From High School Courts to NBA Finals Glory

This Sunday, as the Oklahoma City Thunder face off against the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, all eyes will be on Thunder teammates Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams. Their journey from leading Northside High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to the NBA Finals is a testament to their enduring partnership and skill.

A Legacy of High School Excellence

Back in 2018, Joe and Williams led their high school team to the state title game, showcasing the early signs of their potential. Both were named Arkansas' Gatorade Player of the Year during their senior years and later played for the Razorbacks at the University of Arkansas. Now, they seek their first NBA title together.

Other Notable High School Teammates in the NBA

• Cade Cunningham, Moses Moody, Scottie Barnes, Day'Ron Sharpe, Dariq Whitehead: This group from Montverde Academy in Florida dominated high school basketball in 2020, finishing with a perfect 25-0 record.
• LaMelo Ball, Onyeka Okongwu, Lonzo Ball: The Ball brothers and Okongwu led Chino Hills High School in California to a 35-0 record in 2016, becoming the first school to have three former teammates as NBA draft lottery picks.
• Ben Simmons, D'Angelo Russell: Simmons and Russell won back-to-back Chipotle Nationals titles in high school and were top picks in the NBA draft.
• Chet Holmgren, Jalen Suggs: Holmgren and Suggs led Minnehaha Academy in Minnesota to three straight state titles from 2018 to 2020.
• Harrison Barnes, Doug McDermott: Barnes and McDermott led Ames High School in Iowa to two undefeated seasons and 53 straight wins.

These stories highlight the rare but impactful transition of high school teammates to NBA peers, showcasing their growth and continued success on basketball's biggest stages.