Tyran Stokes, already a top-ranked basketball prospect in the SportsCenter NEXT 100, is now making a significant impact in football. Following his recent debut as a wide receiver for Notre Dame High School in California, he is quickly gaining recognition and could achieve five-star status on the football field.
The impressive 6-foot-7, 230-pound athlete recorded 57 receiving yards and a touchdown during Notre Dame`s dominant 57-14 victory over Culver City High School on September 26.
Shortly after, Stokes returned to the basketball court, leading Notre Dame to a Border League win against Dynamic Prep (Texas) with a remarkable 27 points and eight rebounds.
While his full potential in football is still unfolding, Stokes` commitment to playing both sports places him among a select group of athletes who have excelled on both the basketball court and the football field during their high school careers.
LeBron James
Before his legendary NBA career, LeBron James was a formidable two-time All-Ohio wide receiver at St. Vincent-St. Mary Catholic High School. Standing 6-foot-6, he attracted collegiate offers from numerous Power 4 football programs. As the top-ranked ESPN.com 100 prospect in 2003, James amassed an impressive 1,912 receiving yards, 99 receptions, and 27 touchdowns for the Fighting Irish.
Allen Iverson
NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson was a celebrated dual-threat quarterback at Bethel High School in Virginia, famously leading the Bruins to a state championship in his junior year. During that remarkable season, he threw for 1,423 yards and 14 touchdowns, rushed for 781 yards and 15 touchdowns, and was a special teams threat, returning five kickoffs and four punts for scores. Defensively, he added eight interceptions. Remarkably, in the same year, Iverson—who often stated football was his primary passion—also guided Bethel to a state basketball title.
Matt Barnes
Matt Barnes, a 14-year NBA veteran now known as an analyst and podcaster, was once a dominant wide receiver at Del Campo High School in California. He accumulated 2,070 receiving yards, 100 receptions, and 45 touchdowns. In his senior year, Barnes led the entire nation with 28 touchdown receptions, earning him All-American and All-State honors.
Anthony Black
Anthony Black, currently in his third season with the Orlando Magic, is recognized for his precise passing. However, during his time at Coppell High School in Texas, he was a standout football player, excelling as a wide receiver. Across two varsity seasons, Black recorded 1,327 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, achievements that garnered him his first collegiate offer from the Kansas Jayhawks.
Jalen Suggs
Before dazzling fans with the Orlando Magic and leading the Gonzaga Bulldogs to a national title game, Jalen Suggs was named Minnesota`s Gatorade Player of the Year for football in 2019. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound athlete excelled as both a quarterback and defensive back, guiding the Minnehaha Academy SMB Wolfpack to a 12-1 record and a state championship. He threw for 2,210 yards and 25 touchdowns, rushed for 974 yards and 12 touchdowns, and on defense, made 32 tackles with nine interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. In basketball, Suggs was simultaneously ranked No. 6 overall in the SportsCenter NEXT 100 for 2020.
