Best Basketball Player ever in Arkansas High School?

[Darren DeLoach]

Sir Sid, Williamson, Lee

If Lee would have had any guidance...any (and no injury)....he would have been a Hall of Famer.
Sid is possibly the most underrated player ever in the NBA.
Williamson dominated at two levels of ball.

[Hognum P.I.]

I'm surprised that no one at all has mentioned the Jess Norman kid from Jessieville in the late 80's.  Made a bigger name for himself in football, though.........

[jseinfeld50]

Has anyone said Bazzel Shabazz?

Is he a cross between Basil and David Bazzel?

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Is he a cross between Basil and David Bazzel?

He's their love child.

[Dr. Starcs]

Hide ya kids, hide ya trophies.

[JackMcQueen]

The Dem Gazette has a poll up..& it includes Malik Monk..

http://www.nwaonline.com/polls/2016/mar/who/

[urkillnmesmalls]

The Dem Gazette has a poll up..& it includes Malik Monk..

http://www.nwaonline.com/polls/2016/mar/who/

I'm baffled.   

While I acknowledge that Monk can play, and I've said as much, put Sidney Moncrief defending him, and let's see what he scores.  Reverse that, and I don't think you see Sid struggle too much on the offensive side of the court. That's what would tip the scales for me just between those two.

Regardless, I would still vote for Corliss when it comes to HS players.  The entire defense could collapse on him when he got the ball, and he would just go around, through, and over them and score like a man child. 

For someone to vote for Monk over Williamson...I have to believe they didn't see both of them play.  Seriously...there was that much delta between their ability to OWN a basketball game. 

[HoopS]

Did would tear that dude up.

[root_hawg]

Yeah but Corliss came to Arkansas and Monk spurned them so there is that bias as well.

[Inhogswetrust]

I'm baffled.   

While I acknowledge that Monk can play, and I've said as much, put Sidney Moncrief defending him, and let's see what he scores.   

In that scenario with Sidney guarding him I'll be generous and say 5 points. We are speaking of one of the best defenders in the NBA perhaps of all time. And Sidney would score on him down low. Sidney is one of the best post up guards down low I've ever seen. IIRC even Jordan said Sidney was the best defender he played against.

[Inhogswetrust]

Sir Sid, Williamson, Lee

If Lee would have had any guidance...any (and no injury)....he would have been a Hall of Famer.
Sid is possibly the most underrated player ever in the NBA.
Williamson dominated at two levels of ball.

Baring injury one could say "would have been a HOF'er" of about thousand players. Lee was good but not NBA HOF good. At the NBA level everyone is good and just because one was great in college that doesn't always translate to a HOF career in the pros injury free or not.

[Darren DeLoach]

Baring injury one could say "would have been a HOF'er" of about thousand players. Lee was good but not NBA HOF good. At the NBA level everyone is good and just because one was great in college that doesn't always translate to a HOF career in the pros injury free or not.

Lee was a 6 ft 11 small forward. He had handles, an amazing passer, NBA 3pt range, and could post almost anyone up.

Barring injury he is one of the greats ever.

[Lord of the Styes]

gotta be Scottie Pippen

[Inhogswetrust]

Lee was a 6 ft 11 small forward. He had handles, an amazing passer, NBA 3pt range, and could post almost anyone up.

Barring injury he is one of the greats ever.

I was alive then and no he wasn't. Don't' get me wrong he was very, very good but not HOF worthy even if healthy. One must be truly elite and one of the best to ever live worldwide and he just doesn't fit that mold.

[Inhogswetrust]

gotta be Scottie Pippen

While IN high school then no. AFTER his whole playing career was over that would probably be true.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

While IN high school then no. AFTER his whole playing career was over that would probably be true.

Scottie was 6'1" coming out of high school and couldn't even earn a scholarship at UCA (he was a walk-on/manager to begin his freshman year), so no, he wasn't the best HS player.  Pro career though?  Yeah, even more accomplished than Sidney in that regard.

[zebradynasty]

As I stated previously Scottie wasn't even the best player on his high school team. The best player was Ronnie Martin. That is who UCA was recruiting and saw Scottie but didn't have a scholarship to offer not sure he would gave him one even if he had it. Don't get me wrong he was a nice player but I don't think he even made all-state.

