Prolific Prep, Link Academy, La Lumiere and IMG Academy are top contenders to challenge Kevin Boyle's Eagles this season.
The high school basketball landscape has experienced unprecedented
change over the past decade with an increasing number of prospective
college and pro players gravitating toward programs outside the realm of
state governing bodies and prep hoops in a traditional sense. In
response to those changes, MaxPreps changed its approach to the national
rankings prior to the 2021-22 season, giving
independent and academy-based programs their own platform.
Today, we unveil the Preseason National Top 10 with perennial national powerhouse
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) beginning the season as the team to beat after finishing No. 2 last season and falling shy of capturing its fourth consecutive national title.
Top-ranked senior prospect
Cooper Flagg is the catalyst for a loaded Montverde roster that features eight top 75 prospects.
Top-ranked senior prospect Cooper Flagg looks to guide Montverde Academy to their seventh GEICO Nationals crown. (Photo: Catalina Fragoso)
Along with Flagg, five highly-regarded Class of 2024 prospects will be competing for the final four spots in the starting lineup as LSU commit
Curtis Givens, Indiana commit
Liam McNeeley, Baylor commit
Robert Wright III and five-star big men
Derik Queen and Georgia commit
Asa Newell headline an experienced rotation.
As MaxPreps strives to make its national rankings
as reputable as possible, programs who roster fifth-year players are
not eligible for inclusion. Teams who are recognized members of the
Overtime Elite League are also no longer considered for the National Top
10.
Read on for a complete look at the Preseason National Top 10. Click on team names for in-depth previews.
(Graphic by: Ryan Escobar)
2022-23: 23-3, No. 2 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: Six-time GEICO Nationals champions look to continue their recent dominance led by Duke commit Cooper Flagg along with additional highly-regarded Class of 2024 prospects Derik Queen, Liam McNeeley, Asa Newell, Robert Wright III and Curtis Givens. The Eagles captured three consecutive national titles under head coach Kevin Boyle before finishing No. 2 in national rankings last season.
2022-23: 27-1, No. 1 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: The defending national champions reloaded in the offseason with MaxPreps National Junior of the Year
Tre Johnson, five-star Class of 2025 guard
Jasper Johnson and top 30 Class of 2024 guard
Labaron Philon joining top 20 Class of 2025 guard
Aaron Rowe in a loaded backcourt. Top 100 North Carolina commit
James Brown anchors the Lions' frontcourt along with four-star Arkansas commit
Jalen Shelley. The third-year program already has a strong track record at GEICO Nationals after reaching the title game back-to-back years.
2022-23: 35-2, No. 6 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: A star-studded roster is headlined by the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2026
Tyran Stokes and the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2025
A.J. Dybantsa. Dybantsa and Stokes are joined by a trio of top 35 Class of 2024 prospects
Zoom Diallo,
Derrion Reid and Alabama commit
Aiden Sherrell. The Crew have the firepower necessary to compete for their first GEICO Nationals title this season after a surprising first-round exit in 2022-23.
2022-23: 18-10, No. 8 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: After failing to reach GEICO Nationals last season, the Lakers completely overhauled their roster in the offseason powered by top 30 Class of 2025 prospects
Darius Adams,
Jerry Easter and
Jalen Haralson. Other key additions include four-star Class of 2025 prospects
Melvin Bell and
Chuck Love along with seniors
Steven Solano and Clemson commit
Ace Buckner. The junior-laden roster has plenty of room to grow over the next two seasons.
2022-23: 18-8, No. 5 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: A deep and talented roster is loaded with talented transfers as top 10 Class of 2025 prospect
Darius Acuff, four-star Notre Dame commit
Cole Certa, top 30 Syracuse commit
Donnie Freeman, top 60 Houston pledge
Chase McCarty and four-star Class of 2025 prospect
Amari Allen headline the additions. Top 30 Class of 2024 prospect
Khani Rooths is the top returner while 7-foot-6 center
Olivier Rioux brings size and intrigue to the rotation.
2022-23: 24-7, No. 3 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: The Dragons look to maintain their recent success in the national rankings under first-year head coach Pete Kaffey this season in the rugged NIBC. Top 25 Arizona commit
Jamari Phillips, top 50 Class of 2025 prospect
Jeremiah Fears, four-star Clemson commit
Del Jones, top 100 Class of 2024 prospect
Sammie Yeanay, top 150 Class of 2024 prospect
Luke Bamgboye and under-the-radar Class of 2024 forward
Jayce Nathaniel headline a strong roster.
2022-23: 33-5, No. 7 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: After finishing the year nationally ranked for the first time in program history last season, expectations remain high headed into their 2023-24 campaign behind key returners top 100 Arizona commit
Emmanuel Stephen, Class of 2024 guard
Gabe Pickens, Class of 2024 wing
Travis Torain and Class of 2025 forward
Alejandro Aviles. Five-star Class of 2026 guard
Ikenna Alozie and 7-0 Class of 2025 center
Fawaz Ifaola were the top additions in the offseason.
2022-23: 19-10, No. 9 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: The Tigers have their most talented roster under fourth-year head coach Paul Peterson with impact returners including five-star Class of 2025 prospect
Isiah Harwell and top 100 TCU commit
Malick Diallo joined by highly-regarded incoming talent San Diego State commit
Taj Degourville, top 50 Ohio State commit
John Mobley Jr. and top 40 Class of 2025 forward
Chris Nwuli.
2022-23: 35-6, unranked
Breakdown: The Bobcats are making the transition into the high
school game after decades of success on the New England prep circuit. Brewster Academy has captured seven national prep championships
since 2010 and have averaged more than 30 wins per season over the past
15 years. Head coach Jason Smith leads the high school team into the NIBC next
season with key additions of Iowa State commit
Nojus Indrusaitis, Netherlands import
Dwayne Aristode and top 60 Class of 2026 prospect
Sebastian Wilkins among the standouts.
2022-23: 24-15, unranked
Breakdown: Second-year head coach Yerrick Stoneman looks to rebound from a 1-11 season in NIBC play last season with a new crop of talent. Three-star Michigan commit
Christian Anderson Jr., four-star Class of 2025 center
Francis Chukwudebelu, four-star Class of 2025 forward
Deondrea Lindsey and three-star TCU pledge
Micah Robinson join top returner
Kaden Magwood. Oak Hill Academy was one of the most successful programs in high school basketball history under longtime head coach Steve Smith who retired following the 2021-22 season.
