
Montverde Academy won a national title last season.
Photo by Steven Ryan
2015-16 Florida Preseason Boys Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Montverde AcademyHead coach: Kevin Boyle
2014-15 record: 31-1
The Ben Simmons Era is over at Montverde Academy, but the Eagles have reloaded with an almost incomprehensible amount of talent.
Silvio de Sousa (6-8, So., F),
Bruno Fernando (6-10, Sr., F/C),
Ej Montgomery (6-9, So., F) and
Simisola Shittu (6-8, So., F) give Boyle an abundance of quality options at the four and five spots. The backcourt doesn't have the same star power but should be in good hands with
Marcus Carr (6-2, So., G),
Davonta Jordan (6-1, Sr., G) and
Howard Washington (6-3, Sr., G).
See last season's Florida boys basketball computer rankings2. Oldsmar ChristianHead coach: Jordan Fair
2014-15 record: 26-4
Started from the bottom now they're here. Twenty-five-year-old head coach Fair has taken Oldsmar from an unknown to a national power in the span of three years. This year's Eagles will be led by Florida commit
Eric Hester (6-3, Sr., G), South Florida pledge
Troy Baxter (6-9, Sr., F) and
L.j. Figueroa (6-5, Jr., G/F). Sophomore point man
Elijah Weaver (6-5) is one to watch this year and down the road.
See Florida boys basketball pro photo galleries3. Norland (Miami)Head coach: Lawton Williams III
2014-15 record: 23-8
The defending 6A state champions return 10 of 11 players that logged major minutes a year ago. Seniors
Dewan Huell (6-10, F/C) and
David Jean-Baptiste (6-1, G) – a Chattanooga commit – will be the go-to guys for the Vikings.
See last season's Florida boys basketball playoff brackets4. The First Academy (Orlando)Head coach: Chris Mayberry
2014-15 record: 26-5
The Royals got a big lift from the transfer train over the summer, as three of the state's top juniors joined the program over the summer. The headliner of that group is
Chaundee Brown (6-6, G/F), a Top 100 national prospect in the 2017 class by multiple media outlets. The First Academy will get to see where they stack up against the best in high school basketball at the City of Palms Classic in December.
See last season's Florida boys basketball stat leaders5. Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach)Head coach: Melvin Randall
2014-15 record: 28-1
Frankly, this isn't Randall's sauciest roster at Blanche Ely. But we're not making the mistake of overlooking the Tigers again. Under Randall, Ely is 150-12 over the past six years and has made multiple trips to Dick's Nationals in New York City.
Trevor Goodrum (6-4, Sr., G/F),
Mark Houston (6-0, Sr., G) and
Geremy Taylor (6-4, Jr., G) were all key pieces on last year's state championship team.