Where did Western Conference Finals stars play high school basketball?

Victor Wembanyama put on a show during Game 1 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals on Monday, May 18. The French superstar became the youngest player in NBA history (22 years, 134 days) to score at least 40 points and grab at least 20 rebounds in a playoff game, with his 41-point, 24-rebound performance in 49 minutes. REQUIRED READING: High school basketball shot clock: Which states have it, which states don't?

Why? Wembanyama did so after learning Oklahoma City star and Western Conference Final foe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won 2026 NBA MVP honors for the 2025-26 season. The matchup between Wembanyama and Gilgeous-Alexander — even though they play different positions — is something NBA fans could have the luxury of watching for the years ahead, with both the Spurs and Thunder poised to remain among the best teams in the league.

Well before any of the participants in the WCF reached the NBA, they played basketball at lower levels before moving up the ladder. Here's what you need to know about where the starters for both the Thunder and Spurs in the Western Conference played high school basketball: Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gilgeous-Alexander began his prep career at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario, although he did not make the school's junior team.

He then transferred to Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School (also in Hamilton) before playing his junior and senior seasons at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He averaged 18. 4 points, 4.