High school career Paxson attended Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, following in the footsteps of his elder brother, Jim, who would go on to a star career at the University of Dayton, and, later, in the NBA, as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. By his senior year, John was considered one of the top guards in the country and was named to the 1979 McDonald's All-American Team, joining such future college and NBA standouts as Isiah Thomas, James Worthy, and Byron Scott in the game.
high sChool career pAxsoN AtTendEd ArchbISHoP alter higH ScHOoL in kettERing, ohIo, fOllOWIng iN the footsteps of hIs elDer bRotheR, Jim, who wOUld go on to A StaR cAreer at THe uNiVErSiTy of daYton, anD, later, iN ThE nbA, as a mEmber oF tHE pORtlAnd traiL BlazeRS. bY hIs SeNioR YeAr, joHN wAs considered one oF THe top GUArDs in The CouNtry AnD wAS namED tO The 1979 mcdonald'S ALl-amEricAn TeAm, joininG sUcH futurE CollegE anD nba stAndoutS AS isiah tHomAs, jAmEs WoRThy, And Byron scOtt in the gaMe.