The 2022 NBA Finals tip off tonight at 9 p.m. ET as the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors open a best-of-seven series.
We are putting a high school twist on the upcoming action by going back to examine the top 10 prep basketball careers of players on both teams.
Although Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are sure to be determining factors in Golden State's run to a fourth title since 2015, they were under-the-radar high school prospects that just missed the cut. Check out the full list below.
Jayson Tatum calls for a pass at the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions in 2016.
Photo: Randy Kemp
Class: 2016
Senior year stats: 29.5 points, 9.1 rebounds
Recap: First team MaxPreps All-America selection as a senior after winning his only state championship. Tatum also earned Mr. Show-Me Basketball honors and Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2016 while leading Chaminade to the No. 14 spot in the final national rankings.
2. Jaylen Brown
Senior year stats: 28 points, 12 rebounds
Recap: First team MaxPreps All-America selection won a state title in Georgia's highest classification as a senior, leading the Wildcats to the City of Palms Classic title and a berth in Dick's Nationals. Wheeler ended the season ranked No. 5 in the nation.
3. James Wiseman
Senior year stats: 25.8 points, 14.8 rebounds, 5.5 blocks
Recap:
Named Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year and earned first team
MaxPreps All-America honors after leading the Mustangs to the state
title game. He posted a triple-double of 27 points, 20 rebounds and 10
blocks in the Region 8AAA championship game. Wiseman led Memphis East to
a state title as a junior.
4. Andrew Wiggins
Senior year stats: 23.4 points, 11.1 rebounds
Recap:
Widely regarded as the No. 1 player in his class, Wiggins earned Mr. Basketball USA and Naismith Player of the Year honors as a
senior. Wiggins had a career-high 57 points during February of
his final year and led Huntington Prep to the No. 11 spot in the final
national rankings.
5. Draymond Green
Senior year stats: 20 points, 13 rebounds
Recap:
As a senior, Green guided Saginaw to a 27-1 record and its second
consecutive Class A state title. The Trojans ended the year ranked No. 4
in the nation by USA Today after going 53-2 over a two-year stretch.
Green averaged a double-double in each of his last three seasons for the perennial Michigan powerhouse.
6. Marcus Smart
Senior year stats: 15.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists
Recap:
Led the program to a 114-6 record with two state championships during
his decorated high school career. Smart earned first team MaxPreps
All-America honors as a senior and was named Texas Mr. Basketball. He led Marcus to the No. 2 spot in the final national rankings during each of his final two years.
7. Kevon Looney
Senior year stats: 27.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, 8.0 blocks, 7.0 assists
Recap: Although Looney was Hamilton's tallest player, he was also their best passer and mostly played point guard. He was named Wisconsin Mr. Basketball as a senior and was the sixth player in state history to be recognized as a McDonald's All-American.
8. Payton Pritchard
Class: 2016
Senior year stats: 23.6 points, 6.7 assists, 3.1 steals
Recap: Won four consecutive state
championships at West Linn and earned Oregon Player of the Year honors in
both 2015 and 2016 while posting similar numbers in both seasons.
9. Otto Porter Jr.
Class: 2011
Senior year stats: 30 points, 14 rebounds
Recap: Four-star recruit led Scott County to three consecutive Class 1 state titles. He led the Braves to a 29-2 record as a senior and earned all-state honors for the second straight season.
10. Andre Iguodala
Class: 2002
Senior year stats: 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists
Recap: The 2015 NBA Finals MVP led the Lions to the state title game as a senior, earning Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year and second team Parade All-American honors. He also won MVP of the AAU national tournament in 2000 after hitting the game-winning shot at the buzzer to give his 17U team the national title.
