The Sporting News high school boys basketball preseason top 25 rankings: Link Academy debuts at No. 1
The Sporting News high school boys basketball preseason top 25 rankings: Link Academy debuts at No. 1 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.If you’re betting on which state you think will produce a national champion at the conclusion of the 2025-26 high school boys basketball season, you’d be hard-pressed to find better odds than Florida where six teams from the Sunshine State make their debut in the initial edition of The Sporting News High School Boys Basketball Top 25 rankings, including four of the top six.AdvertisementBut if you’re looking for an individual team to make its case, then you’d be better off turning to the Show Me State. That’s where Link Academy is located in the Ozark Mountain resort city of Branson, Missouri, and the Lions have assembled a roster that could probably give some lower-level Division 1 programs a run for their money on any given night.Link Academy finished 22-9 a year ago, but the Lions came on late in the season to win the Nike EYBL postseason tournament. They added 5-star small forward and future Oregon Duck Tajh Ariza in the offseason, and he’ll be surrounded by four other starters comprised of players who are committed to Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State, Mississippi State, and Missouri.MORE: SN’s girls basketball preseason top 25The Lions are loaded and enter the season in the pole position ahead of three Florida schools, including the defending Sporting News national champion Columbus (Miami, FL) Explorers who tip off the season in the No. 2 slot. Rounding out the preseason Top 5 are the Prolific Prep (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Crew, IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) Ascenders, and Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY) Crusaders.AdvertisementSTREAM: High school boys basketball, live on NFHS NetworkThe Sporting News high school top 25 rankings1. Link Academy (Branson, MO) Lions2024-25 record: 22-92024-25 year-end ranking: No. 3Head coach: Chad MyersLink Academy is hoping that last year’s late run will carry over into the 2025-26 season. The Lions were 17-7 with four losses in Nike EYBL Scholastic play before winning six of their final seven games to capture the league’s tournament championship. They also handed the national champion Columbus Explorers one of their three losses prior to that in December, so this team is capable of competing at the highest level on any given night.AdvertisementThey head into the 2025-26 season with seven ranked senior prospects, including 5-star SF and Oregon Ducks’ signee Tajh Ariza who most recently played for St. John Bosco in California. Link Academy might have the best starting five in America along with a deep bench, and other 4-star senior talent includes C Ethan Taylor (7-0, 244 lbs., Michigan State), SF Luca Foster (6-5, 185 lbs., Gonzaga), PG Carlos Medlock Jr. (5-11, 165 lbs., Michigan State), C Tristan Reed (6-9, 230 lbs., Mississippi State), and SF Trent Perry (6-5, 190 lbs., Kansas). Junior 4-stars include PG Davion Thompson (6-2, 170 lbs., uncommitted) and PF Cameron Barnes (6-7, 205 lbs., Missouri).2. Columbus (Miami, FL) Explorers2024-25 record: 30-32024-25 year-end ranking: No. 1 (The Sporting News High School Boys Basketball National Champions)Head coach: Jorge MiloThe defending Sporting News national champions are back to defend their title, and they are well-stocked to make a run at it with 4-star senior talent in PF Caleb Gaskins (6-8, 210 lbs., Miami), CG Felipe Quinones (6-4, 180 lbs., Florida Atlantic), and SF Cello Jackson (6-4, 205 lbs., Memphis). Keeper Jackson (6-6, 180 lbs.) is a 3-star senior power forward, and the Explorers are battled tested and should be able to line up against anybody on their schedule.Advertisement3. Prolific Prep (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Crew2024-25 record: 35-62024-25 year-end ranking: No. 4Head coach: Ryan BernardiThe biggest news around Prolific Prep came off the court with the program’s relocation from Napa, California, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the offseason. On the court, they should still be a force in national high school boys basketball, starting with their trio of 5-star prospects in senior SG