Five most dominant high school athletes in Michigan history

Johnson and Jeter top the MaxPreps list of the five most dominant high school athletes from the state of Michigan. The list is part of a weekly series of stories highlighting the top five athletes from each state in the United States.

Five most dominant high school athletes in Michigan history

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Everett (Lansing), 1977
Within a four-year span, Johnson won a high school basketball state championship, an NCAA basketball championship and an NBA championship. He averaged 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds in leading Everett to a 27-1 record and the state title in 1977. He landed on the Parade Magazine All-American Team and was a member of the McDonald's All-American Team. Two years later at Michigan State, Johnson guided the Spartans to a 75-64 win over undefeated Indiana State and its star player Larry Bird. Johnson made the All-American Team and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He led the Lakers to an NBA title in 1980 — the first of five championships he would win in Los Angeles. He was a 12-time All-Star and a nine-time first team All-NBA. He was the NBA's MVP in 1987, 1989 and 1990. He is in the Basketball and College Basketball Halls of Fame.

Derek Jeter, Kalamazoo Central (Kalamazoo), 1992
Long before he was named captain of the New York Yankees and won five World Series championships, Jeter was an award-winning shortstop at Kalamazoo Central. He batted .508 his senior year with four home runs and batted over .500 for his high school career. He was the USA Today Player of the Year and he was the Gatorade Player of the Year. He also landed a spot on the American Baseball Coaches Association All-American Team. He was the first high school player chosen in the 1992 draft, chosen No. 6 overall by the Yankees. He made 14 All-Star games and was the World Series MVP in 2000.

Chris Webber, Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills), 1991
Webber is one of the most decorated high school players ever to come out of Michigan. After leading Detroit Country Day to three state championships, Webber was named Mr. Basketball in Michigan and was also the Naismith Mr. Basketball for 1991. He was also named the McDonald's All-American Game MVP. Part of the Fab Five recruiting class at Michigan, Webber led the Wolverines to two straight NCAA championship games, losing to Duke and North Carolina. He was a first team consensus All-American as a sophomore. The No. 1 overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 1993 NBA Draft, Webber was the Rookie of the Year in 1994. He had most of his success at the NBA level with the Sacramento Kings, making five All-Star games and being named All-NBA first team in 2001.



Dave DeBusschere, Austin Catholic (Chesterfield), 1958
A two-sport standout in high school, DeBusschere led Austin Catholic to a basketball state championship as a senior and earned Parade and Scholastic Magazine All-American honors. However, he was also a standout pitcher, throwing three no-hitters as a junior. He attended University of Detroit on a basketball scholarship and earned All-American honors three straight years. He also spent time as a pitcher with the Chicago White Sox, playing one year in the Major Leagues. A territorial draft pick by the Detroit Pistons, DeBusschere made eight All-Star Games and won a pair of championships with the New York Knicks. He was also All-Defensive First Team six times and is a member of the College and Basketball Halls of Fame.

Jerome Bettis, Mackenzie (Detroit), 1990