Rainier Beach is our pick as the best boys basketball team in Washington. Also watch for Jackson, Garfield, Franklin and Foss.
Shaqquan Aaron and Rainier Beach are Washington's top team and on the national radar this year.
Photo by Jeff Napier
MaxPreps 2013-14 Washington Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
Click here to see the boys basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state1. Rainier Beach (Seattle)2012-13 record: 25-4, Class 3A state champions
Head coach: Mike Bethea
The Vikings return one of the more talented teams of the Bethea era – which says a lot considering Beach has produced stars like Doug Christie, Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson, Lodrick and Rodrick Stewart and Terrence Williams. Seniors
Shaqquan Aaron (6-foot-7, G/F, Louisville verbal commitment),
Elijah Foster (6-7, F),
Naim Ladd (5-8, G) and
Dujaun Piper (6-6, F) were all major contributors on last season's championship team.
De'Jounte Murray, a highly recruited 6-3 junior guard, will continue to see his role increase.
David Crisp, a 6-1 senior guard, will also contribute in the backcourt after transferring from Clover Park in Lakewood.
2. Jackson (Mill Creek)2012-13 record: 26-1, Class 4A runner-up
Head coach: Steve Johnson
Senior wing
Jason Todd is the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year after posting more than 21 points and 10 rebounds per game as a junior. The 6-5 star will play his college basketball at the University of Portland. Jackson featured just two seniors a year ago and will likely include six or seven seniors in the rotation this winter. The Timberwolves will play in the MaxPreps Holiday Classic in Palm Springs, Calif., in December.
3. Garfield (Seattle)2012-13 record: 25-2
Head coach: Ed Haskins
The addition of Lakeside transfer
Tramaine Isabell, a 6-0 senior guard committed to Washington State, has some thinking the Bulldogs are the team to beat in 4A. Isabell will team with sophomore sensation
Jashaun Agosto to give Garfield one of the state's top backcourts.
4. Franklin (Seattle)2012-13 record: 18-11
Head coach: Craig Jackson
First-year coach Jackson has some talent to work with. Leading the way will be tantalizing 6-8 senior forward
Eugene Artison, who can operate from the wing and create matchup problems. Junior
Martin Frye and sophomore
Keith Smith jr., who has a couple of big time college offers already, will be major contributors for the Quakers.
5. Foss (Tacoma)2012-13 record: 18-7
Head coach: Michael Cocke
The Falcons are always tough defensively under Cocke and have added a talented transfer in senior
Ar'Mond Davis. The 6-5 guard has interest and offers from Pac-12 and Mountain West schools and joins a solid group of returnees for Foss.
