Looking Back: 2000 High School Recruiting Class
The Internet has made High School basketball phenoms blow up more than ever these days. Guys who aren’t even in the Top 50 of their classes are garnering huge followings online via viral clips and highlight tapes. It’s been this way since the emergence of YouTube and has grown since the inception of other social media sites.
While I could just go over JUST those viral sensation players, I’ll go over each class’s Top 10 then also mention notable players in the class that either became All-Stars in the league, were drafted in the 1st round, or at least played over 3 total seasons (246 games). We’ll start off with the 2000 High School Basketball Recruiting Class. (Rankings according to RSCIhoops)
TOP 10
#1 Zach Randolph
College: Michigan State (1 year)
College Stats: 10.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 58.7 FG% in 19.8 MPG (33 Games)
NBA Draft: 19th pick in 2001 Draft (by the Portland Trail Blazers)
NBA Resume: ‘04 Most Improved Player | 2x All-Star (2010,2013) | ‘11 All-NBA 3rd Team | 9 Playoff Appearances | 17 Seasons (2001-2018)
Notable Career Rankings (All-Time): 18,578 Points (67th) | 10,208 Rebounds (38th) | 9.1 Rebounds per game (84th) | 19.3 PER (97th) | 1,116 Games Played (66th)
#2 Eddie Griffin
College: Seton Hall (1 year)
College Stats: 17.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 42.9 FG% in 32.6 MPG (30 Games)
NBA Draft: 7th pick in 2001 Draft (by the New Jersey Nets)
NBA Resume: ‘02 All-Rookie 2nd Team | 0 Playoff Appearances | 5 Seasons (2001-2003;2004-2007)
Notable Career Rankings: None | 303 Games Played
#3 Darius Miles
College: None / East St. Louis High School
NBA Draft: 3rd pick in 2000 Draft (by the Los Angeles Clippers)
NBA Resume: ‘01 All-Rookie 1st Team | 0 Playoff Appearances | 7 Seasons (2000-2006;2008-2009)
Notable Career Rankings: None | 446 Games Played
#4 Gerald Wallace
College: Alabama (1 year)
College Stats: 9.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 43.8 FG% in 22.9 MPG (36 Games)
NBA Draft: 25th pick in 2001 Draft (by the Sacramento Kings)
NBA Resume: ‘06 Steals Leader | 1x All-Star (2010) | ‘10 All-Defensive 1st Team | 7 Playoff Appearances | 14 Seasons (2001-2015)
Notable Career Rankings (All-Time): 1,200 Steals (90th) | 1.4 Steals per game (97th) | 832 Games Played
#5 Marcus Taylor
College: Michigan State (2 years)
College Stats: 12.1 PPG, 4.4 APG, 39.9 FG% in 28.1 MPG (59 Games)
NBA Draft: 52nd pick in 2002 Draft (by the Minnesota Timberwolves)
NBA Resume: None
Notable Career Rankings: None | 0 Games Played
#6 DeShawn Stevenson
College: None / Washington Union High School
NBA Draft: 23rd pick in 2000 Draft (by the Utah Jazz)
NBA Resume: ‘11 NBA Champion (Dallas Mavericks) | 7 Playoff Appearances | 13 Seasons (2000-2013)
Notable Career Rankings: None | 824 Games Played
#7 Chris Duhon
College: Duke (4 years)
College Stats: 8.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 5.7 APG, 41.8 FG% in 33.4 MPG (144 Games)
NBA Draft: 38th pick in 2004 Draft (by the Chicago Bulls)
NBA Resume: 6 Playoff Appearances | 9 Seasons (2004-2013)
Notable Career Rankings: None | 606 Games Played
#8 Mario Austin
College: Mississippi State (3 years)
College Stats: 13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 53.1 FG%, 35.3 3P% in 26.4 MPG (91 Games)
NBA Draft: 36th pick in 2003 Draft (by the Chicago Bulls)
NBA Resume: None
Notable Career Rankings: None | 0 Games Played
#9 Jared Jeffries
College: Indiana (2 years)
College Stats: 14.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 45.0 FG% in 32.6 MPG (70 Games)
NBA Draft: 11th pick in 2002 Draft (by the Washington Wizards)
NBA Resume: 4 Playoff Appearances | 11 Seasons (2002-2013)
Notable Career Rankings: None | 629 Games Played
#10 Taliek Brown
College: UConn (4 years)
College Stats: 7.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 5.4 APG, 43.6 FG% in 29.3 MPG (134 Games)
NBA Draft: Undrafted
NBA Resume: None
Notable Career Rankings: None | 0 Games Played
NOTABLES OUTSIDE THE TOP 10
-Caron Butler (Ranked 47th): 10th Overall Pick in 2002. Played 881 NBA games. 2x All-Star (2007,2008). ‘11 NBA Champion (Mavericks). ‘03 All-Rookie 1st Team. Career 84.7% from the free-throw line (69th All-Time)
-Luke Ridnour (Ranked 68th): 14th Overall Pick in 2003. Played 830 NBA games. Career 86.2% from the free-throw line (39th All-Time)
-Chris Wilcox (Ranked 23rd): 8th Overall Pick in 2002. Played 628 NBA games. Career 54.1% from the field (30th All-Time)
-Mike Sweetney (Ranked 34th): 9th Overall Pick in 2003. Played 233 NBA games.