Long Island Lutheran and Paul VI among contenders to challenge Andrew Moran's Explorers this season.
After releasing the Preseason National Top 10 last week and Preseason MaxPreps All-America team earlier this week, today we unveil the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings. Multiple states hit the hardwood this week with the majority joining the action over the next month.
Columbus (Miami, Fla.) begins the season as our team to beat after capturing its second consecutive FHSAA Class 7A state championship last season to finish the year ranked No. 8 nationally with a record of 26-4.
The Explorers look to continue their ascension this season with the additions of four-star Michigan State commit
Jase Richardson, five-star sophomore
Jaxon Richardson and under-the-radar senior guard
Randy Smith bolstering their rotation in a major way.
Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) and
Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.), who finished the season ranked No. 3 and No. 9 last season, respectively, appear to be the biggest challengers to the Explorers national title hopes with similarly loaded rosters.
Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.),
John Marshall (Richmond, Va.),
Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) and
Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) are other top contenders.
Read on for a complete look at our Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
Click on school names for in-depth previews of each team.
1. Columbus (Miami, Fla.)2022-23: 26-4, No. 8 in final rankings
Breakdown: Begin the season as the team to beat in high school basketball behind Cameron Boozer and a strong supporting cast. The Explorers boast one of the toughest schedules in the nation with showdowns against nationally-ranked opponents Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.), McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) and Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) along with trips to the City of Palms Classic and Les Schwab Invitational.
2022-23: 22-3, No. 3 in final rankings
Breakdown: After a second-place finish in the NIBC, the Crusaders look to build on their success behind a loaded roster led by reigning NIBC Player of the Year
V.J. Edgecombe, four-star junior
Kiyan Anthony, Florida State commit
Alier Maluk and three-star senior
Godswill Erheriene among other highly-regarded prospects.
2022-23: 33-2, No. 6 in final rankings
Breakdown: Defending CIF Open Division state champions have an opportunity to repeat behind four-star USC commit
Trent Perry, four-star Harvard pledge
Robert Hinton and top 60 junior prospect
Nikolas Khamenia. Matchups against McEachern and Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.) along with a trip to the Les Schwab Invitational highlights the schedule.
2022-23: 28-0, No. 1 in final rankings
Breakdown: Reigning national champions have the opportunity to compete for the top spot once again this season behind James Madison commit
Damon Thompson, top 40 sophomore prospect
Latrell Allmond and senior guard
Dominique Bailey. Three-star junior forward
Marcus Jackson headlines the new additions. The Justices have an early-season showdown against Myers Park (Charlotte, N.C.) before competing in the Chick-fil-A Classic.
2022-23: 26-3, No. 30 in final rankings
Breakdown: The Ironmen return three of their top four contributors from last season led by No. 2-ranked Class of 2024 prospect
Dylan Harper, senior guard
Isaiah Brown and junior guard
Brady Loughlin along with top 40 sophomore prospect
Keiner Asprilla. A trip to the City of Palms Classic early in the season will be a measuring stick for the talented group from the Garden State.
2022-23: 29-4, No. 16 in final rankings
Breakdown: Defending State Champions Invitational winner returns four of their top five contributors from last season with Georgetown commit
Caleb Williams, top 100 junior prospect
Acaden Lewis, junior guard
Jalen Rougier-Roane and senior guard
Jake Williams. Tough national schedule includes matchups with No. 3 Paul VI and Link Academy (Branson, Mo.).
2022-23: 28-4, No. 21 in final rankings
Breakdown: The defending Class 4A state champions have a "Big Three" featuring top 75 Tennessee commit
Bishop Boswell, top 60 Notre Dame commit
Sir Mohammed and top 40 junior prospect
Sadiq White Jr. The Mustangs have a challenging early-season schedule spotlighted by a showdown with No. 5 John Marshall and a trip to the John Wall Holiday Invitational.
2022-23: 23-7, No. 78 in final rankings
Breakdown: Favored to capture their first state championship since 2019 behind No. 3-ranked senior prospect
Airious Bailey, senior guard
Moses Hipps and senior forward
Nnadozie Onyirimba. Key additions include three-star senior
Jaye Nash and senior wing
John McQueen. McEachern has a rugged national schedule including trips to the City of Palms Classic and Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.
2022-23: 29-0, No. 25 in final rankings
Breakdown: Two-time defending Division IV state champions bring a 49-game win streak into the season and are the team to beat in the Buckeye State as they return all five starters and add top 40 sophomore prospect
T.J. Crumble into the fold. Four-star junior
Dorian Jones, junior guard
De'Erick Barber and senior wing
Hosea Steele each earned first team all-state honors last season.
2022-23: 26-11, No. 83 in final rankings
Breakdown: In search of their first MaxPreps Top 25 finish since finishing No. 8 in 2017, the Eagles look to bounce back from a tough season that saw them stumble down the stretch after a 16-0 start to the year. The WCAC title contender features three top 100 junior prospects as four-star center
Christian Gurdak joins top 75 guards
Derek Dixon and
Nykolas Lewis.
2022-23: 22-10, No. 63 in final rankings
Breakdown: Defending CHSAA Class AA champions return four starters and nine of their top 10 contributors from last season headlined by their dynamic guard duo of four-star Kentucky pledge
Boogie Fland and three-star junior prospect
Danny Carbuccia. Other returning starters senior forwards
Braylan Ritvo and
Jordan Gabriel are expected to be joined by sophomore
Jasiah Jervis on the first unit.
