Since 2000, plenty of talent has passed through the game of high school basketball and teams like the 2020 Montverde Academy team and the 2016 Chino Hills squad will be forever remembered as arguably two of the greatest teams in high school basketball history.
Factoring
in final standing in the national rankings, competition level, roster composition, star power and overall team record and success we are zeroing on the best team in all 50 states since 2000.
From 2019 Mountain Brook in Alabama to 2009 Natrona County in Wyoming and all points in between, find out who
we picked in your state below.
Michael Porter Jr. led Nathan Hale to a 2017 MaxPreps National Championship while earning National Player of the Year honors.
File photo by Vince Miller
Best basketball team in each state since 2000
Alabama
Year: 2019
Record: 31-5
Top Players: Colby Jones, Paul Stramaglia, Trendon Watford
Resume: Finished the season ranked No. 5 in final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings after capturing their third consecutive state title. The Spartans also advanced to the City of Palms semifinals, handing eventual national champion IMG Academy their only loss of the season. Watford earned first-team MaxPreps All-American honors, averaging 23.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per contest.
Alaska
Year: 2012
Record: 25-1
Top Players: Brock Crowe, Ryden Hines, Colter Lasher
Resume: Although the Lynx split a pair of regular season meetings with Class 3A
state champion Monroe Catholic, they captured their second state
championship in four seasons after outscoring their opponents by over 30
points per contest. Dimond was led by Class 4A state all-tournament selections Hines, Lasher and Crowe.
Arizona
Year: 2021
Record: 28-2
Top Players: DaRon Holmes, Javon Small, Glenn Taylor, TyTy Washington
Resume: Earned first GEICO Nationals invite, rising from an unranked preseason squad to No. 2 in the final MaxPreps Top 25. The Dragons narrowly lost to eventual national champion Montverde Academy by two points in the GEICO Nationals semifinals. Washington averaged 24 points, seven assists and six rebounds per contest to earn first-team MaxPreps All-America honors.
Arkansas
Year: 2022
Record: 27-3
Top Players: Tyler Frederick, Charles Maris Jr., Nick Smith, Kel'el Ware, Corey Washington
Resume: The Charging Wildcats ended the season No. 5 in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings after capturing the program's second consecutive state title. North Little Rock went 9-2 against out-of-state competition led by first team MaxPreps All-America selections Nick Smith and Kel'el Ware.
California
Year: 2016
Record: 35-0
Top Players: LaMelo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, Lonzo Ball, Elizjah Scott, Onyeka Okongwu
Resume: One of the most explosive offensive attacks in history averaged 97.9 points per game and topped the 100-point mark 18 times. The Huskies outscored opponents by an average of 28.4 points per contest and won the City of Palms Classic and CIF Open Division state title. National Player of the Year Lonzo Ball averaged 23.9 points, 11.5 assists, 11.3 rebounds and 5.1 steals per contest.
Colorado
Year: 2004
Record: 24-0
Top Players: Charlie Mays, Sean Ogirri, Derek Rorex, Dazzmond Thornton
Resume: Billed as the state's best player since Chauncey Billups, Ogirri scored a game-high 32 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, in the Angels' 64-56 state title game victory. Denver East ended the year ranked No. 21 in National Prep Basketball's final Top 25 poll.
Connecticut
Year: 2004
Record: 27-0
Top Players: Craig Austrie, Dave McClure
Resume: Capped their run to consecutive state championships and three state titles in four seasons with a 52-game winning streak to end their 2004 campaign. Trinity Catholic finished the year ranked No. 19 in National Prep Basketball's final Top 25 behind 2004 state Player of the Year McClure and 2005 state Player of the Year Austrie. The private school closed its doors prior to the 2020-21 school year.
Delaware
Year: 2002
Record: 25-2
Top Players: Will Sheridan, Earl Miller
Resume: Sanford spent the entire season at the top of the state rankings, despite
losing two games in a national tournament held in Delaware in December.
Sanford topped Hodgson 63-44 in the state championship game. Sheridan
earned state Player of the Year honors as a junior while Miller made the
all-state team.
District of Columbia
Year: 2008
Record: 34-1
Top Players: Ian Hummer, Max Kenyi, Tyler Thornton
Resume: Won the Alhambra Invitational Tournament, Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and D.C. City title to cap an impressive season ranked No. 4 in the final 2007 ESPN Rise Top 25 rankings. Gonzaga avenged its only loss of the season in convincing fashion with a 61-44 road victory over DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) late in the season.
Florida
Year: 2020
Record: 25-0
Top Players: Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham, Caleb Houstan, Moses Moody, Da'Ron Sharpe
Resume: Arguably the greatest high school basketball team of all-time, the Eagles outscored their opponents by an average of 39 points per contest and notched seven wins over Top 25 opponents. Montverde Academy was dominant in runs to titles at the City of Palms Classic, John Wall Invitational, Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament and St. James Invitational. They were paced by a balanced effort led by Cunningham, the MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
Georgia
Year: 2019
Record: 32-0
Top Players: Alyn Breed, Sharife Cooper, Jared Jones, Isaac Okoro
Resume: The Indians ran the table against a grueling national schedule, picking up five wins over nationally-ranked opponents and capturing the City of Palms Classic title. McEachern also captured the program's first state title in Georgia's highest classification, while Mike Thompson was named MaxPreps National Coach of the Year, Cooper was named MaxPreps National Player of the Year and Okoro was named a second-team MaxPreps All-American.
Hawaii
Year: 2003
Record: 29-2
Top Players: Ryan Hirata, Derrick Low, Kyle Pape
Resume: Led by three-time state player of the year Low, the Raiders captured their second consecutive all-class state championship to finish the season ranked No. 40 in Student Sports Magazine's final Fab 50. 'Iolani narrowly fell to No. 5 Montrose Christian in the Iolani Classic, losing on a overtime, buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
Idaho
Year: 2013
Record: 31-1
Top Players: Joe Nelson, Isaiah Wright
Resume: Two-time Gatorade Player of the Year Wright averaged 16.2 points, 6.9 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game as a junior and earned Class 5A Idaho State Tournament MVP after leading the Lions to their third consecutive state championship. Borah defeated Rocky Mountain 47-44 in the state championship game behind 22 points from Wright.
Illinois
Year: 2013
Record: 30-3
Top Players: Kendrick Nunn, Jabari Parker, Kendall Pollard, Jaylon Tate
Resume: The Wolverines completed a dominant four-year run with a 118-15 record and four consecutive state championships under 2013 MaxPreps National Player of the Year Parker and current Miami Heat guard Nunn among others. Simeon competed against a loaded national slate and picked up a signature victory over Oak Hill Academy at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.
Indiana
Year: 2006
Record: 29-0
Top Players: Mike Conley, Brandon McDonald, Greg Oden, Damian Windham
Resume: The Wildcats captured their third consecutive state championship, completing the unbeaten season as the top-ranked team in high school basketball. Oden earned national player of the year honors for the second straight season after averaging 22 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest and shooting 74.1 percent from the field. Alongside Conley, Oden led Lawrence North to a 103-7 record during an impressive prep career.
Iowa
Year: 2010
Record: 27-0
Top Players: Harrison Barnes, Doug McDermott, Michael Weber
Resume: Led by arguably the greatest duo in Iowa history in Barnes and McDermott, Ames captured back-to-back state titles and won 53 straight games. Barnes averaged 27.4 points and 10.4 per contest and was named the 2010 MaxPreps National Player of the Year, capping his career as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,787 points. The Little Cyclones ended the year ranked No. 3 in MaxPreps Top 25.
Kansas
Year: 2022
Record: 25-2
Top Players: Cameron Corhen, Gradey Dick, Dillon Hunter, Scotty Middleton, Mark Mitchell
Resume: Despite losing in the first round of GEICO Nationals, the Buffaloes had their best season in program history after winning the NIBC and going 9-2 against ranked opponents. They slightly edge out the 2021 group led by first team MaxPreps All-America selection Gradey Dick and second-team pick Mark Mitchell.
