Familiar names are expected to be in the mix once again for the No. 1 spot in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25 heading into the 2025-26 high school basketball campaign. Our way-too-early look at next season features
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) as the team to beat with
Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) at No. 2.
St. John Bosco is led by a trio of top 10 Class of 2026 prospects as Westchester transfer
Tajh Ariza is expected to join top returners
Christian Collins and
Brandon McCoy Jr. After falling in the first round of the Open Division state tournament in 2024-25, the Braves are the early favorite to capture the Open Division crown next season.
Following a run to the top spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25 in 2023-24, Paul VI finished the season in the top 10 of the national rankings for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25. The defending WCAC champions will again by guided by MaxPreps National Junior of the Year
Jordan Smith.
2024-25: 26-7
After
winning the Division I state championship in 2023-24, the Braves were
knocked off in the first round of the Open Division state championship
this past season. Although conference player of the year Elzie
Harrington will be a big loss due to graduation, top 10 Class of 2026
prospects Collins and McCoy are expected to have have big-time senior
campaigns next season. St. John Bosco also recently received news another top 10 prospect would be joining the mix as
Tajh Ariza announced his transfer from Westchester (Los Angeles) yesterday.
2024-25: 27-6, No. 10 in final MaxPreps Top 25
The back-to-back Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champions will be among the teams to beat next season led by MaxPreps National Junior of the Year Smith. Despite graduating four starters following a run to the top spot in the rankings in 2023-24, the Panthers were able to win the WCAC regular season and tournament championships this season. Expect the Panthers to build on a strong supporting cast of Brown, Daniels and Mena in the offseason.
2024-25: 28-8, No. 11 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Some questions surround whether top-ranked Class of 2026 prospect Stokes may reclassify into the Class of 2025 after announcing he would forgo club basketball this summer. However, if Stokes returns for his senior campaign, he will anchor an ultra-talented returning core of Bowman Nance and White. The Knights got better as the season went along in 2024-25, ultimately advancing to the Open Division state semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Roosevelt (Eastvale) 79-76.
2024-25: 29-3, No. 7 in final MaxPreps Top 25
After making a run to their fourth state championship in the past six seasons, the Wildcats sit in a strong position to continue their dominance next season behind a talented returning backcourt. MaxPreps All-America selection Landrew will again be the catalyst, while top 50 Class of 2027 prospect Savage is expected to take another step in his development. Although Wheeler is currently lacking in the front-court, they may possess the best group of returning guards in high school basketball.
2024-25: 26-4, No. 24 in final MaxPreps Top 25
The Crusaders have a loaded senior classification expected to return next season that features the most talented front-court in high school basketball anchored by the twin sons of former NBA all-star Theo Ratliff, Adonis and Darius Ratliff. Along with the talented 6-foot-11 duo, MaxPreps Junior All-America selection Jervis and do-it-all wing Koureissi headline the top returners for the three-time defending CHSAA Class AA champions.
2024-25: 30-3, No. 1 in final MaxPreps Top 25
The loss of the Boozer twins and the departure of head coach Andrew Moran leave plenty of questions for the four-time defending Class 7A state champions. Top 20 Class of 2026 prospects Gaskins and Richardson would form one of the top duos in high school basketball as both players are expected to see major role increases after earning MaxPreps Junior All-America honors.
2024-25: 25-2, No. 9 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Four-time defending Class 2 state champions are again expected to be formidable in 2025-26. MaxPreps Junior All-America selection Allmond headlines the notable returners while four-star Mississippi State commit Givan and promising Class of 2028 prospect Carter are expected to play pivotal roles.
8. Sunnyslope (Phoenix, Ariz.)2024-25: 21-9
Notable Losses: None
The Vikings took their lumps early against a brutal schedule but responded by winning 13 of their final 15 games, advancing to the Open Division state championship game. Sunnyslope returns each of its top six scorers led by MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Wabbington, Portela and Prescott.
9. Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)2024-25: 22-1, No. 5 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Despite the loss of McDonald's All-American selection Shon Abaev, the Eagles possess the returning talent to make another run to the top 10 of the national rankings. MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection Daughtry is expected to take over as the catalyst while Francis, Hallas and four-star Class of 2026 prospect Paul should see increases in production after playing key roles in Calvary Christian Academy's run to the Class 3A state championship.
10. Owasso (Okla.)2024-25: 25-5
The departure of 6-foot-11 center Jax Kerr leaves a major hole in the frontcourt but Owasso has plenty of potential behind two-time MaxPreps Oklahoma Player of the Year Montonati. Despite losing in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament, the Rams spent time in the national rankings after an impressive showing at the City of Palms Classic. Three-star guard Williams leads a strong supporting cast.
2024-25: 30-2, No. 18 in final MaxPreps Top 25
The defending Class 6A state champions are expected to return all major production from last season outside of their second-leading scorer Wimbley. Under-the-radar Class of 2027 prospect Westbrook led the team in scoring last season while Drake Sandi, Sandi, Accius and Elliott each played key roles in the Red Raiders championship run.
