MaxPreps 2016-17 Utah preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Dason Youngblood's highlights vs. HHS
See the Bingham High player in action.


1. Bingham (South Jordan)
2015-16 record: 24-2
Head coach: Jake Schroeder

A talented senior class is capable of making Bingham just as tough to beat this season as it was a year ago. It all starts with 6-foot-10 center Branden Carlson. The senior played sparingly a year ago, averaging just 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds, but he is due for a breakout season with his size, length and athleticism. Carlson committed to Utah in October, choosing the Utes over UCLA, Stanford and BYU. He will join the team in 2019, following a two-year LDS mission.

Carlson will not be a one-man wrecking crew. Bingham returns talented senior guards Lleyton Parker and Dason Youngblood. Parker was the No. 2 scorer (11.4 ppg) last season. Youngblood led the Miners in both assists (2.8 apg) and steals (1.7 spg).

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2. Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant)
2015-16 record: 29-4
Head coach: Curtis Condie

Going independent has turned into the best move the Tigers could have made. Playing a truly national schedule has allowed Wasatch Academy to graduate from Class 2A heavyweight into a nationally elite basketball team. The Tigers boast a roster that draws skilled athletes from all corners of the globe. Leading the way are returning Canadian standouts Emmanuel Akot and Josip Vrankic.

Akot, a five-star guard, played for Canada in the FIBA U17 World Championship in Spain this summer. The 6-7 junior averaged 10.7 points and 3.4 assists a year ago and is being recruited by Utah, Arizona, Oregon and Louisville. Vrankic, a 6-8 forward, also suited up for Canada over the summer, playing in the FIBA U18 Americas Championship. The senior Santa Clara commit averaged 13.3 points and 5.7 rebounds a year ago.

See the MaxPreps Utah boys basketball stat leaders

3. Olympus (Salt Lake City)
2015-16 record: 24-3
Head coach: Matt Barnes Olympus finally broke a string of second-place finishes by winning its first Class 4A title last season. The Titans feature some heavy roster turnover from that championship team, but do return some key contributors and others poised for a breakout season.

Matt Lindsey, the son of Utah Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey, takes a step up as the team leader after Isaac Monson's graduation. Lindsey gives Olympus a true playmaking threat in the backcourt. The senior guard averaged 12.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals a season ago. Travis Wagstaff is a dangerous wing who can make plays inside and outside. The senior swingman averaged 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 2015-16.

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4. Lone Peak (Highland)
2015-16 record: 21-5
Head coach: David Evans

For the first time in ages, Lone Peak does not have a nationally elite player headlining a talented roster. Frank Jackson has graduated and he is now a freshman at Duke. That doesn't mean the cupboard has suddenly gone bare for the Knights.

Lone Peak returns several key members from Jackson's supporting cast last season. Leading the way are Nate Harkness and Steven Ashworth. Harkness, a senior forward, finished as the team's No. 2 scorer behind Jackson with 11.7 points per game. He also pulled down 4.6 rebounds per contest. Ashworth, a junior guard, made his mark as an excellent outside shooter and good distributor. He averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 assists a season ago.

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5. Woods Cross
2015-16 record: 19-5
Head coach: Kasey Walkenhurst

Woods Cross could be an early Class 4A title favorite this season based on the level of talent and experience the Wildcats return to the court. One of the state's best scorers, Trevin Knell, will help make the Wildcats a nightmare to deal with for opposing defenses.

Knell, a three-star shooting guard, committed to California and will join the Bears in 2019 after serving an LDS mission. The senior lit up the scoreboard often a season ago, averaging 21.3 points per game. Knell proved lethal from the perimeter, making 3.6 3-pointers per contest. Joining him is returning senior forward Colby Richardson, who chipped in 6.9 points per game.

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports