academy
- Sharife Cooper – McEachern High School
And let’s not forget the many notable female high school basketball players from Georgia who went on to have successful careers in the WNBA, other pro leagues and or Olympic basketball:
- Cindy Brogdon: High School: Greater Atlanta Christian (1975); WNBA Team: N/A (pre-WNBA era); Accolades: Led GAC to multiple state championships, collegiate All-American at Mercer (1976), Olympic gold medalist (1976), played professionally in the Women’s Professional Basketball League for the New Orleans Pride during the 1980–81 season averaging 14.7 points per game and named to the WBL All-Pro second team.
- Maya Moore: High School: Collins Hill High School (Suwanee, Georgia); WNBA Team: Minnesota Lynx; Accolades: 4-time WNBA Champion (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), WNBA Finals MVP (2013), WNBA MVP (2014), 6-time WNBA All-Star, 2011 Rookie of the Year, 2-time Olympic gold medalist (2012, 2016).
- Diamond DeShields: High School: Norcross High School (Norcross, Georgia); WNBA Team: Chicago Sky, Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings; Accolades: WNBA Champion (2021), WNBA All-Star (2019), All-WNBA Second Team (2019).
- Tiffany Hayes: High School: Central Gwinnett High School (Lawrenceville, Georgia); WNBA Team: Atlanta Dream; Accolades: Known for her scoring ability and clutch performances.
- Chennedy Carter: High School: McDonough High School (McDonough, Georgia); WNBA Team: Atlanta Dream; Accolades: Known for her scoring prowess and playmaking abilities.
- Lexi Brown: High School: North Gwinnett High School (Suwanee, Georgia); WNBA Team: Connecticut Sun, Minnesota Lynx, Los Angeles Sparks; Accolades: Known for her shooting and defensive skills.
- Olivia Nelson-Ododa: High School: Winder-Barrow High School (Winder, Georgia); WNBA Team: Connecticut Sun; Accolades: Named Miss Georgia Basketball in 2018, McDonald’s All-American, and recognized for her defensive presence and rebounding ability.
- Teresa Edwards: High School: Cairo High School (Cairo, Georgia, 1982); (pre-WNBA era); Accolades: Led high school team to Class AAA state championship, 5 Olympic medals (4 gold, 1 bronze), All-SEC at University of Georgia, led Georgia to 3 SEC titles, 2 Final Fours, 1 national title game appearance. After graduating from college, she played professional basketball in Italy, Japan, Spain, and France.
- Delisha Milton-Jones: High School: Bradwell Institute (1993); WNBA Teams: Various; Accolades: Naismith High School Player of the Year (1992, 1993), 1997 SEC Player of the Year at Florida, 2-time WNBA All-Star, 2-time Olympic gold medalist (2000, 2008).
- Lea Henry-Manning: High School: Southwest Georgia Academy (1979); WNBA Team: N/A (pre-WNBA era); Accolades: Kodak All-American in high school, 4-year starter at Tennessee, Olympic gold medalist (1984). She played professional basketball in Houston in 1984 before becoming a full-time coach.
These players have made significant impacts in the NBA and WNBA, and have paved the way for the continuance of increased interest from other high school talent. To be clear, it goes without saying that Atlanta Metro is a hotbed for hoops trainers who are extraordinary.