Montverde Academy, Prolific Prep, IMG Academy and Long Island Lutheran are contenders to challenge top-ranked Lions.
Fourth-year program
Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) begins the 2024-25 campaign at No. 1 in the Preseason National Top 10. The Lions finished No. 3 in 2023-24, falling shy of capturing their second consecutive Chipotle Nationals title.
Although Link Academy returns just one player from last year's squad, a reloaded roster features talent from top to bottom. Top 10 senior
Chris Cenac anchors a frontcourt that features top 40 forward
John Clark and four-star Ohio State commit
Amare Bynum. Top 40 seniors
Jerry Easter and
Davion Hannah headline the backcourt.
The high school basketball landscape has experienced unprecedented change over the past decade with an increasing number of student-athletes gravitating toward programs outside the realm of state governing bodies and prep hoops in a traditional sense. In response to those changes, MaxPreps has revamped its approach to national rankings, giving independent and academy-based programs their own platform.
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.
1. Link Academy (Branson, Mo.)2023-24: 26-7, No. 3 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: Newly minted Show-Me State powerhouse has a record of 87-10 since the program began in 2021-22. The Lions have a strong core of seniors as top 40 prospects Chris Cenac, John Clark, Jerry Easter and Davion Hannah headline the newcomers. Link Academy already has an impressive resume at Chipotle Nationals after reaching the title game in its inaugural season and winning it all in 2022-23.
2023-24: 34-0, No. 1 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: Following their second unbeaten season in the past five years, the Eagles are among the favorites to capture another Chipotle Nationals title. Montverde looks to win its fifth national championship in the past six seasons behind a strong core of top 70 senior
Dante Allen, five-star junior
Kayden Allen, top 40 Creighton pledge
Hudson Greer, top 60 LSU-bound
Mazi Mosley and four-star Indiana commit
Trent Sisley.
2023-24: 33-6, No. 4 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: A busy off-season saw the Crew lose the top prospects in the Class of 2025 and 2026 via transfer. However, the California power was able to replenish losses with an abundance of incoming talent headlined by No. 3-ranked senior prospect
Darryn Peterson. Top 30 senior
Niko Bundalo, top 100 senior
Winters Grady, top 100 junior
Seven Spurlock and a pair of top 10 sophomore prospects in
Obinna Ekezie and
Gabe Nesmith fill out a strong supporting cast.
2023-24: 20-9, No. 5 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: The Ascenders have one of their most talented squads since their Chipotle Nationals-winning team in 2019, led by top 10 Arkansas commit
Darius Acuff. IMG Academy has a talented crop of newcomers around their top returner as top 25 Syracuse commit
Sadiq White Jr. and top 50 junior prospects
Chase Foster and
Jermal Jones join the cast. Other key returners include four-star Georgia commit
Kareem Stagg and top 50 junior
Felipe Quinones.
2023-24: 21-5, No. 2 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: Although the Crusaders had their best finish in the national rankings last season, they were unable to capture their first Chipotle Nationals win in their second appearance. This season, four key players return including top 10 junior
Dylan Mingo, top 30 senior
Kiyan Anthony, top 50 senior
Kayden Mingo and four-star Marquette commit
Nigel James. Newcomers
M.J. Madison and top 10 sophomore
Moussa Kamissoko headline an intriguing frontcourt.
2023-24: 20-10, unranked
Breakdown: Utah Prep is a bit of an unknown on the national stage but gaining the services of top-ranked senior prospect
A.J. Dybantsa is expected to elevate the program to new heights. Dybantsa headlines a roster that returns top 60 senior
J.J. Mandaquit, top 100 senior
Anthony Felesi and under-the-radar big man
Guystone Kasenga. Other key additions to the roster include seniors
Jaden Vance and Idaho pledge
Jackson Rasmussen.
2023-24: 27-6, No. 5 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: In search of their fifth consecutive Chipotle Nationals berth, the Dragons have loaded rotation led by a talented crop of newcomers. Five-star junior
Miikka Murrinen, top 40 junior
Kaden House and top 50 Gonzaga commit
Davis Fogle headline an impressive roster that includes four-star Texas A&M commit
Jeremiah Green, top 25 junior
Quincy Wadley and four-star junior
Kalek House.
2023-24: 23-5, No. 9 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: After missing Chipotle Nationals in back-to-back seasons, the Lakers are eager to get back on track. Top 20 Class of 2025 prospects
Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame commit) and Connecticut pledge
Darius Adams lead the experienced group of seniors that includes top 100 prospect
Chuck Love, San Jose State commit
Melvin Bell, Dartmouth-bound big man
Anton Strelnikov and Belmont commit
Jack Smiley.
2023-24: 27-7, No. 7 in final National Top 10
Breakdown: Following a successful transition from prep powerhouse to a high school program last season, the Bobcats are in search of their first Chipotle Nationals berth this season. Top 20 Arizona pledge
Dwayne Aristode and top 40 junior
Sebastian Wilkins return to lead the charge. James Madison commit
Preston Fowler, junior Seton Hall pledge
Darien Moore and Iowa State commit
Killyan Toure are expected to be major contributors.
2023-24: 29-6, unranked
Breakdown: Top 10 junior prospect
Ikenna Alozie is expected to again be the catalyst for a program that has compiled a record of 62-11 over the past two seasons. Along with Alozie, Utah State commit
Brayden Boe, Colorado pledge
Jalin Holland, three-star senior
Alejandro Aviles, three-star Colorado-bound
Fawaz Ifaola and top 40 sophomore
Chris Brown are the players to watch for a team in search of its first Chipotle Nationals berth.
