Dia Bell, Jett Washington and Terry Bussey among high school athletes having dominant years in basketball and football

In this era of sports specialization, high school athletes making the transition from football in the fall to basketball is all too rare. 

But there are still examples of multi-sport standouts getting it done at a high level on the gridiron and hardwood – including the son of former NBA player Raja Bell and the nephew of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

Read on for a look at 10 of the best football-basketball stars during the 2023-24 high school sports year.

Football: The son of 12-year NBA veteran Raja Bell led the Patriots to the state semifinals at quarterback after throwing for 1,929 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has 23 offers including Colorado, Florida and Miami.

Basketball: Had a career-high of 40 points last season. This year Bell is averaging 13.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game under his father, who is the head coach.

Football: Headed to Texas A&M, Bussey led the way at quarterback for the Bears, who won the state title after completing a 16-0 season. Named the MaxPreps Small Town National Player of the Year despite missing most of the first three games of the season due to injury, he still managed to put up some impressive statistics. He completed 143 of 207 passes for 2,690 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also ran 130 times for 1,585 yards and 24 scores.
Basketball: Averaged 20.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.9 steals per game as a sophomore and junior.

Football: The 6-foot-5 freshman gunslinger threw for 2,691 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Oilers. In three postseason games, the freshman with offers from Arizona State, Connecticut and Miami (Ohio) threw for 905 yards with six touchdowns.

Basketball: Recently pulled down a season-high eight rebounds for the 15-13 Oilers.

Football: Rated as the No. 1 tight end in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports after hauling in 57 receptions for 845 yards and 14 touchdowns. On defense the 6-8 defensive end had 70 tackles, seven pass deflections and two forced fumbles for a 15-1 Rams squad.

Basketball: Months after winning a state championship in football, Harrison is attempting to add more hardware. The Rams are off to an 18-0 start with Harrison, the No. 4 power forward in the nation, averaging 20.3 points, 15.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game.

Football: Committed to play at Tennessee, MacIntyre is ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the Class of 2025 by 247Sports. In his second year as the starting signal caller, he threw for 3,229 yards and 25 touchdowns as the Eagles made a run to the state quarterfinals.

Basketball: Received offers from Arizona State and Florida International. The 6-6 forward scored 10 points and 10 rebounds in a state championship victory during his sophomore year.

Football: Rigdon is a touchdown machine at the 6-man level. Over the past two seasons he has rushed for 85 touchdowns and thrown for 31 more.

Basketball: Leads the nation in scoring at 46.7 points per game for the 16-0 Mustangs. Rigdon is a contributor in all facets of the game, adding 10.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per contest. He has scored 50 or more four times this season, including 72 earlier this week.

Football: The five-star defensive end was a wrecking ball with 72 tackles and 12.5 sacks last season for the 9-3 Rebels. Headed to Tennessee.

Basketball: Ross is a major contributor for Vestavia Hills, which is 21-6 this season and one of the top teams in Alabama.

Football: Threw for four touchdowns and ran for 10 more in the fall.

Basketball: Leads the state of Arizona in scoring at 31.9 points per game for the 22-3 Badgers. The 5-9 guard adds 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.7 steals per game.

Football: The nephew of NBA legend Kobe Bryant recorded two interceptions and won a national championship. The four-star junior has football offers that include Georgia and Notre Dame.

Basketball: Has helped lead the Gaels to a 20-5 record. Earlier this month he scored 33 points in a game at Crypto.com Arena, where his late uncle won five NBA titles.

Football: Under head coach and father Jason Witten of Dallas Cowboys fame, the 6-foot-1 defensive back recorded 79 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles to help the Warriors win a state championship.

Basketball: Averaging 3.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for the 11-20 squad. Twice this season he has scored at least eight points while pulling down eight rebounds. He also has a knack for defense and recorded three steals in a Dec. 28 victory.

Caden Pinnick, Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.), Sr.