Mr. Basketball USA Lonzo Ball, repeat selection DeAndre Ayton, Kansas commit Josh Jackson and state champion Jayson Tatum highlight 22nd annual All-American team produced by Ballislife.com Grassroots Editor Ronnie Flores. Elite honor squad includes 20-man first team and 30-man second team.

The 2015-16 All-American Elite Team, now published for the 22nd consecutive season and on the Ballislife.com platform for the first time, includes 44 of the nation’s best seniors, led by Mr. Basketball USA Lonzo Ball of FAB 50 No. 1 Chino Hills (Calif.).

Eighteen seniors and two juniors, including National Junior of the Year DeAndre Ayton of Hillcrest Academy (Phoenix, Ariz.), headline the 20-player overall first team.

A 30-player second team includes four additional juniors and National Sophomore Player of the Year Romeo Langford of New Albany (Ind.). In the 22 seasons of publishing annual All-American teams (we have retroactive teams dating back to the 1954-55 season), no freshman has ever made the first team.

The class player of the year among ninth-graders on the Underclass All-American team is center Charles Bassey of St. Anthony (San Antonio, Texas), who is already touted as one of the best prospects in the country regardless of class. Last season, Marvin Bagley III became the first freshman ever selected to the elite team, but he did not play high school basketball this past season after enrolling at Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.).

Our national coach of the year is Trey Mines of H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.). He led his club to the DCSAA title and a perfect 32-0 mark. H.D. Woodson finished No. 17 in the final FAB 50 National Team Rankings.

This performance-based All-American team is selected by National Grassroots Editor Ronnie Flores with input from Mr. Basketball USA panelists. It is chosen after the conclusion of the season, which makes this All-American team more reflective of players who made state championship runs. This honors squad has been chosen since the 1994-95 season in its current format and is powered by Ballislife.com for the first time. This team is chosen regardless of class and is not exclusive or preferential for seniors named to the Ballislife All-American Game. To check out who has played in the Ballislife All-American Game the past six years, please visit ballislifeallamerican.com. To view previous all-american teams published under this format, please visit GrassrootsHoops.net.

2015-16 All-American First Team

First Five

G — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.) 6-6 Sr.
The word to describe this UCLA commit and the 2016 Mr. Basketball USA is "unique." There are more conventional players who are more efficient in terms of shooting percentage and fundamental play, but some of the skill Ball possesses only comes around once every ten years. He is a pin-point passer all 84 feet of the court and has uncanny rebounding ability for a true point guard. The Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Basketball honoree and a two-time Division I State Player of the Year, Ball recorded 25 triple-doubles this past season for the unbeaten FAB 50 national champs and finished with averages of 23.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg and 11.7 apg, 5.1 spg, and 2.0 bpg. Ball finished his four-year career with 2,522 points, 1,204 rebounds, 1,214 assists (state No. 1 all-time) and 592 steals (state No. 2 all-time), including 408 assists and 178 steals this past season.

G — De'Aaron Fox, Cypress Lakes (Katy, Texas) 6-4 Sr. 
The Kentucky-bound guard proved his status as a top national prospect with a strong senior year despite playing with less surrounding talent than a vast majority of the other All-Americans on this team. Fox led Cypress Lakes to a 25-8 season and to four wins in the UIL Class 6A state tournament. He received plenty of consideration for Mr. Basketball USA while averaging 31.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.8 spg and 1.8 bpg. In the McDonald's All-American Game, he only made one field goal, but he had seven assists and two steals. At the Nike Hoop Summit, he had nine points and a game-high five assists.

F — Josh Jackson, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) 6-8 Sr.
Ran neck-and-neck with Lonzo Ball for Mr. Basketball USA honors and the only difference in the final selection was Jackson's four first place votes for national player of the year compared to Ball's six. Jackson was one of the most explosive wings in the country and many experts feel he is the most NBA-ready player in high school basketball. He led Prolific Prep to a 26-7 record against national competition while missing seven games. Jackson averaged 26.9 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 6.3 apg, 3.5 spg, and 3.9 bpg and capped off his season with a MVP performance at the McDonald’s All-American Game. He made his pitch for top-ranked prospect in the senior class by scoring 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting and grabbing 4 rebounds.

