MaxPreps 2016-17 Washington preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Jaylen Nowell's highlight vs. Issaquah High School (4A District Championship)
See the Garfield star in action.


1. Garfield (Seattle)
2015-16 record: 26-3
Head coach: Ed Haskins

University of Washington commitments Jaylen Nowell (6-foot-5, Sr., G) and Daejon Davis (6-3, Sr., G) will lead Garfield's charge for a third state title in four years. Big man J'Raan Brooks (6-9, Jr., F/C) is another that will be playing big-time college basketball down the road. The Bulldogs will face stiff competition from within their own league in Nos. 2-4 Nathan Hale, Rainier Beach and O'Dea.

See the MaxPreps Washington boys basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Nathan Hale (Seattle)
2015-16 record: 3-18
Head coach: Brandon Roy

From 3-18 to potential state championship contenders – that's what happens when you add arguably the best high school basketball player in the country to the roster. That would be Michael Porter Jr. (6-9, Sr., G/F), who comes with the added bonus of "little" brother Jontay Porter (6-9, Jr., F). That duo led Father Tolton of Columbia to a state title in Missouri a year ago. Garfield transfer P.J. Fuller (6-4, So., G) adds to the newfound star power at Hale.

See the MaxPreps Washington boys basketball stat leaders

3. Rainier Beach (Seattle)
2015-16 record: 23-6
Head coach: Mike Bethea After an up and down regular season in 2015-16, the Vikings got hot down the stretch and upended Metro League foes Garfield and O'Dea in the 3A state tournament for the title. Top 100 prospect Kevin Porter (6-5, Jr., G) played a key role in that run and should develop as a full-fledged star this winter.

See the MaxPreps Washington boys basketball photos

4. O'Dea (Seattle)
2015-16 record: 22-8
Head coach: Jason Kerr

A rebuilding year was expected last year at O'Dea under first-year coach Kerr, who won state titles in 2003, 2006 and 2009 at Franklin. Instead, Kerr led the Fighting Irish to the 3A state title game. Four of the team's top six scorers are back, including Xavier Smith (6-3, Sr., G), Noah Williams (6-5, So., G/F) and Cal Hansen 6-5, Jr., F).

See the MaxPreps Washington boys basketball playoff brackets

5. Federal Way
2015-16 record: 28-0
Head coach: Jerome Collins

While many of Seattle's top programs have been slugging it out in Class 3A, Federal Way has been busy owning Class 4A. The Eagles are 55-2 over the past two seasons with a pair of state titles and enter this year riding a 42-game win streak. Jaden McDaniels (6-8, So., F) and Marcus Stephens (6-3, Sr., G) are among Collins' key returnees.