MaxPreps 2013-14 Preseason Top 25 high school basketball rankings presented by the Army National Guard

Loaded with eight players already committed to Division I college basketball programs (and likely more to come), head coach Kevin Boyle and Montverde Academy begin the season at No. 1.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jason Hickman
By
Nov 6, 2013, 12:17am
Anthony Morgan has his most talented team since taking over as head coach at Plano West in 2006.
Anthony Morgan has his most talented team since taking over as head coach at Plano West in 2006.
Photo by Keith Owens
No. 14 Plano West (Texas)
Head coach: Anthony Morgan
2012-13 record: 19-14
Players to watch: Tre Anderson (6-3, Sr., G), Chris Giles (6-2, Fr., G), D.J. Hogg (6-8, Jr., G/F), Soso Jamabo (6-3, Jr., G/F), Avery Johnson Jr. (5-10, Sr., G), Mickey Mitchell (6-8, Jr., G/F, Ohio State verbal commitment)

Breaking down the Wolves

A couple of key transfers helped transform West from a team that finished third in its district last season and lost 14 games to the preseason favorite to capture the 5A state title in Texas.

Mitchell, a Top 20 prospect in the 2015 class, is the newcomer with the biggest reputation. The point-forward missed last season with a torn ACL but teamed with Kentucky freshman Julius Randle to lead Prestonwood Christian (Plano) to the City of Palms Classic crown and a private school state title as a freshman.
Mickey Mitchell has already committed to Ohio State, where his brother Mike plays linebacker for the Buckeyes.
Mickey Mitchell has already committed to Ohio State, where his brother Mike plays linebacker for the Buckeyes.
Photo by Jim Redman

Johnson's transfer was a bit more of a long-distance affair. He attended Cooper (The Woodlands) last season, more than a three-hour drive from Plano. He is the son of the former NBA point guard and Mavericks and Nets coach of the same name.

A third transfer – 6-9, 270-pound junior Tyler Davis – was ruled ineligible. The common denominator between Mitchell, Johnson and Davis is that they all played for the Texas Titans club program.

But not all the excitement at Plano West revolves around transfers. Hogg, a tall wing who garnered rave reviews at the Elite 14 preseason event last weekend, posted 16.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season as a sophomore. Multi-sport star Jamabo, a highly recruited football player, contributed 14.7 points and 4.3 rebounds.

Chemistry is about the only knock on the Wolves. That might not be much of a factor considering most of the rotation has played together extensively with the Titans.

Key dates
Nov. 29 – vs. Hamilton (Memphis, Tenn.) at Thanksgiving Hoopfest
Dec. 26-28 – Whataburger Tournament

Related Content