2022-23: 30-1, No. 12 in final rankings
Breakdown: Two-time defending state champions return eight key contributors and three starters from last season in No. 4-ranked junior prospect
Koa Peat, senior guard
Barron Silsby and junior wing
D'Andre Harrison. Incoming transfer junior forward
Trey McKinney is expected to step into the starting five along with returning junior guard
NoNo Brown. The Pumas face No. 4 Harvard-Westlake, No. 12 Archbishop Stepinac and No. 14 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) in addition to a trip to the Les Schwab Invitational.
2022-23: 24-6, No. 65 in final rankings
Breakdown: After reaching the Class AAAAAAA state semifinals last season, the Rams return four starters and add top 20 Georgia commit
Jacob Wilkins. Top 75 senior
Gicarri Harris, three-star Western Carolina commit
C.J. Hyland, Appalachian State commit
Anthony Alston and junior forward
Amir Taylor return to the starting rotation for the experienced group.
2022-23: 26-7, No. 39 in final rankings
Breakdown: The defending football national champions are expected to be formidable on the hardwood this season as well with four of their top five contributors returning in top 40 junior
Elzie Harrington, No. 2-ranked sophomore
Brandon McCoy Jr, junior forward
Kade Bonam and Loyola commit
Jack Turner. The Braves showed how dangerous they can be by beating eventual
Open Division state champion Harvard-Westlake last year in the postseason.
2022-23: 34-2, No. 44 in final rankings
Breakdown: Following a streak of 32 consecutive wins to close out the 2022-23 season, the Redbirds are favorites to repeat as Class 3A state champions with the offseason addition of top 75 Iowa commit
Cooper Koch. Joining Koch in the starting rotation are key contributors from last season senior guard
Tyler Mason, senior forward
Luke Hopp, junior guard
Matthew Zobrist and junior guard
Ashton Grieves.
2022-23: 32-0, No. 13 in final rankings
Breakdown: The highest-scoring team in high school basketball last season averaged 88 points per contest en route to an unbeaten season and Class 3A state title. The Vikings return three starters as senior guards
Chase Daniel and
Carson Daniel along with senior wing
Desmond Kent Jr. are joined by offseason additions senior forward
Joshua Dalton and junior guard
Cayden Smith in the projected starting lineup.
2022-23: 19-10, Unranked
Breakdown: The Pioneers feature one of the most talented starting fives in the MaxPreps Top 25 as top 30 junior
Jamier Jones joins key returners Florida Atlantic commit
Elijah Elliott, Virginia Tech pledge
Tyler Johnson, top 100 junior
Jalen Reece and senior wing
Cameron Simpson. Oak Ridge plays a tough early-season schedule that includes a matchup with No. 21 Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.) and a trip to the 'Iolani Classic.
2022-23: 29-3, No. 19 in final rankings
Breakdown: Although the Vikings begin the season third in the pecking order from the Tar Heel State, things could change quickly for the talented group with a trip to the City of Palms Classic in mid-December. North Mecklenburg returns three starters from a team that reached the Class 4A state semifinals as five-star Duke commit
Isaiah Evans, senior guard
Trey Maxwell and sophomore guard
Ashton Pierce are primed for big seasons.
2022-23: 31-1, No. 48 in final rankings
Breakdown: Heavy favorite to repeat as Class 4A state champions returns four starters headlined by three-star Pittsburgh commit
Brandin Cummings and five-star junior
Meleek Thomas. Lincoln Park graduated just one key piece and added junior guard
Rhaki Lum via transfer in the offseason. Trips to the Burger King Classic and Capitol City Classic headline a mostly in-state schedule.
2022-23: 16-14, Unranked
Breakdown: A revamped roster will look to find its footing early in the season with three newcomers expected to join the starting lineup as top 30 senior
Bryson Tucker, three-star Florida State commit
A.J. Swinton and sophomore forward
Steve Huan team up with top returners senior guard
Jadyn Harris and top 20 sophomore
Quincy Wadley. A grueling national schedule includes trips to the Beach Ball Classic and Tarkanian Classic.
2022-23: 30-0, No. 26 in final rankings
Breakdown: Following their first state title run since 1934, expectations remain sky high for the Redbirds headed into the 2023-24 with three returning starters. Northern Iowa commit
Will Hornseth, Wisconsin commit
John Kinziger and junior forward
Ben Willihnganz are back for a group that may need to run the table again for a spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25.
2022-23: 25-3, No. 33 in final rankings
Breakdown: A strong mixture of returning talent and key additions give this group the ability to outplay their preseason ranking behind reigning MaxPreps Utah Player of the Year
Brody Kozlowski. Other key pieces from last season include senior forward
Taylor Feroah and senior guard
Isaac Neibaur, who are expected to be joined by newcomers senior forward
Derelle Desire and junior guard
Bryton Valdes on the starting unit.
2022-23: 26-2, No. 42 in final rankings
Breakdown: Defending Class 6A state champions look to become the fourth team from the Sooner State to finish the season ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 behind Wyoming commit
Dylan Warlick, senior wing
Bryce Potts, junior guard
Dontrell Yearby and senior forward
Xavier Ross along with talented newcomer
Chiante Tramble. The schedule is highlighted by a trip to the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.
2022-23: 32-3, No. 28 in final rankings
Breakdown: Two-time defending Class 4A state champions are primed for their first MaxPreps Top 25 finish in program history behind three-star Colorado commit
Doryan Onwuchekwa, Texas A&M Corpus Christi commit
Isaac Williams, senior guard
Jazz Henderson, senior wing
Lekendrick Taylor and sophomore forward
Davion Adkins. The Eagles take on an ambitious national schedule that features a matchup against National Top 10 No. 1 Montverde Academy early in the year.
