In the spirit of the “SportsCenter” quest — modeled after the original 2005 “SportsCenter Across America” tour to hit all 50 states in 50 days — we’re spotlighting some of the top hoopers repping key stops along the way.
To lock in the best boys’ and girls’ basketball talent since 2000, we’re weighing everything from career accolades and on-court impact to legacy, recognition and influence on the game.
In this edition, we’re focused on the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area colloquially known as the DMV.
From Kevin Durant to Kristi Toliver, these hoopers represent some of the finest to ever play high school basketball in the region.
Men
1. Kevin Durant, Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)/Montrose Christian (Maryland)
His case: Durant was a schoolboy legend in the D.C. area for multiple years, averaging 23.6 points and 10.2 rebounds a game for Montrose Christian during his senior season in 2005-06. He was even more dominant running with the D.C. Blue Devils AAU squad during the summer and consistently took his production up as he leveled up, winning Player of the Year as a freshman at Texas, being selected No. 2 by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 NBA draft and going on to win two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018). Durant was named NBA MVP in 2014.
2. Carmelo Anthony, Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)
His case: Anthony led the Oak Hill Warriors to a 32-1 record in 2001-02, averaging 21.7 points and 7.4 rebounds a game en route to being named a McDonald’s All-American. He went on to dominate at Syracuse, averaging 22.2 points and 10 rebounds a game to lead the Orange to their first national title in 2003, claiming Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA tournament. Anthony was selected No. 3 by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA draft and went on to be a 10-time NBA All-Star and a six-time All-NBA selection. He will be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September.
3. Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)
His case: Jennings dismantled the competition at the highest level in high school, averaging 35.5 points, 7.5 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals a game for the national hoops powerhouse. He claimed Virginia’s Gatorade Player of the Year and Naismith Player of the Year awards as a senior in 2008. Jennings, who finished his high school career ranked No. 1 in the ESPN 100, played professionally in Italy for one year instead of going to college and was selected No. 10 by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2009 draft. In nine NBA seasons, Jennings averaged 14.1 points, 5.7 assists and 3 rebounds a game.
4.Luka Garza, Maret School (Washington)
His case: Garza was a matchup nightmare during his high school days with the Fighting Frogs, averaging 24.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.1 assists during his senior season in 2016-17. He only elevated his standing at Iowa, where his jersey hangs in the rafters after winning National Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year honors twice. Garza is Iowa’s all-time scoring leader with 2,306 career points. Garza was the 52nd draft pick by the Detroit Pistons in 2021.
5.Markelle Fultz, DeMatha Catholic (Maryland)
His case: Fultz was ranked No. 7 in the ESPN 100 in 2016 and averaged 19.1 points and 8.8 rebounds for DeMatha as a senior. He dominated the competition in his freshman season at Washington, averaging 23.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.2 blocks, and was selected No. 1 in the 2017 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Women
1. Kristi Toliver, Harrisonburg High School (Virginia)
Her case: Toliver dominated the competition in high school, pumping in 2,527 career points and averaging 28.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists as a senior, claiming Virginia’s Gatorade Player of the Year award and suiting up in the McDonald’s All-American Game in 2005. Toliver helped Maryland win the national title as a freshman in 2006 after draining a 3-pointer to force overtime in the Terrapins’ 78-75 victory over Duke. She went on to be named a two-time All-American, three-time All-ACC selection and the 2009 ACC Player of the Year. Toliver was picked No. 3 by the Chicago Sky in the 2009 WNBA draft, was a three-time All-Star and won two titles.
2. Angel Reese, St. Frances Academy (Maryland)
Her case: Reese was a dominant force with the Panthers, averaging 18 points and 20 rebounds for her career and checking in at No. 2 in the ESPNW 100 her senior year in 2019-20. Reese led Saint Frances to three straight IAAM championships then dominated for two years at Maryland before transferring to LSU to elevate her standing even further, leading the Tigers to a national title as a junior. She led the SEC in scoring and rebounding during her junior and senior seasons before being picked No. 7 by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 draft. She has already made her mark in the WNBA, becoming the fastest player in league history to reach 500 points and 500 rebounds. That could potentially pale in comparison to Reese’s impact on the game off the court as a cultural phenomenon through fashion and media.
3. Marissa Coleman, St. John’s College High School (Washington)
Her case: Coleman was a key playmaker for the Cadets, snagging D.C.’s Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2004 and 2005 and finishing her high school career with 2,057 points and 1,750 rebounds. Coleman starred at Maryland as a freshman, claiming ACC Rookie of the Year and helping the Terrapins win the national title in 2006. She amassed more than 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her career in College Park. Coleman played nine seasons in the WNBA and was an All-Star in 2015.
4. Monique Currie, Bullis School (Maryland)
Her case: Currie was an All-American as a Bulldogs senior in 1999-2000, when she averaged 21.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.5 steals a game and scored 2,151 career points in high school. She was even more legendary at Duke, where she became the first player in ACC women’s basketball history to post 2,000 points, 800 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals in her career. Currie was named ACC Player of the Year in 2005 after averaging 17.5 points and 7.1 rebounds and was selected No. 3 by the Charlotte Sting in the 2006 WNBA draft. Currie played 14 professional seasons and compiled career averages of 10.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
5.Azzi Fudd, St. John’s College High School (Washington)
Her case: Fudd was the first sophomore to be named Gatorade National Player of the Year and then claimed two consecutive D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year honors during her junior and senior seasons. She led the Cadets with 25.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.2 steals and was ranked No. 1 in the ESPNW 100 in 2020. In the 2024-25 season, Fudd was named First Team All-Big East and helped the UConn Huskies claim the national title, averaging 17.5 points a game in the NCAA tournament.
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