Louisville high school basketball players pick favorite warm-up song

The Courier Journal anonymously surveyed the top 20 high school basketball players in Louisville to find out what music they like to listen to for their next game. Players were asked to pick just one song he wanted to hear before entering the court.

What we found: Louisville-area players love rap. But which artist’s music reigns supreme?

Here’s how the city’s top players felt, and a playlist you can listen to.

Player vote:These are the 3 best boys’ high school basketball teams in Louisville

Favorite artist: EST Gee

From Mary Travers to Jack Harlow, Louisville loves supporting local artists. A Louisville High School basketball player feels the same way. George Albert Stone III was born in Louisville and went on to have a successful music career after graduating from St. Today, he is better known as rapper EST (Everybody Shines Together) Gee.

Of the players who answered the survey, 25% chose songs by or featuring EST Gee. Players named her October 2022 feature on hits “Have Mercy,” “30 Boppa,” and Lil Baby’s song “Back and Forth.” Since debuting with the song “Stains” in 2017, EST Gee’s followers have grown steadily across the country.

EST Gee’s story is relevant to many athletes in the Louisville area. Stone was St. Xavier’s star footballer, finishing his senior season with 84 tackles and a rushing touchdown. After playing for Indiana State University, Stone played a short time in Canadian football in his league before eventually walking away from football.

Favorite song: “Dreams and Nightmares”

When Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill first released his debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, in 2012, the future of pregame music changed forever. Track No. 1, with the same title as the album, reached double platinum status.

20% of the players who voted chose the hit as their favorite. The song starts out melodious, but quickly turns into a violent beat drop and tone change. Mill hails from Philadelphia, the location the NFL’s Eagles themed during his 2018 Super Bowl run, but whose lyrics are ringing in lockers’ rooms across the country.

Want to hear the rest of your choices?Check out the Louisville High School Basketball Spotify playlist