2024-25: 39-1
Notable losses: None
The Eagles began their 2024-25 campaign with 39 consecutive victories before falling to eventual state champion West Brook in the Class 5A Division 1 state semifinals. Each of the team's top six scorers from last season are expected to return to the rotation headlined by MaxPreps Junior All-America selection Mondragon. Couture and Moore also averaged in double-figures last season.
2024-25: 34-2
Graduate just one starter from their run to the Division II Class AA state championship. Six of the seven players to receive playing time in the state title game were underclassmen as Leeth, Lentz, Luton and Swearengen are each expected to return to the starting rotation.
Expected to return each of their top three scorers from a group that finished the season ranked No. 48 in the final national rankings after capturing the Class AAAA state championship. MaxPreps Junior All-America selection Wiggins is a state POY candidate while fellow Class of 2026 prospects Anderson and Olmstead add to the firepower.
2024-25: 28-4, No. 16 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Expect the Rams to be active in high school basketball's transfer portal this summer after graduating four of five starters from a team that reached the Class AAAAAA state semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Wheeler. Despite the losses, MaxPreps All-American Holt anchors a returning core that includes promising Class of 2028 prospect Johnson and Rampersant. Grayson has already added touted Class of 2027 guard
Marcus Curry from Grovetown.
2024-25: 31-3, No. 3 in final MaxPreps Top 25
The loss of five-star Duke signee Khamenia will be immense for the Wolverines but four of the top six contributors return. After winning back-to-back Open Division state titles, Harvard-Westlake fell in the state quarterfinals in 2024-25. Incoming seniors Bentho, Jones and Sterling return to the starting lineup.
2024-25: 26-6
The Buffaloes came up short against No. 5 Calvary Christian Academy in the Class 3A state championship game in a heartbreaker. They are again expected to be a formidable again next season behind top returners four-star Class of 2027 prospect Britt, four-star Class of 2026 prospect Brutus, Bernard and Thompson.
2024-25: 20-6
Notable losses: None
Made a run to the Class 5A state semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Olympus (Salt Lake City) without a senior on the roster. Rueckert will likely be heavily recruited by top basketball academies but if he remains, each of Timpview's top seven contributors from last season will be seniors.
2024-25: 23-9
Notable losses: None
A youthful group took its lumps last season as the Cougars started 5-5 before winning 23 of their final 27 games. Chambers knocked off nationally-ranked Christ School (Arden, N.C.) and eventual Class 4A state champion North Mecklenburg (Huntersville) to display their elite potential. Following a run to the Class 4A state semifinals, expectations will be high entering next season led by a pair of returning 20-point per game scorers in Bouie and Kerr.
20. Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul, Minn.)2024-25: 29-2
It will not be easy to replace the interior production of Notre Dame-bound center Ahneman and Dixon, but the Red Raiders have the pieces to compete for the Class AAAA state championship next season behind top returners MaxPreps Sophmore All-America selection Ty Schlagel and under-the-radar Class of 2026 guard Mitchell. Outside of Ahneman and Dixon, Cretin-Derham Hall is expected to return virtually all of its production from a team that ended the year ranked No. 69 in the national rankings.
2024-25: 31-0, No. 21 in final MaxPreps Top 25
The Rams own the nation's longest win streak at 60 games after completing their second consecutive unbeaten run to the Class 2A state championship. Although MaxPreps Junior All-America selection Neal and four-star Oregon signee Harrison are the only potential returners who saw significant time last season, the Rams have a strong track record with the dynamic duo leading the charge over the past three seasons.
2024-25: 14-15
Notable Losses: None
The Mustangs got off to a disastrous start last season as they lost their first nine games before getting on track. A leap of faith is required for a team that finished under .500 but the talent combined with wins over nationally-ranked Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.) is hard to ignore. Top 20 Class of 2026 prospect Samuels leads an ultra-talented group of high-major prospects.
2024-25: 31-3
Following a strong regular season, the Tigers were upset in the opening round of the Sweet 16 state tournament by Jeffersontown (Louisville) 64-59. Class of 2026 wing Jackson will again be the catalyst while promising Class of 2028 guard Lindsay is expected to take a major step forward next season.
24. Fishers (Ind.)2024-25: 30-1
Despite
graduating five of their top seven scorers due to graduation, a
returning backcourt of MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection Gardner
and Zachary goes a long way toward making this group formidable again
next season. There are question marks but a record of 59-2 over the past two
seasons under head coach Garrett Winegar leaves reason for promise.
2024-25: 27-5
The Statesmen won the Class 5 state championship with their top two
scorers being a sophomore and freshman, respectively. MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year Adkinson and Freshman
All-America selection Simpson anchor a talented group that will
be expected to take a significant step onto the national stage next
season.
