MaxPreps 2012-13 California preseason boys basketball Fab 5

MaxPreps 2012-13 California Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach)
Head coach: Sharrief Metoyer
2011-12 finish: 29-3, lost in Southern Section 1AA finals to eventual state champion Mater Dei; lost in CIF South Region Division I semifinal to Bullard

The Jackrabbits were perhaps already the state's top team heading into 2012-13 with the likes of the nation's No. 47 recruit – 6-foot-5 do-everything forward and USC-commit Roschon Prince, along with 6-7 4-star power forward Jordan Bell, 6-2 junior shooting guard Kameron Murrell and super 5-9 sophomore point guard Ke'jhan Feagin. But then they landed one of the nation's top juniors Kameron Chatman, a 6-6 transfer from Jefferson (Portland, Ore.). Now Poly, long known as the high school that has produced the most football players to the NFL, has a legitimate shot to win its first state title – and only second overall – since 1984.

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2. Salesian (Richmond)
Head coach: Bill Mellis
2011-12 finish: 33-3, won North Coast Section, CIF North Region and CIF State Division IV championships

The Pride lost just three seniors off last year's squad and return at least three Division I players, led by the nation's No. 24 recruit, 6-5 shooting guard Jabari Bird, who has committed to Cal. Salesian is extremely quick and deep with Montana-bound Mario Dunn (6-0) and Cal Poly commit Markel Leonard (6-0). The only question is size and beef but with 6-4 returner Jermaine Edmonds and a pair of transfers, 6-8 junior Jonathan Galloway (from Liberty-Brentwood) and 6-5 sophomore Lance Coleman (St. Mary's-Stockton), not to mention 6-7 freshman Ben Kone, the Pride will make a strong push for their third state title and fourth finals appearance in six years.

See last season's California stat leaderboard

3. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)
Head coach: Tim Kennedy
2011-12 finish: 31-3, won Central Coast Section, CIF North Region and CIF State Division II titles for second straight season

It's no secret that all starts and stops with the nation's No. 5 recruit, Aaron Gordon, a 6-8 post with guard skills and a constant motor. Gordon, who averaged 22.9 points and 12.8 rebounds as a junior, will try to become the first San Francisco Bay Area player to win the San Francisco Chronicle Metro Player of the Year award three straight years. He'll need help for him and the Monarchs to three-peat. The rest of last year's starters graduated, but 6-2 junior shooting guard Connor Peterson has improved immensely and should be double-digit scorer. Brandon Farrell (6-6) and Ian Aguilar (6-5) will help Gordon down low, junior Matt McAndrews (5-10) should run point and Brandon Abajelo (6-3) will contribute at wing. Sophomore Dekari Monroe (6-0) will be huge spark once football season ends.

See last season's California boys basketball Freeman Rankings

4. Sheldon (Sacramento)
Head coach: Joey Rollings
2011-12 finish: 29-6, won Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF North Region Division I titles; lost in CIF State finals to Mater Dei

The Huskies, who won the SJS's first Division I title in almost two decades, will be the favorite this season – if they don't opt up to the Open Division – thanks to a Division I starting five. Guards D'Erryl Williams, a rugged 6-3 point, and smooth shooting 6-6 Dakarai Allen, are both headed to San Diego State. Darin Johnson, a 6-4 transfer from Franklin, has committed to Washington. Williams averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists a game, while Allen, the nation's No. 82 recruit, averaged 15, nine and 3. Ryan Manning, a 6-6 shooting guard whose dad Rich played in the NBA, and 6-3 guard Armani Hampton, are both expected to land Division I scholarships as well.

See last season's California boys basketball playoff brackets

5. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
Head coach: Derrick Taylor
2011-12 finish: 25-8, lost in the Southern Section 3A semifinals; lost in the CIF South Region Divison III finals to Alemany

Judging from last year's playoff results, the Braves have some scores to settle and with the dynamic Hamilton brothers returning and so much more, they have the tools to do it. Isaac Hamilton, a 6-5 shooting guard, is the nation's No. 15 senior recruit and his brother Daniel Hamilton, a 6-6 forward, is the country's No. 32 junior. Bosco also has a legitimate big man in 6-9 junior Devin Burleson and 6-4 shooting guard Tyler Dorsey is one of the nation's top sophomores. The Braves also got a pair of key transfers Brian Nebo, a 6-4 junior guard who averaged 13.2 points per game at Gahr last season, and Tyler Dorsey, a 6-4 sophomore from Ribet Academy.