Ohio's Basketball Legacy: A Journey Through Time

Ohio has long been a breeding ground for basketball talent, producing some of the most iconic players in the sport's history. As part of SportsCenter's "50 States in 50 Days" tour, we delve into the top boys and girls hoopers from Ohio, focusing on their high school achievements and their lasting impact on the game.

Boys' Basketball Stars

1. LeBron James, St. Vincent-St. Mary (Class of 2003)

LeBron James is synonymous with basketball greatness. His high school career at St. Vincent-St. Mary was nothing short of legendary, boasting three state titles and an overall record of 101-6. As a senior, he averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game, earning numerous accolades including Gatorade National Player of the Year and Ohio's Mr. Basketball three times.

2. OJ Mayo, North College Hill High School (Class of 2007)

OJ Mayo led North College Hill to two state titles and claimed Ohio's Mr. Basketball twice. Known for his scoring prowess, Mayo averaged 29.2 points per game as a junior and was ranked No. 3 in the ESPN 100 for 2007.

3. Jared Sullinger, Northland High School (Class of 2010)

Jared Sullinger's senior year was marked by a state title, averaging 24.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. He was named Naismith Player of the Year and Ohio's Mr. Basketball twice.

4. Trey Burke, Northland High School (Class of 2011)

Trey Burke's high school career was impressive with a 97-5 record and a state title. He averaged 23.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 2.6 steals per game as a senior, earning Ohio's Mr. Basketball.

5. Luke Kennard, Franklin High School (Class of 2015)

Luke Kennard finished No. 3 on Ohio's all-time scoring list with 2,977 points. His senior year averages of 38.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game were unparalleled.

Girls' Basketball Stars

1. Jantel Lavender, Catholic Central High School (Class of 2007)

Jantel Lavender led Catholic Central to a state title and was named Ohio's Ms. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year. She became the first Big Ten player to earn Big Ten Player of the Year honors four times.

2. Kelsey Mitchell, Princeton High School (Class of 2014)

Kelsey Mitchell was a scoring machine, averaging 26.1 points per game and leading Princeton to a state title. She was named Ohio's Ms. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year.

3. Kierstan Bell, McKinley High School (Class of 2019)

Kierstan Bell became Ohio's first three-time winner of the Ms. Basketball award, averaging 31 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.4 steals per game in her final two seasons.

4. Barb Turner, East Tech High School (Class of 2002)

Barb Turner led East Tech to a state title and was named Ohio's Ms. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year. She later starred at UConn, helping the Huskies to two national titles.

5. Dee Alexander, Purcell Marian High School (Class of 2025)

Dee Alexander is a rising star, leading Purcell Marian to four state titles and averaging 20.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game as a senior. She is the second girl in history to be voted Ohio's Ms. Basketball for three consecutive years.

Ohio's basketball legacy continues to thrive, with each generation producing new stars who carry the torch forward. From LeBron James to Dee Alexander, these players have left an indelible mark on the game, inspiring future generations to strive for greatness.