New York City's all-time greatest high school basketball players

The first true New York City high school basketball legend. Schayes was 6-foot-1 while still in grade school. He then starred at Clinton High in the Bronx. At the time, Schayes' 30 points against Christopher Columbus was a Bronx Public School system record. By the time he graduated from Clinton, and suited up as a 16-year-old freshman at nearby New York University, Schayes was 6-7. Of course, the rest was the stuff legends are made from. An NBA champion and 12-time All-Star, Schayes totaled more than 18,000 points and 11,000 rebounds as a professional. He's a member of both the College Basketball and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fames.

Born a few months after the aforementioned Dolph Schayes in 1928, Cousy was actually cut from the team twice at Queens' Andrew Jackson High in the St. Albans neighborhood. But after breaking his right hand, Cousy learned to use both, which helped his basketball skills. He eventually earned a spot on Jackson's junior varsity squad, and by the time he was a senior, led the varsity squad to the Queens County Division Championship in 1946. That led to a college hoops career at Holy Cross, where the Hall of Famer helped the Crusaders to the 1947 NCAA national title. From there, Cousy won six NBA championships with the Boston Celtics, made 13 All-Star teams and claimed league MVP honors in 1957.

A playground star growing up in the Bronx, it seemed Guerin was destined to make a living in and around the game of basketball. While starring on the Mount Saint Michael basketball team, Guerin was also a member of the Marine Corps Reserve. Known as one of the last great, two-handed set shooters, Guerin took his talent to Iona College, where he scored more than 1,300 career points. After returning from active duty with the Marines, Guerin was honored with six NBA All-Star nods, notably with the hometown New York Knicks. The Hall-of-Famer then enjoyed a successful coaching career with the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks.

Hailing from Brooklyn's Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood, aka "Bed-Stuy" Wilkens, a three-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and one of the greatest players and coaches in NBA history, was briefly a prep teammate of two-time NL batting champion Tommy Davis at Brooklyn's famed Boys High School (which, after the merge and location change, is known now as Boys and Girls High School). According to legend, Wilkens played in less than 10 varsity basketball games, despite making the squad as a freshman. However, Wilkens starred in local Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) leagues during his high school years. Showing off his lightning quickness, exemplary defense and stellar ball-handling skills, Wilkens earned a basketball scholarship to Providence College, where he was an All-American and set the stage for his many NBA accolades as a player and coach.

A two-time third-team Parade All-American (1959, '60), Brown was an exceptional high school basketball product from Brooklyn. In 1960, Brown scored 37 points during the semifinals of the New York City Public Schools Athletic League tournament. Then it was off to the University of Dayton, where he was the star of his freshman team. However, that proved to be the extent of his college career, as Brown was banned by the NCAA for his association with Jack Molinas, who was part of the infamous 1961 college basketball point-shaving scandal. Brown was not directly involved, but he never played in the NBA because of just knowing Molinas. He did make four All-Star teams and win three championships in the ABA.

Simply one of the greatest high school players of all time, regardless of location. Hawkins was an All-City pick as a junior (when his Boys team won the Public Schools Athletic League title) and senior (while averaging more than 25 points and again leading boys to the PSAL championship). Though Hawkins was honored as a first-team Parade All-American and Mr. Basketball USA in 1960, he never played college basketball due to his association with the aforementioned Jack Molinas. Unlike Roger Brown, Hawkins did make it to the NBA after playing in the ABL, for the Harlem Globetrotters and winning ABA MVP and a league title in 1968. He was a four-time NBA All-Star and his No. 42 was retired by the Phoenix Suns.

Cunningham honed his Hall of Fame college and NBA careers at St. Rose of Lima, before heading to Erasmus Hall in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood. Cunningham played all four of his prep seasons on the varsity, and was an All-City selection for the 1960-61 campaign. That same season, Cunningham — known for his tremendous leaping ability that earned him the nickname of "Kangaroo Kid" — led his school to the PSAL championship, while also receiving Parade All-American honors. He would go on to star at North Carolina, and then later  with the Philadelphia 76ers during his pro career.

It's no stretch to say that Kareem is the greatest high school player in American history. Then known as Lew Alcindor, he lost just six games during his prep career — five of which came during his freshman campaign when he checked in a 6-foot-10. A three-time, first-team Parade All-American, Alcindor led mighty Manhattan Power Memorial, which during his time won three New York City Catholic titles, two CHSAA championships (1963, '64) and won 71 consecutive games. The NCAA and NBA legend's height and overall stature led to his dominance as both a scorer and defender while registering more than 2,000 career points and rebounds.

