High school basketball's Mount Rushmore of the last 20 years

LeBron James got everybody talking with his recent Mount Rushmore discussion — including us.

So who belongs on the high school basketball Mount Rushmore? Offering a credible answer going back to the beginning of last century — who can forget the scoring exploits of Louisiana's Harold Ray Strothers in the mid- to late-1950s? — would be futile.

Instead we've limited our sculpting options to the last 20 years. Let the debate begin.

THE FACES

LeBron James, 2003, St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio)
High school highlights: The King wasn't just a ballyhooed prospect, he was an overwhelmingly dominant performer at St. Vincent-St. Mary. The Fighting Irish won three state titles and went 101-6 during James' four years in the program. He was twice named National Player of the Year by Gatorade and averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game as a senior.

Kevin Love, 2007, Lake Oswego (Ore.)
High school highlights: Love was an absolute rock star from the moment he stepped on the floor as a freshman at Lake Oswego. He led the Lakers to three state championship games (winning one) and finished as Oregon's all-time leading scorer. Love was named 2007 National Player of the Year by MaxPreps after posting 33.9 points and more than 17 rebounds per game.

Greg Oden, 2006, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
High school highlights: Oden was the first MaxPreps National Player of the Year, way back in 2006. In basketball-crazed Indiana, Oden and his Lawrence North teammates will go down as one of the state's greatest dynasties, capturing three straight 4A titles and ending the 2006 season riding a 45-game winning streak. The current Miami Heat center helped the school go 103-7 during his time there and posted 23.7 points and 10.8 rebounds per game as a senior.

Kobe Bryant, 1996, Lower Merion (Ardmore, Pa.)
High school highlights: The Black Mamba barely makes our 20-year cutoff. The gym at Lower Merion is already named after Bryant after he put up more than 2,800 career points and led the Aces to their first state title in more than 50 years as a senior. He swept National Player of the Year honors as a senior after putting up 30.8 points, 12 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.

MORE CANDIDATES

Kyle Anderson, 2012, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
High school highlights: Two-time national champion and 2012 MaxPreps National Player of the Year.

Carmelo Anthony, 2002, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
High school highlights: Put up more than 21 points per game as senior, leading Oak Hill to a 32-1 record.

Harrison Barnes, 2010, Ames (Iowa)
High school highlights: Closed career with 53 wins in a row and two state titles while earning 2010 MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors.

Monta Ellis, 2005, Lanier (Jackson, Miss.)
High school highlights: Mississippi phenom piled up more than 4,000 career points and led Lanier to four state title games (winning two).

Kevin Garnett, 1995, Farragut (Chicago)
High school highlights: Relocated to Chicago for his senior year and put up more than 25 points and 17 rebounds per game while earning USA Today National Player of the Year honors.

Dwight Howard, 2004, Southwest Atlanta Christian
High school highlights: Swept National Player of the Year honors as a senior after leading SAC to a state title and piling up more than 25 points, 18 rebounds and eight blocked shots per game.

Brandon Jennings, 2008, Oak Hill Academy
High school highlights: Led Oak Hill to a 74-5 record in two seasons as a Warrior, putting up more than 35 points per game as a senior.

Shabazz Muhammad, 2012, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
High school highlights: Compiled an impressive high school resume that included three state titles and an 111-17 record as a four-year starter.

Jabari Parker, 2013, Simeon (Chicago)
High school highlights: Won four state titles and was 2013 MaxPreps National Player of the Year. The most decorated player ever from perhaps the nation's best high school hoops city.

Derrick Rose, 2007, Simeon
High school highlights: How special was Rose? In his final high school game Rose happily allowed friend and teammate Tim Flowers to dominate, scoring just two points as the Wolverines captured a state title in blowout fashion.

Other names to consider: Mike Bibby, Shadow Mountain (Phoenix); Kevin Durant, Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.); Felipe Lopez, Rice (New York); Chris Paul, West Forsyth (Clemmons, N.C.); Paul Pierce, Inglewood (Calif.); Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.); Dajuan Wagner, Camden (N.J.); Andrew Wiggins, Huntington St. Joseph Prep (W.Va.)

Who goes on YOUR high school basketball Mount Rushmore of the last 20 years? Leave a comment below or tweet @MaxPreps.