Kentucky
Year: 2002
Record: 33-2
Top Players: William Graham, Demetrius Green, Ryan Morton, Brian Smith
Resume: Captured the program's first state championship with an 83-53 victory over Paducah Tilghman (Paducah). The Knights ended the year ranked No. 10 in USA Today's final Super 25 rankings. Then-sophomore Green was named Most Valuable Player of the state tournament after recording 24 points and 11 rebounds in the title game. Green became the program's all-time leading scorer before his record was surpassed in 2021.
Louisiana
Year: 2003
Record: 39-0
Top Players: Kentrell Gransberry, RoShon Jacobs
Resume: Posted one of the best large-school records in state history, including an overall total of 54 straight wins over two seasons
that included two state championships. Led by legendary coach Kenny Almond,
who ranks as one of the top 5 winningest coaches in state history,
Woodlawn finished the season ranked No. 6 in the nation by USA Today led by all-state selections Gransberry and Jacobs.
Maine
Year: 2001
Record: 21-0
Top Players: Brian Andre, Jason Hartwell, Luke Hartwell, Nick Pelotte
Resume: A small town in western Maine, Bingham is home to 1,200 people as Valley had an enrollment of 130 in 2001. That team won the program's fourth of six consecutive state championships amid a state-record 101-game winning streak. Over Christmas break that season, Valley played an exhibition game against the defending state champions of the highest classification, Bangor, and won by nearly 30 points.
Maryland
Year: 2011
Record: 25-1
Top Players: Justin Anderson, Michael Carrera, Tyrone Johnson
Resume: The program captured its only NHSI title (known now as GEICO Nationals) in 2011, ending the season ranked No. 4 in the MaxPreps Top 25. Led by high-major trio Johnson, Anderson and Carrera, the Mustangs edged Oak Hill Academy 71-64 in a double-overtime thriller in the NHSI title game. Montrose Christian was coaching legend Stu Vetter's last stop, spending 14 seasons with the programing and compiling a 321-47 record to end his high school coaching career 878-113.
Massachusetts
Year: 2002
Record: 26-0
Top Players: Rashid Al-Kaleem, Tony Chatman, Alan Taylor
Resume: Won its third consecutive Division II state championship to cap an impressive three-year run with a 79-1 record. The Townies ended the season ranked No. 16 in USA Today's final Super 25 led by the program's all-time leading scorer Al-Kaleem, who finished his career with 1,566 points.
Michigan
Year: 2004
Record: 27-0
Top Players: Joe Crawford, Malik Hairston, Tajuan Porter, Marcus Stout
Resume: McDonald's All-American selections Crawford and Hairston led the Phoenix to the No. 2 spot in the final USA Today Super 25 rankings after leading the program to their first state championship in dominant fashion. Hairston also earned state player of the year honors after averaging 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists per contest.
Minnesota
Year: 2020
Record: 28-0
Top Players: Austin Andrews, Connor Christensen, Drake Dobbs, John Henry
Resume: Became the first team in state history to have four players in the same class notch 1,000 career points as Andrews, Christensen, Dobbs and Henry each eclipsed the milestone over the course of their impressive high school careers. The Eagles finished the season ranked No. 9 in MaxPreps Top 25 rankings after putting an exclamation point on their season with a 78-64 victory over Top-10 ranked Minnehaha Academy.
Mississippi
Year: 2005
Record: 35-2
Top Players: Monta Ellis, Al Graham
Resume: Ellis finished an incredible high school career ranked second in state history with 4,167 points, leading the Bulldogs to a 129-16 record during his four seasons as a starter. As a senior, Ellis was named EA SPORTS National Player of the Year averaging 38.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 4.5 steals while leading the Bulldogs to their second state crown in four seasons after finishing runner-up the two previous years. Lanier finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation.