[DeltaBoy]

Corliss Williamson.

Though we beat him at SHS in 1992. Game was televised and violated about 15 fire codes due to crowd size.

Him and Sid.   

I watched that game on TV.  That and Wendy Shults leading FS Southside to a state title over Mount St Mary's.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Him and Sid.   

I watched that game on TV.  That and Wendy Shults leading FS Southside to a state title over Mount St Mary's.

Wendy Scholtens.  But we know who you're talking about.

[root_hawg]

I will put Sid on him today in any gym and I bet Monk scores on him.

What is the latest update on the poll?

[dhornjr1]

We've gotten 8 pages deep and I can't believe no one has mentioned Caldwell Jones or either of his brothers.  Big time players out of McGhee.  They always seem to fly under the radar but they were great players.

Edit:I guess it's nine pages deep with this post.

Caldwell, Major, and Wil Jones actually played at Wolff Project before it became Desha County Special Schools. My mother-in-law went to school with them.

Also, my dad did the radio broadcast for the state championship game the year Caldwell and Major's Wolff Project team played Pyatt. So, I heard about Caldwell and Major Jones while I was growing up, even before I knew they were NBA players.

For the longest time, I couldn't figure out why all the Jones boys went to Albany State. Then, I found out their older brother Oliver played there first, became an assistant coach there in 1970, and then became the head coach there in 1972.

[HoopS]

I will put Sid on him today in any gym and I bet Monk scores on him.

What is the latest update on the poll?

I mean, Sid played in the 70's and 80's. I would hope Monk could score on him today.

[Inhogswetrust]

Scottie was 6'1" coming out of high school and couldn't even earn a scholarship at UCA (he was a walk-on/manager to begin his freshman year), so no, he wasn't the best HS player.  Pro career though?  Yeah, even more accomplished than Sidney in that regard.

Someone knows a little history! Agree.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Someone knows a little history! Agree.

I graduated from UCA the year before Scottie came.  But I continued to live in Conway for a couple of years after i graduated so I went to a few ballgames.  Honestly, I don't remember Pippin at all his freshman year.  By the end of his  sophomore year, he was dominating the AIC.  I've never seen a quicker transformation in an athlete (at least in the pre-steroids era).

[KevinOMReb]

Without a doubt, Keith Lee from West Memphis.  One year behind Cage.  Kinda fizzled late in college.  Was an amazing HS player.

Agree,  Keith dominated HS basketball. 

[Tacomeat]

Best Arkansas high schooler based off of NBA Career Scottie Pippen.

Best Arkansas high schooler based off of College Career Corliss Willamson.

Best Arkansas high schooler based off High Scool Career Austin Reaves.

Best Overall at all 3 levels Sidney Moncreif.

[Dr. Starcs]

If the argument about Scottie is to have any weight, we should at least spell his name correctly.

P-i-p-p-e-n

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

I graduated from UCA the year before Scottie came.  But I continued to live in Conway for a couple of years after i graduated so I went to a few ballgames.  Honestly, I don't remember Pippin at all his freshman year.  By the end of his  sophomore year, he was dominating the AIC.  I've never seen a quicker transformation in an athlete (at least in the pre-steroids era).

Did you know a Ray that played on that team?  White, about 6'6", skinny.  Can't remember the first name.  He was a brother to a friend of mine who was about five or six years older than me, so I was never around him.  He played with Scottie.  Said his nickname was "Turtle" when he first got there, and then he just blew up.

[Inhogswetrust]

Agree,  Keith dominated HS basketball. 

A lot of players have. What's your point?

[ICEman]

Osceola's Jimmie Luckie could sure hoop back in the day.

[bvillepig]

Best Arkansas high schooler based off High Scool Career Austin Reaves.

There are a lot of High School kids in smaller classifications that put up the same numbers Reaves has. Skip Lane Buffalo Island, Gus Rusher Brinkley put up 65 or 70 on us one year. Donnie Black Corning and Allan Pruitt.  I did not have the pleasure of seeing Reaves and not to take anything away from him but I would suspect that Sid would have shut him down

Some others that most have never heard of
Jerry Rook Nettleton High School should get an honorable mention.
Most will have to look him up.
Donnie Kessinger (Chicago Cubs) for a high school player wasn't bad  either. 

