No. 1 in the preseason MaxPreps top 25 high school basketball rankings belongs to: Bartlett (Tenn.). Led by the Texas A&M commit Dylan Jones and star teenagers DJ Okoth and: Braylon WilliamsIn 2025-26, the Panthers went 36-4 to capture their first state championship in more than 20 years.
Bartlett brings back his top three scorers from last season in Jones (16.1), Williams (14.0) and Okot (13.3). Second year Malachi hill after winning the Nike EYBL Peach Jam title with Mokan Elite over the summer will take on a more prominent role in the program.
The MaxPreps Top 25 is limited to schools competing for a state championship that has been approved by a governing body recognized by the NFHS. Post-graduate or non-scholastic programs may not be included.
Continue reading for a complete look at the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25. Click on the school names for an in-depth preview of each team.
2025-26 36-4, No. 7 finish in MaxPreps Top 25
Distribution. Won 18 straight games to close 2025-26 after back-to-back losses to top-five opponents. Bartlett has challenged himself with a grueling national schedule that includes trips to the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions, the City of Palms Classic and The Classic in high school in Tennessee.
2025-26 26-6, No. 16
Distribution. The five-time defending Class 7A state champions and 2024-25 national champions are seeking their first Open Division title. Three 7-footers are expected to make up the frontcourt when Marquette commits Akol Nyok he was joined by top 40 junior international transfers Martin Sibal and: Martin Simcoe. Top 20 Jr Ty Bell and top 100 juniors Jordan Fisher round out the expected starting five.
2025-26 24-1, number 2
Distribution. Coming off their best season in program history, the Eagles are looking to capture their third straight state championship and first Open Division state championship. The lineup is centered around the top 10 seniors Cayden Daughtry: — who earned MaxPreps National Junior of the Year honors last season. A talented crop of newcomers includes juniors David Arefev, Ruka’s Bethel and: Alex Jenkins Along with North Florida commitments James Nowells.
2025-26 36-2, No. 9
Distribution. Head coach Freddie Johnson enters his 50th season with a career record of 1,257-335, fifth all-time in wins, and 14 state championships. The two-time defending state champions return much of their output from last season with a top 10 sophomore Grant Duggins and Charlotte’s Pledge Mason Robinson forming a dynamic frontal field. Young people Andrew Jurgens and: Micah Gunter A Winston-Salem State pledge is expected to join them Jagger Emerson as snacks
8. Paul VI (Chantilly, V.)
2025-26 33-3, number 1
Distribution. The defending national champions and three-time defending WCAC champions will be vying for their third No. 1 ranking in the last four seasons. Among the main returnees are the elderly Dylan Wedding, Matthew Mena and Elon obliges Brian Mitchell Jr along with the junior glue boy Ryan Bahr. MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection Damien Robinson A crucial rookie in Virginia’s starting lineup.
2025-26 30-0, number 8
Distribution. The three-time defending state champions boast an 88-2 record over the past three seasons, with two undefeated runs in that span. Top 20 Duke commits Cakes Knueppel Expected to lead the charge as seniors Jamil Sewell and: Riley Waltz return to the starting lineup along with the top 70 juniors Kinston Knueppel. Transfer Tyler Trader Head coach Ryan Walsh’s starting lineup is expected to end last season.
2025-26 24-4, No. 19
Distribution. In search of the program’s first state title since 2008 and second overall, the Tigers are led by five seniors. Adan Diggs. Other top returners include seniors Adrian Higuera and: Antanga Greedy along with a four-star junior Trey McKinney. Top 150 Jr Maurice Carter II is a key transfer expected to join the starting five for a program that will compete in the Hoophall West, City of Palms Classic and Les Schwab Invitational before the New Year.
2025-26 22-8:
Distribution. Look to capture their first Open Division state championship and second overall behind Connecticut’s top 100 seniors. Navarro Bowman JrUtah State pledge Queen Rachel and related to SMU Josiah Nance. Sr Ilan Nikolov and younger Zion Lanier The Knights are expected to return to the top five as they compete against No. 2 Sierra Canyon, No. 16 St. Francis and no. Stacked with 25 Crespi in the Mission League.
2025-26 29-2, number 4
Distribution. After the best season in school history, top 60 Virginia Tech commit Tyran Fraser joins a strong returning frontcourt that includes top 20 sophomores Majok Ater and top 175 seniors Sekou Cisse. Other top returning seniors? Kingston Money:Eastern Illinois Pledge Wyatt Slay and: Gassim Toure will battle for minutes in the backfield for the two-time defending state champions.
2025-26 27-8
Distribution. The Cadets are a top contender for the three-time defending WCAC Paul VI champion. Three starters return on the three-star Old Dominion commit Jimin and Wentop 100 juniors Kareem Smith-Bey and senior striker Jordan Taylor. Senior center James DiBitetto returns for a bigger role, and the junior newcomer Kyle Brown Expected to fill the starting lineup.
