MaxPreps 2015-16 New York preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Christ the King (Middle Village)
Head coach: Joe Aribtello
2014-15 record: 26-5

The Royals are eager to break ground on what could be another memorable season. Reigning CHSAA Class AA Player of the Year Rawle Atkins, a 6-foot-4 senior swingman, moved on to a prep school in North Carolina after receiving offers from Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville and North Carolina, among (very many) others. But there are plenty of returnees. David Cole, a rugged 6-7 forward, has committed to Robert Morris. Tyrone Cohen, a 6-5 shooting guard, is bound for Holy Cross. Point guard Jared Rivers is also drawing heavy interest from mid-major programs.

See last season's New York boys basketball computer rankings

2. Cardozo (Bayside)
Head coach: Ron Naclerio
2014-15 record: 29-3

The Judges fell short of taking a second-straight city title, falling to Wings Academy in the PSAL Class AA title game. With a strong group returning, Cardozo has a strong shot of reclaiming the crown. Senior Rashond Salnave, a 6-2, 170-pound shooting guard, averaged 15 points and more than six rebounds a game. He's also an effective distributor who draws plenty of assists. Also back are guards Aaron Walker and Tareq Coburn and 6-5 forward Andrew Whisenant.

See New York boys basketball pro photo galleries

3. Shenendehowa (Clifton Park)
Head coach: Tony Dzikas
2014-15 record: 25-1

Postseason success in high school basketball is often ignited by strong guard play, and that was certainly the case last season in Shen's run to the Class AA state title. University of Maryland commit Kevin Huerter was not only point guard but the driving force behind Shen's first state championship in 28 years. Huerter has the rare combination of strong ball-handling and playmaking skills to go along with a 6-5 frame. If the Plainsmen are to match last season's success, Huerter will have to play an even larger role, if that's possible, because he was surrounded by a strong group of seniors in 2014-15, including Huerter's brother, Thomas Jr. The Huerters' father, Tom, was a standout at Siena College. Mike Pizziketti, a 6-6 junior, will be the Plainsmen's center of attention.

See last season's New York boys basketball playoff brackets

4. Jefferson (Brooklyn)
Head coach: Lawrence (Bud) Pollard
2014-15 record: 26-4

This could be a breakthrough year for Thomas Jefferson, which reached the city semifinals this past season after advancing to the PSAL Class AA title game in 2014. Senior combo guard Shamorie Ponds is an outstanding shooter and versatile scorer who averaged 25 points per game last season. He showed his versatility with averages of eight rebounds and six assists per game. Ponds gave new St. John's head coach Chris Mullin a big recruiting coup when he made a verbal commitment to the Red Storm in September. Rasheen Dunn, a 6-foot, 175-pound point guard, runs the show.

See last season's New York boys basketball stat leaders

5. Aquinas Institute (Rochester)
Head coach: Michael Grosodonia
2014-15 record: 22-1

The beat goes on at Aquinas, which won its third Section 5 Class AA title in four years in 2014-15. Though hit hard by graduation losses, the Little Irish have plenty of returning talent to chase more postseason success. Junior point guard Griffin Kornaker has not only the experience and skills, but the bloodlines. He's the son of St. John Fisher College head coach Rob Kornaker. Jalen Pickett, a 6-3, 180-pound junior, will be Kornaker's partner in the back court.

Multimedia news and sports editor and producer Joe Lombardi is director of media initiatives and managing editor of the DailyVoice.com, as well as the primary author of the most recent edition of "Lacrosse for Dummies." Follow Joe on Twitter @Joe_Lombardi.