Whitnall’s Herro: The Former High School Basketball Standout Is Taking The NBA By Storm

Jimmy Butler received laughs from his teammates as he strutted into the Miami Heat’s practice after a victory over the Boston Celtics four weeks ago.

Butler was wearing a jersey that wasn’t his. The white jersey read “Whitnall” in navy blue writing across the chest, the number 14 printed below.

The jersey belonged to his rookie teammate and friend, Tyler Herro, who had a career game in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals the night before. Herro, who took the NBA world by storm while in the bubble, scored 37 points against the Celtics to help put his team within one win of the NBA Finals.

Less than three short years prior to his career game, Herro was wearing the jersey that Butler wore to practice, performing in front of filled fieldhouses and helping his high school become contenders year-in and year-out.

The high-school phenom made a name for himself in his four years in blue-and-gold, leading his team to the state tournament as a sophomore and getting Division One offers from top schools.

Alongside Herro through his first three years at Whitnall was Kevion Taylor. Taylor, who went on to play at Winona State University after his time at Whitnall, said everybody who knows Herro is not surprised by his performance in the NBA.

“If you know him, you know this isn’t a fluke,” Taylor said.

Before Herro’s senior season at Whitnall, he announced his decommitment from the University of Wisconsin, later choosing to attend the University of Kentucky. The move drew backlash from the state of Wisconsin, causing some local fans to turn on Herro.

While hearing boos from the fans, the prospect continued to showcase why a school like basketball powerhouse Kentucky recruited him. Herro averaged over 30 points per game in his final year with Whitnall, showing that nothing could scare him off the stage.

Former Whitnall girl’s basketball standout Sierra Grubor said that Herro’s confidence is a big reason as to why he is doing big things in the NBA.

“His confidence is like no other,” Grubor said. “If you tell him he can’t do something, he will prove you wrong.”

Taylor said that this confidence that Herro possesses is nothing new to see

“I’ve never seen him ever back down,” said Taylor. “That’s not in him.”

His confidence has carried over from Wisconsin to Kentucky, and then to Miami. Fans often recall a moment in college where he was shooting clutch free throws in the final seconds. After hitting his first free throw, he looked at one of his opponents and said “I’m a bucket.” Tyler Herro – “I’m a bucket”

Now, Herro is sharing a court with some of the biggest names in the game, representing his hometown on the World’s biggest stage.

“It means a ton to see a kid from Whitnall going so far and achieving his dreams,” Grubor said. “He’s really a role model for the younger generation.”

With Herro playing at a quality level, Taylor said that this is just the beginning for his friend.

“We’ve all watched him elevate at every level and it’s just going to keep going from here on out,” said Taylor. “The sky isn’t even the limit.”

The Miami Heat went on to make the NBA Finals. They lost in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers. Even without a championship ring, the former Whitnall Falcon made his name known to the world in his rookie season.