According to Basketball-Reference.com, the state of Texas has sent over 200 players on to play in the NBA. That list includes current pros like Jimmy Butler, DeAndre Jordan, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart.
But none of those stars made the cut in our look at the five greatest high school basketball players of all-time from Texas.
Our approach to determining the state's greatest is weighted toward players with the best balance of success across the prep, college and pro levels with one qualifier – they must have reached All-American status as a high school player.
Shaquille O'Neal went 68-1 with a state title in two seasons at Cole High School in San Antonio. (Getty Images)
High school: Led Lincoln to the Class 4A state championship and was named Mr. Basketball in Texas. Also made first team All-American by Parade and McDonald's.
College: In his only season at Georgia Tech, Bosh was ACC Rookie of the Year and All-ACC second team after averaging 15.6 points per game.
Professional: The No. 4 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Bosh made 11 NBA All-Star Games and was All-NBA second team in 2007. He won a pair of NBA championships with the Heat.
Shaquille O'Neal, Cole (San Antonio), 1989
High school: O'Neal played two seasons at Cole (San Antonio), leading the team to a 68-1 record and a state championship. He was Texas Mr. Basketball, a Parade Magazine first team pick and the McDonald's All-American Game MVP.
College: In three seasons at LSU, O'Neal was twice the SEC Player of the Year and earned national player of the year honors in 1991.
Professional: In 19 seasons, O'Neal made 15 NBA All-Star games, made All-NBA 14 times (first team eight times) and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Larry Johnson, Skyline (Dallas), 1987
High school: A McDonald's All-American in 1987, Johnson was also a Parade All-American and Mr. Basketball in Texas.
College: Johnson played at Odessa Junior College, where he was two-time player of the year. He then went to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and led the Runnin' Rebels to an NCAA championship in 1990. He was a two-time All-American and earned national player of the year honors in 1991.
Professional: The Rookie of the Year in 1992, Johnson made the NBA All-Star game two times during his 10-year professional career.
Clyde Drexler, Sterling (Houston), 1980
High school: Not highly recruited out of high school, Drexler did make the all-district team while at Houston Sterling.
College: Played in a pair of Final Fours, including the final against North Carolina State in 1983. Earned second team All-American honors as a junior.
Professional: Drafted 14th in the 1983 draft, Drexler played 16 season in the NBA, was a 10-time All-Star and a five-time All-NBA selection.
LaMarcus Aldridge, Seagoville (Dallas), 2004
High school: Named the Class 4A POY, Aldridge also made the Parade Magazine All-American second team.
College: In two seasons at Texas, Aldridge earned All-Big 12 honors and was second team All-American.
Professional: In 16 NBA seasons, Aldridge made the All-Star game seven times and was All-NBA five times. He has scored more points in the NBA than any other player from Texas.
