High school basketball rankings: Columbus opens at No. 1 in Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

Gonzaga, Roosevelt and Oak Ridge among contenders to challenge head coach Andrew Moran's Explorers this season.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
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Nov 6, 2024, 9:30am
The No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings belongs to Columbus (Miami, Fla.). Behind twin stars Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer, the Explorers have won three consecutive Class 7A state championships and finished the 2023-24 campaign ranked No. 2 with a record of 29-5.

The Boozer twins recently committed to Duke and Cameron is the reigning MaxPreps National Junior of the Year. They are joined by returning top 30 junior Jaxon Richardson.

Columbus also welcomes a talented cast of newcomers, including top 10 junior Caleb Gaskins, 6-foot-10 center Eric Dibami, 6-7 forward Keeper Jackson and 6-3 guard Marcellous Jackson.

Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.) and Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.), who all finished ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 last season, are among other programs with eyes on winning a national title.

Read on for a complete look at the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25. Click on school names for in-depth previews of each team.
(Graphic: Ryan Escobar)
(Graphic: Ryan Escobar)
1. Columbus (Miami, Fla.)
2023-24: 29-5, No. 2 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: Begin the season as the top-ranked team in the nation for the second consecutive year behind No. 2-ranked Duke pledge Cameron Boozer and an impressive supporting cast. The Explorers take on one of the toughest schedules in the country with showdowns against nationally-ranked opponents Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.), Bullis (Potomac, Md.) and Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) along with a trip to the City of Palms Classic.

2023-24: 28-6, No. 23
Breakdown: After reaching the WCAC title game last season, the Eagles are favored to capture their first conference championship since 2019. Gonzaga returns four starters from last season headlined by a trio of four-star seniors in North Carolina commit Derek Dixon, Virginia Tech pledge Christian Gurdak and Xavier commit Nykolas Lewis.

2023-24: 31-4, No. 4
Breakdown: Begin the season as slight favorites to capture the Open Division state championship in a loaded California field that includes five teams ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25. The Mustangs return four of their top five scorers from last season headlined by five-star senior Brayden Burries along with New Mexico commit Issac Williamson and senior guards Myles Walker and Dominic Copenhagen.

2023-24: 27-4, No. 7
Breakdown: Following a run to the Class 7A state championship game last season, the Pioneers look to capture their first state crown since 2018 behind top 70 seniors Providence commit Jamier Jones and LSU commit Jalen Reece. Other key pieces include Ohio commit CeZanne Mosley, top 150 senior Treyvon Maddox and junior center Tim Winkler.

2023-24: 28-7, No. 25
Breakdown: Defending Division I state champions add five-star junior Christian Collins to a talented returning cast that includes 2023-24 MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year Brandon McCoy and four-star Harvard pledge Elzie Harrington. The Braves look to compete for the state title in the Open Division this season after winning their second championship in program history last year.

2023-24: 24-6, No. 32
Breakdown: Three-time defending state champions return three starters from their run to the Open Division state championship last season, including first team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection Koa Peat, University of Missouri-Kansas City commit D'Andre Harrison and senior guard NoNo Brown. The Pumas face a challenging schedule headlined by a trip to Hoophall West and a showdown with top-ranked Columbus at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.

2023-24: 30-2, No. 5
Breakdown: Reigning Class 7A state champions replenished key losses to graduation with the notable additions of top five junior Caleb Holt, Cal State-Fullerton commit K.J. Garris and senior guard Chris McLavish. Top 40 Georgia commit Jacob Wilkins and three-star center Amir Taylor are the top returners for the favorites to repeat as the champions in the Peach State's highest classification.

2023-24: 31-5, No. 50
Breakdown: In search of their first state championship, the Bears return all five starters from a team that reached the Class 6A regional semifinals last season. Five-star senior Kingston Flemings is again expected to be the catalyst while Isaiah Ward, Camden Cowgill, Donovan Criss and Talon Todd round out the returning starters for the top-ranked team out of the Lone Star State.

2023-24: 35-3, No. 1
Breakdown: Defending national champions return just one starter from last season as third team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection Jordan Smith is expected to lead the charge. Other top returners Towson commit Jaquan Womack and Utah State pledge Adlan Elamin are joined by a strong mix of newcomers including promising sophomore forward Derek Daniels.

Breakdown: Two-time defending Open Division state champions have a chance to capture their third straight title this season led by top 20 Duke commit Nikolas Khamenia. The addition of four-star junior Joe Sterling is expected to stabilize major losses due to graduation in the backcourt. Dominique Bentho and Isaiah Carroll look to step into increased roles for the Wolverines.

2023-24: 27-3, No. 40
Breakdown: Although last season ended with a disappointing double-overtime loss to DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) in the Maryland private school state title game, Bullis returns top 40 Connecticut commit Eric Reibe, Stonehill College commit Darren Moore and Marquette pledge Adrien Stevens. Promising freshman Xavier Skipworth is also a name to watch.

