Why is DFW's Top High School Basketball Talent Leaving the Area?

Go to any major city in America and you’ll get a decent argument to why that city his the best home grown basketball talent in the nation. Dallas Fort Worth is no exception. Last year’s NBA draft saw 6 former DFW high school stars get selected. In 2021, Arlington native Cade Cunningham went first overall and in 2020, South Garland’s Tyrese Maxey was picked by the Sixers and 4 years later could be heading to his first All-Star game. North Texas has certainly produced their share of top notch talent.

As much as people agree that Dallas Fort Worth produces NBA ready players, there has been a growing trend of athletes leaving the area for their senior years. Players like Tre Johnson, who led Lake Highlands to a state title a year ago, and now plays for Link Academy in Missouri. Or, Liam McNeely, who was a budding star at John Paul the second, but left for Montverde Academy after his sophomore year. Although it wasn’t an easy decision for them to make, each of them felt it was the right move for their development as a basketball player.

However, that mindset isn’t the same for everyone. Take Ron Holland, for example. The Duncanville native was faced with a tough decision before his senior year. Stay with a Panther team that was banned from the UIL playoffs or leave for an Academy. Holland, one of the top players in the nation for his class, chose to stay at Duncanville.

Subscribe to DFW Inside High School Sports to stay up to date on everything high school sports related in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DFWIn...

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihss...

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ihss_dfw

Visit our website: http://dfw.insidehighschoolspo...

#ihss #txhsfb