High school basketball rankings: Dynamic Prep opens at No. 1 in 2026-27 Preseason National Top 10

Prolific Prep, CIA-Bella Vista, Southeastern Prep Academy and Spire Academy are contenders to challenge for the top spot.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Oct 29, 2026, 11:30am
Dynamic Prep (Irving, Texas) begins the 2026-27 high school basketball campaign at No. 1 in the National Top 10. The Lone Star State power advanced to the Chipotle Nationals semifinals in 2025-26, falling shy of capturing their first title after reaching the title game the year prior.

The Dynamic Prep roster is headlined by top 60 seniors Howard Williams and Payton Jones along with top 20 junior prospects Benjamin Berrouet and Blaze Johnson. Three-star center David Baliraine is expected to provide major contributions as well for head coach Jermaine O'Neal.

Always talented Prolific Prep (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), defending Chipotle Nationals champion CIA-Bella Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.), upstart Florida program Southeastern Prep Academy (Orlando, Fla.) and budding Midwest dynamo Spire Academy (Geneva, Ohio) appear to be Dynamic Prep's biggest challengers for the top spot.

The high school basketball landscape has experienced unprecedented change over the past decade with an increasing number of student-athletes gravitating toward programs outside the realm of state governing bodies and prep hoops in a traditional sense. In response to those changes, MaxPreps has revamped its approach to national rankings, giving independent and academy-based programs their own platform.

Programs who roster post-graduate players are not eligible for inclusion. Read on for a complete look at the Preseason National Top 10.
1. Dynamic Prep (Irving, Texas)
2025-26: 17-2, unranked
Breakdown: The top-ranked team in the final 2024-25 National Top 10 looks to have the pieces to finish there again this season. Former NBA All-Star Jermaine O'Neal continues to raise the program to new heights. Dynamic Prep's core includes Howard Williams, Payton Jones, Benjamin Berrouet, Blaze Johnson and David Baliraine.

2025-26: 38-4, No. 5 in National Top 10
Breakdown: Head coach Ryan Bernardi has put together another deep and talented roster looking to make a run at their first Chipotle Nationals title with six top 20 prospects across the Class of 2027 through 2029. Elite center prospects Lewis Uvwo and Bamba Touray headline the frontcourt while Nasir Anderson and Michai White power the backcourt. Top 20 Class of 2027 prospect Malachi Jordan and No. 3-ranked Class of 2029 prospect Draydne McDaniel will compete for starting spots on the wing.

2025-26: 26-4, No. 1 in National Top 10
Breakdown: Defending Chipotle Nationals champions look to repeat behind a rotation loaded with top 100 talent, featuring 10 players ranked in the top 100 of their respective classifications. Paul Osaruyi and Ahmed Nur make up a talented starting frontcourt while four-star senior Lyris Robinson, junior Liam Mitakaro and sophomores Jordan McDaniel and Marquice Pless are expected to compete for playing time in the backcourt. Top 100 junior Carter George is a standout wing on the roster.

2025-26: 41-9, No. 10 in National Top 10
Breakdown: Former Duncanville (Texas) head coach David Peavy enters his second season as head coach of Southeastern Prep with a star-studded roster powered by the top two prospects in the Class of 2027, Beckham Black and C.J. Rosser. Seniors Marri Wesley, Precious Sam and Aiden Groce are expected to round out the starting rotation. Top 10 Class of 2029 prospect Flory Kuminga is expected to be a key piece off the bench for a program looking to break through for their first Chipotle Nationals appearance.

2025-26: 29-5, No. 4 in National Top 10
Breakdown: Head coach Kevin Boyle captured seven national titles at Montverde Academy before taking over the reigns at Spire Academy last season. He has constructed a strong roster in his sophomore season at the upstart Ohio program led by a strong backcourt trio of top 40 seniors King Gibson, Micah Gordon and Darrell Davis. Top 20 senior Moussa Kamissoko and top 70 junior Marceles Duncan are key newcomers on the wing while No. 4-ranked sophomore David Johnson and four-star senior Charles Pur headline the frontcourt for Spire.

2025-26: 21-8, unranked
Breakdown: Newly-hired head coach Jackson Johnson looks to usher in a new era for IMG Academy. Junior Dylan Betts, a 7-foot-3 center, and top 40 Class of 2028 prospect Yahya Bsaran are joined by Bentley Lusakueno in an imposing frontcourt. Three top 100 Class of 2027 prospects in Jordan Page, Malik Olajuwon and Lucai Anderson headline the guard positions. Josh Leonard and Will Brunson round out the rotation on the wing.

2025-26: 25-3, No. 3 in National Top 10
Breakdown: Head coach Pete Kaffey has helped build AZ Compass Prep into a national powerhouse, including leading his program to the top spot in the Nike EYBL Scholastic conference last season. Led by No. 3-ranked senior Demarcus Henry, the Dragons have a talented group that features seniors Zion Green, Jimmie Haywood and Jakyi Miles along with top 40 junior guard Darren Ford.

2025-26: 23-7, No. 2 in National Top 10
Breakdown: Former Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) head coach Steve Turner took over the helm at national powerhouse Montverde Academy last season and turned things around to reach the Chipotle Nationals title game after an 0-3 start. Senior guards O'Neal Delancy and Javion Tyndale return to the backcourt while sophomore Jaylen Shepherd looks to provide depth. Other impact newcomers include Joel Patrick, Xavier Skipworth and Isaiah Hamilton.

2025-26: 0-0, first year program
Breakdown: Previous Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) head coach Jason Smith begins a new journey at first-year Master's International Academy. Top 20 senior guard Antonio Pemberton looks to guide an upstart roster full of potential that includes projected starters top 40 junior and seniors Andrew Kretkowski, Josiah Adamson and Mekhi Robertson along with junior Braxton Bogard. The Massachusetts program will compete in Nike EYBL Scholastic.

2025-26: 27-11, Unranked
Breakdown: Head coach Brandon Thomas looks to guide Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy to its first Chipotle Nationals bid this season behind top 15 Class of 2028 prospects Xavier Young and Josiah Rose. Key additions include elite sophomore Cadien Hudson, Jahari Miller and Mekhi Allen. 

Next Five: La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), Iowa United (Des Moines, Iowa), Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah), Monarch Academy (Kansas City, Kan.)

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