Final Top 25 National Rankings
See who finished where in the final MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national boys basketball rankings.
Who is Indiana's best? You vote, you decide.
Below are our nominees (and a poll for you to vote on) for Indiana's top high school boys basketball player - ever. National players of the year, multiple Mr. Basketballs, NCAA National Champions and NBA MVPs, All-Stars and World Champions. Indiana's impact on hoops history is legendary. So too are the careers of those listed below. Which one takes the top spot?
Scott Skiles (Plymouth), Larry Bird (Springs Valley) Damon Bailey (North Lawrence) and Glenn Robinson (Gary Roosevelt) are all a part of Hoosier lore.
Photos Courtesy of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
Indiana's Top All-Time High School Boys Basketball Player
* Steve Alford, New Castle – 1979-1983 Averaged 37.7 points per game (before the 3-point line) as a senior when he was named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball (1983). Two-time all-state selection dropped a career-high 57 points in a 1983 semi-state game (second highest in Indiana state tournament history) and finished with 2,116 career points. His 1,078 points as a senior ranks second in state history for a single-season. Went to Indiana where he was a four-time team MVP, a two-time first team All-American, a National Champion (1987) and graduated as the program’s all-time leading scorer (2,438 points) and all-time leader in steals (178). Drafted in the second round of the 1987 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. After four-year NBA career became a successful college coach with stints at Manchester College, Southwest Missouri State, University of Iowa, New Mexico and UCLA. Currently head coach at Nevada. Member of the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal team.
* Larry Bird, Springs Valley (French Lick) – 1970-1974Averaged 30.6 points and 20.6 rebounds per game as a senior when he led the Blackhawks to 21-4 record and sectional title. Had highs of 55 points and 38 rebounds (both school records). Finished with 1,125 career points and played for Indiana against the Kentucky All-Stars. After brief stint at Indiana, went to Indiana State where he was a two-time first team All-American and led the Sycamores to the 1979 NCAA title game as a senior. Named college player of the year that season. Drafted 6th overall by the Boston Cletics in the 1978 NBA Draft. Three-time NBA MVP, three-time World Champion and 12-time NBA All-Star during his 13-year career. Also named NBA Coach of the Year (1998) and NBA Executive of the year (2012). Member of the Gold Medal winning 1992 Dream Team and was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
* Damon Bailey, Bedford North Lawrence – 1986-1990Led the Stars to the state Final Four three straight years and won the title as a senior (1990) when he was also named Indiana Mr. Basketball and the Naismith Prep Player of the Year (national award). Set the state career scoring record with 3,134 points. Went to Indiana where he finished fifth on the school’s all-time scoring list (1,741 points) and first in 3-pointers (380). Drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 1994 NBA draft.
* Mike Conley Jr., Lawrence North (Indianapolis) – 2002-2006Considered “Indiana’s best-ever point guard” by veteran and renowned writer Dave Krider, the son of Olympic long jumper Mike Conley teamed with Greg Oden to lead Lawrence North to three straight state titles and 45 straight wins to cap their careers. Parade and McDonald’s All-American had 1,157 career points, 449 assists and 290 steals. Went to Ohio State where he was named first team All-Big Ten and helped Buckeyes reach the national championship game in his lone season. Drafted fourth in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Currently a member of the Utah Jazz.
* George McGinnis, Indianapolis Washington – 1965-1969Led the Continentals to a state championship and undefeated season (31-0) as a senior with 35 points and 27 rebounds in a 79-76 state finals win over Gary Tolleston High School. Mr. Basketball USA and Indiana Mr. Basketball in 1969 finished career with 2,075 points and 1,638 rebounds. Went to Indiana for one year before signing with the ABA’s Indiana Pacers (named ABA rookie of the year and helped win an ABA title). Enjoyed an 11-year professional career that also included a run with the Philadelphia 76ers.
* Rick Mount, Lebanon – 1962-1966Became the first high school athlete to make the cover of Sports Illustrated (Feb. 14, 1966) and averaged 33.1 points per game over his junior and senior seasons. Was named Mr. Basketball USA and Indiana Mr. Basketball as a senior. Finished career with 2,595 points. Went to Purdue where he was a three-time All-American (two-time first team) and two-time Big Ten Player of the Year. Scored a then NCAA single-game record 61 points (against Iowa) and finished with a then-Big Ten record 2,323 career points (in three years). Drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the No. 1 pick in the 1970 ABA Draft. Won an ABA title with the Pacers. Shoulder injury cut pro career short after five years.
