Derek Jeter was a diamond in the rough for Major League Baseball. He played the game with grace and finesse, leaving opponents in the dust as he slid into home plate. Jeter’s clutch performances were legendary, earning him the nickname “Captain Clutch”. He was the cornerstone of the New York Yankees, leading them to five World Series championships with his unwavering determination and leadership. However, did you know that baseball was not the only sport the ex-Yankees captain excelled at?
Yes, you read that right!
Back in his high school days, Jeter while attending Kalamazoo Central High School, Jeter ran cross-country in the fall, played basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring. And his stint with baseball was not disappointing at all for the future Yankees legend. And not many people know, but apart from his game, there was another thing that Jeter was known for back then.
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A rare picture of Captain Clutch in a never-seen hairstyle
A rare image of Derek Jeter, dressed in his Kalamazoo Central High School basketball uniform, has recently gained widespread attention on the internet. This picture harkens back to Jeter’s childhood, spent entirely at the school. Notably, as Jeter grew old, Michael Jordan gradually became his inspiration. In the picture, one can clearly see a young Jeter playing basketball with grown hair on his head. Notably, it is a rare sight to see the Yankees legend with hair.
Derek Jeter during his high school hooping days pic.twitter.com/GbMXrFCG9c
— Owen (@BronxCentral) January 30, 2023
In a tweet uploaded by a baseball page dubbed Owen, a rare picture of Derek Jeter during a basketball game surfaces. “Derek Jeter during his high school hooping days,” said the caption of the post, with a subsequent reply asking for the Kalamazoo Central Jersey.
Moreover, prior to being drafted into the Major League in 1992, Jeter was also accorded an honorable mention as an All-State basketball player.
Derek Jeter was almost not a Yankee
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Derek Jeter’s destiny with the New York Yankees was nearly altered before it even had a chance to unfold. In the 1992 Major League Baseball draft, Jeter stood as the sixth overall pick. Meanwhile, a scout for the Houston Astros had set his sights on Jeter and was eager to bring him onto the team. To their good luck, the Astros picked first. However, the Astros’ management chose to go ahead with third baseman Phil Nevin. And the rest, as we know, is history.
Had the Houston scout gotten his way, Jeter may have gone on to have a successful career with the Astros.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Derek Jeter Net Worth: How rich is the MLB legend compared to Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry
What do you think about Jeter’s career on the court? Which NBA team would a player like Derek Jeter fit right into? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!