MaxPreps 2014-15 Texas preseason boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Plano West
2013-14 finish: 22-7
Head coach: Anthony Morgan

With three of arguably the state's Top 10 prospects, the Wolves will present matchup problems galore. The potential is limitless for a front line of Texas A&M pledges Tyler Davis (6-foot-10) and Dennis Hogg (6-7) along with the highly sought Mickey Mitchell (6-7). Mitchell, who recently decommitted from Ohio State, missed most of his junior season with an injury. Hogg led last year's team in scoring with a 19.7 average. Once football ends, star running back Soso Jamabo (12.2 points per game last season) will be available for duty in the backcourt. Sophomore Chris Giles was in the backcourt rotation as a freshman. Vezi Magalela, a 6-5 senior, saw quality time off the bench as a forward. Coach Anthony Morgan's team could experience a stumble or two in a very difficult District 6-6A, but the high level of competition should serve the Wolves well once the playoffs arrive.

View last season's Texas boys basketball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. North Shore (Houston)
2013-14 finish: 35-3
Head coach: David Green Jr.

The Mustangs won their final 17 games on the way to the Class 5A state title in March. Senior returnee Jarrey Foster, a 6-5 swing man committed to SMU, was named championship game MVP after a 16-point, 10-rebound performance in a 57-45 victory over Judson (Converse). University of Texas commit Kerwin Roach, a 6-4 shooting guard, scored 15 points with six rebounds and three steals in the title game and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Coach David Green Jr. had to bid farewell to eight seniors, including three starters. But three returning forwards, 6-3 Chukumeke Egbule, 6-2 Derec Burks and 6-4 Dorance Armstrong, saw considerable playing time in key situations last season. All three are members of the football team and Egbule has verbally committed to Houston for football.

View last season's Texas boys basketball playoff brackets

3. DeSoto
2013-14 finish: 31-4
Head coach: Chris Dyer

Even after graduating seven seniors, including three starters, coach Chris Dyer always finds a way to rebuild without missing a beat. Two starting guards, senior Dominique Thomas and junior Julian Miranda, return from last year's 31-4 state semifinalist club. Thomas averaged nine points and four assists while being named the district‘s defensive MVP. Miranda led the Eagles in assists and averaged seven points. On the inside, 6-9 Marques Bolden saw quality time off the bench last season and was named the district's outstanding sophomore. In Dyer's defense-first philosophy (the word "defense" adorned the back of game jerseys last season), the Eagles' individual scoring averages rarely are very high, but the win total is. Don't look for that to change this season.

View last season's Texas boys basketball stat leaders

4. Fort Bend Bush (Richmond)
2013-14 finish: 30-5
Head coach: Ronnie Courtney

The Broncos are averaging 30 wins per season over the last three years under coach Ronnie Courtney, who guided Bush to a 2010 state title. Tradition has been established. It took eventual state champion North Shore (Houston) to end the Broncos playoff run in the Class 5A Region III title game last season. Bush was upended, 60-58. Key returnees include 5-9 senior guard Brendon Ganaway (16.3 scoring average) and 6-7 senior forward Eden Ewing (13.4). Ganaway is a Southern University pledge and Ewing is headed to Nevada. Center Joshua Jones (6-7, 276) and guard Travis Downing are other key prospects. Jones has a football commitment to Oklahoma State as an offensive tackle.

View last season's Texas boys basketball pro photo galleries

5. Lancaster
2013-14 finish: 30-5
Head coach: Ferrin Douglas

A heartbreaking finish to the 2013-14 season could spur the talented Tigers to take the final step to the state final four this time around. With a berth to the state tournament on the line last season, Lancaster took a nine-point lead into the fourth quarter of the Class 4A Region II title game against Kimball (Dallas), only to wilt in a 66-62 loss. Most of the key players are back for Lancaster, which will compete in Class 5A this time. Heading the list is Texas A&M pledge Elijah Thomas, a 6-9 forward considered by many the top college prospect in the state. Thomas averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds as a junior. Antwon Portley, a 6-3 mid-season transfer from DeSoto in 2013, averaged 13.6 points for coach Ferrin Douglas. Nate Morris, a 6-9 junior center, averaged six rebounds last season. This could be the season for the Tigers to take that final step.