Greatest Arkansas high school athlete of all time? Cast a vote in 'USA 250' poll

Arkansas has produced plenty of well-known talent across the high school sports landscape.

Who are the all-time best Arkansas high school athletes, the names that define the prep environment in the state? 

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY is launching its 250 for 250 series, looking to answer that question by celebrating the best athletes from each state.

With your votes, five will be selected to represent the athletes who have defined high school sports.

With that in mind, here are the 15 Arkansas high school athlete nominees, listed in alphabetical order. 

Brooks Robinson, Boys Baseball and Basketball, Little Rock Central High School  

Brooks Robinson is best known for his 23-year Hall of Fame career with the Baltimore Orioles, but at the prep level, he played for a semi-pro team rather than a high school team. At Little Rock Central, basketball was his primary sport, and he was named All-State and received an offer from the University of Arkansas. He chose baseball — rightfully so. 

Dan Hampton, Football, Jacksonville High School  

After an injury cost Dan Hampton the chance to compete in competitive sports from seventh to tenth grade, he wasted no time making a name for himself as a junior and senior. He played on both the offensive and defensive lines, securing an offer from Arkansas. Hampton was a four-time Pro Bowler for the Chicago Bears. 

Torii Hunter, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Track, Pine Bluff High School  

It’s no surprise that Torii Hunter, one of the most electric centerfielders of his era, was a multi-sport athlete at Pine Bluff. He was a two-time all-state baseball player credited with a 550-foot home run; a quarterback and safety on the gridiron; and a basketball player and track competitor. He made five All-Star Games and won nine Gold Glove Awards in the MLB. 

Don Hutson, Baseball, Basketball, Football, Pine Bluff High School  

Considered the first modern wide receiver, Don Hutson got his start at Pine Bluff, where he started on the football team for only one season. It was enough to get people’s attention — future teammate Bear Bryant said he would “hitchhike to Pine Bluff just to watch him play. I saw him catch five touchdown passes in one game” — that was a lot for the era. Hutson was also a star baseball and basketball player. 

Joe Johnson, Boys Basketball, Little Rock Central High School  

As Arkansas’ Mr. Basketball as a senior, Joe Johnson led Little Rock Central to a championship, setting a path that would take him to NBA stardom. “Iso Joe” played at Arkansas before the NBA, where he became a seven-time All-Star, spending his prime in the Atlanta Hawks' 18-year career. 

Matt Jones, Boys Basketball, Football, Track, Van Buren and Fort Smith Northside high schools 

A two-sport star, Matt Jones was a two-time basketball champion, broke a Corliss Williamson scoring record, and twice led his conference in points. In football, he was a dual-threat quarterback and wide receiver, and he led Van Buren to a conference title, setting a school record with 12 touchdown receptions. He became an Arkansas quarterback, played a season of college basketball, and then became an NFL receiver. 

Darren McFadden, Football, Baseball, Track, Oak Grove High School (Little Rock) 

As a running back and safety, Darren McFadden was one of the country’s top recruits. He was named Arkansas Player of the Year, a Parade All-American, and stayed in-state to attend Arkansas. Run DMC had a 10-year NFL career with the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. 

Sidney Moncrief, Boys Basketball, Hall High School (Little Rock) 

The future Basketball Hall of Famer started his career in Arkansas, where he played seventh- and eighth-grade basketball at Dunbar Junior High School and varsity basketball as a ninth-grader at Booker Junior High. At Hall High, he was named an All-American by the Encyclopedia of Arkansas and averaged just under 20 points per game as a senior. 

Mitch Mustain, Football, Springdale High School 

The 2005 Arkansas Mr. Football did not start for varsity until his junior year. Once he became a starter, Springdale only lost once. Mitch Mustain improved upon his 12-record as a junior to lead a 14-0 championship season, setting the state 5A record with 47 touchdowns and passing for 3,817 yards at a 69.3% clip. He was awarded National High School Player of the Year at the All-American Bowl. 

Scottie Pippen, Boys Basketball, Hamburg High School 

The Scottie Pippen known around the world started in Arkansas and was not expected to become the Hall of Famer he is today. Pippen, at 6-foot-1, was an all-conference player who led his team to the playoffs but did not receive a college scholarship. Instead, he walked on at the University of Central Arkansas. 

Bobby Portis, Boys Basketball, Hall High School (Little Rock) 

Bobby Portis is one of the best basketball players in Arkansas high school history. The Gatorade Arkansas Boys Basketball Player of the Year as a senior, Portis helped lead Hall to four state championships, and participated in national tournaments like the McDonald’s All-American Game. 

Basil Shabazz, Baseball, Boys Basketball, Football, Track, Pine Bluff High School 

Basil Shabazz is the ultimate what-if of Arkansas prep sports, an athlete who dunked in fifth grade, broke the high jump record in his first event, was all-state in four sports, and was drafted to the MLB. Shabazz was the Arkansas Gazette’s Sophomore of the Year in football and basketball, scored five touchdowns in the 4A championship as a senior, and hit .351 in his only varsity season, according to Whole Hog Sports. 

Shekinna Stricklen, Girls Basketball, Morrilton High School 

Shekinna Stricklen is one of the great basketball players in Arkansas’ history, earning all-state honors in all four seasons of play. She was a two-time Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American. Stricklen played 10 years in the WNBA. 

Christyn Williams, Girls Basketball, Morrilton High School 

Christyn Williams was the best of the best in high school, earning Gatorade National Player of the Year, USA TODAY Player of the Year, and McDonald’s All-American Game MVP honors in 2018. She was named Gatorade’s Arkansas girls basketball POY three times, graduated with the second-most career points in state history and won a championship. 

Corliss Williamson, Boys Basketball, Russellville High School 

Corliss Williamson may be the best boys basketball player in state history. As a senior, he was named Gatorade National Player of the Year, averaging 28 points and nine rebounds per game. His tournament-winning block of Jason Kidd in the King Cotton Holiday Classic remains iconic, and he was a three-time all-state player.