High school basketball: Best team in all 50 states entering the 2024-25 season

Preseason Top 10 programs Brennan, Columbus, Gonzaga, Grayson, Paul VI, Perry and Roosevelt represent their state.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Nov 19, 2024, 3:00pm
Identifying the top high school basketball team in each state is one of the final installments in our preview of the 2024-25 season, preceded by the National Top 10, MaxPreps Top 25, top 100, MaxPreps All-America teams and an extensive list of over 100 of the top events and tournaments. 

Additionally, we will highlight the top player in all 50 states later this week.

From Alabama to Wyoming and every state in between, we searched coast-to-coast to find the best team from your state heading into the winter campaign. The list only includes teams that compete for a state championship as part of a recognized governing body.
Alabama — Hoover
2023-24: 30-3, No. 35 final national ranking
Two-time defending state champions return all five starters powered by top 100 Tennessee commit DeWayne Brown and four-star UAB pledge Salim London.

2023-24: 28-1
Two-time defending Class 4A state champions look to continue their success this season led by reigning Alaska MaxPreps Player of the Year Muhammed Sabally.

Arizona — Perry (Gilbert)
2023-24: 24-6, No. 32
Three-time defending state champions return three starters in first team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection Koa Peat, University of Missouri-Kansas City commit D'Andre Harrison and senior guard NoNo Brown.

Arkansas — Bryant
2023-24: 29-4
Advanced to the Class 6A state championship game last season and return top three scorers in senior Kellen Robinson along with junior guards Camarion Bead and R.J. Young.

California — Roosevelt (Eastvale)
2023-24: 31-4, No. 4
Bring back 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: 26-2, No. 83
Following a run to the school's first state championship in Colorado's highest classification and second overall, the Eagles will again rely heavily on Cole Scherer.

Connecticut — Notre Dame (West Haven)
2023-24: 28-0
The Green Knights captured their first state title last season. Top 70 junior Abdou Toure and junior forward Landon Krygier are the players to watch.

Delaware — Dover
2023-24: 23-2
A strong mix of key returners and transfers look to guide the Senators to back-to-back state titles, highlighted by juniors JayVion Denis, Chase Little and Tarrance Williams.

District of Columbia — Gonzaga
2023-24: 28-6, No. 23
Return 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.

Florida — Columbus (Miami)
2023-24: 29-5, No. 2
Behind twin stars and Duke commits Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer, the Explorers have captured three consecutive state championships in Florida's highest classification. Top 30 juniors Jaxon Richardson and Caleb Gaskins are key supporting pieces for the team to beat in high school basketball.

2023-24: 30-2, No. 5
Top five junior Caleb Holt, Cal State-Fullerton commit K.J. Garris and senior guard Chris McLavish join top returners Amir Taylor and top 40 Georgia commit Jacob Wilkins for the favorites to repeat as Class 7A state champions.

2023-24: 27-5
Top five scorers return for the three-time defending Division 1 state champions, led by Hawaii MaxPreps Player of the Year Pupu Sepulona.

2023-24: 24-3
Fourth-year program has taken the Gem State by storm with a record of 69-12 and a pair of state titles. Defending Class 5A state champions are led by Jayce Allen, Cameron Downie and Logan Haustveit.

Illinois — Bolingbrook
2023-24: 28-5
Begin the season as the team to beat out of the Prairie State. Top 25 sophomore Davion Thompson, Valparaiso commit J.T. Pettigrew and junior guard Trey Brost return to the starting lineup for a program in search of its first state title.

2023-24: 18-6
The Fighting Irish return each of their top five scorers from last season led by four-star Notre Dame commit Brady Koehler and junior wing Keaton Aldridge.

2023-24: 21-5
Despite losing reigning Iowa MaxPreps Player of the Year Curtis Stinson to transfer, the two-time defending Class 4A state champions return all other major contributors including Iowa State football pledge Zay Robinson, Northern Iowa commit Trevin Jirak and senior Kiki Deng.

