Illinois has produced some of the greatest high school basketball players in the history of the sport. With 298 players advancing to the professional level, the Prairie State ranks second in terms of producing NBA players.
MaxPreps looks at the five greatest players in Illinois high school history. The quintet has combined for 52 NBA All-Star appearances.
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.
Anthony Davis (left) was named MVP of the 2011 Jordan Brand Classic along with James Michael McAdoo. (Photo: Steven Worthy)
High school: After transferring to Farragut for his senior season, Garnett averaged 25.2 points per game and 17.9 rebounds to earn national player of the year honors from USA Today. He led Farragut to a 28-2 record and a state championship.
College: Garnett went straight from high school to the NBA and was drafted fifth overall in 1995 by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Professional: Garnett had one of the longest careers in NBA history, playing 1,462 games over 21 seasons. He was a 15-time All-Star and ranks No. 22 all-time in career points with 26,071.
Dwyane Wade, Richards (Oak Lawn), 2000
High school: A late bloomer in high school, Wade emerged as an all-state player by the Chicago Tribune as a senior after averaging 27 points, 11 rebounds and four assists per game.
College: Earned first team All-American as a senior at Marquette and was the Conference USA player of the year.
Professional: A 13-time All-Star, Wade was also All-NBA eight times while winning three NBA championships with the Miami Heat.
Anthony Davis, Perspectives Charter/Leadership (Chicago), 2011
High school: Perspectives went 8-15 during his senior year, however Davis still earned a selection to the McDonald's All-American game and he was also a MaxPreps All-American.
College: Davis led Kentucky to a national championship in 2012, he was the tournament most outstanding player and the national player of the year in his one season with the Wildcats.
Professional: Named to nine All-Star games, Davis has made the All-NBA team four times.
Isiah Thomas, St. Joseph (Westchester), 1979
High school: Led St. Joseph to the state final as a junior and went on to earn all-state and All-American honors as a senior.
College: As a sophomore, Thomas led Indiana to a national championship. He was a consensus All-American and was the Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
Professional: Playing in 12 NBA All-Star games, Thomas twice earned MVP honors. He also won a pair of NBA championships and was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Mark Aguirre, Westinghouse (Chicago), 1978
High school: Averaged 33 points and 12 rebounds per game as a senior, Aguirre earned all-state honors and was generally considered the top player in Illinois. He was a third team All-American and played in the McDonald's All-American game.
College: A dominant player at the college level, Aguirre was a two-time national player of the year for DePaul.
Professional: Aguirre averaged 20 points per game in his 13-year career, playing on two NBA champions (Detroit) and earning all-star honors three times.
