MaxPreps 2014-15 North Carolina preseason boys basketball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point)
2013-14 record: 24-9, NCISAA Class 3A state champions
Head coach: Keith Gatlin

It's not often that a team loses a player to the University of North Carolina and expectations actually increase. But that will be the case this season at Wesleyan thanks to star junior forward Harry Giles (6-9) and transfer guards Kwe'Shaun Parker (6-3, Jr.) and Brandon Childress (6-0, Jr.).

View last season's North Carolina boys basketball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Lake Norman (Mooresville)
2013-14 record: 28-2, NCHSAA Class 4A state runner-up
Head coach: Brandon Jolly

The Wildcats were drawing consideration for the national rankings last year prior to falling in the 4A title game. Lake Norman returns three double-figure scorers, including Davidson commit Kishawn Pritchett (6-5, Sr., G/F) and William & Mary pledge Hunter Seacat (6-9, Sr., F/C).

View last season's North Carolina boys basketball playoff brackets

3. Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem)
2013-14 record: 21-5
Head coach: Isaac Pitts

Remember this is a program that began the 2013-14 campaign with a 16-point win over storied Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.). DaShawn Corprew (6-5, Sr., G/F), Nate Grimess (6-7, Sr., F), Pape Ndiaye (6-9, Jr., F/C) and Justice Kithcart (6-3, Jr., G) should keep the Fighting Pharaohs operating at a high level.

View last season's North Carolina boys basketball stat leaders

4. Trinity Christian (Fayetteville)
2013-14 record: 26-4, NCISAA Class 1A state champions
Head coach: Heath Vandevender

Junior point guard Dennis Smith, jr. is the headliner for the Crusaders. The 6-foot-3 star averaged over 17 points and nine assists per game as a sophomore and is regarded as a Top 10 2016 prospect by 247Sports. Alonzo Tyson, a 6-9 senior, gives Trinity some firepower in the paint.

View last season's North Carolina boys basketball pro photo galleries

5. Northside Christian Academy (Charlotte)
2013-14 record: 28-2, NCISAA Class 2A state champions
Head coach: Byron Dinkins

NCA came out of nowhere to break into the national rankings and earn a spot at the Dick's Sporting Goods tournament in New York to finish the season. Florida Gulf Coast pledge Rayjon Tucker (6-5, Sr., G/F) – one of the nation's most electric dunkers – should help the Charlotte program continue competing at a high level.