MaxPreps 2016-17 Pennsylvania preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

By Greg Bates Nov 26, 2016, 11:00pm

Neumann-Goretti leads the way, but also watch out for Westtown, Imhotep Charter, Reading and Roman Catholic in the Pennsylvania boys basketball #MaxPrepsFab5.

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2016-17 Pennsylvania preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
2015-16 record: 27-4, Class AAA state champion
Head coach: Carl Arrigale

For the sixth time in the last seven seasons, Neumann-Goretti won the Class AAA state title. The Saints lost some talented players off last year's team, but return some key pieces. Leading scorer Quade Green (18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists) is back. The No. 4-rated point guard in the Class of 2017 by 247Sports.com is the reigning AAA State Player of the Year. Fellow senior Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, a Villanova commit, is a beast inside at 6-foot-9 and averaged 14.4 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.1 blockers per game. Junior Marcus Littles is a big-time transfer, putting in 11.5 points and 9.9 rebounds last year at the Academy of the New Church.

See the MaxPreps Pennsylvania boys basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard



2. Westtown
2015-16 record: 28-6, PISAA state champion
Head coach: Seth Berger

After winning their first PISSA private school state championship last season, the Moose are staying strong after losing just two seniors. They feature some of the best players from around the country, led by senior Mohamed Bamba. The power forward is rated as No. 3 in the Class of 2017 and is getting courted by every major Division I team in the nation. Junior small forward Cameron Reddish is No. 4 in his class. Senior Nijja Hunter is highly recruited as well.

See the MaxPreps Pennsylvania boys basketball stat leaders

3. Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
2015-16 record: 24-6
Head coach: Andre Noble
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
The Panthers fell to eventual AAA champion Neumann-Goretti in the state semifinals. The team is stacked with top-notch players, led by a strong senior class. Daron Russell was a first-team All-State recipient last year and is one of the best point guards in the state. Rated No. 42 at his position in the Class of 2017, Russell is off to Rhode Island next year. Dave Beatty will be a huge boost for the Panthers after transferring in. He is the seventh-best combo guard in the senior class. Imhotep Charter features four top-notch sophomores in small forwards Donte Scott (No. 58 in Class of 2019) and Jamil Riggins (No. 111), along with Dahmir Bishop and Reefy Knox.

See the MaxPreps Pennsylvania boys basketball photos

4. Reading
2015-16 record: 28-4
Head coach: Rick Perez



Reading's strong postseason push last season ended in the state semifinals. The Red Knights return their top scorer in Lonnie Walker. He averaged 16.9 points and is the No. 3 shooting guard in his class. Isaiah Cook was the team's fourth-leading scorer last season (7.5 points). Junior Kahari Whitfield earned some playing time last season and averaged 2.3 points per game.

See the MaxPreps Pennsylvania boys basketball playoff brackets

5. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
2015-16 record: 27-4, Class AAAA state champion
Head coach: Matt Griffin

The Cahillites captured back-to-back state titles, but this year will definitely be a challenge for new coach Matt Griffin. He replaces Chris McNesby, who resigned in May. The team's top three players from a season ago – Tony Carr (AAAA player of the year), Lamar Stevens and Nazeer Bostick – are all now playing at Penn State. D'Andre Vilmar will be the leader this year. The 6-3 senior is one of the best small forwards in the country. Fellow senior Dakquan Davis will also be a key on the inside.