High school basketball is often compared to the frantic rhythm of a fast break. Excitement builds, momentum shifts, and for some, the game transforms into an avenue for glory. Yet, beneath the shine of highlight reels and scholarship dreams lies an undercurrent that’s harder to stomach—a world where ambition sometimes overshadows integrity. As Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, earns his place in ESPN’s final cut, a broader conversation emerges about what’s being celebrated and at what cost.

According to a recent post on X, “Y’all ever think about the fact that at least half of these aren’t real high schools? Folks don’t even play for Lincoln High anymore. It’s Success Academy vs. Finance Crime Prep.” This critique—both biting and revealing—captures the growing discontent around the state of high school basketball. The commercialization of the sport, coupled with the rise of non-traditional “powerhouse” programs, has drawn sharp criticism from fans.

A season marked by upsets saw the once-dominant Columbus squad fall to both Link Academy and Long Island Lutheran. Ohio State signee A’mare Bynum’s sharpshooting (22 points, 5-of-6 from three) propelled Link to No. 3, while Long Island Lutheran relied on the Mingo brothers—Kayden and Dylan—who combined for 45 points in their victory. With Kiyan Anthony leading the charge, Long Island Lutheran made it to no 18 in the rankings.

But while rankings spark debate and excitement, they also expose the complex underbelly of high school basketball.

From Hoop Dreams to Harsh Realities: The High Stakes of High School Basketball

One comment read, “And often these kids live with host families. That seems like a system with so much potential for abuse.” Another observed, “I was just looking at ‘state’ rankings a few weeks ago, and it made me mad seeing OTE taking over GA’s board when half these players probably are from all around.”

Yet, this isn’t just a modern dilemma. As one fan put it, “It’s been this way for a loonnng time now.” High school basketball’s dark side has existed for decades. According to Russell Samora and Amber Thomas, only 27% of the 1,563 top-ranked high school players made it to the NBA, and a mere 25% surpassed their two-year rookie contracts. For those chasing WNBA dreams, the odds are even more daunting: scholarshipstats.com reports a staggering 1,920:1 chance of making a roster. This stark reality underscores the disparity between the glamorized narratives and the statistical odds.

Even with these sobering figures, the allure of big money and bigger dreams persists. “The here’s too much money at stake for me to ever think it’ll change,” wrote one fan. “We already got guys in the league that will make $1B just off NBA contracts. If me or my son had a chance to make the league, high school can kick rocks. Wemby making $60m off his rookie contract. That’ll be a standard rookie contract soon enough.” This sentiment illustrates the high stakes, where the line between opportunity and exploitation grows increasingly blurry.

Basketball is deeply woven into the fabric of American high school culture, with approximately 17,000 schools fielding teams and statewide tournaments uniting players and fans in all 50 states. Yet, despite this vast participation, only seven public schools cracked the Top 25 rankings this season.

“How many of these are public? My guess is 7 based on what I know of the HS hoops scene and the school names,” one fan commented, pinpointing a glaring disparity. And they weren’t wrong—just seven public high schools made the cut. This stark imbalance underscores how private and prep institutions, fueled by money and influence, have come to dominate the high school basketball landscape.

As fans cheer for the likes of Anthony and his teammates, they’re also rooting for a future where high school basketball retains its soul. The road ahead is long, but as the saying goes, the game isn’t over until the final buzzer.