Still Corliss and Sid are the two best that I have seen.

[cpohog]

Fizzled in college?

He led Memphis St in scoring for four years. Took them to the final four his senior year.

First round draft pick taken by the Cleveland Cavs, but blew his ACL his rookie year. Back then they couldn't fix you after you blew an ACL so his career ended there. Otherwise, everyone here would know who he was.

The best team ever wouldn't have been that Parkview bunch, it would have been Lee and Cage at West Memphis. They only ever lost 1 game.

I was thinking the same thing! W Memphis with Lee and Cage went undefeated 2 years in a row.

[cpohog]

I graduated from UCA the year before Scottie came.  But I continued to live in Conway for a couple of years after i graduated so I went to a few ballgames.  Honestly, I don't remember Pippin at all his freshman year.  By the end of his  sophomore year, he was dominating the AIC.  I've never seen a quicker transformation in an athlete (at least in the pre-steroids era).

You probably did not know about him his freshman year because he was a 6'1" walkon. Somewhere between his FR and SO years he grew to be 6'8" and that is when he became dominant.
The rest is history!!!

[PoormansRobbyHampton]

Fizzled in college?

He led Memphis St in scoring for four years. Took them to the final four his senior year.

First round draft pick taken by the Cleveland Cavs, but blew his ACL his rookie year. Back then they couldn't fix you after you blew an ACL so his career ended there. Otherwise, everyone here would know who he was.

The best team ever wouldn't have been that Parkview bunch, it would have been Lee and Cage at West Memphis. They only ever lost 1 game.

Actually, Lee's last two seasons, the Blue Devils were 60-0, with a pair of state titles, as well the Overall titles. They were literally unstoppable.

I'm from West Memphis, so I'm probably a little biased, but I think Keith Lee is the best player in high school history. The resume is loaded and if you ever catch a Keith Lee game on Youtube, just watched how skilled he was. He was 6'10, but could dribble, jump and do everything.

There are plenty of options, but if I had to pick just one player, I'd go with Lee.

[PoormansRobbyHampton]

No contest...Keith Lee.  Lee and Michael Cage played on teams that were back to back state champs and won 60 straight games in the state's largest classification.  They were both rebounding machines.  I think that Lee still holds the state record with 33 in one game.  There was a book written about that team but I can't think of the Title.

West Memphis was AAAA at the time, so the next-to-largest classification in the state, but they were the best team as they won the Overall tournament both years in 1979 and 1980.

The book was called "60-0: The West Memphis Basketball Dynasty," and it was written by Billy Woods of the West Memphis School District. Awesome read.

[PoormansRobbyHampton]

The Dem Gazette has a poll up..& it includes Malik Monk..

http://www.nwaonline.com/polls/2016/mar/who/

Pretty amazing that Monk wasn't mentioned before now.

I don't think he's the best, but a one-and-done prospect that's ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation is pretty impressive stuff.

[Tacomeat]

There are a lot of High School kids in smaller classifications that put up the same numbers Reaves has. Skip Lane Buffalo Island, Gus Rusher Brinkley put up 65 or 70 on us one year. Donnie Black Corning and Allan Pruitt.  I did not have the pleasure of seeing Reaves and not to take anything away from him but I would suspect that Sid would have shut him down

Some others that most have never heard of
Jerry Rook Nettleton High School should get an honorable mention.
Most will have to look him up.
Donnie Kessinger (Chicago Cubs) for a high school player wasn't bad  either. 

Still Corliss and Sid are the two best that I have seen.

I played against Chip Layne at BIC, who was a very, very good player, but was no where near the player Reaves is. I'm just basing it off of accomplishments. There have not been a lot of players put up his numbers at any classification; he broke the state tournament scoring record this year by 20+ points. He crushed the NEA tournament scoring record this year which most of these eastern AR players mentioned played in. The 73 he put up in a win was over arguably the best overall team in the state this year. I watched him put 33 up in the 4th quarter to force OT in a game his team was trailing. He has 3 state titles & based off of high school accomplishments & stats. I saw him & most of the top players since 1990 in person & would rank him one. Not on potential, but what was done on the floor.

