Meet Charlotte’s top 25 boys’ high school athletes of the past 25 years
The Charlotte Observer is celebrating the top 25 boys’ high school athletes of the past 25 years, from 2000-25.
The list was compiled by a panel of current and former Charlotte Observer writers in consultation with current and former high school coaches.
It is based on high school production only.
Some very tough choices had to be made, but selections to The Observer’s all-star teams over the years outweighed selections by outside entities, especially national ones, since local reporters got a much more personal view of the student-athletes.
The athletes are not ranked here, but presented in alphabetical order.
IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE SERIES: The top coaches of the past 25 years, with profiles of Ardrey Kell volleyball’s Zoe Bell and North Meck basketball’s Duane Lewis (Tuesday).
The top 25 girls’ athletes of the past 25 years (Monday) with a profile of Providence Day’s Anna Cockrell.
Meet the best boys’ prep athletes of a generation.
JAIRE ALEXANDER, FOOTBALL, ROCKY RIVER, CLASS OF 2016
Alexander was one of the best two-way players of his decade. He had 76 catches for 1,229 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns as a senior while compiling 36 tackles at defensive back plus four interceptions and 15 passes defended.
He was an Associated Press all-state pick and won Southwestern 4A defensive player of the year. Alexander also averaged 32 yards per punt return and 19 yards per kick return. Alexander played college football at Louisville and became a two-time NFL All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Packers.
Where is he now?
After playing for the Packers (2018-24) and Ravens (2025), Alexander, 28, was traded to the Eagles this month and placed on the reserve/retired list.
DANIEL BARD, BASEBALL, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN, CLASS OF 2003
In 2003, Bard was named The Observer’s player of the year after going 11-1 with an 0.78 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 75 innings. He led Christian to its second straight state title and its second straight 30-win season. Named to the junior national team and honored as a Louisville Slugger All-American, Bard hit .390 with nine home runs and was drafted by the Yankees in the 20th round.
After high school, Bard enrolled at UNC where Baseball America named him the top freshman pitcher in the nation. In his career at North Carolina, Bard was 24-13 with a 3.92 ERA and 239 strikeouts in 50 games. After college, he was a first-round pick (28th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2006. Bard played in the majors for the Red Sox (2009-13) and the Rockies (2020-23).
Where is he now?
Now age 40, Bard announced his retirement from baseball last summer.
RICKY BERENS, SWIMMING, SOUTH MECKLENBURG, CLASS OF 2006
In his last three years in high school, Berens didn’t lose a race. As a senior, he was two-tenths off the national record in the 100-yard butterfly and broke his own state record.
In that same 2006 state meet, Berens won the 200-yard individual medley title in another state record time. He left school with 11 school records and two state marks. After high school, Berens became a 20-time All-American and a national champion at Texas. He also became a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a silver medalist from the 2008 and 2012 Games.
Where is he now?
A husband and father of three, Berens lives in Cuero, Texas, and is a financial analyst who coaches his child’s baseball and soccer teams.
MARK BLACKMON, BASKETBALL/TRACK, WEST CHARLOTTE, CLASS OF 2012
Blackmon, who won nine state titles in his career, won three S.C. cross-country state titles, the first as an eighth grader. As a sophomore at Fort Mill, he won the prestigious Wendy’s Invitational cross-country against a powerhouse regional field.
Blackmon eventually ran and played basketball for West Charlotte after his family moved to the area. As a senior, he became the third West Charlotte runner to win a cross-country league title in the school’s then 73-year history. Blackmon — who won four outdoor track state titles in his career — also became the first Mecklenburg County boys’ runner to win a 4A cross-country state championship in 11 years. He also was a member of a Lions state championship basketball team.
Where is he now?
Blackmon, who played basketball and ran track at Maryland Eastern-Shore, earned his MBA from William & Mary and works with the FBI in Maryland.
