Who make's the Sunshine State's all-time starting five?
With the emergence of powerhouse programs like
Montverde Academy (Montverde) and
IMG Academy (Bradenton), Florida has become the focal point for high school basketball talent in the United States. But that hasn't always been the case.
In the 59 years (1957-2015) that Parade Magazine selected its All-American teams, only 21 players from Florida were selected to a first, second, third or fourth team. Since 2016, however, a total of 25 players have been named to MaxPreps All-American teams.
Recent All-Americans include MaxPreps National Player of the Year honorees R.J. Barrett (2018), Cade Cunningham (2020) and Dariq Whitehead (2022) of Montverde Academy and reigning POY
Cameron Boozer of
Columbus (Miami).
MaxPreps takes a look at the all-time starting five from Florida. With the recent talent the state has produced, Florida's all-time five might look much different in 15 years. For now, we focus on the players who have shown extended success at the prep, college and professional levels.
Amar'e Stoudemire at the 2013 Jordan Brand Classic in Brooklyn. (Photo: Danny Wild)
Vince Carter, Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.), Class of 1995
High school: In leading Mainland to a Class 6A state championship, Carter earned Mr. Basketball honors in the state and was a first-team Parade All-American and McDonald's All-American. He scored 2,299 points in his career.
College: Carter played three seasons at North Carolina, earning first team All-ACC honors as a junior and second team All-American.
Professional: The fifth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, Carter played 22 seasons in the NBA and was an eight-time All-Star. He is the 23rd all-time leading scorer in NBA history with 25,728 points.
Amar'e Stoudemire, Cypress Creek (Orlando, Fla.), 2002
High school: Playing at three different schools during his prep career, Stoudemire graduated from Cypress Creek, where he was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Florida in 2002 while also earning Parade Magazine All-America first team honors and McDonald's All-American.
College: Went straight to the pros as the ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Professional: In 14 NBA seasons, Stoudemire was a six-time All-Star and made the All-NBA first team in 2007. Made the second team four times.
Leonard "Truck" Robinson, Raines (Jacksonville, Fla.), 1970
High school: Named to the all-state second team, Robinson was among the top 10 vote-getters for state player of the year honors.
College: At small college Tennessee State, Robinson led his team to three NCAA tournament appearance and averaged 25.2 points and 17.3 rebounds over his final two college seasons. Twice earned small college All-American honors.
Professional: Robinson led the league in rebounding in 1978 and was a two-time NBA All-Star.
Otis Birdsong, Winter Haven (Fla.), 1973
High school: Named to the Class AAAA All-State team and the Orlando Sentinel All-Area Player of the Year, Birdsong averaged 32.8 points per game while leading Winter Haven to the state championship. He also landed on three All-America teams.
College: At the University of Houston, Birdsong was an All-American as a senior and the Southwest Conference Player of the Year. He is a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Professional: The No. 2 overall pick in the 1977 draft, Birdsong played 12 seasons in the NBA and was a four-time All-Star.
Mitch Richmond, Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.), 1984
High school: Named All-Super South Florida and the state player of the year while at Boyd Anderson. Averaged 29 points per game as a senior.
College: Richmond spent a season at Moberly Community College before moving on to Kansas State, where he was a second team All-American as a senior.
Professional: The No. 8 overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft, Richmond was a six-time NBA All-Star and scored over 20,000 points in his career. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