Missouri
Year: 2022
Record: 34-2
Top Players: Omaha Biliew, Trey Green, Julian Phillips, Tarris Reed Jr., Jordan Walsh
Resume: The first-year program solidified its lofty ranking at No. 3 in the National Top 20 with victories over top 10 teams Oak Hill Academy and Prolific Prep to advance to the GEICO Nationals title game. McDonald's All-Americans Julian Phillips and Jordan Walsh led the way in the Lions run to the title game.
Montana
Year: 2020
Record: 23-0
Top Players: Abe Johnson, Rollie Worcester
Resume: Two-time Montana Gatorade Player of the Year and four-time all-state selection Worcester ended his career as the Knights all-time leading scorer after averaging 20.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists as a senior. He led a senior-laden group to a perfect season and a share of the Class AA state title after the pandemic cut their season short after their state semifinal victory.
Nebraska
Year: 2021
Record: 27-2
Top Players: Jasen Green, Jadin Johnson, Hunter Sallis, Saint Thomas
Resume: Finished the season ranked No. 11 in MaxPreps Top 25 rankings after capturing the program's first state championship and notching a signature victory over perennial powerhouse Oak Hill Academy. The Mustangs were led by a pair of MaxPreps All-America selections in five-star Gonzaga pledge Sallis and MaxPreps Nebraska Player of the Year Thomas.
Nevada
Year: 2009
Record: 33-0
Top Players: Avery Bradley, Cory Joseph, Tristan Thompson, D.J. Richardson
Resume: An extremely talented group was led by an elite trio of future NBA role
players — Bradley, Joseph and Thompson. Findlay Prep took down Bishop
Gorman, Montrose Christian, Montverde Academy and Oak Hill Academy on its way to winning the inaugural National High School Invitational
(now the GEICO Nationals). This was the most dominant team of the
Pilots' three NHSI-winning groups.
New Hampshire
Year: 2019
Record: 24-0
Top Players: Cam Clark, Ryan Grijalva, Kevin Henry, Josh Morissette
Resume: After a tough 68-66 loss in the state semifinals the year prior, the Blue Hawks were on a mission in 2019 to capture the program's first state title in 42 years. They delivered in dominant fashion with a 53-30 Division I championship game victory over Salem. A veteran roster graduated eight seniors in 2019.
New Jersey
Team: St. Anthony (Jersey City)
Year: 2008
Record: 32-0
Top Players: Dominic Cheek, Jio Fontan, Mike Rosario, Tyshawn Taylor, Travon Woodall
Resume: This may have been coaching legend Bob Hurley's greatest team of the
2000s era, featuring a backcourt with five high-major guards. Cheek, Fontan, Rosario, Taylor and Woodall all had successful college careers at
high-major colleges and led the Friars to complete domination. St. Anthony
outscored opponents by nearly 40 points per game, playing one of
the most suffocating defenses of the 2000s.
New Mexico
Year: 2001
Record: 25-2
Top Players: Allen Haynes, Ronald Ross
Resume: Under the direction of ESPNRise National Coach of the Year Russ Gilmore, Hobbs captured the program's 14th overall state championship and third consecutive in a string of four straight state championships from 1998 to 2002 in which they compiled a 101-9 record overall. Hobbs finished the season No. 26 in the national rankings behind future Division I guards Haynes and Ross.
New York
Year: 2005
Record: 28-1
Top Players: Johnny Flynn, Greg Gamble, Rob Garrison, Paul Harris, Tyrell Lynch
Resume: Finished atop the national rankings, guided
by first team All-State selection Harris who averaged 19.7 points, 12.6
rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while overcoming a broken thumb on his
shooting hand. Alongside Harris, sophomore point guard Flynn
led a strong supporting cast. The Wolverines captured titles at the City of Palms Classic and New York Federation state tournament.
North Carolina
Year: 2017
Record: 34-4
Top Players: Will Dillard, John Newman, J.P. Moorman, Jordan Perkins
Resume: The only Tar Heel State team to win a game in GEICO Nationals, Greensboro Day ended the season No. 6 in MaxPreps Top 25 rankings after defeating two-seed IMG Academy 59-40 in a massive first-round upset. The Bengals are under the direction of legendary head coach Freddy Johnson, the state's all-time winningest coach with over 1,100 career victories.