2023-24: 25-0, No. 84
Bring back all five starters from a group that got over the hump to capture the program's first state title. Four-star Illinois commit Keaton Wagler and top 50 junior Ethan Taylor are the players to watch.

2023-24: 36-2, No. 30
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 for the program in its sixth year of existence.

Louisiana — Ruston
2023-24: 20-10
Finished the 2023-24 campaign strong by going 19-3 following a 3-7 start the year. The Bearcats look to carry that momentum into this season behind four-star LSU football commit Aidan Anding and five-star sophomore football standout Ahmad Hudson.

2023-24: 18-5
Advanced to the Class A state semifinals last season before falling shy of capturing the school's first state championship. Behind second team all-state selection Jamier Rose, the Knights are the team to watch from the Pine Tree State.

Maryland — Bullis (Potomac)
2023-24: 27-3, No. 40
Return top 40 Connecticut commit Eric Reibe, Stonehill College commit Darren Moore and Marquette pledge Adrien Stevens to lead the charge after reaching the Maryland private school state title game last season.

Massachusetts — Malden Catholic (Malden)
2023-24: 16-9
Three-time defending Division 2 state champions look to become the first team in the state to win four consecutive state titles since Charlestown from 2000-03 behind key returners Matt Gaffney and Wentworth commit Colin Mannke.

2023-24: 27-1, No. 22
Reigning Division I state champions return four starters from 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: 27-5
Three-time defending Class AAA state champions bring back four starters as four-star junior Dothan Ijadimbola, Wofford pledge Chace Watley, senior wing Tyler Wagner and junior guard Tian Chatman will all see increased roles in the offense.

Mississippi — Germantown (Madison)
2023-24: 14-17
Sons of former NBA star Mo Williams, Mike Williams and Mason Williams, join up with top 60 junior Sam Funches to make the Mavericks the favorites to capture the Class 7A state title.

2023-24: 22-10
The Red Devils are in search of the program's first state championship since Jayson Tatum led them to the Class 5 crown in 2016. Chaminade returns all major contributors from last season headlined by Collin Perry, Jamison White and Jahadi White.

2023-24: 25-0
Following an unbeaten run to their second consecutive Class B state championship, the Rams will be a difficult team to beat again this season as all-state selections Rey Johnston and Ethan Stack look to continue to power the program's 39-game win streak.

2023-24: 23-3, No. 55
Advanced to the Class A state title game last year behind a senior-laden group. Although the Mustangs graduated numerous key pieces, they bring back their leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker in senior forward Derek Rollins.

2023-24: 24-5
Four-star football recruit Jett Washington, senior Nick Jefferson and sophomores Kameron Cooper and Ilan Nikolov are joined by incoming senior forward Chris Baudreau in the starting five.

New Hampshire — Nashua South (Nashua)
2023-24: 13-8
Although the Purple Panthers took their lumps last season, five of eight losses came by single digits for a team that returns second team all-state selection Josh Caruso.

2023-24: 26-5
An influx of talent sees a revamped roster surround key returners three-star senior Naas Hart and promising sophomore Anthony Mauro. Junior center Daniel Marcellinus and top 100 junior Eric Hillsman are among the top newcomers.

2023-24: 30-1, No. 48
Three-time defending Class 5A state champions return four starters from a team that won 26 games by double-digits last season. State POY Kenyon Aguino and promising sophomore David Lunn are again expected to be the catalysts.

2023-24: 26-4, No. 11
Massachusetts commit Danny Carbuccia is expected to be joined by juniors Jasiah Jervis, Hassan Koureissi, Dylan Perry and Darius Ratliff in the starting rotation for the two-time defending CHSAA Class AA champions.

North Carolina — Reidsville
2023-24: 29-0, No. 26
Coming off an unbeaten Class 2A state championship run, the Rams are 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.