To many in the know, "The Goat" might have been the best playground/high school in New York City, at least for one of his stature: 6-foot-1. Facing the likes of future legends Lew Alcindor and Connie Hawkins, Manigault starred on what would become the famed concrete courts of Harlem's Rucker Park and 99th Street and Amsterdam Ave. — aka "Goat Park." Legend has it, Manigault scored 57 points in a grade-school game. When Manigault attended high school during the 1960s, he was a standout, averaging more than 23 points and 10 rebounds for Harlem's Benjamin Franklin (known now as Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics). However, he was kicked off the team as a senior for smoking marijuana. Manigault landed at a North Carolina prep school, then a small black college in the state before returning to New York City, where he battled substance abuse and eventually died at age 53 from congestive heart failure. The 1996 HBO film "Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault," starring Don Cheadle, chronicled his life.

Hailing from the South Bronx, Archibald was playground basketball royalty in New York City. Though he didn't make the varsity squad at Clinton as a sophomore, come his junior season, the seeds were sewn for Archibald to succeed. As a senior, Archibald became the team's undisputed star, and blossomed into one of the great players in New York. Basketball proved to be sort of a salvation for Archibald, who struggled academically most of his high school career, and flirted with dropping out. He eventually made it to the NBA, where in an interesting twist, this six-time All-Star from New York City was a standout for the rival Boston Celtics. The gymnasium at DeWitt Clinton was named in Archibald's honor.

Considered one of the hardest working prep players in New York City history, the 6-foot-3 Joyce averaged 32 points and 18 rebounds as senior for the Catholic powerhouse. In his three varsity seasons at Molloy, the program went 68-5. He was a first-team Parade All-American as a senior in 1969, before taking his talent to the University of South Carolina. Joyce was a member of the 1972 United States Olympic men's basketball team that lost its controversial gold medal game to the Soviet Union.

Another Brooklyn basketball legend, Johnson might be somewhat of a forgotten star when comparing against the other more prominent household basketball names from the borough. A lanky, but impactful talent from New Utrecht High, Johnson had the ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. Legendary St. John's coach Lou Carnesecca considered Johnson one of the best players to come out of the city. And Johnson proved that for the Queens university by scoring 1,763 career points and pulling down a school-record 1,240 rebounds before embarking on a nine-year NBA career.

It wasn't an easy rise to greatness for the Hall of Famer. King enjoyed a successful prep career and showed flashes of dominance more times than not. However, his accomplishments at Tennessee (three-time SEC Player of the Year, consensus All-American) and in the NBA (four-time All-Star) tend to overshadow just how good of a high school player he was for the Brooklyn school. King, who grew up in the rough Fort Greene neighborhood, essentially put Bay Ridge's Fort Hamilton High on the map when it came to basketball notoriety. Yet, he wasn't even the best King to attend the school.

The best basketball player with the last name of King to attend Fort Hamilton goes to Bernard's younger brother, Albert. Truly one of the legendary NYC high school stars, Albert King was a two-time, first-team Parade All-American and Mr. Basketball USA in 1977, besting Magic Johnson for the honor, though both were part of the inaugural McDonald's All-American team. For his high school career, King amassed 2,071 points. His most memorable prep performance came against Canarsie High, when he totaled 48 points, 22 rebounds, 12 assists and six blocks. The ACC Player of the Year at Maryland in 1980, King played nine seasons in the NBA.

Mullin began his prep career at the aforementioned Power Memorial, where some issues with the coaching staff prompted a transfer to fellow Catholic powerhouse Xavierian in Bay Ridge. Mullins was respected as a young player for his desire to improve by heading up to Harlem and the Bronx to join some of the best playground talent at the time. At Xavierian, the hot-shooting Mullin helped his team win a state championship and was named New York's Mr. Basketball as a senior — as well as a McDonald's All-American. From there, it's all well-documented history as Mullin became College and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, who also won Olympic gold with the 1992 "Dream Team," while exorcising some demons along the way.

Nicknamed "The Truth," Berry was a star of the playgrounds in NYC. A dominant force that seemed destined for stardom. And, in many ways he did achieve a high level of acclaim. But it wasn't easy. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound Berry dropped out of Franklin High in 1982 because of poor grades, but rebounded to earn his high school equivalency. He ended up going the junior college route before landing at St. John's, where he helped the 1985 team to the Final Four, and was national player of the year in '86, when he averaged 23.1 points and 11.1 rebounds.

