BREAKING: New rankings highlight the top high school basketball talent in Florida since 2000, showcasing legends like Cooper Flagg and Amar’e Stoudemire. This urgent update brings attention to the athletes whose skills have transformed the game and left a lasting legacy in the Sunshine State.
Florida’s basketball scene has produced phenomenal talent, and these rankings focus on their high school accolades, including state titles, national honors, and individual awards. The latest list emphasizes the impact of these players on and off the court, making it a must-read for basketball fans.
1. Amar’e Stoudemire, Cypress Creek High School, Class of 2002: Stoudemire dominated his senior year, averaging an impressive 29.1 points, 15 rebounds, and 6.1 blocks per game. His outstanding performance earned him Florida’s Mr. Basketball and McDonald’s All-American honors. Stoudemire made history as the first prep-to-pro player to win Rookie of the Year in the NBA, where he averaged 18.9 points over 14 seasons and made six All-Star teams.
2. Cooper Flagg, Montverde Academy, Class of 2024: Flagg, who began his high school career in Maine, led Montverde to a perfect 33-0 season and a Chipotle Nationals title. With averages of 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks, he quickly became a household name, earning multiple Player of the Year awards. Flagg’s immediate impact at Duke University includes guiding the Blue Devils to the Final Four and collecting prestigious honors like ACC Player of the Year.
3. Cameron Boozer, Columbus High School, Class of 2025: Boozer led his team to four consecutive state championships, boasting impressive averages of 22.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. Ranked No. 3 in the ESPN 100, his accolades include two Gatorade National Player of the Year awards and the Morgan Wootten Award. Boozer is set to join Flagg at Duke this fall.
4. Brandon Knight, Pine Crest High School, Class of 2010: Knight reached four state finals, winning two, while averaging 32.5 points as a senior. His stellar performance earned him Gatorade Player of the Year and Florida Mr. Basketball honors. Knight was drafted No. 8 by the Detroit Pistons in 2011, playing nine seasons in the NBA.
5. Austin Rivers, Winter Park High School, Class of 2011: Rivers led his team to back-to-back state titles, averaging 29.2 points as a senior. He earned numerous accolades, including Florida’s Mr. Basketball and Naismith Player of the Year. Rivers was drafted No. 10 in 2012 and enjoyed an 11-season NBA career.
On the girls’ side, the rankings are equally impressive:
1. Sylvia Fowles, Edison Senior High School; Gulliver Preparatory School, Class of 2004: Fowles secured three state titles and earned McDonald’s All-American honors, averaging 20.6 points and 11.6 rebounds in her senior year. She was drafted No. 2 by the Chicago Sky in 2008, where she became a WNBA legend, winning two championships and earning Finals MVP honors.
2. Erlana Larkins, The Benjamin School, Class of 2004: Larkins helped her team to four state championships, averaging 22.3 points and 14.6 rebounds as a senior. She was drafted No. 14 by the New York Liberty and played eight seasons in the WNBA.
3. Tiffany Hayes, Winter Haven High School, Class of 2008: Hayes led her team to two state titles and was honored as Florida’s Ms. Basketball. She made a mark at UConn, where she won two national championships before being drafted No. 14 by the Atlanta Dream.
4. Dorian “Shante” Williams, Jean Ribault High School, Class of 2003: Williams anchored her team to four consecutive state championships, earning back-to-back Florida Gatorade Player of the Year awards. She later returned to coaching, leading her former team to a state title.
5. Destanni Henderson, Fort Myers High, Class of 2018: Henderson led her team to three state championships and earned Ms. Basketball honors. She played a pivotal role in South Carolina’s national title win and was drafted No. 20 by the Indiana Fever.
These rankings not only celebrate the achievements of these basketball stars but also inspire future generations to strive for greatness. Fans and aspiring athletes can follow the paths of these legends, who have left an indelible mark on Florida basketball. Stay tuned for more updates and insights into the world of high school hoops as we continue to spotlight athletic excellence!