Caleb Holt (6-5, 200 lbs., uncommitted), junior PG Nasir Anderson (6-4, 205 lbs., uncommitted), and junior SF Bruce Branch III (6-7, 190 lbs., uncommitted), the nation’s top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2027. Throw in 4-star seniors like C Davion Adkins (6-9, 205 lbs., Kansas) and PF Alex Smith (6-9, 195 lbs., Ohio State), and the Crew have as much high-level talent as any program in the country.Advertisement4. IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) Ascenders2024-25 record: 21-82024-25 year-end ranking: No. 16Head coach: Sean McAloonWith seven ranked senior prospects, IMG Academy stacks up well against the other major powers in the Sunshine State. Senior 4-star talent includes SF Cole Cloer (6-7, 190 lbs., NC State), PF Chase Foster (6-8, 210 lbs., Pittsburgh), SF Ralph Scott (6-8, 190 lbs., Tennessee), SF Aziz Olajuwon (6-7, 210 lbs., Stanford), PG Trey Beamer (6-1, 160 lbs., Boston College), C Maxime Meyer (7-1, 215 lbs., Duke), and SG Jermal Jones (6-3, 180 lbs., Pittsburgh).And, yes, Olajuwon is the son of that Olajuwon – former All-NBA center and Basketball Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon who won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets. Speaking of centers, IMG Academy also has two 5-star talents in the pivot with Bamba Touray (7-0, 205 lbs., uncommitted) and Dylan Betts (7-3, 230 lbs., uncommitted) looking to make an impact in 2025-26.Advertisement5. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY) Crusaders2024-25 record: 24-72024-25 year-end ranking: No. 5Head coach: John BuckLong Island Lutheran enters the season as one of only two teams in the top six not located in the state of Florida. Senior CG Dylan Mingo (6-5, 190 lbs., uncommitted) is a 5-star talent who can create opportunities to score on his own while also serving as an effective distributor to keep his teammates involved. That includes seniors like SF Kayden Allen (6-6, 205 lbs., Cincinnati) and PF TJ Crumble (6-7, 210 lbs., North Texas) along with junior 5-star SF Moussa Kamissoko (6-8, 180 lbs., uncommitted) and 4-star PG Jamaal McKnight Jr. (5-10, 180 lbs., uncommitted).Advertisement6. Montverde (FL) Academy Eagles2024-25 record: 19-82024-25 year-end ranking: No. 17Head coach: Steve TurnerThe big news at Montverde is the arrival of new head coach Steve Turner in place of Kevin Boyle who left to take the open position at SPIRE Academy which is also in The SN Preseason Top 25. Turner was the head coach at Gonzaga College High in Washington, DC, for 21 years where he built a national powerhouse, and he inherits a Montverde program that has also been at the forefront of high school boys basketball at the national level.He has five ranked seniors to build around led by 4-star PF Joe Philon (6-8, 180 lbs., uncommitted) and 4-star small forwards Jayden Hodge (6-6, 190 lbs., Northwestern) and Kevin Thomas (6-6, 195 lbs., LSU). Other senior 4-star prospects include C Hakeem Weems (6-9, 170 lbs., uncommitted), SG Dhani Miller (6-2, 185 lbs., Kent State), and the Eagles’ deep rotation also includes junior 5-star SF Lincoln Crosby (6-8, 195 lbs., uncommitted). Three more junior prospects will get some minutes, including 4-star CG Oneal Delancy (6-2, 165 lbs.) and two 3-stars in C Derek Daniels (6-7, 230 lbs.) and SF Malachi Booker (6-7, 220 lbs.) – all of whom are uncommitted.AdvertisementMORE: Ranking college basketballs top 25 players since 20007. Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, NY) Crusaders2024-25 record: 26-42024-25 year-end ranking: UnrankedHead coach: Patrick MassaroniArchbishop Stepinac’s hopes rest on a senior class loaded with 4-star talent like SG Jasiah Jervis (6-4, 190 lbs., Michigan State) and the Ratliff twins – C Darius Ratliff (6-11, 210 lbs., USC) and PF Adonis Ratliff (6-11, 215 lbs., USC). Junior 4-star SG Joshua Rivera (6-7, 180 lbs., uncommitted) has the size to slide into the small forward position alongside Jervis, giving the Crusaders a lineup that can challenge Long Island Lutheran as one of the best in the Empire State.Advertisement8. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA) Trailblazers2024-25 record: 27-72024-25 year-end ranking: UnrankedHead coach: Andre ChevalierSierra Canyon’s quick exit from California’s football playoffs means it time for the Trailblazers to turn their full attention to the hardwood where senior 5-star CG Brandon McCoy (6-5, 190 lbs., uncommitted) ranks among the nation’s best players. Two senior small forwards including 4-star Maximo Adams (6-7, 205 lbs., North Carolina) and 3-star Brannon Martinsen (6-6, 205 lbs., uncommitted) give the ‘Blazers plenty of scoring options on offense. Sophomore 4-star CG Josh Lowery (6-4. 180 lbs., uncommitted) is one of the top players in the Class of 2028.Advertisement9. SPIRE Academy (Geneva, OH) SPIRE2024-25 record: 16-192024-25 year-end ranking: UnrankedHead coach: Kevin BoyleYou might look at SPIRE’s 2024-25 record and think, wait… No. 9 in the country? Well, this isn’t the squad that took the hardwood last season with an influx of talent, starting with new head coach Kevin Boyle, the architect of Montverde’s national title runs in recent seasons. Five-star junior guard King Gibson has followed him from Montverde, and he’s got a second 5-star talent in SF Alex Constanza who’s capable of putting up 30+ points per game if he stays healthy.Advertisement10. Dynamic Prep (Irving, TX)2024-25 record: 34-52024-25 year-end ranking: No. 2Head coach: Jermaine O’NealDynamic Prep opens the 2025-26 season as the top-ranked team in Texas with former NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal calling the shots. He’ll lean heavily on junior 5-star PF Marcus Spears Jr. (6-8, 195 lbs., uncommitted) and senior 4-star SG DaKari Spear (6-5, 190 lbs., Texas Tech) while 3-star seniors like CG Kamden McGilveary (6-0, 165 lbs., uncommitted), PF Phoenix Woodson (6-7, 205 lbs., New Mexico State Aggies), and Xavier Roberson (6-7, 190 lbs., Sam Houston Bearkats) provide additional options.Advertisement11. Southeastern Prep Academy (Orlando, FL) Falcons2024-25 record: 15-92024-25 year-end ranking: UnrankedHead coach: David PeavySenior 4-star SF Jaxon Richardson moves over to Southeastern Prep after helping Columbus win a national title a year ago. He’s known for his prowess in the open court and willingness to attack the rim where he’s one of high school basketball’s most prolific dunk artists. He’s continuing to develop his game in other ways and if he can improve his shooting from long range, he has the chance to be one of the nation’s best all-around scorers while elevating Southeastern Prep into serious contention for a national title. While he’ll be counted on as a senior to provide leadership and a calming presence in tense moments, he’s not even the highest-ranked player on the team – an honor that goes to junior 5-star PF CJ Rosser (6-10, 195 lbs., uncommitted). Fellow junior 5-star C Obinna Ekezie Jr. (7-0, 220 lbs., uncommitted) is also a presence in the paint and two more 4-star juniors in PG Beckham Black (6-3, 180 lbs., uncommitted) and PF Griffin Starks (6-7, 185 lbs., uncommitted) mean the team’s biggest stars won’t have to make all the plays on any given night.Advertisement12. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, MD) Mustangs2024-25 record: 14-152024-25 year-end ranking: UnrankedHead coach: Jayde GavinBishop McNamara heads into the 2025-26 season as the top-ranked team in Maryland, and their hopes will rest heavily on the senior 4-star duo of SF Qayden Samuels (6-6, 200 lbs., uncommitted) and CG Prince-Alexander Moody (6-4, 180 lbs., Indiana). Another 4-star that will contribute is junior PF Brandon Woodard (6-8, 190 lbs., uncommitted) while 3-star junior PG Kirby Duran (6-1, 160 lbs., uncommitted) will spend a lot of time directing the Mustangs’ offense.13. Wheeler (Marietta, GA) Wildcats2024-25 record: 29-32024-25 year-end ranking: No. 9Head coach: Larry ThompsonGeorgia’s top-ranked Wheeler Wildcats are coming off a 29-3 season in which they won a Class 6A state championship, and they’ve got the guns to mount a successful defense of their title. Two 4-star prospects lead the way in senior SF Colben Landrew (6-6, 235 lbs., UConn) and junior PG Kevin Savage (5-11, 160 lbs., uncommitted). Senior 3-star SF Jaron Saulsberry (6-6, 170 lbs., Ole Miss) provides another option alongside senior 3-star CG Nate Earl (6-0, 165 lbs., uncommitted).Advertisement14. CIA-Bella Vista Prep (Scottsdale, AZ) Bears2024-25 record: 20-42024-25 year-end ranking: No. 8Head coach: Brandon RosenthalBella Vista Prep checks in one spot ahead of AZ Compass Prep giving Arizona two of the top programs out West. Junior 