As the curtain rises on the highly anticipated 2024-25 high school boys basketball season, the anticipation is palpable. The nation's top teams are gearing up for a year filled with electrifying matchups, jaw-dropping talent, and the pursuit of coveted championships. From the powerhouse programs of Florida to the rising stars of the Midwest and beyond, the stage is set for an unforgettable campaign that will captivate basketball enthusiasts across the country.

Prepare for an Explosive Season Ahead

Reigning Champions Seek to Defend Their Crown

Last year, the undefeated Montverde Academy (Florida) squad, led by expected 2025 NBA Draft pick Cooper Flagg and a talented supporting cast, dominated the national landscape from start to finish. As they claimed the Chipotle Nationals trophy, the Eagles solidified their status as the undisputed kings of high school basketball. Now, with Flagg and Asa Newell already making waves in the college game, the question remains: Can Montverde maintain their stranglehold on the top spot, or will a new challenger emerge to dethrone the reigning champions?

Floridian Firepower: Columbus High School's Dynamic Duo

Headlining the preseason rankings is Columbus High School (Florida), led by the Duke-bound Boozer twins, 5-star prospects Cameron and Cayden. These talented siblings have their sights set on repeating as Florida 7A state champions and making a run at a national title in 2025. Complementing the Boozer twins are 5-star forward Caleb Gaskins and 4-star wing Jaxon Richardson, both juniors, creating a formidable lineup that will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with.

Missouri's Mighty Link Academy Reloads

Ranked second in the preseason rankings, Link Academy (Missouri) boasts an impressive roster featuring four of the country's top 50 seniors. Headlined by 6-foot-10 center Chris Cenac, the squad also features combo guard Jerry Easter, shooting guard Davion Hannah, and Texas-commit John Clark, a 6-foot-9 standout. With this wealth of talent, Link Academy is poised to make a strong push for national recognition.

Long Island Lutheran's Kiyan Anthony Leads the Charge

Kiyan Anthony, the son of former NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, has been making waves for years, and he now leads the talented roster of Long Island Lutheran (New York). The 6-foot-5 guard has narrowed his college recruitment to USC, Syracuse, and Auburn, and he's joined by Penn State commit Kayden Mingo, Marquette commit Nigel James, and 2026 point guard Dylan Mingo, all of whom are high-level players in their own right.

Compass Prep's Promising Future

While Compass Prep (Arizona) may have struggled to a 7-11 record last season, the team is poised for a dramatic rise in the national rankings. The senior class is loaded with talent, including Gonzaga commit Davis Fogle, Maryland-bound center Marcus Jackson, and Texas A&M commit Jeremiah Green. However, it's the 2026 class that has scouts and fans alike buzzing, with 5-star prospect Miikka Muurinen, Quincy Wadley, Kaden House, Jacob Lanier, and Kalek House all set to make an impact.

California's Finest: St. John Bosco Braves

Entering the 2024-25 season as the top-ranked team in California, the St. John Bosco Braves (California) are primed for a deep run. Led by top 2026 prospects Brandon McCoy Jr. and Christian Collins, along with senior Harvard-commit Elzie Harrington, the Braves will be aiming to build on their CIF State Division I title from last year and capture the coveted Open Division crown.

Arkansas Commit Darius Acuff Jr. Leads Prolific Prep

Prolific Prep (California) boasts a talented roster, headlined by Arkansas commit Darius Acuff Jr., who is regarded as the nation's top point guard. Acuff will be joined by fellow seniors Sadiq White Jr. (Syracuse) and Georgia-bound big man Kareem Stagg, as well as junior combo guard Jermal Jones, who holds offers from Clemson, Cincinnati, and Purdue.

Grayson High School's Rising Star: Caleb Holt

At Grayson High School (Georgia), the spotlight shines brightly on 5-star junior shooting guard Caleb Holt, a 16-year-old phenom who has already won two gold medals for USA Basketball at the lower levels. Holt, a 6-foot-5 prospect, holds offers from powerhouse programs like UConn, Kentucky, Houston, and North Carolina, and he's poised to lead the Rams to new heights this season.

Harvard-Westlake Reloads with Duke Commit Nik Khamenia

The Harvard-Westlake Wolverines (California) return Duke commit Nik Khamenia, who played a crucial role in the team's back-to-back CIF State Open Division titles. The addition of transfer Joe Sterling, a sharpshooting junior, will further bolster the Wolverines' roster as they aim to once again contend for the prestigious Open Division crown.

Roosevelt High School Seeks Redemption

After falling short to Harvard-Westlake in the CIF State Open Division last season, Roosevelt High School (California) is determined to make amends. The team boasts a talented trio in likely McDonald's All-American Brayden Burries, New Mexico commit Issac Williamson, and crafty point guard Myles Walker, all of whom will be instrumental in the Roughriders' quest for redemption.

Powerhouse Programs Across the Nation

Beyond the top-ranked teams, the 2024-25 high school basketball landscape is dotted with a wealth of other powerhouse programs. From the loaded roster of Imhotep Charter (Pennsylvania), featuring three top-100 players in CJ Ingram, Jamier Jones, and Jalen Reece, to the dynamic duo of Koa Peat and Cameron Williams at Perry High School (Arizona), the depth of talent across the country is truly remarkable.

Emerging Contenders and Rising Stars

The preseason rankings also feature several teams and individuals poised to make a significant impact. Paul VI Catholic High School (Virginia) boasts a roster brimming with 2026 prospects, including 5-star shooting guard Jordan Smith and 4-star shooting guard Jordan Hunter. Meanwhile, Trey McKenney of Cass Tech High School (Michigan) is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound guard with a 6-foot-9 wingspan who is expected to commit to Michigan, while Jermaine O'Neal Jr. of Dynamic Prep (Texas) is carving his own path, following in the footsteps of his NBA All-Star father.

Brewster Academy Continues to Churn Out Talent

Brewster Academy (New Hampshire) has long been a powerhouse in the Northeast, and this year's squad is no exception. Headlined by Arizona commit Dwayne Aristode, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound wing, the Bobcats also feature rising juniors Sebastian Wilkins and Seton Hall-bound Darien Moore, ensuring that the program's reputation for producing elite talent remains intact.

Bellaire High School's Shelton Henderson Commits to Duke

Bellaire High School (Texas) is home to the No. 1 player in the state, Shelton Henderson, who recently committed to Duke. Henderson averaged an impressive 21.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as a junior, leading the Cardinals to a 30-7 record. Alongside Henderson, Bellaire also returns senior center Anthony Andrews, who was the team's second-leading scorer.

Braylon Mullins Leads Carmel High School's Charge

Carmel High School (Indiana) boasts one of the top players in the state in 5-star shooting guard Braylon Mullins, who is headed to UConn after averaging 25 points per game as a junior. Mullins, the second-best player in Indiana behind Jalen Haralson, will be the driving force behind the Cougars' quest for success this season.