Expect some familiar names to be in the mix once again for the No. 1 spot in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25 heading into the 2024-25 high school basketball campaign. Our way-too-early look at next season features
Columbus (Miami, Fla.) as the team to beat with
Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.) at No. 2.
Columbus is led by 2022-23 MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Cameron Boozer. The Explorers have compiled a record of 84-11 with three consecutive Class 7A state titles over the past three seasons.
Roosevelt is an early favorite to capture the Open Division state championship in California.
Following three consecutive state championship runs in Florida's highest classification, the Explorers are projected to begin the season ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps Top 25 for the second consecutive season. 2022-23 MaxPreps National Player of the Year Cameron Boozer will again be the catalyst. Top 20 Class of 2025 prospect Cayden Boozer and top 20 Class of 2026 prospect Richardson are the other top returners.
After falling to Harvard-Westlake (Studio City) in the state semifinals, the Wolverines captured The Throne championship with a victory over Columbus (Miami, Fla.) in the title game. Roosevelt is expected to be the team to beat in the Golden State next season with Junior MaxPreps All-America selection Burries and talented backcourt mates Walker and Williamson.
2023-24: 35-3, No. 1 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Defending national champions graduate four starters from a deep and talented group that captured its third consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title and third straight VISAA Division I state championship. Despite the heavy roster turnover, the Panthers are expected to be among the contenders for the top spot in the rankings again next season behind top 20 Class of 2026 prospect Smith and four-star Class of 2025 prospect Elamin among others.
On paper, the Eagles may possess the most talented roster in high school basketball next season headlined by a trio of top 100 Class of 2025 prospects in Dixon, Lewis and Gurdak. However, after seven consecutive losses to No. 3 Paul VI dating back to 2019-20 Gonzaga will need to prove itself as the top team in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.
The Bears are expected to return each of their top six scorers from last season and graduate just two seniors from the entire roster. Top 25 Class of 2025 prospect Flemings is expected to again anchor the roster after leading the team with 17.1 points per game last season, while Ward (14.5) and Cowgill (13.5) are other returners who averaged double-figures scoring last season. Brennan is 63-13 over the past two seasons while developing a youthful rotation.
The reigning Division I state champions graduate just one key contributor from last season while each of its top three scorers return anchored by MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year McCoy (18.6 points per game) along with Class of 2025 standouts Bonam (16.4) and Harrington (14.1). After facing a challenging schedule last season, the Braves gained valuable experience and will be a top contender for the Open Division state title.
The 2022-23 MaxPreps National Champions graduate three of their top five scorers, including their top scorer from last season in Thompson. Despite the loss of production, the Justices will be overwhelming favorites to capture their fourth consecutive Class 4A state championship behind top returners Argabright (14.3 points per game), Allmond (14.0) and Jackson (8.8). Based on recent track record it is also likely John Marshall may attract top local talent to replace outgoing seniors.
After MaxPreps Sophomore All-America honorable mention selection Martinsen went down with an injury late in the season, the Monarchs finished the year 4-4 after beginning the season 25-2. Assuming Mater Dei is able to stay healthy next season, it is expected to be one of the top contenders for the Open Division state championship with each of their top five scorers returning for the storied program.
Top five Class of 2025 prospect Peat looks to complete a decorated high school career with his fourth state championship in four years. The first team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection is the top returner for a team that brings back two additional starters in Brown and Harrison alongside Peat. Although a few unexpected in-state losses cost Perry a spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 last season, it notched an impressive victory over top 10 foe Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) mid-way through the season.
After advancing to the Open Division state title game last season, the Tigers are primed to begin the 2024-25 season in the national rankings. Led by second team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection Holmes and Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year Tosi, Millennium will take on an ambitious schedule that includes trips to the City of Palms Classic and Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions.
Four-star Class of 2025
prospects Jones (19.2 points per game) and Reece (15.4) will again anchor the runner-up
in the highest classification of the Sunshine State. While questions
remain surrounding who will fill the major holes left from departing
players, Oak Ridge is expected to remain in the national rankings
conversation.