F — Jayson Tatum, Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.) 6-8 Sr.
Bound for Duke, Tatum is one of the nation's most gifted scorers and was the third legitimate candidate in the Mr. Basketball USA race along with Josh Jackson and Lonzo Ball. Tatum averaged 29 ppg, 9 rpg, 3 apg and 2 spg for a 27-5 team that finished No. 15 in the FAB 50. In his final game, Tatum exploded for 40 points and 14 rebounds, as Chaminade won its first Missouri Class 5 state title. One of the most highly-honored players ever from Missouri, Tatum broke 2011 first five All-American Bradley Beal's school scoring record, was a three-time Gatorade State Player of the Year and the first four-time Metro Catholic Conference Player of the Year. He was also selected Gatorade National Player of the Year.

C — DeAndre Ayton, Hillcrest Academy (Phoenix, Ariz.) 7-0 Jr.
The national junior player of the year had by all accounts a dominant season after injury kept him from performing at 100 percent in the summer of 2015. Despite some mystery surrounding his recruitment, the Bahamian native has arguably the most long-term potential of any post player in high school basketball. He backed up that claim by averaging 29.2 ppg, 16.7 rpg and 3.8 bpg.

Second Five

G — Cassius Winston, U-D Jesuit (Detroit) 6-0 Sr. 
His spectacular individual performances combined with U-D Jesuit's team success pushed Winston up to the second five. Winston led his team to a perfect 28-0 record and averaged 27.6 ppg over the final three games of the season, capped by a 31-point, nine-assist performance in the Class A state title game. Winston averaged 21.9 points and 7.5 assists per game while U of D Jesuit finished No. 6 in the FAB 50. He was named Michigan's Mr. Basketball and will continue his career at Michigan St.

G — Mustapha Heron, Sacred Heart (Waterbury, Conn.) 6-6 Sr.
It was a great calendar year for Heron, who was the co-MVP of the Pangos All-American Camp last June and capped his senior campaign with a 33-point, MVP performance at the Ballislife All-American Game. In between, Heron led Sacred Heart to a 26-2 record and to a third consecutive state title. The Auburn recruit is known as a powerful finisher and he averaged 29.7 ppg while also shooting 41 percent from 3-point range. Heron is one of Connecticut's best overall players in years, as Sacred Heart went 80-5 over his three seasons with the team.

F — Miles Bridges, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.Va.) 6-7 Sr.
One of the nation's most physically imposing players, Bridges will join fellow second five All-American Cassius Winston and fourth five All-American Josh Langford at Michigan State. He averaged 24.6 ppg, 12.4 rpg and 4.8 apg for one of the top academy-type programs in the country and the Flint, Mich. native proved to be one of the nation's top talents during grassroots events over the summer and on the post-season circuit. He capped his season with a 25-point performance in the Ballislife All-American Game.

F — T.J. Leaf, Foothills Christian (El Cajon, Calif.) 6-9 Sr.
His numbers alone prove Leaf is one of the best all-around players in the country. Leaf averaged 28.4 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 5.1 apg, and 3.1 bpg, led Foothills Christian to the San Diego Section Open Division title and a No. 38 FAB 50 ranking. One of only seven California players ever to score over 3,000 points (3,020), Leaf was named a McDonald's All-American and went for 14 points and 10 rebounds in the Ballislife All-American Game. Likely San Diego County's best player and prospect since 1970 first five All-American Bill Walton (Helix), Leaf will join Mr. Basketball USA Lonzo Ball at UCLA.

C — Marques Bolden, DeSoto (DeSoto, Texas) 6-10 Sr. 
The nation's top senior post player was the last truly elite player in the 2016 class to announce for college and he chose Duke over Kentucky. This came after he played in the McDonald's All-American Game (13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals), the Jordan Brand Classic, Nike Hoop Summit and Ballislife All-American Game. Before that, Bolden had some big games in leading DeSoto to the UIL Class 6A state title with a 35-2 mark. Bolden dominated the paint in the UIL state tournament, including a 31-point, 16-rebound and two block performance in an overtime semifinal win. He ended the season with averages of 18.8 ppg, 13.4 rpg, and 4.4 bpg.