Another product from Brooklyn's St. Albans neighborhood, Jackson is one of the great ballhandlers to come out of NYC. Brooklyn pride still runs deep with Jackson, who helped Loughlin to a state championship in 1983. During that 102-89 victory over North Babylon in the title game, Jackson scored 38 points and set a state-tournament record by making 15 straight free throws. From there, Jackson was a two-time first-team All-Big East pick at St. John's, the 1988 NBA Rookie of the Year, an NBA All-Star and eventually coach of the Golden State Warriors before pivoting to a broadcasting career.

Kenny "The Jet." When it came to handling the ball, Smith was a true wizard at the high school level. While dunking the basketball still reigned supreme on the playgrounds and organized courts, another way to drop jaws was possessing ridiculous handles — ankle-breaking dribbling that created legends overnight. Smith was a master of the latter, earning Parade All-American and McDonald's All-American recognition at powerhouse Molloy. He then went to North Carolina, playing with Michael Jordan, earning All-American honors before winning two NBA titles and becoming a popular analyst.

While Mark Jackson was leading Bishop Loughlin to a state title and Smith was running circles around the competition at Molloy during the 1982-83 season, Washington was arguably the best player in the country, starring at the nearby consolidated Boys and Girls High in Bed-Stuy. Of course, Washington had already earned legendary status as a playground basketball star, nicknamed after Earl "The Pearl" Monroe. A McDonald's All-American and two-time Parade All-American (first team in '83), Washington then starred at Syracuse, where he was a three-time first-team All-Big East performer and an All-American.

Another Catholic school star, Sealy helped lead Tolentine to a 30-1 record and both city and state championships as a senior. He was a do-it-all talent who earned both McDonald's All-American and first-team Parade All-American honors for his final prep campaign. From there, Sealy stayed close to home while playing for St. John's, where he was twice named a first-team All-Big East performer and remains among the school's all-time scoring leaders with 2,401 points. Sadly, Sealy was killed by a drunk driver in 2000 at age 30 following his eighth NBA season.

We've already touched on the kind of special talent Archbishop Molloy has produced through the years, but Anderson has long been considered the best to come out of the powerhouse program. The first player to be named All-City each of his four prep seasons, Anderson was the state of New York's all-time leading scorer when he left Molloy with 2,621 points. As a senior, Anderson was not only named New York's Mr. Basketball, but a McDonald's All-American, the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year, Naismith Player of the Year and honored as a three-time Parade All-American. A consensus All-American at Georgia Tech, Anderson played parts of 14 seasons in the NBA.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Lopez and his family came to America when he was a teenager. He landed at Harlem's Rice High School, where he blossomed to legendary prep status. By the time his high school career ended, Lopez totaled more than 2,400 points. As a senior, he averaged nearly 27 points and just over 10 rebounds while leading Rice to the Catholic High Schools Athletic Association championship. The two-time, first-team Parade All-American was named Mr. Basketball USA and Gatorade National Player of the Year, while also claiming MVP honors at the McDonald's All-American Game. Lopez didn't veer far from home, attending St. John's, where he was a first-team All-Big East pick in 1998 and ranks within the school's top 10 in career scoring (1,927 points). 

The first mention of Coney Island's mighty Abraham Lincoln High. And, when it comes to talking about the greatest basketball players the school has produced, "Starbury" should be at the top of the list. A two-time first-team Parade All-American, Marbury averaged more than 27 points and eight assists as a senior, when he was named Gatorade National Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American, while also garnering New York Mr. Basketball honors. Marbury, a two-time NBA All-Star who played for both the Nets and Knicks, and three-time CBA champion, totaled 2,078 points during his high school career.

Stephon Marbury's cousin, Telfair, a playground phenom as a grade schooler, was destined for greatness post-high school. However, that never happened, even though he played parts of the 10 NBA seasons without going to college. Telfair's off-court issues overshadowed anything he did on the court after leaving Lincoln High as the state of New York's all-time leading scorer with 2,785 points — at the time. He was a McDonald's All-American and two-time Parade All-American, including a first-teamer in 2004, when he averaged 33.2 points and 9.2 assists, and led Lincoln to three consecutive PSAL championships.

Stephenson wasn't necessarily a legend before stepping on the high school court, but he's obviously more than worthy to be included with Marbury and Telfair when talking about the Lincoln all-time greats. His 2,946 career points are a PSAL record, as of 2020, and second-most in state history. As a senior, Stephenson averaged 28.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists while earning New York Mr. Basketball, McDonald's American and first-time Parade All-American honors. After a strong lone season at the University of Cincinnati, Stephenson jumped to the NBA, where he had his moments for parts of 10 seasons.