The Twin Cities NBA Pipeline: 11 Former Metro Boys Basketball Standouts on NBA Rosters in 2025-26
Few regions in the country can match the Twin Cities metro area's pipeline to the NBA, with 11 former metro boys basketball standouts on NBA rosters during the 2025-26 season, including Chet Holmgren, Jalen Suggs, Tyus Jones and Tre Jones.
There are few regions in the country that can match the Twin Cities metro area’s pipeline to the NBA. Here is a look at former metro boys basketball standouts who were on NBA rosters during the 2025-26 regular season, along with the high schools they attended, the colleges where they played and their current teams.
Amir Coffey, 6-7 guard — Hopkins High School, University of Minnesota, Phoenix Suns. Led Hopkins to the 2016 Class 4A state championship.
Jamison Battle, 6-7 forward — DeLaSalle High School, George Washington University, University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, Toronto Raptors. Led DeLaSalle to the 2019 Class 3A championship.
Chet Holmgren, 7-1 center — Minnehaha Academy, Gonzaga University, Oklahoma City Thunder. Led Minnehaha Academy to Class 2A championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019. NBA champion in 2025.
Curtis Jones, 6-3 guard — Minneapolis South High School, Cretin Derham Hall High School, Indian Hills Community College, University of Buffalo, Iowa State University, Denver Nuggets.
Tre Jones, 6-1 guard — Apple Valley High School, Duke University, Chicago Bulls. Led Apple Valley to Class 4A championships in 2013, 2015 and 2017.
Tyus Jones, 6-0 guard — Apple Valley High School, Duke University, Denver Nuggets. Led Apple Valley to the 2013 Class 4A state championship.
Zeke Nnaji, 6-10 forward — Hopkins High School, University of Arizona, Denver Nuggets. Led Hopkins to the 2019 Class 4A title. NBA champion in 2023.
David Roddy, 6-5 forward — Breck School, Colorado State University, Denver Nuggets.
Jericho Sims, 6-10 center — Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, University of Texas, Milwaukee Bucks.
Jalen Suggs, 6-5 guard — Minnehaha Academy, Gonzaga University, Orlando Magic. Led Minnehaha Academy to Class 2A championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Gary Trent Jr., 6-5 guard — Apple Valley High School, Prolific Prep, Duke University, Milwaukee Bucks. Led Apple Valley to the 2015 Class 4A state championship.
Tyus Jones, Battle, Holmgren, Nnaji, Roddy and Suggs all have their teams in the 2026 NBA playoffs.
The Twin Cities metro area was, and continues to be, well represented.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer welcomes reader responses at mcdeezy05@gmail.com.