MaxPreps 2015-16 New Mexico preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Albuquerque
Head coach: Ron Garcia
2014-15 record: 23-6

Coming off an 18-0 summer with three returning starters, the Bulldogs will go nine-deep this year. Gabe Bump, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, will lead the way after averaging 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.0 steals last season. Six-foot senior guard Allonzo Armijo averaged 12.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while 6-4 senior forward Yannick Ilunga averaged 9.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Ray J Cole, a 6-5, 290-pound senior, averaged 6.6 points and 5.1 rebounds off the bench. Junior Lorenzo Cantoja (6-0) averaged 4.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals. The eligibility of transfer Marlon Cunningham, a talented 6-7, 248-pound sophomore, still has not been determined.

See last season's New Mexico boys basketball computer rankings

2. Hobbs
Head coach: Mike Smith
2014-15 record: 30-2 (6A state champion)



Despite returning just one starter from a state championship team, coach Mike Smith still believes his team can repeat. He said, "I think we have the best starting five in the state. This is the fastest team in the state, maybe the nation. We're pretty deep, but young. Once we get some time (experience), we'll make another run." The lone returning starter is 6-2 senior Jordan Gonzales, who averaged 7.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals. Pierre Swain, a 6-3 senior, averaged 11 points off the bench, while 5-11 senior point guard Nick Lopez averaged 7.0 points, 4.5 steals and 3.0 assists. Six-4 senior Nathan Smith adds needed size.

See MaxPreps New Mexico boys basketball pro photos

3. Rio Rancho
Head coach: Wally Salata
2014-15 record: 23-9

Three juniors who all started as sophomores will form the nucleus for the Rams. Juan Hurt (5-10) averaged 9.9 points and shot 40.9 percent from 3-point range. Jeremy Snider (6-2) averaged 6.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Clay Patterson (5-10), averaged 4.6 points and 2.1 assists. They will receive inside help from 6-4 sophomore Joe Elmalhy, a New Jersey transfer, and 6-3 sophomore Derrick Reyes. 

See last season's New Mexico boys basketball playoff brackets

4. Sandia (Albuquerque)
Head coach: Alvin Broussard
2014-15 record: 17-13



The Matadors are fairly young but pretty athletic, and may have the state's premier big man in 6-9 senior Caleb Wroten, who averaged 12 points, 12 rebounds and blocked at least two shots per outing. He will get strong outside support from 6-0 senior point guard Eric Sandlin, who averaged 6.0 points and 3.0 assists. Junior Bobby Tapia (5-10) averaged seven points as a backup shooting guard.

See last season's New Mexico boys basketball stat leaders

5. Valley (Albuquerque)
Head coach: Joe Coleman
2014-15 record: 17-10

Coach/athletic director Joe Coleman will count on three returning starters to lead a somewhat young team this year. The Vikings' top returning scorer, 6-0 Anthony Chavez, however, is just a sophomore but also No. 1 at 12 points (and six assists) per game. Football star Teton Saltes (6-6) averaged 10 points and 5.0 rebounds, while 6-1 senior Noah Santistevan averaged 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. Sophomore Segun Oyeku (6-0) and senior Daniel Castellano (6-2) are other possible starters.