North Dakota
Year: 2002
Record: 25-0
Top Players: Tyler Koenig, Tommy Leikas
Resume: Featuring a pair of North Dakota Mr. Basketball selections, Fargo North dismantled Fargo South 55-36 in the Class A state championship game to complete its unbeaten season. Leikas averaged 16.5 points, five assists and three rebounds per game to earn 2002 North Dakota Mr. Basketball honors, while then-junior Koenig averaged 15.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks to earn 2002 Gatorade Player of the Year honors.
Ohio
Year: 2003
Record: 25-1
Top Players: Sian Cotton, LeBron James, Corey Jones, Dru Joyce III, Romeo Travis
Resume: One of the most highly-anticipated high school prospect in basketball history, LeBron James helped St. Vincent-St. Mary capture its third state title in four year and finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation. LeBron won National Player of the Year honors after averaging 30.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists. His crew demolished then-No. 1 Oak Hill Academy
65-45 before heading to the West Coast to take down a Top-10 Mater Dei
(Santa Ana, Calif.).
Oklahoma
Year: 2001
Record: 26-2
Top Players: De'Angelo Alexander, Shelden Williams
Resume: After winning its second consecutive state championship, Midwest City ended the season ranked No. 7 in the nation behind consensus top 50 recruits Alexander and Williams. Williams won his first of two consecutive state Gatorade Player of the Year awards in 2001, averaging 19.7 points, 11.1 rebounds and 4.7 blocks as a junior.
Oregon
Year: 2000
Record: 28-0
Top Players: Brandon Brooks, Michael Lee, Aaron Miles, Jon Tinnon
Resume: One of the best teams in state history finished the season No. 4 in the national rankings after completing an unbeaten season with a 58-44 victory over Tualatin in the state title game. A deep, talented roster was led by 2000 state player of the year Brooks, who averaged 21 points, seven assists and three steals per game, and 2001 Class 4A player of the year Miles, who ended his career as the program's all-time leader in assists.
Pennsylvania
Year: 2012
Record: 32-0
Top Players: Richard Granberry, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Darius Robinson, Erikk Wright
Resume: Historically one of the most successful public school programs in state history, Chester kicked off the 2010 decade in dominant fashion with a pair of state
titles and a 61-game winning streak from January 2010 to December 2012. They finished the season No. 5 in MaxPreps Top 25 rankings after a dominant state championship run that saw the Clippers defeat Lower Merion (Ardmore) 59-33 in the title game.
Rhode Island
Year: 2006
Record: 19-0
Top Players: Joe Mazzulla, David Rufful
Resume: The only unbeaten state champion since 1997, Bishop Hendricken captured its third of seven consecutive state championships in 2006. Two-time state Gatorade Player of the Year Mazzulla put a bow on an impressive high school career with a game-winning, last-second shot to cap the Hawks unbeaten season with a 71-69 victory over Cranston West (Cranston).
South Carolina
Year: 2020
Record: 30-1
Top Players: Myles Tate, P.J. Hall, Justin Amadi
Resume: Dorman won four straight state championships from 2017 to 2020 with a 106-13 record during that stretch. The Cavaliers finished 2020 ranked No. 2 in MaxPreps Top 25 rankings behind South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year Hall and the program's all-time leading scorer Tate, who finished his career with 1,874 points. Both players were selected as MaxPreps All-Americans.
South Dakota
Year: 2009
Record: 25-0
Top Players: Derek Carlson, Almir Krdzalic, Anthony Muilenberg
Resume: Lincoln became the first team to finish the season undefeated in the state's largest classification since 1985, capping its season with an impressive 59-31 victory over Huron. Point guard Krdzalic led the way in the Patriots title game victory, scoring a game-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists.
