A day after the release of the
preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings, 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).
Heading into the 2020-21 campaign, 10 seniors, three juniors and a pair of sophomores made the cut as preseason MaxPreps All-Americans.
Players of the year within their respective classes last season Paolo Banchero, Emoni Bates and Mikey Williams headline the list. Two players from Montverde Academy, our preseason No. 1 team, earned a spot on the squad.
From schools that tip-off soon to states that won't begin until March, we will follow all the action in this unprecedented season. When it's over, MaxPreps will crown a national champion and hand out our postseason accolades, including expanded All-American teams and recognition for the junior, sophomore and freshman classes.
Nevada's Jaden Hardy has emerged as a strong MaxPreps National Player of the Year candidate after a 46-point performance in a nationally-televised preseason game last month.
Photo by Darin Sicurello
Height: 6-9 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 1 | Status: Uncommitted
Posted 24.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game to lead the
Chargers to Division 1 state quarterfinals before COVID cut play short.
Height: 6-9 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 3 | Status: Committed to Duke
MaxPreps National Junior of the Year averaged 22.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, four assists and two blocks per game to guide Fighting Irish to 2019-20 3A state title game.
Height: 6-9 | Class: Junior (2022)
National rank: 1 | Status: Uncommitted
First sophomore to capture Gatorade National Player of the Year honors averaged 32.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 steals per
contest for the 19-3 Railsplitters.
Height: 6-4 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 4 | Status: Uncommitted
Averaged 30.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game during a tremendous junior campaign. Behind Hardy, the Cougars begin the season ranked No. 7 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 7-0 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 2 | Status: Uncommitted
Averaged 14.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.9 per contest as a junior, leading the Redhawks to a No. 13 finish in last year's final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Second team
Height: 6-2 | Class: Junior (2022)
National rank: 8 | Status: Uncommitted
A transfer from Cannon (N.C.), Bradley was MaxPreps North Carolina Player of the Year. He averaged around 23 points,
seven assists and seven rebounds per game leading the Cougars to first state title since 2006.
Height: 6-6 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 9 | Status: Uncommitted
Third team MaxPreps Junior All-American pick averaged 34 points per game. Davison's game-winning, buzzer-beating
3-pointer gave Tigers their first state
championship since 2003.
Height: 6-6 | Class: Junior (2022)
National rank: 2 | Status: Uncommitted
First team MaxPreps Sophomore All-American pick transferred from Pennsylvania. He averaged 18.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game to lead Roman Catholic to PIAA Class 6A state quarterfinals before coronavirus ended postseason
play.
Height: 6-8 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 8 | Status: Committed to Michigan
Top returner for the defending national champions shot an efficient 53.1 percent from 3-point range and 61.7 percent from the field, averaging 10 points per contest.
Height: 6-10 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 5 | Status: Committed to Auburn
Earned second team MaxPreps Junior All-American honors last season after
averaging 24.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per contest to lead
the Patriots to AAAA state quarterfinals.
Third team
Height: 6-1 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 13 | Status: Committed to Tennessee
MaxPreps Junior All-American averaged 22.2 points, 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals per game to lead Briarcrest Christian (Tenn.) to the TSSAA Division II Class AA state title game last season.
Height: 6-7 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 6 | Status: Committed to Duke
Has struggled with injury throughout his high school career, playing only 28 games over the past two seasons. Griffin averaged 17.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in 12 games last year. If healthy, look for Griffin to challenge for first-team All-American honors.
Height: 6-5 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 7 | Status: Uncommitted
MaxPreps Junior All-American averaged 22.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game to lead the Mustangs to the Class A state title game last season.
Height: 6-3 | Class: Sophomore (2023)
National rank: 1 | Status: Uncommitted
Led Camden to the No. 16 spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25 last season, averaging a team-high 18.5 points per contest. The top-ranked sophomore prospect leads a loaded Panthers squad into 2020-21 with high expectations, beginning the season ranked 11th.
Height: 6-4 | Class: Sophomore (2023)
National rank: 2 | Status: Uncommitted
MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year averaged 29.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game last season for San Ysidro. He broke
the all-time San Diego Section single-game scoring record with 77 points in a
116-52 December victory.
