Texas has long been a hotbed of high school girls basketball talent and the Lone Star State's all-time starting five is one of the most award-winning collection of athletes.
The quartet has combined for nine national player of the year honors at the prep, collegiate and professional level.
Sheryl Swoopes of
Brownfield is arguably the best to come from Texas, earning all-state, All-American and MVP honors throughout her career.
Swoopes headlines the all-time starting five for the Sunshine State as chosen by MaxPreps.
Nneka Ogwumike of Cy-Fair is among the best girls basketball players to come from Texas. The WNBA Player of the Year in 2016, she was the 2008 MaxPreps National Player of the Year. (Photo: Jim Redman)
High school: Averaging 26.7 points and 13 rebounds per game as a senior, Swoopes was a Class 3A All-State selection. She was also a Parade All-American second-team choice.
College: Led Texas Tech to the NCAA championship and was a two-time All-American. She was the Naismith National Player of the Year in 1993.
Professional: A three-time WNBA MVP, Swoopes also won four league championships. She made the All-Star game six times and was a five-time All-WNBA first-team pick.
Brittney Griner, Nimitz (Houston), 2009
High school: Named the WBCA Player of the Year, Griner led Nimitz to the state finals and had a reported 52 dunks during the season.
College: At Baylor, led the Bears to an NCAA championship in 2012. She was the NCAA Player of the Year as a senior and was a two-time first team All-American.
Professional: Named to nine All-Star games, Griner has led the WNBA in blocks eight seasons and has been an All-WNBA first-team pick three times.
Tamika Catchings, Duncanville, 1997
High school: A four-time Parade Magazine All-American, she played her final two high school seasons at Duncanville, where she led the team to a pair of state championships.
College: Named the Naismith National Player of the Year as a senior in 2001, she also led the Volunteers to an NCAA Championship in 1998.
Professional: Named to 10 WNBA All-Star Games, she was also All-WNBA seven times and All-WNBA defensive first team 10 times. Catchings is the third all-time leading scorer in WNBA history.
Teresa Weatherspoon, West Sabine (Pineland), 1984
High school: Made the Class AA all-state team.
College: Named a member of the Louisiana Tech Hall of Fame after leading the team to a 1988 NCAA Championship. A two-time Kodak All-American and winner of the Honda Sports Award.
Professional: Made the WNBA All-Star Game five times and was twice named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.
Nneka Ogwumike, Cy-Fair (Cypress), 2008
High school: The MaxPreps National Player of the Year, Ogwumike was also a Parade All-American as a senior after leading Cy-Fair to a Class 5A state championship.
College: Finished her career as the second all-time leading scorer in Stanford history.
Professional: The WNBA Player of the Year in 2016, Ogwumike won a league championship that same year. She also made the WNBA All-Star game eight times.
