Curated playlist
McDonald's High School All-Americans
- Kevin DurantKevin Durant wore number 35 to honor his murdered youth coach. Charles Craig was 35 when he died.
- LeBron JamesLeBron James led Cleveland back from a 3-1 Finals deficit, a first in NBA history. It ended a 52-year title wait.
- Kobe BryantKobe Bryant scored 81 points against Toronto in 2006, the second-highest NBA game total ever.
- Patrick EwingPatrick Ewing crossed North Carolina off his list after seeing a nearby Ku Klux Klan rally. He chose Georgetown.
- Isiah ThomasIsiah Thomas scored 25 points in one Finals quarter on a badly sprained ankle. It was a 1988 NBA Finals record.
- Kevin LoveKevin Love grabbed 31 rebounds in one game in November 2010. It set a Timberwolves record.
- Michael JordanMichael Jordan was cut from his high school varsity team as a sophomore for being too short.
- Magic JohnsonMagic Johnson told the world he had HIV from the free throw line in 1991. He was 32 and a five-time NBA champion.
- Shaquille O'NealShaquille O'Neal twice broke steel backboard supports with his dunks. The NBA then redesigned its equipment.
- Andrew WigginsAndrew Wiggins shattered a glass backboard at age 14. He later went first in the 2014 NBA draft.
- Chris BoshBlood clots ended Chris Bosh's NBA career after two straight championships with Miami.
- Kyrie IrvingKyrie Irving was born in Australia to two American parents. His father had followed basketball there.
- Luol DengAt 13, Luol Deng averaged 40 points a game against players up to five years older. He had already fled a civil war.
- Chauncey BillupsChauncey Billups went from a draft bust to NBA Finals MVP. The Pistons guard led a 2004 upset of the Lakers.
- Ben SimmonsBen Simmons went first overall in the 2016 NBA draft without ever playing in the NCAA tournament.
- Christian LaettnerChristian Laettner topped an ESPN fan poll as college basketball's most hated player.
- Kosta KoufosIn high school, Kosta Koufos blocked 10 shots in overtime to beat Canton McKinley, which had won 41 straight.