[maxhog5]

The two biggest names in Arkansas High School basketball in my time were Keith Lee and Corlis Williamson although the old timers would tell you, the best they ever saw was Donnie Kessenger.

[Fatty McGee]

Where Joe Johnson ranked coming out of HS:

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2013/07/01/looking-back-the-1999-recruiting-class/

[maxhog5]

As somebody has mentioned, the best women's player was Wendy Scholtens.  No one else even close.  Second would be Amber Nicholas.  Apologies for any misspellings.

[jgphillips3]

Moncrief in any objective test has to be the best all time.  There are lots of other greats but he is the best player from Arkansas when high school, college and the NBA are factored together.  In fact, he's just one of the best basketball players ever...period.  There may be people with better stats but that's just a factor of the evolution of the game.  I'd take Sid in his prime over anyone else the State ever produced.

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

Leroy Jenkins?

[Lowdown]

Doubt that any female in the state of Arkansas can compare with the record of Gail Buffington. She started on varsity as a ninth grader and led Stephens to 4 state titles. She graduated in 1978 when they still had the overall state championship. By the way, they won that 3 years and was runner-up the other year,losing by 2 pts in the championship game. Name all the females you please, none hold a candle to Gail Buffington.

[TNhogfan]

Doubt that any female in the state of Arkansas can compare with the record of Gail Buffington. She started on varsity as a ninth grader and led Stephens to 4 state titles. She graduated in 1978 when they still had the overall state championship. By the way, they won that 3 years and was runner-up the other year,losing by 2 pts in the championship game. Name all the females you please, none hold a candle to Gail Buffington.

Her freshmen year there were still only two classes for girls basketball:  Class A & B.  She was unbelievable in the state tournament at Highland in '75.  Great player.

[MountieDawg]

Picking payers from different eras is almost impossible. Babe Ruth was the best home run hitter of all time, but was he better than Bonds. The problem comes from the advances in training, fitness and technology. I can't tell you who us better, all the players in the discssion were great high schoolers. Monk can hang his hat on winning the 3 point competition and finishing 2nd in the MdDonalds AA Jam Fest. That scream offensive skills and athletic ability.

[Inhogswetrust]

Picking payers from different eras is almost impossible. Babe Ruth was the best home run hitter of all time, but was he better than Bonds. The problem comes from the advances in training, fitness and technology. I can't tell you who us better, all the players in the discssion were great high schoolers. Monk can hang his hat on winning the 3 point competition and finishing 2nd in the MdDonalds AA Jam Fest. That scream offensive skills and athletic ability.

The question was best PLAYER...........not best offensive and athletic ability.

[labb]

As to Lady players,,,Layken Garrison of little school Wickes was pretty good. Second leading scorer in JC one year and went on to play for Ok. St.

[MountieDawg]

The question was best PLAYER...........not best offensive and athletic ability.

Understand, but all the post talk about someone being the best defensive, best offensive but the best players is probably the most subjective of all..  This year in college basketball was Ben Simmons the best player, he is an awful shooter?  But NBA scouts have him going 1 or 2. Does the best coach count his recruiting or not?  Does the best president go on the economy or world peace?  Does the best post on a message board go to the one that makes the most sense or the one that most supports the home team...

[maxhog5]

In keeping up with high school basketball, I go back to about 1979. During that time, there are 4 players that stand out in media coverage in Arkansas.  Keith Lee, Corliss Williamson, Monk and Wendy Scholtens.  Keith Lee was a feeding frenzy.  Have never seen anything like it in Arkansas since.  Corliss was a lot like Monk in how early he appeared on the radar.  You also have to remember that him and Jason Kidd were the consensus number 1 & 2 recruits in the country.  Their King Cotton matchup was probably the biggest high school game in history.   At least one of the Little Rock stations did a feature on him as a ninth grader.  Wendy Scholtens is the only girls player to get the kind of coverage that even remotely approached these guys.

[Panthog]

 I remember as a kid looking up to Lawson Pilgrim. I think he was highly recruited.  It seems I remember some people thought that Chris Bennett was a better player coming out of high school than Moncrief when they both signed with the Razorbacks.