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

Video: KyJuan Johnson's highlights vs. WHS 1/26/2016
See the Minot High star in action last season.


1. Minot
Head coach: Dean Winczewski
2015-16 record: 25-2

Minot has won back-to-back state championships and it had five players average in double figures last year. Two of those players return in All-Conference guard KyJuan Johnson and 6-foot-5 forward Justin Engg. Johnson averaged 12 points per game to lead the team while Engg averaged 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Minot lost twice to Century during the regular season, but defeated Century in the west regional before topping West Fargo in overtime for the title.

See the North Dakota boys basketball computer rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Fargo Davies
Head coach: Bart Manson
2015-16 record: 21-6

Fargo Davies will have plenty of size returning on a team that finished third at the state tournament. Eight players 6-4 or taller return, including leading scorer Jake Paper (6-7) and sophomore Jaden Klabo (6-4). Paper averaged 16 points per game while Klabo put in 10 points per game.

See the MaxPreps North Dakota boys basketball stat leaders

3. Century (Bismarck)
Head coach: Darrin Mattern
2015-16 record: 24-3 Century cruised through the regular season with one loss and an 18-0 record in the Western Dakota Conference. However the Patriots lost to Minot in the west regional and then fell to West Fargo in the first round of the state tournament before claiming the consolation championship. Century lost one of the state's top athletes in Dalton Feeney, a three-sport star who earned Conference Player of the Year honors.

See the MaxPreps national boys basketball photos

4. West Fargo
Head coach: Josh Downey
2015-16 record: 23-4

West Fargo knocked off West Dakota Conference champion Century in the first round of the state tournament before eventually falling to WDC runner-up Minot in the championship game. While All-State forward Ahmed Aden has graduated, two other starters return in guards Haboniman Simon (senior) and Joe Pistorious (junior). Pistorious was the second-leading scorer on the team last year behind Aden at 14 points per game.

See the MaxPreps North Dakota boys basketball playoff brackets

5. Devils Lake
Head coach: Derek Gathman
2015-16 record: 14-12

Devils Lake exited the state tournament after two quick losses, but the Firebirds could be a team to watch this year with the return of All-State guard Jacob Mertens, a senior who averaged 20 points per game as a junior. Zach Dahlen, a 6-3 guard, also returns for his senior year after averaging 15 points last year.