Third Five

G — Frank Jackson, Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) 6-3 Sr.
One of Utah's most decorated players ever, Jackson capped his career by earning state Mr. basketball honors as a senior. He had a 30-point game versus a great Lone Peak team as a freshman (when he played for Lehi), helped Lone Peak win a state title as a sophomore and tied for the state scoring lead (26.8 ppg) as a junior. This past season, he stepped up his game even more, scoring at a 28.9 ppg clip, grabbing 6.3 rpg while dishing out 2.9 apg. Headed for Duke, Jackson participated in the Jordan Brand Classic, the Nike Hoop Summit and the McDonald's All-American Game where he made five 3-pointers and scored 19 points.

G — Markelle Fultz, DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 6-5 Sr.
Ring-leader for a Stags team that won 32 games and finished No. 7 in the FAB 50 against one of the nation's toughest schedules. Fultz was named all-met by the Washington Post for the second consecutive season after playing JayVee as a tenth-grader and is now considered one of the better prospects for the 2017 NBA Draft. After earning WCAC Player of the Year honors as a junior, the Washington recruit averaged 17.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, and 7.1 apg and played well in three national post-season all-star events. DeMatha's 12th McDonald's All-American, Fultz had 10 points, six assists and three steals in that game, went for 19 points at the Jordan Brand Classic and had 11 points and five steals at the Nike Hoop Summit.

G —Terrance Ferguson, Advanced Prep International (Dallas, Texas) 6-6 Sr.
One of the most skilled all-around players in the country, "T-Ferg" was the most highly-honored player off a talented team that started slow but ended the season on a 21-game winning streak. Ferguson, an Arizona recruit, averaged 17 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2 apg for API and was named first team all-area by the Dallas Morning News. He was also a McDonald’s All-American and displayed his spectacular shooting range when he knocked down seven 3-pointers at the Nike Hoop Summit. He showed off his tremendous athleticism by winning the slam dunk contest at the Ballislife All-American Game.

F — Braxton Key, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 6-8 Sr.
The top overall player off the nation's No. 2 ranked team helped the Warriors win Dick's Nationals after transferring over from Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tenn. Key is known for his versatility, with the ability to play both forward spots and defend multiple positions. One of Oak Hill's top scoring threats along with underclass All-American Lindell Wiggington, Key came up big when Oak Hill coach Steve Smith needed him the most. Key had 20 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in Oak Hill's 62-60 win over La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) in the Dick's Nationals championship game. The Alabama recruit averaged 14 points, three steals and 1.7 blocks in Oak Hill's three wins at that tournament.

C — Edrice Adebayo, High Point Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.) 6-9 Sr.
Had an honor-filled campaign after transferring to HPCA for his senior year. He led the Cougars to a FAB 50 ranking and the NCISAA Class 3A title game with as dominant play as any post in the country. "Bam" averaged 18.9 ppg, 13.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.4 bpg and 1.4 spg and shot 64 percent from the field. Headed to Kentucky, "Bam" was named a McDonald's All-American, selected to the Jordan Brand Classic and was also the Associated Press state player of the year.

Fourth Five

G — Trevor Anderson, Stevens Point (Stevens Point, Wis.) 6-2 Sr.
Most highly-honored player off a team that finished No. 8 in the FAB 50 and had a 33.2 pig winning margin. A two-time all-state selection, he helped Stevens Point tie the mark for the highest FAB 50 ranking ever for a Wisconsin team as a senior and led his team to back-to-back WIAA D1 state titles. Headed to Wisconsin-Green Bay, Anderson was named AP state player of the year while averaging 24.9 ppg. Anderson was the Wisconsin Valley Conference co-Player of the Year with teammate Sam Hauser and finished his career as Steven Point's all-time scoring leader.

G — Andrew Jones, MacArthur (Irving, Texas) 6-4 Sr.
One of the best scorer-distributor combo guards in the country, Jones put up monster numbers for a team that wasn't as strong as it was his junior season. Jones, a Texas recruit, averaged 28 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 5.0 apg and was named a McDonald's All-American as his sister Alexis was in 2012. Jones also played in the Ballislife All-American Game, where he scored 21 points, collected three steals and set an event record with 14 assists.

G — Chris Lykes, Gonzaga College (Washington, D.C.) 5-8 Jr. 
The unflappable junior point guard and emotional leader for the Eagles forced his way up the all-american ladder because of some of the honors he merited. Lykes was named first team all-met by the Washington Post and was named Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Player of the Year over all-met POY Anthony Cowan Jr. (St. John's) and McDonald's All-American and second five selection Markelle Fultz (DeMatha Catholic). Lykes averaged 3.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, and 2.7 spg in arguably the nation's toughest conference while averaging 22.0 ppg while shooting 47.3 percent from 3-point range.

 F — Josh Langford, Madison Academy (Madison, Ala.) 6-6 Sr.
Michigan St.-bound wing was one of the most honored and accomplished players in the country. As a senior, he averaged 26.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 3.4 apg and was named Alabama's Class 3A Player of the Year for the fifth consecutive season going back to eighth grade. Langford was also a two-time Gatorade State Player of the Year choice and was Alabama's first McDonald's All-American since first five selection DeMarcus Cousins of Mobile LeFlore in 2009. Langford finished his high school career with 3,089 career points.

 F — Amir Coffey, Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) 6-7 Sr. 
Made up for lost time by closing out his senior season with a Class 4A state title. Minnesota's Mr. Basketball, Coffey led the Royals to a 31-1 mark and a No. 21 FAB 50 ranking. After missing a majority of his junior season with a torn knee ligament, Coffey battled nagging injuries to score 19 points, grab six rebounds and dish out three assists in the state title game. For the season, he averaged just a shade under 20 ppg and was chosen to play in the Jordan Brand Classic. Headed to Minnesota.

2015-16 All-American Second Team

G — Rawle Alkins, Word of God (Raleigh, N.C.) 6-5 Sr.
C — Udoka Azubuike, Potter’s House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.) 6-10 Sr.
C — Tony Bradley, Bartow (Bartow, Fla.) 6-10 Sr.
G — Tony Carr, Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) 6-3 Sr.
G — Tyson Carter, Starkville (Starkville, Miss.) 6-4 Sr.
F — Yoeli Childs, Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) 6-7 Sr.
C — Zach Collins, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 7-0 Sr.
G — Anthony Cowan Jr., St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) 6-0 Sr.
C — De'Ron Davis, Overland (Aurora, Colo.) 6-9 Sr.
G — Carsen Edwards, Atascocita (Humble, Texas) 5-10 Sr.
G — Andres Feliz, West Oaks Academy (Orlando, Fla.) 6-2 Sr.
G — T.J. Gibbs, Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.) 6-2 Sr.
G — Alterique Gilbert, Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) 5-11 Sr.
F — Dewan Huell, Norland (Miami, Fla.) 6-9 Sr.
G — Kevin Huerter, Shenendehowa (Clifton Park, N.Y.) 6-5 Sr.
F — V.J. King, Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) 6-7 Sr.
F — Kevin Knox Jr., Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.) 6-8 Jr.
G — Romeo Langford, New Albany (New Albany, Ind.) 6-4 Soph.
F — Mitch Lightfoot, Gilbert Christian (Gilbert, Ariz.) 6-8 Sr.
G ­— De’Anthony Melton (Crespi, Encino, Calif.) 6-4 Sr.
G — Jagan Mosely, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) 6-3 Sr.
G — Malik Monk, Bentonville (Bentonville, Ark.) 6-3 Sr.
F — John Petty, J.O. Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) 6-6 Jr.
G — Shamorie Ponds, Jefferson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 6-1 Sr.
F — Michael Porter, Father Tolton (Columbia, Mo.) 6-8 Jr.
G — Payton Pritchard, West Linn (West Linn, Ore.) 6-1 Sr.
G — Kobi Simmons, St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) 6-5 Sr.
G — Xavier Simpson, Lima Senior (Lima, Ohio) 6-0 Sr.
F — Arnaldo Toro, St. Benedict's (Newark, N.J.) 6-8 Sr.
G — Trae Young, Norman North (Norman, Okla.) 6-1 Jr.

National Coach of the Year: Trey Mines, H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.)

Note: Grassroots Hoops selections 2013-2015; ESPN selections 2010-2012; EA SPORTS selections 2003-2009; Student Sports selections prior to 2003; Selections are based on high school accomplishment, not future college/pro potential, and are reflective of those that lead their teams to state championships. The editors of Ballislife.com do not knowingly select fifth-year players, and those ineligible due to age or academics, Mr. Basketball USA or to its various All-American teams.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores