2023 PG D.J. Wagner of Camden (NJ)
Summer is close to being over and we are getting so much closer to the beginning of the 2021-2022 high school season. Some states around the country have already began their school year or will begin sometime this month or next month.
The 2020-2021 high school season was just a bit off with things due to the coronavirus pandemic that hit the world in early 2020. Tournament cancellations, games delayed, or all of the above just being postponed due to COVID-19. This upcoming season we should see everything get back to normal.
Here we take a look at our updated top-25 preseason national rankings. Our last update for the 2021-2022 high school season came in early May and a boat load has changed since then. These are not the official preseason top-25 rankings for the 2021-2022 season but just an update where everyone sits as of today.
1. AZ Compass Prep (AZ)
Last Season Record: 31-2
Additions: 2023 F Mookie Cook, 2022 SG Lamar Washington, 2022 PG Dylan Andrews (UCLA), 2023 PG Kylan Boswell, 2022 F Max Allen, 2022 F Colin Smith, 2024 SG Chris Riddle, 2022 F Jaden Daughtry
AZ Compass Prep had themselves an elite breakout season last year after going 31-2 overall, winning the Grind Session Championships, and making their first appearance in the GEICO Nationals. The Dragons are looking to build on that success and continue the upward trend for the 2021-2022 high school season. They lose a few contributors from last season's squad but will bring back key guys like 2022 F Sadraque Nganga, 2022 C Adrame Diongue, and 2022 G Mehki Mason (Rice). The Dragons have re-vamped their 2021-2022 high school season roster and have added major pieces which currently makes them the number one ranked team right now in our updated preseason top-25 national rankings. 2023 F Mookie Cook, 2022 SG Lamar Washington, 2022 F Collin Smith, 2023 PG Kylan Boswell, 2022 F Max Allen, 2022 PG Dylan Andrews (UCLA), 2024 SG Chris Riddle, and 2022 F Jaden Daughtry have been added to AZ Compass's roster for this upcoming season. The Dragons are playing a tough national schedule once again next season and will look to make back-to-back GEICO National appearances. As of today, they will come into the 2021-2022 high school season ranked as the number one team in the country.
2. Montverde Academy (FL)
Last Season Record: 24-1
Additions: 2022 F Dillon Mitchell, 2023 F Kwame Evans, 2022 PG Skyy Clark (Kentucky), 2024 G ZZ Clark, 2022 C Vincent Iwukuchwu, 2024 F Amier Ali, 2024 F Derik Queen
The defending GEICO National champions have reloaded once again for the 2021-2022 high school season and will be looking to defend their national championship title. The Eagles finished last season with a 24-1 overall record and after finishing the 2019-2020 high school season with a 25-0 record. 2022 SG Dariq Whitehead (Duke), 2022 F Malik Reneau, 2022 PG Jalen Hood-Schifino, and 2023 F Sam Walters are the key returnees for the Eagles next season. Montverde Academy has added an elite front court with 2022 F Dillon Mitchell, 2023 F Kwame Evans Jr., 2022 C Vincent Iwukuchwu, 2024 F Amier Ali, and 2024 F Derik Queen. 2022 PG Skyy Clark (Kentucky) and 2024 PG ZZ Clark also will make their way to Florida this upcoming season, even though Sky Clarkk is coming off injury entering the 2021-2022 high school season. Eagles are the current number two team in our updated preseason top-25 national rankings. They will be playing in a bunch of national events throughout the season which includes the Kevin Durant Memphis Hoopfest, Hoophall West, Spalding Hoophall Classic, and others.
3. IMG Academy (FL)
Last Season Record: 22-3
Additions: 2023 PG Jacoi Hutchinson, 2022 SG Keyonte George (Baylor)
IMG Academy finished the 2020-2021 season with a 22-3 overall record and made another appearance in the GEICO Nationals field. The Ascenders will be bringing back most of that same roster from last season although they lost key guys like Tamar Bates (Indiana) and Moussa Diabate (Michigan). Top tier prospects like 2022 PG Jaden Bradley, 2022 F Jarace Walker, 2022 SG Eric Dailey Jr., 2022 SG Jett Howard, 2023 F Gus Yalden, 2022 SG Noah Batchelor (Memphis), and 2024 SG Anthony Gilkes will be key guys making their way back to the IMG Academy campus. 2022 SG Keyonte George (Baylor) and 2023 PG Jacoi Hutchinson were the two most recent addition to the Ascenders roster this upcoming season giving them much more depth. They currently sit at number three in our updated preseason top-25 national rankings coming into the 2021-2022 high school season. IMG Academy will also be apart of the elite NIBC this season after not being apart of the elite conference last season. They will be apart of a few top tier national events just like every season. The Kevin Durant Dallas Hoopfest and Spalding Hoophall Classic are just a couple events they will be appearing in throughout the season.
4. Combine Academy (NC)
Last Season Record: 28-3
Additions: 2022 PG Jayden Epps (Illinois), 2024 C Maya Bote, 2023 F Matai Baptiste
Jeff Mcinnis and his staff have build Combine Academy from the ground up and coming into their third season as a program. Combine Academy is becoming one of the premiere national programs on the East Coast and will soon be a household name nationally. The Goats finished their 2020-2021 high school season with a 28-3 overall record and capturing the Hoopstate Championship. They still hold their spot in our top-5 national rankings as they did back in May in our way-too-early top-25. They have added a few pieces since then and will look to have another deep roster coming into the 2021-2022 high school season. 2022 PG Jayden Epps (Illinois), 2024 C Maya Bote, and 2023 F Matai Baptise have been the newest additions for Combine Academy. The Goats are expected to play another national schedule this season and a tough one at that, hitting top tier events like the Battle in the Bluff, City of Palms Classic, and Spalding Hoophall Classic just to name a few. Their roster will be headlined once again by 2023 PG Robert Dillingham and other key guys like 2022 SG A.J. Smith, 2022 C Patrick Wessler, 2022 G Antonio Hamlin, 2022 SG Joel Baucom, 2023 F Mehki Grant, and others return as well.
5. Dream City Christian (AZ)
Last Season Record: 23-7
Additions: 2022 PG Milos Uzan, 2022 F Kiran Ratliff, 2022 F Kamryn Thomas, 2022 C Shawn Phillips, 2022 G Nate Pickens, 2022 F Yohan Traore
Dream City Christian will be coming into the 2021-2022 high school season as one of the best programs in the country and in the Grind Session, one of the toughest high school hoop leagues. The Eagles have jumped eighteen total spots since we released our way-too-early national top-25 rankings back in May. They arguably have the number one prospect in the 2022 class returning to their roster in 2022 SG Shaedon Sharpe. Other key components like 2022 PG Jaden Clayton and 2022 C Birima Seck will be returning to the Dream City Christian roster as well. The Eagles have acquired a few elite prospects as well for this upcoming season adding to their roster. Guys like 2022 PG Milos Uzan, 2022 F Kiran Ratliff, 2022 F Kamryn Thomas, 2022 C Shawn Phillips, 2022 F Yohan Traore, and 2022 G Nate Pickens have been the new additions for this upcoming season, making them a top-5 ranked program as of now in our updated preseason top-25 national rankings. It is without question Dream City Christian will be one of the favorites to make a run for the Grind Session Championship and could see themselves making a GEICO Nationals appearance by next March, which will be their first time ever.
ROSTER + SCHEDULE
6. Sunrise Christian (KS)
Last Season Record: 20-4
Additions: 2023 PG Layden Blocker, 2022 PG Dillon Hunter (Baylor), 2022 F Bobi Klintman, 2022 F Mark Mitchell, 2022 F Cameron Cohern, 2023 F Scotty Middleton, 2022 PG Noah Pick
The Buffaloes currently rank sixth in our updated preseason top-25 national rankings coming into the 2021-2022 high school season. Head coach Luke Barnwell and staff will be looking to make another GEICO Nationals run by the end of next March. Last season they reached the GEICO Nationals title game before losing to Montverde Academy (FL). Sunrise Christian has climb the ladder in the rankings since our release of the way-too-early top-25 national rankings back in May. Since then, they have added much more to their roster for this upcoming season. 2022 PG Dillon Hunter (Baylor), 2022 F Cameron Corhen, 2022 F Mark Mitchell, 2023 F Scotty Middleton, and 2022 PG Noah Pick have been the new additions the last couple months for the Buffaloes. They will return 2022 F Gradey Dick (Kansas), who was apart of last season's championship appearance team. Sunrise Christian will once again be apart of the loaded NIBC this upcoming season and will be one of the favorites to win it all. Their non-NIBC schedule for the 2021-2022 high school season has yet to be confirmed and should be at a later date.
7. Prolific Prep (CA)
Last Season Record: 31-5
Additions: 2022 SG M.J. Rice (Kansas), 2022 PG Dior Johnson (Oregon), 2022 SG Tre White
Prolific Prep found themselves in the GEICO Nationals field once again last season, making it their second straight appearance in the loaded field at the end of the season. The Crew will be looking to make it three straight trips by the end of next March and could do so with the squad they have coming in. They have lost some major pieces from a season ago but have gained some great additions as well. Key prospects like 2022 PG Jordan Pope and 2022 C Adam Bona have made their way back to campus from last season's 31-5 squad. Prolific Prep has added top guys like 2022 SG M.J. Rice (Kansas), 2022 PG Dior Johnson (Oregon), and 2022 SG Tre White to their 2021-2022 high school season roster since May. The Crew will without question be one of the premiere programs playing in the Grind Session once again this season and will also hit a few events like the Kevin Durant Memphis Hoopfest, Chic-Fil-A Classic, and Spalding Hoophall Classic in the meantime.
8. Oak Hill Academy (VA)
Last Season Record: 21-9
Additions: 2022 G Judah Mintz (Pittsburgh), 2022 F Devin Ree (LSU), 2022 F Jeremy Gregory, 2024 F Moise Kamdululu, 2024 C Abdou N'diaye, 2022 C Christian Reeves
Powerhouse Oak Hill Academy has cracked the top-10 in our most recent preseason top-25 national rankings after appearing in the bottom half of the way-too-early national top-25 back in May. Legendary head coach Steve Smith is coming into another year with the powerhouse program and will be looking to make another GEICO Nationals appearance by the end of March. The Warriors currently sit at number eight in our preseason top-25. They have lost a few key guys from last season's 21-9 overall squad but have gained some much needed pieces to fill out their roster. Guys like 2023 PG Caleb Foster, 2023 F Justin McBride, 2024 G Tybo Bailey, and 2022 G Xavier Brown return to Oak Hill Academy once again this season. The Warriors have picked up prospects like 2022 G Judah Mintz (Pittsburgh), 2022 F Devin Ree (LSU), 2022 C Christian Reeves, 2022 F Jeremy Gregory, 2024 F Moise Kamdululu, and 2024 C Abdou N'diaye for the 2021-2022 high school season. Oak Hill will be apart of the NIBC once again this season and without question play another tough national schedule. They are expected to appear in top events like the Hoophall West, Spalding Hoophall Classic, Kevin Durant Tampa Bay Hoopfest, and more.
9. La Lumiere (IN)
Last Season Record: 12-10
Additions: 2023 PG Aden Holloway, 2022 F Taj Manning, 2023 F Hampton Dauparas
La Lumiere had one of the weirdest season's during the 2020-2021 year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Lakers began their season last year in early January jumping into their tough schedule playing in the NIBC. They will be back as a top-10 program and a national threat for this upcoming season and will look to make a run at the GEICO Nationals title by the end of March. The Lakers will bring back most of their roster from last season's team. 2022 G J.J. Starling, 2022 F Chisom Okpara, 2022 C Kebba Njie, and 2023 PG Jeremy Fears Jr. are a few key prospects that will be returning to campus of La Lumiere this season. Head coach Pat Holmes and staff have added prospects like 2023 PG Aden Holloway, 2023 F Hampton Dauparas, and 2022 F Taj Manning to the 2021-2022 high school season roster and all should make immediate impacts with the team. The Lakers will be apart of the NIBC once again this season and will be playing a much more normal schedule.
10. Link Academy (MO)
Last Season Record: N/A
Additions: Debut Season
One of the newest programs that will be playing on the national stage this season, Link Academy out of Branson, Missouri. The Lions will be making their debut with their actually high school national team this season. They have made our preseason top-25 national rankings and currently sit at number ten coming into the 2021-2022 high school season. They have built a fine looking roster featuring some top tier prospects. They have acquired key guys like 2023 PG Bryson Warren, 2023 PG Trey Green, 2022 F Aidan Shaw, 2022 F Tarris Reed (Michigan), 2023 F Omaha Biliew, and, 2022 F Julian Phillips to the roster. Link Academy has already made plans to appear in multiple national events for this upcoming season. The Kevin Durant Memphis Hoopfest, Quincy Shootout, and Norm Stewart Classic are just a few stops the Lions will make in their first season with an actually high school national team. The new kids on the block will look to make some noise against some of the best programs in the country. They come into the 2021-2022 high school ranked in the top ten in our updated preseason top-25 rankings.
11. Sierra Canyon (CA)
Last Season Record: 16-2
Additions: 2022 F Kijani Wright, 2024 SG Isaiah Elohim
The state of California and the CIF had a very strange year due to the outbreak of COVID-19 back in 2020. Every sport was delayed months at a time due to the pandemic and the Trailblazers only played a total of 18 games during their 2021 season, which ended a couple months ago. Sierra Canyon should be back as one of the nation's top programs. They move down a spot since our way-too-early national top-25 rankings that we released back in may to number eleven in our updated preseason top-25 national rankings. 2022 G Amari Bailey (UCLA) will headline their loaded roster once again during the 2021-2022 high school season. Other key prospects like 2022 G Ramel Lloyd Jr. (Nebraska), 2022 F Shy Odom, 2023 SG Bronny James, 2022 F Evan Manijikian, and 2023 G Josiah Phiilips return to the roster as well. The Trailblazers have added some front and backcourt help to their roster for this upcoming season as well since May. 2022 F Kijani Wright (USC) has transferred over to the California powerhouse for his senior season and 2024 SG Isaiah Elohim has also made his way over. Sierra Canyon will be back on the national level this season as they are expected to appear in a couple national events like the Thanksgiving Hoopfest, Hoophall West, Iolani Classic, and Bass Pro TOC. They will also have a key matchup against St. Vincent-St. Mary (OH) on December 4th in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.
12. Southern Cal Academy (CA)
Last Season Record: 16-3
Additions: 2022 F Jordan Walsh, 2023 PG Braelon Green, 2022 F Jaxon Kohler, 2023 F Drew Fielder, 2022 PG Amaree Abram (Texas A&M), 2022 SG Robert Cowherd
Southern California Academy is one of the newest programs forming out West and will be looking to make some major noise this upcoming season. The Rams did not appear in our way-too-early national top-25 rankings back in May but have aded some major additions to their 2021-2022 high school roster. They return key guys like 2022 F Jaylen Thompson and 2022 SG Oziyah Sellers to their roster after going 16-2 overall last season playing in the Grind Session. Big time additions like 2022 F Jordan Walsh, 2022 SG Robert Cowherd, 2023 PG Braelon Green, 2022 F Jaxon Kohler, 2023 F Drew Fielder, and 2022 PG Amaree Abram (Texas A&M) have made their way to Southern Cal helping the Rams establish themselves as a top-25 program coming into this season. They are expected to play a national schedule and appearing in events like the Battle in the Bluff, John Wall Invitational, Kevin Durant Seattle Hoopfest, and more besides playing in the Grind Session. Could the Rams be as good on the court as they are on paper? We shall see.
13. Wasatch Academy (UT)
Last Season Record: 18-7
Additions: 2022 PG Koren Johnson, 2022 F Chris Bunch, 2022 SG Camden Heide (Purdue), 2023 G Anthony Wrzeszcz, 2023 F Kevin Li
Wasatch Academy had a solid year during the 2020-2021 high school season playing in the new formed NIBC and making another GEICO Nationals appearance. The Tigers have lost their starting backcourt from last season but have acquired multiple guys to complete their 2021-2022 high school season roster. Important prospects like 2022 SG Roddy Gayle Jr. (Ohio State) and 2022 C Keba Kieta will make their returns back to campus for this upcoming season. Wasatch Academy will basically have a whole new roster than last season with the additions of 2022 PG Koren Johnson, 2022 F Chris Bunch, 2022 SG Camden Heide (Purdue), 2023 F Kevin Li, and 2023 G Anthony Wrzeszcz since May. They will be apart of the elite NIBC once again this season and will be appearing in other national events like the Holiday Hoopsgiving, Hoophall West, and Kevin Durant Tampa Bay Hoopfest. Another GEICO Nationals appearance will be the goal for Wasatch Academy again by the end of March.
14. Camden (NJ)
Last Season Record: 13-0
Additions: 2022 SG Elijah Perkins
The Panthers are coming into the 2021-2022 high school season on a 38-game winning streak and have a combined 42-1 overall record since the 2019-2020 high school season. Camden has not lost since December of 2019. The DaJuan Wagner Jr. era is still upon us and Camden will be coming in as the number one public school in the country for the 2021-2022 high school season and currently rank number fourteen in our preseason top-25 rankings. The state of New Jersey, like a few other states, had to postpone the start of their high school basketball season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Camden only played a few in state games and winning them all going 13-0 in the process. Obviously 2023 PG D.J. Wagner headlines their roster for this upcoming season and they will return most their squad from a year ago. 2023 C Aaron Bradshaw, 2023 G Cornellius Robinson, 2022 F Rasheer Fleming (Saint Joseph's), 2023 G Desear Haskins, and 2023 PG Cian Medley are also key guys returning to Camden's roster next season. The Panthers have also added elite caliber guard 2022 G Elijah Perkins to their 2021-2022 high school season roster. Hopefully rules and restrictions get back to normal in the state of New Jersey because Camden is expected to play a national schedule for this season which will include another stop at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts next January.
15. Milton (GA)
Last Season Record: 28-3
Additions: 2022 G Chase Comier, 2022 F Jonathan Murray
The defending GHSA class 7A state champions are looking to defend their state title and also make their second straight GEICO Nationals appearance this upcoming season. The Milton Eagles are coming into the 2021-2022 high school season as one of the best public schools in the country once again and will be playing one of the toughest national schedules. They will be led by 2022 PG Bruce Thornton (Ohio State) and 2023 G Kanaan Carlyle once again in the backcourt with other key guys like 2022 SG Cam Walker, 2023 G Seth Fitzgerald, and 2023 C L.T. Overton returning this season. The Eagles have added a couple prospects to their roster with 2022 G Chase Cormier and 2022 F Jonathan Murray since our latest national rankings update back in May. Milton is for certain the number one team in the state of Georgia right now and will have an elite in state schedule as well playing some of the top programs in the Peach State. The Eagles are currently ranked fifteenth in our latest update in our preseason top-25 national rankings as of today.
16. Westtown School (PA)
Last Season Record: 20-5
Additions: 2022 SG Jameel Brown
After not appearing anywhere in our way-too-early top-25 national rankings back in May, Westtown School has made their way into our preseason top-25 rankings in our latest update. The Moose would have easily been a top-25 program last season if not for the outbreak of COVID-19 and state restrictions in Pennsylvania. Their roster this upcoming season is headline by 2022 C Dereck Lively II, who had an outbreak type grassroots season helping Team Final (PA) capture the Nike EYBL Peach Jam title. Westtown School has some very great pieces surrounding the 7-foot-1 center this season which makes them a top-25 program once again. Prospects like 2022 G Quin Berger, 2022 F Alpha Banguara, 2022 G Diego Uribe, 2022 G Kevin Kang, 2022 G Wade Chiddick, and 2023 G Matt Mayock are key guys returning to campus from last season's 20-5 team. The Moose have also added 2022 G Jameel Brown to their 2021-2022 high school season roster along with a couple key freshmen coming in. They are back to their normal schedule and will be appearing in multiple key national events for this season. Slam Dunk to the Beach, D.C. National Hoopfest, and the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield are just a few events they will be participating in this upcoming year.
17. Hillcrest Prep (AZ)
Last Season Record: N/A
Additions: 2022 SG Chance Westry, 2022 F Kamari Lands, 2022 PG Paul McMillian, 2023 C Kylan White, 2022 F Emmanuel Kanwei, 2022 F Malcolm Flaggs, 2024 F Jason Asemota
Hillcrest Prep has re-vamped and re-grouped with a new roster for this upcoming season which makes them a preseason top-25 program as of now. The Bruins have always been one of the solid programs on the West Coast and come in ranked at number seventeen in our updated preseason top-25 national rankings. They were not in our way-too-early top-25 back in May but they have added some big time addition and are expected to play a national schedule during 2021-2022. 2022 SG Chance Westry, 2022 F Kamari Lands, 2022 PG Paul McMillian, 2023 C Kylan White, 2022 F Emmanuel Kanwei, 2022 F Malcolm Flaggs, and 2024 F Jason Asemota are expected to be apart of their high school season roster. The Bruins already have themselves a date against top-5 ranked Combine Academy (NC) in December in Memphis at the Battle in the Bluff and are expected to have other top tier matchups throughout.
18. Duncanville (TX)
Last Season Record: 29-1
Additions: 2023 F Ashton Hardaway, 2022 SG Anthony Black
The defending UIL class 6A state champions will be one of the best public school basketball programs coming into the 2021-2022 high school season once again. With iSchool Lewisville out of the top-25 rankings for now, Duncanville holds the top spot as the number one team in the state of Texas as of now. The Panthers return most of their roster from last season's state championship squad. 2023 F Ron Holland, 2022 PG C.J. Ford, 2023 F Cameron Barnes, 2022 SG Davion Sykes, and 2022 F Andre Kanu are just a few key guys returning for the Panthers. Duncanville has also added some additions to their 2021-2022 high school season roster that include 2023 F Ashton Hardaway and 2022 G/F Anthony Black. The Texas powerhouse will be looking to defend their class 6A state championship at the end of the season and will also be playing a national schedule this upcoming season which includes a game against powerhouse Montverde Academy (FL) in December.
19. DeMatha Catholic (MD)
Last Season Record: 11-0
Additions: None
Legendary head coach Mike Jones took his coaching skills to the collegiate level at Virginia Tech after an amazing run at powerhouse DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Maryland. The Stags are still going to be one of the nation's top tier basketball programs and will be playing a national schedule once again during the 2021-2022 high school season. No real season for DeMatha last season due to COVID-19 and the defending WCAC champions only played 11 total games as a group. DeMatha will be bringing back most of that same roster which will be headlined by 2022 F Tyrell Ward (Xavier) and 2022 PG Rodney Rice. New head coach Pete Strickland will hold things down at the DMV powerhouse this upcoming season and will look to continue the tradition Mike Jones kept at the program. The Stags roster is deep once again and other guys like 2022 F Jerrell Roberson, 2023 F Jason Moore, 2023, and 2022 SG Aaron Roberson will be key contributors returning to the roster as well this season. DeMatha Catholic ranks at number nineteen in our updated preseason top-25 national rankings and will be the favorites coming in to the win the WCAC title. They are expected to appear in national events like the National Hoopfest D.C, Hoophall West, and Spalding Hoophall classic.
20. Roselle Catholic (NJ)
Last Season Record: 12-3
Additions: 2023 F Akil Watson, 2024 F Tarik Watson
Roselle Catholic has always been one of the most consistent basketball programs in the state of New Jersey and in the entire country. The Lions season was weirdly arranged last season due to the COVID-19 outbreak back in early 2020. Roselle Catholic only played a total of 15 games and finishing with a 12-3 overall record while doing so. They will return some key prospects like from last season's roster and that includes 2023 PG Simeon Wilcher and 2022 G Jamarques Lawrence. The Lions have also recently added some major contributions to their 2021-2022 high school season roster. 2023 F Akil Watson will be joining the the New Jersey powerhouse for his junior season after playing at Don Bosco Prep (NJ) last season. His younger brother, 2024 F Tarik Watson, will be joining him as well. Roselle Catholic has made their way into our updated preseason top-25 national rankings coming into the 2021-2022 high school season for now and is expected to have a much normal national schedule this year.
ROSTER + SCHEDULE
21. Real Salt Lake Academy (UT)
Last Season Record: 30-3
Additions: 2024 C Stephen Osei
Real Salt Lake Academy out of Herriman, Utah is probably the most slept on top-25 national program in our updated preseason top-25 national rankings. The Griffins finished their 2020-2021 high school season with a 30-3 overall record during the COVID-19 outbreak year. They will return most of that same roster which is headlined by guys like 2022 C Adam Stewart and 2023 PG Dravyn Lawhorn-Gibbs. Other key guys like 2023 SG Trey Evans, 2024 SG David Kotoa, 2022 SG Taylor Evans, 2022 G Aaron Regen, and 2023 F JR Highby will be returning to Real Salt Lake as well this season. They have also added some size in the paint with the addition of 2024 C Stephen Osei. This group is well coach by head coach David Evans and his staff and will give other national programs some problems this upcoming season. A team that went 30-3 overall last season is looking to make their own name out West and nationally. Real Salt Lake Academy is expected to appear in events like the Holiday Hoopsgiving, Beach Ball Classic, Quincy Shootout, Montverde Invitational, and other events this season.
22. Calvary Christian (FL)
Last Season Record: 17-7
Additions: 2022 F Brenen Lorient
Calvary Christian out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida is one of the underrated programs ranked in our preseason top-25 coming into the 2021-2022 high school season. The Eagles captured last season's FHSAA class 3A last season while finishing the season with a 17-7 overall record. Although they only played 24 total games last season due to COVID-19 interrupting a few of their games, the Eagles showed they could be one of the nation's toughest teams. They return their most of the starting lineup from a year ago with 2023 G Marvel Allen, 2022 F Gregg Glenn, 2022 F Taylor Hendricks, and 2023 G Carl Cherenfant. Calvary Christian also added some depth with 2022 F Brenen Lorient and 2022 PG Tyler Hendricks (UCF) will have a much bigger role this season with the Eagles. They will be one of the best programs in the state of Florida once again and is expected to play a tough national schedule which includes an appearance in the famous City of Palms Classic in December.
23. Whitney Young (IL)
Last Season Record: 15-1
Additions: None
Whitney Young will be coming into the 2021-2022 high school season as not only one of the top programs in the country but one of the top programs in the state of Illinois. The Dolphins 2020-2021 high school season was screwed with due to the outbreak of COVID-19 back in early 2020 and they were forced to play a few set of games. They finished the season with a 15-1 overall record and will look to get back to their normal schedule this season. 2022 F A.J. Casey will headline their 2021-2022 roster for now. Other key guys like 2022 F Xavier Amos, 2023 PG Dalen Davis, 2022 SG Daniel Johnson, and 2022 G Marcus Pigram will be returning next season for Whitney Young. They will be playing an elite schedule this upcoming year which includes stops at the Chicago Elite Classic, City of Palms Classic, Bass Pro TOC, and Spaldin Hoophall Classic just to name a few. The Dolphins come in ranked at number twenty-four in our updated preseason top-25 national rankings.
ROSTER + SCHEDULE
24. Dr. Phillips (FL)
Last Season Record: 24-3
Additions: 2023 F Jonathan Caicedo
Florida's class 7A defending state champions have cracked our preseason top-25 national rankings recently and will be one of the best public schools in the country coming into the 2021-2022 high school season. The Panthers will be one of the top teams in Florida behind Montverde Academy, IMG Academy, and Calvary Christian for now. They will return their main core guys from last season's state championship team. 2022 PG Denzel Aberdeen, 2022 C Ernest Udeh Jr., and 2022 SG Riley Kugel round out their elite big three coming into 2021-2022. Other players like 2022 F Jalen Janvier, 2022 G Jackson Slater, 2022 G Jason Mason Sheffield, and 2022 F Jack Chehansky will be key pieces on this year's roster. 2023 F Jonathan Caicedo is the new key addition that should help the Panthers succeed. Dr. Phillips might not be the deepest team in the top-25 preseason rankings, but they will play hard and will have themselves a national schedule to prove their worth. They are expected to play in the Montverde Invitational, City of Palms Classic, and Arby's Classic this upcoming season. The Panthers are without question one of the favorites to defend their FHSAA class 7A state title next March.
25. Orlando Christian Prep (FL)
Last Season Record: 27-0
Additions: None
The defending FHSAA class 2A state champions will have a lot of pressure on their backs coming into to the 2021-2022 high school season as they are currently on a 47-game winning streak. The Warriors dropped just a few spots in our updated national top-25 preseason rankings since May but still are worthy of a spot here in August. They will return their big three from a season ago that includes 2022 F Ven Allen Lubin, 2022 SG A.J. Brown, and 2023 F Jayden Hastings. The Warriors will have other key prospects surrounding their big three and will compete on both ends of the floor. Orlando Christian Prep is obviously the favorites to repeat as state champions once again and will look to keep their winning streak going as a team. They will be playing in other top tier national events this upcoming high school season. The City of Palms Classic, The Bash, and Kevin Durant Tampa Bay Hoopfest will be the top tier events they will be appearing in throughout the year. The Warriors are currently sitting at number twenty-five in our updated national top-25 preseason rankings.
ROSTER + SCHEDULE
NEXT FIVE:
26. Greensboro Day (NC)
27. Winston-Salem Christian (NC)
28. North Little Rock (AR)
29. Long Island Lutheran (NY)
30. Bishop Gorman (NV)
Headlines:
Tag(s):