After an unexpected rise into national rankings last season following an upset over Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) in the Chick-fil-A Classic title game, the Blazers will begin the year in the spotlight next season. Returners include promising Class of 2026 guards Davis and MaxPreps Sophomore All-America honorable mention selection Corbett.
Return the top five contributors from a group that reached the Open Division state quarterfinals last season. Third team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection Yessoufou and high-major Class of 2026 prospect Price lead the way.
Fell just shy of capturing the program's first state championship last season as they advanced to the Sweet 16 state tournament semifinals. Great Crossing has high expectations entering next season behind their star duo of Dawson and Moreno.
Following consecutive state championship runs in Alabama's highest classification, the Buccaneers are expected to have their best group yet next season after concluding their campaign ranked just outside of the final MaxPreps Top 25. Three-star Class of 2025 prospects London and Tennessee commit Brown are the top returners.
Concluded its run to the program's first state championship without a loss against in-state opponents last season. Although the Rams have heavy turnover due to graduation, they return both of their talented Class of 2025 post presences in four-star Georgia commit Wilkins and Taylor to anchor a team that will be competitive out of the Peach State again next season.
The Rams may begin the year as the team to beat in the Tar Heel State next season with each of their top three scorers returning in Harrison (19.4 points per game), Neal (19.0) and Sharpe (18.2). Reidsville outscored opponents by an average of 24.7 points per contest en route to capturing the program's fifth state title overall and first since 2003.
Captured the program's first title since 2000 with a dominant run through the Division I state tournament that saw the Eaglets outscore opponents by an average of 21.4 points per contest. St. Mary's Prep is expected to be the top dog in Michigan again next season behind three returning starters including second team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection McKenney.
The Cadets could challenge No. 3 Paul VI and No. 4 Gonzaga for the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title next season as they return everybody from a group that reached the DCSAA Class AA title game and finished the season ranked just outside the MaxPreps Top 25. First team All-WCAC selection Witherspoon and second team All-WCAC selection Toatley will again lead the charge.
Two-time defending Class 3A state champions return their entire roster from a battle-tested team that finished the season ranked within the top 100. MaxPreps Junior All-America honorable mention selection Allen and MaxPreps Freshman All-America honorable mention selections Fuentes and Jenkins are the top returners for the Bulldogs.
Advanced to the Class 4A state championship game before suffering their first defeat of the season to nationally-ranked North Mecklenburg (Huntersville). The Wildcats are expected to be even stronger next season with each of their top four scorers returning in Allen (17.5), Billings (12.3), Kornegay (11.8) and Batts (7.7).
Although the Panthers had an up-and-down 2023-24 season, a challenging schedule helped the talented group gain valuable experience for next season. With all five starters expected to return led by a pair of top 100 Class of 2025 prospects in Davis-Ray and Edwards, the Panthers look to earn a spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25 for the sixth time in seven seasons in 2024-25.
After falling to eventual state champion No. 20 Riviera Prep in the Class 3A state quarterfinals for the second consecutive season, the Lions look to get over the hump and capture their first state championship since winning three straight from 2017-19. Top 10 Class of 2026 prospect Constanza and four-star Class of 2025 Florida pledge Lloyd are the catalysts.
2023-24: 27-4, No. 20 in final MaxPreps Top 25
The three-time defending DCSAA Class AA champions will have an uphill battle to capture their fourth consecutive state championship next season with No. 4 Gonzaga and No. 19 St. John's ahead of them in the preseason pecking order. However, behind District of Columbia MaxPreps Player of the Year Lewis, Rougier-Roane and Gillus, the Quakers cannot be counted out in the national rankings conversation.
2023-24: 27-2
Although the Redbirds fell shy in their quest for back-to-back state championships last season, they were able to extend their win streak to 41 games before losing to nationally-ranked Wisconsin Lutheran (Milwaukee). De Pere returns four of its top six scorers from last season, including three-star Class of 2025 Wisconsin commit Kinziger (19.9 points per game) and Gregoire (10.4).