2023-24: 26-4, No. 11
Breakdown: Two-time defending CHSAA Class AA champions return just two starters from last season but have ample depth to replace the losses. Massachusetts commit Danny Carbuccia is expected to be joined by juniors Jasiah Jervis, Hassan Koureissi, Dylan Perry and Darius Ratliff in the starting rotation. A matchup with top-ranked Columbus on Dec. 14 looms large.

2023-24: 25-5, No. 39
Breakdown: Return four starters from a team that reached the Open Division state championship game last season. Second team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection Cameron Holmes headlines the top returners along with four-star Utah State pledge Kingston Tosi and senior guards J.T. Amundsen and Quincy Everson. The Tigers take on an ambitious national schedule that includes trips to the City of Palms Classic and Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions.

2023-24: 27-4, No. 20
Breakdown: Three-time defending DCSAA Class AA state champions look to continue their recent success led by three returning starters. Top 40 Kentucky commit Acaden Lewis, George Washington commit Jalen Rougier-Roane and senior guard Caleb Gillus look to complete the four-peat as a senior class. The Quakers have compiled a record of 85-10 over the past three seasons.

2023-24: 36-2, No. 30
Breakdown: Just the sixth year of the school's existence, Great Crossing looks to build on the best season in program history. Top 25 Kentucky commit Malachi Moreno, Morehead State pledge Vince Dawson and senior guards Junius Burrell and Gage Richardson each return as four-year starters.

2023-24: 25-3, No. 19
Breakdown: Three-time defending Class 2A state champions are overwhelming favorites to capture their fourth consecutive title after knocking off opponents by an average of 56.7 points per contest in state playoff action last season. Top 70 juniors Latrell Allmond and Mississippi State pledge Ladarius Givan form an impressive frontcourt. Richmond commit Aiden Argabright and Fordham-bound Troy Henderson are players to watch in the backcourt.

2023-24: 30-3, No. 35
Breakdown: Two-time defending state champions in the highest classification of the Yellowhammer State returns all five starters from last season powered by top 100 Tennessee commit DeWayne Brown and four-star UAB pledge Salim London. Seniors Austin Dudley, Jarett Fairley and Seneca Robinson are again expected to round out the starting lineup for the experienced unit.

2023-24: 28-2, No. 17
Breakdown: Following a surprise season that saw them capture the Chick-fil-A Classic title with victories over nationally-ranked Grayson and John Marshall, the Blazers are led by the backcourt of four-star junior Korie Corbett, promising sophomore D.J. Wylie and junior Yale Davis.

2023-24: 26-4, No. 45
Breakdown: The Trailblazers benefit from the addition of three key newcomers as four-star Rutgers commit Chris Nwuli, top 40 junior Maximo Adams and three-star senior Gavin Hightower look to integrate into a group that returns just one starter in three-star senior Bryce Cofield. Sierra Canyon look to contend for its first state title since going back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.

2023-24: 27-1, No. 22
Breakdown: Defending Division I state champions begin the season as the highest ranked team out of the Midwest after securing their first MaxPreps Top 25 finish a year ago. The Eaglets return four starters from last season as Western Michigan pledge Sharod Barnes, Michigan State football commit Jayden Savoury and senior guard Isaiah Hines are joined by the team's catalyst — five-star senior Trey McKenney.

2023-24: 25-3, No. 99
Breakdown: Defending Philadelphia Catholic League champions were upset in the Class 6A state quarterfinals last season after coming into the postseason as favorites to capture their fifth state championship since 2015. The Cahillites look to get over the hump this season with top 40 sophomore Tyler Sutton joining Lafayette commit Shareef Jackson and four-star junior Sammy Jackson.

2023-24: 25-8, No. 37
Breakdown: The Cadets are the third team featured out of the loaded WCAC in the national rankings as the experienced group brings back four starters from a top 50 finish last season. Pittsburgh commit Omari Witherspoon, Towson pledge Jon Barton and juniors Devin Toatley and Zyion Chase are expected to again be the key cogs in a rotation deep with talent.

2023-24: 25-6, No. 56
Breakdown: A revamped roster features a pair of high-major transfers as top 50 Mississippi commit Tylis Jordan and top 70 junior Colben Landrew are expected to be the go-to guys for a team that returns three starters. Wheeler possesses the talent to take home its second state title in the past three seasons and their 10th overall since 1994.

2023-24: 31-4, No. 44
Breakdown: The fifth team in the national rankings from California, St. Joseph returns four starters from last season headlined by five-star Baylor commit Tounde Yessoufou, who enters his senior year with 2,816 career points. Yessoufou will again be joined by juniors Abdoul Bare, Gunner Morinini and four-star standout Julius Price in the starting five for a program in search of its first state title.

2023-24: 29-0, No. 26
Breakdown: Coming off an unbeaten Class 2A state championship run in 2023-24, the Rams have compiled a record of 55-1 over the past two seasons with a pair of title game appearances. Reidsville is headlined by reigning MaxPreps National Male Athlete of the Year Kendre Harrison. Dionte Neal, Johnniyus Sharpe and Cam’ron Jones also return from last year's starting rotation.

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