5-star C Paul Osaruyi (6-10, 220 lbs., uncommitted) is the team’s highest-rated prospect, but there’s good senior leadership in 4-star recruits like PG Miles Sadler (5-10, 165 lbs., West Virginia) and SF Vaughn Karvala (6-6, 180 lbs., Indiana). That will help with the team’s young nucleus that includes 4-star junior SF Jalen White (6-6, 195 lbs., uncommitted) and 4-star sophomore CG Liam Mitakaro (6-4, 175 lbs., uncommitted).Advertisement15. AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, AZ) Dragons2024-25 record: 19-82024-25 year-end ranking: No. 19Head coach: Pete KaffeyAZ Compass Prep figures to challenge CIA-Bella Vista Prep as the top program in the Grand Canyon State, and they’re well-positioned with a bevy of senior 4-star prospects, including CG Kaden House (6-3, 173 lbs., Maryland), SG Quincy Wadley (6-4, 185 lbs., uncommitted), and SG Kalek House (6-3, 180 lbs., Xavier). There’s up-and-coming talent in the junior class as well with 4-stars like SF Demarcus Henry (6-6, 190 lbs., uncommitted) and SG Jimmie Haywood (6-3, 170 lbs., uncommitted).Advertisement16. Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, UT) Tigers2024-25 record: 25-52024-25 year-end ranking: No. 7Head coach: Paul PetersonUtah is represented in the preseason Top 25 by Wasatch Academy which finished in third place in the Nike Elite league standings a year ago. The Tigers have a trio of ranked 4-star seniors leading the way again in 2025-26 in SG Junior County (6-4, 180 lbs., UConn), CG Katrelle Harmon (6-3, 188 lbs., Creighton) and SF Chidi Nwigwe (6-7, 195 lbs., uncommitted). Sophomore 4-star C Stra Jelic (6-11, 210 lbs., uncommitted) will also be given opportunities to shine on both ends of the court for the Tigers.Advertisement17. Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA) Warriors2024-25 record: 23-112024-25 year-end ranking: UnrankedHead coach: John ZitoOak Hill Academy is a historic East Coast powerhouse, and the Warriors are likely to hang around in the Top 25 throughout the season with senior SF Ethan Mgbako (6-6, 215 lbs., Vanderbilt) and fellow 4-star junior CG LJ Smith (6-4, 180 lbs., uncommitted) around for one final run in the prep ranks. Three-star talent like SG Korie Corbett (6-4, 170 lbs., uncommitted), C Kuol Deng (6-10, 210 lbs., uncommitted), and CG Donovan Williams (6-3, 180 lbs., uncommitted) adds depth to a program that should be one of the best programs from the Mid-Atlantic region.Advertisement18. La Lumiere (La Porte, IN) Lakers2024-25 record: 15-132024-25 year-end ranking: UnrankedHead coach: Pat HolmesIndiana is basketball country, and in the prep ranks, that means it’s La Lumiere country. The Lakers from La Porte are loaded and should be able to improve on last year’s 15-13 finish with future Notre Dame point guard Jonathan Sanderson (6-2, 170 lbs.) at the controls. He’ll find ways to get the ball to fellow 4-star SF Jacob Webber (6-6, 175 lbs., Purdue) and don’t sleep on the other team’s 4-star PG Devin Cleveland (6-3, 165 lbs., uncommitted) who will also make his share of plays for the Lakers.Advertisement19. Paul VI (Chantilly, VA) Panthers2024-25 record: 27-62024-25 year-end ranking: No. 10Head coach: Glenn FarelloThe Panthers’ hopes of national glory rest heavily on the shoulders of senior 5-star CG Jordan Smith (6-2, 200 lbs., uncommitted), one of the nation’s top prospects in the Class of 2026. He could be the difference that lifts Paul VI past the semifinals of Virginia’s VISAA Division 1 playoffs where the Panthers lost to the Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, VA) Knights a year ago. Anything less than a state title this time around would be a disappointment.20. Notre Dame SO (Sherman Oaks, CA) Knights2024-25 record: 28-82024-25 year-end ranking: No. 13Head coach: Matt SargeantNotre Dame packs a powerful 1-2 punch in junior 4-star CG NaVorro Bowman Jr. (6-3, 180 lbs., uncommitted) and senior 3-star SF Zach White (6-5, 165 lbs., San Diego State). California is always loaded with top players on programs competing for national acclaim, but the Knights figure to be one of the best teams in the Golden State again this winter as they compete for a another spot in the state’s highest-level Open Division playoffs.Advertisement21. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, CA) Wolverines2024-25 record: 31-32024-25 year-end ranking: No. 14Head coach: David RebiboFuture Texas Longhorn Joe Sterling (6-4, 180 lbs.) is the Wolverines’ big star – a combo guard who’s equally adept at creating plays for himself and his teammates. Sterling can make plays going to the basket or switching to distributor mode in the paint, but he’s especially adept at moving without the ball where he’s a threat to score from just about anywhere from three-point land. It worked well enough last year to carry the Wolverines to the final eight in California’s Open Division.22. Millennium (Goodyear, AZ) Tigers2024-25 record: 20-82024-25 year-end ranking: UnrankedHead coach: Ty AmundsenThe Millennium Tigers are Arizona’s third entry in SN’s preseason Top 25, and for good reason. They’ve got two of the top talents in the entire Southwest in sophomore CG Adan Diggs (6-5, 180 lbs., uncommitted) and senior 4-star SF Cameron Holmes (6-6, 205 lbs., Arizona). There’s good depth around them, too, including senior SF Jacob Williford (6-4, 185 lbs., uncommitted).23. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) Braves2024-25 record: 26-72024-25 year-end ranking: UnrankedHead coach: Matt DunnSt. John Bosco has one of the nation’s top power forwards in senior 5-star Christian Collins (6-8, 200 lbs.) who will play college basketball next season for the Kentucky Wildcats. That says all you need to know about Collins, and it goes without saying that his presence alone will win a lot of games for the Braves. They’ll be competing here with some of the other ranked California squads for a spot in the state’s Open Division playoffs, and while Collins can almost singlehandedly get them there in the regular season, they’ll need contributions from the rest of their roster to advance avoid the same fate as the 2024-25 team – a one-and-done first-round exit in a 70-55 loss to Harvard-Westlake.24. Brewster Academy National (Wolfeboro, NH) Bobcats2024-25 record: 28-52024-25 year-end ranking: No. 6Head coach: Jason SmithThe Bobcats finished second in the Nike Elite league last year, and they’ve got senior 4-star CG Darien Moore (6-2, 170 lbs., Seton Hall Pirates) around to lead another run. He’s got plenty of company, too, as the Bobcats are loaded in the backcourt with 4-star prospects including juniors Antonio Pemberton (6-1, 165 lbs., uncommitted), a point guard, and SG Markus Kerr (6-5, 180 lbs., uncommitted). The sophomore class has two more 4-star guards in Kevin Wheatley Jr. (6-6, 200 lbs.) and Michai White (6-0, 175 lbs.). If the front court can just hold its own, the Bobcats will be a load to deal with again in 2025-26.25. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Raiders2024-25 record: 30-22024-25 year-end ranking: UnrankedHead coach: Julius SandiFlorida is the epicenter of national high school boys basketball in SN’s preseason Top 25, and the Raiders are the sixth team from the Sunshine State to make an appearance in the rankings. The Raiders finished 30-2 a year ago, and while they might be missing the big names that some of the other Florida programs have at their disposal, they’ve shown that, as a team, they’re almost unbeatable. Florida’s defending Class 6A state champions have five of their top six players back from a year ago, including leading scorer Clarence Westbrook Jr. (6-1, 165 lbs., uncommitted) who averaged 17.3 points per game.The Sporting News High School Boys Basketball Top 25 “bubble”Here are the best of the rest — teams under consideration for our preseason top 25 that just missed the initial cut.Bartlett (TN) Panthers (2024-25: 24-9)Brennan (San Antonio, TX) Bears (2024-25: 34-3)Calvary Christian Academy (FL) Eagles (2024-25: 22-1)Duncanville (TX) Panthers (2024-25: 27-7)Perry (Gilbert, AZ) Pumas (2024-25: 27-2)Petersburg (VA) Crimson Wave (2024-25: 14-10)Roosevelt (Eastvale, CA) Mustangs (2024-25: 35-2)St. Joseph (Santa Maria, CA) Knights (2024-25: 31-2)Sunnyslope (Phoenix, AZ) Vikings (2024-25: 21-9)Sunrise Christian Academy Elite (Bel Aire, KS) Buffaloes (2024-25: 18-7)Timpview (Provo, UT) Thunderbirds (2024-25: 20-6)Utah Prep (Hurricane, UT) Athletes (2024-25: 20-11)The Villages (FL) Charter Buffalo (2024-25: 26-6)Wayzata (Plymouth, MN) Trojans (2024-25: 28-4)Webb (Knoxville, TN) Spartans (2024-25: 34-2)Wisconsin Lutheran (Milwaukee, WI) Vikings (2024-25: 28-2)
Δημοσιεύτηκε: 2025-11-19 16:58:00
πηγή: sports.yahoo.com
