
Oak Hill Academy has national title aspirations this season.
Photo by Randy Sartin
2015-16 Virginia Preseason Boys Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson)Head coach: Steve Smith
2014-15 record: 47-1
Smith may have his best player ever in
Harry Giles (6-9, Sr., F), which is saying a lot considering 25 NBA draft picks have been in the program during his tenure. Giles earned MaxPreps All-American honors as a junior after putting up over 23 points and 12 rebounds per game at Wesleyan Christian Academy in North Carolina. But he's sidelined for the season with an ACL injury. No worries.
Matt Coleman (6-1, Jr., G),
Joe Hampton (6-6, Sr., F),
Mario Kegler (6-6, Sr., F),
Rodney Miller (6-11, Sr., F/C) and
Devontae Shuler (6-2, Jr., G) are other big-time talents that should see plenty of action and keep the team in the title hunt.
See last season's Virginia boys basketball computer rankings2. Paul VI (Fairfax)Head coach: Glenn Farello
2014-15 record: 20-15
Last year's 20-15 mark may not look all that glossy, but keep in mind the Panthers play one of the nation's toughest schedules each year under Farello. Louisville commit
VJ King (6-7, Sr., G/F) and Pittsburgh commit
Corey Manigault (6-8, Sr., F) will lead Paul VI through the gauntlet this season.
See Virginia boys basketball pro photo galleries3. Henrico (Richmond)Head coach: Vance Harmon
2015-16 record: 28-1
The Richmond Spiders may have landed one of the steals of the 2016 class in
Monte Buckingham (6-4, Sr., G), who averaged 21.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.7 steals per game for the 5A state champs. The Warriors are 108-13 over the past four seasons under Harmon.
See last season's Virginia boys basketball playoff brackets4. Bishop O'Connell (Arlington)Head coach: Joe Wootten
2014-15 record: 20-11
Rice commit
Ako Adams (6-2, Sr., G) is back after leading O'Connell in scoring a year ago at 16.7 points per game. The Knights also received a big addition via transfer over the summer in
Nate Watson (6-8, Jr., F) – a potential Top 100 prospect.
See last season's Virginia boys basketball stat leaders5. Virginia Episcopal School (Lynchburg)Head coach: Curtis Staples
2015-16 record: 19-7
After a recruiting saga that involved a commitment to Virginia, a decommitment from Virginia and subsequent commitment to Kentucky,
Sacha Killeya-Jones (6-11, F/C) is ready to concentrate on having a big senior year. Killeya-Jones led the Bishops to the VISAA Division II championship game a year ago and was named first team all-state.