Wheeler is our top pick this season in Georgia boys basketball. Also watch out for Miller Grove, Norcross, Greenforest and St. Francis.
Elijah Staley and Wheeler are our pick as the top team in Georgia this season.
File photo by Jim Redman
MaxPreps 2013-14 Georgia Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
Click here to see the boys basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state1. Wheeler (Marietta)2012-13 record: 19-9
Head coach: Doug Lipscomb
Junior stars
Daniel Giddens and
Jaylen Brown are both regarded as Top 20 prospects nationally in the Class of 2015. Giddens is a 6-foot-9 shotblocker who spent part of his summer with USA Basketball's U-16 team.
Elijah Staley, a 6-7 senior who will play quarterback for the Mississippi State football team, will be counted on for leadership and versatility.
2. Miller Grove (Lithonia)2012-13 record: 30-3, Class AAAAA state champions
Head coach: Sharman White
The Wolverines will join Wheeler in many of the various national preseason rankings. Miller Grove is riding a string of five state titles in a row and will be favored to make it six. The backcourt combination of senior
Keith Pinckney and sophomore
Alterique Gilbert knows how to get it done.
3. Norcross2012-13 record: 27-6, Class AAAAAA state champions
Head coach: Jesse McMillan
This season could follow a similar script as last year for the Blue Devils. Like last winter, Norcross will have to wait for several athletes to finish an expected deep playoff run with the football team. Once complete, McMillan's team should be capable of competing with anybody in the country. Leading the way on a deep roster will be
Andre Chatfield (6-3, Sr., G),
Khalen Pinkett (6-0, Sr., G),
Lorenzo Carter (6-6, Sr., F) and
Ricky Madison (6-5, Jr., G/F).
4. Greenforest (Decatur)2012-13 record: 27-4, Class A state champions
Head coach: David Jones
The small school superpower will miss Tosin Mehinti (now at Alabama-Birmingham) but is reloading on the fly with talent that could take the program to another level. Juniors
Faisal Abdul-Malik and
Justin Ravenel, sophomores
John Ogwuche and
Precious Ayah and highly-touted 6-9 freshman
Victor Enoh should make the Eagles very tough to beat – especially a year from now.
5. St. Francis (Alpharetta)2012-13 record: 24-9, Class A runner-up
Head coach: Cabral Huff
St. Francis has to go through Greenforest to win a state title, butthe Knights have the firepower to make it happen. They return their top four scorers and seven players that appeared in nearly every game and received major minutes a year ago. Junior guard
Malik Beasley (14.4 points per game last season), sophomore wing
Kobi Jordan-Simmons (14.3), junior forward
Kaiser Gates (12.8) and junior guard Keshawn Gibbs (7.7) are returnees to keep an eye on.