2025-26 19-10:
Distribution. After three straight state titles, the Bulldogs fell in the Class 2A state quarterfinals last season to end back-to-back seasons with double-digit losses. Prep has a reloaded roster looking to compete in the inaugural Open Division state tournament behind the four-star Wake Forest commit. Quincy Dube Jr Newcomers include top 20 sophomores Caden Gaskinstop 70 captain Jeremy Jenkins Jr7-foot-1 senior Cool Fierce and Senior Warden CJ Westbrook.
2025-26 26-3
Distribution. The eight-time defending region champions are looking to add another state title to the title in 2024 after one win. George Mason sticks to 100. MJ Curry and top 10 sophomores Austin Leonard lead a strong first unit that includes a three-star sophomore Jacory Thompsonsenior forward Xavier Butler and a sophomore guard Jeremiah Anderson.
2025-26 21-9:
Distribution. The Golden Knights showed promise last season, but lost four of their last five games. St. Francis features the most potent front line in high school basketball as a 7-foot-5 top-25 senior. Sheriff Milogo he is joined by highly ranked juniors Ian Kamagatealso 7 feet. Hermann Cohn6-10 sophomore, senior guard Jaylene Conard and Junior Warden Luke Paulus The starting lineup is expected to be finalized.
2025-26 33-4
Distribution. The defending Sweet 16 state champions return three starters. Eastern Kentucky commit Montes Gaysenior guard Jay Millin Johnson and three-star junior Ryder Akins each averaged double figures in 2025-26. Junior Center CJ Thomas Expected to have a high role for the Cardinals before the main rookie Andrew Terry will give an extra point kick to the program.
2025-26 31-4
Distribution. The two-time defending TAPPS state champions begin the season as the No. 1 ranked team in Texas anchored by top-10 ranked LSU. Reese Alston. Senior partners Will Goolsby, Cason Hall and: Caden Smith back to the top unit while Eastern Michigan pledges Broderick Wyatt Is the only major addition to the Eagles. Second Baptist will play three ranked teams in its first 10 games.
2025-26 28-5, No. 10
Distribution. The perennial powerhouse is reeling off back-to-back state titles at Georgia’s highest ranking, bringing her total to 11. Top 40 Purdue commits Kevin Savage III is the catalyst surrounded by three star jr Shamar Madden and senior forward CJ Tillis. Additions to the senior guard Tyce Curtis and top 150 juniors Shane Goins Expected to boost the first unit.
2025-26 28-4
Distribution. After a 3-4 start to the 2025-26 season, the Hawks won 25 straight games en route to the Class AAAA state championship. Chaska returns five of its top scorers from last season as South Dakota State commits Tyler Forrestyounger Chase Meitzoldsophomore year Jed Keenan and the elderly Eli Herzog and: Kalin Yochum title balanced rotation.
2025-26 24-1
Distribution. First-year head coach Miles Weir is looking to continue the success of the past three years for a group that has gone 83-3 over that span with a shot at a state championship in 2024. A pair of four-year starters anchor the running back as three-star Florida Gulf Coast pledges. Zachary Cooper and top 70 Auburn-related Jason Gardner Jr return for their final season alongside the sophomore forward Max Hopkins and senior guards Micah Baker and: Levi Walker.
2025-26 27-3
Distribution. The three-time defending state champions return four starters from last season as top-100 juniors RJ DavisThe Wofford Pledge DJ Wyliejunior wing CJ Moore and Senior Warden JT Vankallen: They are expected to provide firepower for this group. Senior guard Christopher Horton is the projected fifth start. Ridge View has won all seven of its state championships since 2018.
2025-26 23-4
Distribution. Former NBA star Jeff Teague returns for another year in charge of the program as he looks to lead Peak to its first state championship since 2003 and fourth overall. Three returning starters lead the way as the top 20 Purdue commits Isaiah hillthree-star Ball State commit Kenneth Lampley and Top 40 Jr Landon Lampley. Senior forward Vanden Garner and a sophomore guard Ryan Gold Jr strengthen the starting five.
2025-26 25-3
Distribution. The Vikings left no doubt in their first state championship last season, outscoring state tournament opponents by an average of 30 points per game, including a 59-28 win in the title game. Although they return only two starters in the top 60 Cincinnati’s participation Cameron Mercer and Senior Warden Amir Phillipsadditions of junior guards Rocco DiSanto and: LeShawn Hill along with the sophomore forward Kieran Lee place them in the mixture to combine.
2025-26 21-14
Distribution. Despite the ups and downs of the 2025-26 season, the Celts showed their potential over the summer as they captured the Section 7 title in the top division and also won the top bronze at Nevada Live. Head coach Derek Fisher’s group returns all five starters as seniors Carter Barnes, Isaiah Barnes, Nikon Daewoo, Rodney Mukendi and: Jasiah Williams have plenty of experience competing against a busy schedule.