ROBERT BOULWARE, FOOTBALL/TRACK, CHAMBERS, CLASS OF 2001
As a senior in 2001, Boulware ranked in the top 10 nationally in the 110-meter high hurdles and became the third NCHSAA athlete since 1930 to win both hurdles events (110, 300) in back-to-back years at the outdoor state finals.
He was the first in state history to win both outdoor hurdles events plus the 55-meter indoor state titles in back-to-back years. In football, Boulware was an All-American, All-Observer and Shrine Bowl pick at defensive back. USA Today named him to its second team nationally.
Where is he now?
Boulware, who ran track and played football at Tennessee, is a regional vice president with Triton Stone Group in Indianapolis.
KIP DARMODY, SWIMMING, PROVIDENCE, CLASS OF 2011
A two-time Observer swimmer of the year, Darmody won four events at the state meet as a senior. He led Providence to its second straight state title.
In his junior season, Darmody won the 400-meter gold at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, swimming for the U.S. junior national team. After high school, Darmody became an All-American and national champion at Texas.
Where is he now?
Darmody is a senior finance associate at Bain Capital in Boston.
LOGAN DAVIDSON, BASEBALL, PROVIDENCE, CLASS OF 2016
As a senior at Providence, Davidson hit .456 with eight home runs and was 10-0 as a pitcher with a 1.28 ERA. A 4.48 GPA student, Davidson was named as The Observer’s player of the year for the region and as the Gatorade player of the year for the state.
He later became the starting shortstop at Clemson. In 2019, the Oakland Athletics drafted him 29th overall.
Where is he now?
Davidson, who played for the Los Angeles Angels this season, is currently a free agent.
DEVON DOTSON, BASKETBALL, PROVIDENCE DAY, CLASS OF 2018
A McDonald’s All-American in high school, Dotson was a two-time Mecklenburg County player of the year and finished his career with a school-record 2,607 points.
He was a four-time all-conference selection and three-time all-state pick. After playing in college at Kansas, Dotson played in the NBA’s G League and in the NBA for the Wizards and Bulls.
Where is he now?
Dotson is playing professionally in Turkey.
POWER ECHOLS, FOOTBALL, CHAMBERS, CLASS OF 2021
Echols is one of, if not the best, defensive players in Charlotte high school history. He was named Associated Press N.C. defensive player of the year as a sophomore and a junior.
He left high school early to enroll at UNC after the pandemic pushed prep football from fall to spring during the 2020-21 school year. Echols was state finals MVP during his junior year, a rare award for a defensive player in the title game. In his final year in high school, Echols — the only unanimous pick on the AP All-State team — had 156 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss and 14 sacks. He forced seven fumbles.
Where is he now?
An after an All-ACC career at North Carolina, Echols wasn’t selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was signed to the Chicago Bears’ practice squad and released in the fall. He is currently training at home in Charlotte.
ISAIAH EVANS, BASKETBALL, NORTH MECKLENBURG, CLASS OF 2024
In April 2024, The Observer named Evans the best Charlotte boys’ basketball player of its 40-year Sweet 16 era.
A two-time N.C. Mr. Basketball, Evans swept all the major in-state player of the year awards (MaxPreps, Gatorade) and was named a McDonald’s All-American as a senior. In his final season, Evans averaged 27.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.3 blocks.
Where is he now?
Evans is a sophomore at Duke.
WILL GRIER, FOOTBALL, DAVIDSON DAY, CLASS OF 2015
Grier was a two-time Observer and N.C. Gatorade player of the year. In his junior season, Grier threw for 837 yards and 10 touchdowns in a state semifinal that his team won 104-80.
In his career, Grier passed for 14,565 yards and 195 touchdowns. Parade Magazine named him national player of the year in 2015.
Where is he now?
After playing in college at Florida and West Virginia, and being drafted by the Carolina Panthers, Grier is currently on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad.
WILL HARTMAN, GOLF, CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC, CLASS OF 2025
Hartman won the NCHSAA state title as a freshman and a senior. He was a three-time Rolex All-American in high school and won the 2025 US Amateur four-ball event.
Hartman played on the USA Junior Ryder Cup team in Italy in 2023, and tied for fifth at the 2023 boys’ junior PGA championship. When he graduated, he was ranked No. 10 in the nation by the American Junior Golf Association.
Where is he now?
Hartman is a freshman at Vanderbilt.
CARTER HENSLEY, SOCCER, MYERS PARK, 2021
Hensley led Myers Park to two regional titles in high school and was the 2021 N.C. Gatorade player of the year. He was also named to the United Soccer Coaches Association All-America team.
The N.C. Soccer Coaches and USA Today named him the state’s player of the year. Hensley also was an Observer player of the year and a three-time All-Observer pick.
Where is he now?
Hensley is a commercial real estate analyst for Wells Fargo in Charlotte.
ELIJAH HOOD, FOOTBALL, CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC, CLASS OF 2013
In 2019, The Observer named Hood as its football player of the decade (2010-19). He was the media company’s player of the year in 2012 and 2013.
He set the county rushing record as a junior (3,309 yards) and broke it as a senior (3,690). He ended his career with 8,981 yards and 147 touchdowns, both top five in state history. As a senior, he was named the state’s player of the year and U.S. Army All-American national player of the year.
Where is he now?
After high school, Hood played in college at North Carolina and played two years in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers. Hood is a web developer in Charlotte.
KEON HOWE, TRACK, MALLARD CREEK, CLASS OF 2015
Howe was a two-time Observer boys’ track athlete of the year. As a senior, he was named MVP of the N.C. 4A state finals, where he won the pole vault, tying a seven-year-old meet record, and the high jump.
Both of his individual wins ranked among the top 35 in the nation. Howe was also named N.C. Gatorade boys’ track athlete of the year.
Where is he now?
Howe is a data analyst in Charlotte.
BEN HUFFMAN, CROSS-COUNTRY/TRACK, PROVIDENCE DAY, CLASS OF 2013
Huffman was N.C. Gatorade boys’ cross-country runner of the year during his senior campaign.
He won back-to-back NCISAA 3A state cross-country championships and finished second at the Foot Locker Cross Country South Regional, running the fastest time recorded by an N.C. runner at Charlotte’s McAlpine Park. He finished 22nd at the Foot Locker national championships as a senior.
Where is he now?
Huffman, who ran in college at Harvard, is a healthcare strategy consultant in Atlanta.
DJ HUMPHRIES, FOOTBALL, MALLARD CREEK, CLASS OF 2012
Humphries was the No. 1 recruit in North Carolina and won the 2011 Anthony Munoz award as the nation’s best lineman. As a senior, he led Mallard Creek to a 13-1 record and a spot in the NCHSAA 4A state semifinals. The Mavericks finished ranked among the nation’s top 50 teams.
Humphries, a first-team Associated Press all-state pick, was also named to the Army All-American game.
In 2024, The Observer named him the best offensive lineman from Charlotte in the past 40 years.
Where is he now?
After playing in college at Florida, Humphries was a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2015. He plays for the Los Angeles Rams.
KYLE JOHNSON, TENNIS, CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC, CLASS OF 2012
Johnson became the first boy in NCHSAA history to win the state singles title four years in a row. Before his feat, eight NCHSAA boys’ players had won three state championships in a career. Johnson ended his high school campaign with a singles record of 89-7.
As a senior, Johnson was named the United States Tennis Association’s national prep player of the year.
A top-100 player nationally in high school, Johnson won four straight conference and regional championships before enrolling at DePaul.
Where is he now?
Johnson, who played Davis Cup for El Salvador, is a teaching pro in Charlotte.
CHRIS LEAK, FOOTBALL, INDEPENDENCE, CLASS OF 2003
Before he led the Florida Gators to a national championship, Leak threw for nearly 16,000 yards and won three state titles at Independence.
His passing yardage, more than 20 years later, still remains a N.C. public school record — by more than 2,000 yards. His 185 career touchdown passes are more than 30 better than second place. In 2024, The Observer named him Charlotte’s best high school player of its 40-year Sweet 16 era.
Where is he now?
Leak runs a quarterback academy in Florida.
TIM MASTERS, SOCCER, CHARLOTTE LATIN, 2005
In 2004, Masters was named The Observer’s player of the year for the second straight season. He also was one of seven repeat selections on the National Soccer Coaches/adidas All-American team.
As a senior, Masters scored in 23 of Latin’s 24 games, including twice in a 3-0 state final win over High Point Wesleyan. That was Latin’s second straight title with Masters as the star. Masters had 105 goals in his career.
Where is he now?
After playing in college at UNC-Wilmington and UNC-Greensboro, Masters joined the Charlotte Latin coaching staff in 2020. He is an assistant coach with the Hawks’ boys’ and girls’ teams.
TRESOR MBUYU, SOCCER, GARINGER, CLASS OF 2015
As a high school junior, Mbuyu had 35 goals and 21 assists and was named The Observer’s player of the year.
As a senior, he repeated as The Observer’s player of the year, netting 56 goals and 16 assists while leading the Wildcats to the playoffs. In college, he scored 33 goals and 17 assists at Liberty. In 2020, Mbuyu joined the Charlotte Independence professional team.
Where is he now?
Mbuyu is a midfielder with the Charlotte Independence.
KENNEDY MEEKS, BASKETBALL, WEST CHARLOTTE, CLASS OF 2013
Meeks was a three-time All-Mecklenburg first-team pick who led the Lions to a state championship as a sophomore and a state finals appearance as a junior.
He was a three-time all-state pick and was just the third Charlotte player named a McDonald’s All-American after Jeff McInnis (West Charlotte/Oak Hill, 1993) and Antawn Jamision (Providence, 1995). As a senior, Meeks averaged 19 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
Where is he now?
After winning a national championship at UNC, Meeks began a long overseas professional career. He is also now a rapper, under the name Kenn.
IAN MILLER, BASKETBALL, UNITED FAITH, CLASS OF 2012
Miller was the sixth boys’ player to win back-to-back Charlotte Observer regional player of the year awards.
A Parade All-American in high school, Miller averaged 22 points, six rebounds and six assists as a senior when he led United Faith to a second straight state title.
As a junior, he scored 40 points and hit the buzzer-beating game-winner to top a John Wall-led Word of God team in the final.
Where is he now?
Miller, who played in college at Florida State, is playing professionally in Mongolia, where he led his team to a third-place finish in the 2025 Basketball Champions League Asia tournament and was named to the all-tournament team.
RICHIE SHAFFER, BASEBALL, PROVIDENCE, CLASS OF 2009
Shaffer, a 2012 first-round MLB draft pick, played at Clemson after going 7-1 as a senior in high school, where he had an 0.64 ERA.
He hit .385 with three home runs in ihs final prep season, despite mid-season hand surgery. As a junior, Shaffer hit .410 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs. He was one of 38 players nationally selected to play in the Aflac All-American Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Where is he now?
Shaffer was drafted by the Dodgers in high school, but became a star at Clemson and later played in the majors with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The author of two science fiction books, he is a trainer in Charlotte.
CAMERON STINSON, WRESTLING, MALLARD CREEK, CLASS OF 2024
In February 2024, Stinson won his fourth NCHSAA state wrestling championship and completed his high school career with a 205-0 record.
The Observer selected him as its top overall boys’ athlete of the 2023-24 school year, an award he’d also won the year before. He was the 14th wrestler in state history to win four state titles and the third to go through his career undefeated.
Where is he now?
Stinson is a sophomore at UNC.
Steve Lyttle, Jay Edwards and Brett Honeycutt contributed to this report.
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This story was originally published November 26, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