Tennessee
Year: 2017
Record: 33-3
Top Players: Malcolm Dandridge, Chandler Lawson, Alex Lomax, T.J. Moss
Resume: In a year MaxPreps held separate rankings for high schools and
basketball academies, Memphis East finished No. 2 in MaxPreps Top 25 rankings after capturing its second of three consecutive state championships. The Mustangs notably won their season series 2-1 against Montverde Academy, the second-ranked team in MaxPreps Independent rankings.
Texas
Year: 2022
Record: 35-1
Top Players: Cameron Barnes, Anthony Black, Ashton Hardaway, Ronald Holland, Davion Sykes
Resume: Became the first team since Wheatley (Houston) from 1968-1970 to win three consecutive state titles in the Lone Star State's highest classification. The Panthers were this season's MaxPreps National Champions, finishing No. 1 in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings with wins over No. 2 ranked Centennial (Corona, Calif.) and Montverde Academy, the No. 1 ranked team in MaxPreps National Top 20 rankings.
Utah
Year: 2013
Record: 26-1
Top Players: Nick Emery, T.J. Haws, Eric Mika
Resume: In a season when MaxPreps held separate rankings for high schools and
basketball academies, Lone Peak finished as the nation's No. 1 team with
its only loss coming against Montverde Academy — the top-ranked academy
team. A talented roster featured 2013 Utah Mr. Basketball in Emery and 2014 Utah Mr Basketball Haws along with first team all-state selection Mika, who anchored the paint, averaging 16.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per outing.
Vermont
Year: 2018
Record: 23-0
Top Players: Jamison Evans, Noah Tyson
Resume: Captured back-to-back state titles in 2017 and 2018, winning
46-game consecutive during that period. Rutland defeated Mt. Mansfield 45-39 in the
championship game to become the third undefeated Division I team in
35 years. Evans and Tyson both earned first team all-state honors by the
Burlington Free Press.
Virginia
Year: 2004
Record: 38-0
Top Players: Brian Johnson, K.C. Rivers, Rajon Rondo, Josh Smith, DayShawn Wright
Resume: Rondo dominated competition his senior season, setting Oak Hill
Academy records for assists in a season (494) and assists in a game
(31). He averaged 13 assists per game to a plethora of talented teammates led by fellow Class of 2004 sensation Smith — who declared for the NBA following his senior year. Oak Hill Academy finished the year No. 1 in the nation and tied an all-time team record with five event titles.
Washington
Year: 2017
Record: 29-0
Top Players: P.J. Fuller, Jontay Porter, Michael Porter Jr.
Resume: Nathan Hale went from a 3-18 season in 2016 to MaxPreps National Champions in 2017 behind highly touted transfers headlined by MaxPreps National Player of the Year Porter Jr., who averaged 37 points and 14.3 rebounds. Coached by former NBA star Brandon Roy, the Raiders captured the Les Schwab Invitational, won the Class 4A state championship and defeated national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.
West Virginia
Year: 2007
Record: 25-2
Top Players: O.J. Mayo, Patrick Patterson, Michael Taylor, Jamaal Williams
Resume: Ended the year No. 8 in the nation according to USA Today's final Super 25 rankings. Mayo earned National Player of the Year honors by ESPN after averaging 28.2 points, while Patterson, Taylor and Williams each earn all-state honors. Huntington captured the Class AAA state title, defeating South Charlestown 103-61 in the championship game.
Wisconsin
Year: 2013
Record: 26-0
Top Players: Lamonte Bearden, Luke Fischer, Jake Showalter
Resume: The 2013 team was part of a run of three-straight state titles and 69-straight wins during a span it finished in MaxPreps Top 25 each season. Then-junior Fisher went on to win Wisconsin Mr. Basketball honors as a senior and averaged 21.3 points during his junior season. Germantown ended the year No. 2 in MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Wyoming
Year: 2009
Record: 27-1
Top Players: Michael Dietz, Tommy Earl
Resume: This group captured the first of two consecutive state championships and fourth of the decade behind Wyoming Gatorade Player of the Year Dietz, who averaged 17.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. Fellow all-state selection Earl chipped in 17 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and earned Wyoming Gatorade Player of the Year honors in football.