North Dakota — Kindred
2023-24: 24-2
Following a run to the Class A state championship game, the Vikings look to capture their first state championship since winning the program's only title in 2022 guided by first team all-state selection Brooks Bakko and second-team all-state selection Presley Peraza.

2023-24: 19-9
Look to become the first team in state history to capture four consecutive state championships behind four-star Ohio State commit Dorian Jones, UTEP pledge DeErick Barber and Texas-Rio Grande Valley-bound Demaris Winters.

Oklahoma — Owasso
2023-24: 26-4, No. 47
Reigning Class 6A state champions return three starters from a team that burst onto the scene last season. Top 20 junior Jalen Montonati, three-star Saint Louis commit Jax Kerr and junior guard Boden Williams lead the charge again.

2023-24: 29-3, No. 90
Following a run to the program's first state championship since 1994 and second overall, an experienced group faces an ambitious schedule this season led by four returning starters — Wake Forest pledge Isaac Carr, senior Duce Paschal and juniors Zamir Paschal and Robbie Long.

2023-24: 25-3, No. 99
Defending Philadelphia Catholic League champions are favored to capture their fifth state championship since 2015 with top 40 sophomore Tyler Sutton joining returners Lafayette commit Shareef Jackson and four-star junior Sammy Jackson.

Rhode Island — Classical (Providence)
2023-24: 27-1
Look to defend their Division 1 state crown behind first team all-state selection Eliezer Delbrey and second team all-state pick Jordan Duke.

South Carolina — Ridge View (Columbia)
2023-24: 28-2, No. 17
Defending Class AAAA state champions feature a talented backcourt that includes four-star junior Korie Corbett, promising sophomore D.J. Wylie and junior Yale Davis.

South Dakota — Mitchell
2023-24: 23-1
Reigning Class AA state champions return a pair of all-staters in Augustana University pledge Markus Talley and junior Colton Smith.

2023-24: 29-5
Add top 30 junior Chris Washington Jr. to a strong cast of returners that includes Aiden Bolden, Tryce Grensing, Davis Joyner and Preston Wade from their run to the TSSAA Division II Class A state title game.

2023-24: 31-5, No. 50
All five starters return 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 starters.

2023-24: 19-7
Return virtually all production from a group that reached the Class 5A state semifinals. Juniors Aisa Galeai, Callen Tollestrup, Mason Ford and top 50 prospect Dean Rueckert are the players to watch.

2023-24: 21-2
After capturing the program's fourth state championship in the past five seasons and 19th in program history, the Green Knights will be formidable again this season behind key returners Abdi Sharif, Owen Eaton and Grant Cieplicki.

Virginia — Paul VI (Chantilly)
2023-24: 35-3, No. 1
Defending national champions graduated the bulk of their production from last season. Five-star junior Jordan Smith is expected to lead the charge along with returners Jaquan Womack and Utah State pledge Adlan Elamin.

2023-24: 18-13
The Vikings appear to be the team to beat in the Evergreen State as three-star Rutgers commit Kaden Powers is joined by four-star New Mexico pledge Jaylen Petty to form a dynamic one-two punch.

West Virginia — Spring Mills (Martinsburg)
2023-24: 25-2
Following a 35-32 loss in the Class AAAA state title game last year, the Cardinals are expected to bring back to bulk of their production including first team all-state selection Caleb Thomas and second team all-state pick Akwasi Opoku-Achampong.

Wisconsin — De Pere
2023-24: 26-2, No. 73
Returning starters Roan Demovsky, four-star Wisconsin commit Zach Kinziger and Northern Michigan pledge Pryce Gregoire are the top returners for a senior-laden group that was upset in the Division I quarterfinals last season.

Wyoming — Laramie
2023-24: 22-4
Expected to return each of their top four scorers from last season as seniors Neil Summers, Max Alexander, Jaden Smith and Gabe Sanchez are expected to play significant roles once again following a trip to the Class 4A state title game.

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