After the release of the preseason
MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings and the
National Top 20, it's time to shine a spotlight on the best players in the country.
Since 2006, MaxPreps has been highlighting the prep level's elite, including current NBA stars like Anthony Davis (2011), Kevin Durant (2008), James Harden (2007), Ben Simmons (2014 and 2015) and Zion Williamson (2017 and 2018).
This year's Preseason MaxPreps All-America teams features 20 players headlined by Amari Bailey, top-ranked senior Dereck Lively II and D.J. Wagner.
The 2021-22 high school basketball season is expected to return to normal with national tournament and events back in full swing and the majority of the country playing a full slate of games this upcoming season.
Read on for a look at 20 of the top names to watch throughout high school basketball the year.
Amari Bailey, Sierra Canyon
Photo by Heston Quan
6-5 | Guard | Committed to UCLA
The 2020-21 MaxPreps California Player of the Year averaged 29.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists last season as the Trailblazers went 16-2. The No. 2 overall senior prospect leads top-ranked Sierra Canyon against a challenging national slate.
7-0 | Center | Committed to Duke
A top 50-caliber prospect in the spring, Lively rose rapidly after an impressive summer with Team Final that saw the program capture its first ever Peach Jam title with 13 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in a 64-61 title-game victory.
6-3 | Guard | Uncommitted
The 2020-21 MaxPreps National Sophomore Player of the Year averaged 22 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in an abbreviated season last year. The top-ranked junior has compiled a 42-1 record over the course of two seasons as the Panthers start the year at No. 4 in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
6-4 | Guard | Committed to Kentucky A MaxPreps Junior All-America second team pick averaged 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists to lead the Eagles to the Class 6A state semifinals last season. The five-star senior looks to guide No. 7 Richardson to their first state title this season.
6-6 | Wing | Committed to Duke Key
contributor on back-to-back national championship teams, averaged
10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season. The No. 4 overall senior prospect is expected to be the catalyst for the second-ranked Eagles.
Second Team
6-7 | Wing | Committed to Houston After
ending his junior season ranked outside the Top 100, Arceneaux ascended to the No. 39 prospect in the Class of 2022 after a tremendous
summer. The four-star wing averaged 20.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and four
blocks, and hit the game-tying and game-winning 3-pointers
in the state championship game.
6-3 | Guard | Committed to Alabama
Captured MVP honors at the NBPA Top 100 Camp and led the Nike EYBL in assists per game. He averaged 10.1 points, 6.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds as a junior to earn second team MaxPreps Junior All-America honors. Expect the five-star senior to have a big year for No. 3 IMG Academy.
6-8 | Wing | Committed to Alabama
Top 10 senior prospect averaged 23.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.6 blocks to earn MaxPreps Junior All-America honors. The future SEC standout had a strong summer on the Nike EYBL circuit, showing off elite versatility against the nation's top talent.
6-4 | Guard | Committed to Arkansas
The 2020-21 MaxPreps Arkansas Player of the Year averaged 25 points, five assists and five rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field for Sylvan Hills (Sherwood). After previously being deemed ineligible to play at North Little Rock this year, Smith now is expected to suit up for the sixth-ranked Charging Wildcats.
6-1 | Guard | Committed to Ohio State A MaxPreps Junior All-American first-team pick averaged 17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds to guide the Eagles to their first state title since 2012. He looks to lead No. 2 Milton to a second consecutive GEICO Nationals appearance.
Third Team
6-1 | Guard | Uncommitted
After averaging 15.5 points as a sophomore, he's expected to be the go-to guy for the top-ranked Dragons. Regarded as the No. 11 prospect in the Class of 2023, the 6-1 guard holds over 20 college offers.
6-5 | Guard | Committed to Duke The
development of the five-star guard has been impressive as his dominant
preseason play has Foster primed for a huge junior season with the No. 4 Warriors. Foster was named to the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America
honorable mention team after averaging 13.6 points, 5.0 assists and 3.2
rebounds in 2020-21.
6-4 | Guard | Committed to Baylor
Third team MaxPreps Junior All-American averaged 23.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.1 steals for the 17-11 iSchool squad. The No. 5 prospect in the senior class is expected to provide an elite scoring punch to the Ascenders backcourt this season.
6-6 | Wing | Committed to Kentucky
The 2020-21 MaxPreps Ohio Player of the Year averaged 31.1 points, 15.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4.7 steals and 4.3 blocks while shooting 71 percent from the field to lead Buchtel (Akron) to its second district title in three seasons. The Top 10 prospect is expected to make a significant impact for the Warriors.
6-8 | Wing | Uncommitted
Averaged 18 points and 6.7 rebounds to lead Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) to the state title last season, earning MaxPreps Junior All-America honors. The No. 15 prospect in the senior class is expected to be step into a leading role for the fifth-ranked Buffaloes.
Five-star junior Caleb Foster looks to lead Oak Hill Academy to its second GEICO Nationals title.
File Photo by Annette Wilkerson
6-9 | Center | Committed to UCLA Recent Bruins commit earned second team MaxPreps Junior All-America honors last season after averaging 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots in his first season in the United States. Bona turns shots away at a high level.
7-1 | Center | Committed to Connecticut
The 2020-21 MaxPreps Connecticut Player of the Year averaged 27.3 points, 17.2 rebounds, 5.8 blocks and 3.1 assists to lead the Rams to their first Central Connecticut Conference Championship since 2003.
6-3 | Guard | Committed to Texas Third team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection averaged 23.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2.2 block to earn Dallas Morning News Player of the Year and lead the Knights to the Class 5A state title game.
6-7 | Wing | Committed to Xavier
Top 50 senior prospect earned second team MaxPreps Junior All-America honors last season after averaging 19.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting an efficient 46 percent from 3-point range.
7-0 | Center | Committed to Oregon
The Charging Wildcats are favorites to repeat as state champions behind their anchor who averaged 16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.6 blocks last season. Ware is one of the elite shot-blockers in high school hoops.