John Wooden (Martinsville), Oscar Robertson (Indianapolis Crispus Attucks), Steve Alford (New Castle Chrysler) and Rick Mount (Lebanon) rank among Indiana's best prep players ever.
Photos Courtesy of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
One of the country's best prep post players ever. Teamed with Mike Conley Jr. to lead the Wildcats to three straight state titles and 45 straight wins to cap their careers. Was a three-time Parade All-American (two-time first team), two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2006), Mr. Basketball USA (2006) and Indiana Mr. Basketball (2006). Went to Ohio State where he led the Buckeyes to the national championship game and was second team All-American. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers. Managed to play just 105 games in a six-year NBA career due to injuries.
* Bobby Plump, Milan – 1950-1954His last second 15-footer before 15,000 people at Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse is arguably the biggest shot in Indiana high school history. The bucket propelled tiny Milan to the 1954 state title with a 32-30 win over Muncie Central and inspired the movie “Hoosiers.” Was Indiana Mr. Basketball as a senior and led Milan to the state final four as a junior. Went to Butler where set the program’s single- and career-scoring records.
* Oscar Robertson, Indianapolis Crispus Attucks – 1952-1956Led Crispus Attucks to a 62-1 record, two state titles and 45 straight wins as a junior and senior. Named Mr. Basketball USA and Indiana Mr. Basketball (1956) as a senior when he averaged 24 points per game. Scored 1,825 career points. Lost to famed Milan (eventual state champions of “Hoosiers” fame) in state quarterfinals sophomore season. Went to the University of Cincinnati where he was a three-time College Player of the Year, three-time first team All-American and three-time national scoring leader. Finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history. During an NBA career with the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks was a 12-time NBA All-Star, nine-time All-NBA first team selection and the league's MVP in 1964. Won a gold medal with the 1960 Olympic Team. Was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.
* Glenn Robinson, Gary Roosevelt – 1987-1991“Big Dog” led Roosevelt to the 1991 state title over Brebeuf Jesuit and its star Alan Henderson in one of the state’s most memorable state finals. Was Indiana Mr. Basketball, a McDonald’s All-American and first team Parade All-American as a senior. Two-time first team all-state selection scored 1,710 career points. Went to Purdue where he had 1,706 points in two seasons, including a Big Ten record 1,030 as a sophomore, en route to winning 1994 Big Ten and NCAA National player of the year honors. Was draft No. 1 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1994 NBA Draft. Played 11 seasons in the NBA and won a World Championship with the San Antonio Spurs (2005).
* Scott Skiles, Plymouth – 1978-1982Led Plymouth to a state title his senior year by scoring 39 points in a 75-74 double OT win over Gary Roosevelt. Hit a 22-footer at the end of regulation to force the first OT. Led the state in scoring as a senior (30. 2 points) and finished with 1,788 career points. Went to Michigan State where he was the Big Ten Player of the Year (1986) and finished as the Spartans' all-time leading scorer (2,145 pints). Drafted in the first round of the 1986 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. Played 11 seasons in the NBA and has been a head coach for four NBA teams.
* Fuzzy Vandivier, Franklin Community – 1919-1922Three-time all-state selection considered first great player in Indiana basketball history. Led Franklin to an 89-9 record and three-straight state titles (1920-1922), a feat that wasn’t duplicated until Marion’s run from 1985-1987. Member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
* John Wooden, Martinsville – 1924-1928Helped Martinsville win the state title in 1927 and finish runner-up in 1926 and 1928. Was an all-state selection each season. Went to Purdue where he was a three-time All-American (first ever), two-time Big Ten champion, the Big Ten Player of the Year (1932), a National Champion (1932) and the collegiate player of the year (1932). Following a pro career with BAA and NBL teams, became legendary coach that led UCLA to a record 10 NCAA championships. First person to make the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame both as a player and coach.
