We conclude our 2025-26 preseason FAB 50 National Team Rankings powered by Ballislife.com with an in-depth look at the nation’s top 15 teams. We began with teams No. 31-50, continued with teams No. 16-30 and this is an in-depth look at the nation’s 15 best teams. Prolific Prep of Florida is the nation’s preseason No. 1 team and it’s the ninth consecutive season a program based in Florida has been ranked preseason No. 1 among the nation’s best high school basketball programs.
All 50 teams are written up with explanations for why they are placed in these positions. Prolific Prep is the top-ranked preseason club for the first time, as high school basketball has undergone big changes, including The Crew moving their program from Napa, Calif., to a suburb of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
RELATED: Preseason 2025-26 FAB 50 (16-30) | Preseason 2025-26 FAB 50 (31-50) | Preseason East Region Top 20 | Preseason Southeast Region Top 20 | Preseason Midwest Region Top 20 | Preseason Southwest Region Top 20 | Preseason West Region Top 20 | Ballislife Podcast Network | FAB 50 Rankings Criteria | History of High School Team Rankings
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2025-26 High School Basketball: Not Going Back
The “COVID-19” era of high school basketball officially ended with the 2022-23 season and the “NIL” era is now in full bloom and there is no going back. The game we saw prior to the pandemic has changed ten-fold and we’re not going back.
The NIL era has brought big change to high school basketball and the biggest change is at the top. The elite players are now pursued and represented by big agencies for NIL-related legal representation and continue to transfer to academy-type programs at a torrid pace. Decades ago, many respected industry stakeholders predicted top young players would be recruited to academies as they are in European countries and in soccer domestically.
That is basically where high school basketball is at now.
There is still room and opportunity for good players in a traditional public or parochial school setting, but academy-type programs continue to plant their stake on the high school and grassroots landscape. The same company that dominates the athletic shoe and apparel market is exerting more dominance in the world of high school basketball in the fall and winter, not just the grassroots environment in the spring and summer.
Season of Change
The EYBL Scholastic League (previously known as the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference) held its first regular season games during the 2021-22 season and last season held the inaugural EYBL Scholastic Conference tournament, an end-of-season event won by 2024-25 preseason FAB 50 No. 2 Link Academy of Missouri.
This season Nike, the athletic shoe company giant, is exerting more control over the EYBL Scholastic League, which has expanded to 20 programs and is now divided into two divisions, a West and East Division.
The league will conduct 140 regular season games spread across home campus venues and 19 pre-existing events around the country. The 20 teams will play nine division games and five cross-division games during the regular season. The second annual EYBL Scholastic Conference Tournament is scheduled for March 12-15, 2026 in Augusta, Ga. The top five teams in each division, plus two at-large teams, will qualify for the tournament.
More Change at the Top
There are a whopping 13 EYBL Scholastic programs in the 2025-26 preseason FAB 50 National Team Rankings presented by Ballislife.com. There doesn’t seem to be an overwhelming favorite to win the 2025-26 league tournament title, as the competition will be fierce. There are many strong teams, but in our rankings formula winning a league or conference crown is one of the first factors looked at when placing teams in the industry’s longest-running weekly rankings (since the 1987-88 season). Rest assured, the last place teams in the league and the 16th and 17th best teams in the conference will not be ranked. Although the strong areas or regions periodically change over the years, the national rankings are meant to reflect the entire country.
Montverde Academy of Florida has been the dominant team in the EYBL Scholastic League, winning league titles in 2021, 2023 and 2024 under head coach Kevin Boyle. On a bigger scale, Boyle’s program also captured seven FAB 50 titles between 2013 and 2024 and started off preseason FAB 50 No. 1 a whopping nine times in the same time frame. Boyle’s club fell back with the pack in 2024-25, finishing in a four-way tie for second place in a single 14-team league in what turned out to be his final season at the boarding school.
After compiling a 363-34 mark in his 13 seasons at MVA, he left the program to become the head coach at Spire Academy in Geneva, Ohio, one of the eight new programs in the EYBL Scholastic League for 2025-26. Will Boyle eventually dominate at Spire Academy in the same fashion he did at MVA? That remains to be seen, but he is keenly aware of the changing landscape of high school basketball since COVID-19 and the onset of the NIL era and Spire Academy aspires to have a big-time program.
Montverde Academy will remain a strong program and will field a strong team in 2025-26 under new head coach Steve Turner. He previously ran a successful program at Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), where he compiled a 525-182 mark competing in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC), the nation’s strongest traditional league.
Last year, Columbus of Miami started as preseason No. 1 and also finished No. 1 behind the play of 2025 Mr. Basketball USA Cameron Boozer. Even though Boyle has moved on to Ohio and Boozer to Duke, ironically this season’s preseason No. 1 team also hails from Florida.
The other big off-season news, besides the expansion of the EYBL Scholastic League and Boyle’s departure, was the announcement that Prolific Prep was moving its operations from the wine country of Napa, Calif., to South Florida.
Because of its strong roster and recent success, today Prolific Prep (Southwest Ranches, Fla.) is the choice to begin as the preseason No. 1 team in the FAB 50 National Team Rankings powered by Ballislife.com. For the Crew, they are preseason No. 1 for the first time since becoming FAB 50 eligible for the 2023-24 season.
Prolific Prep’s selection means the preseason No. 1 team now hails from Florida for the ninth consecutive season. In 2015-16 and 2016-17, the preseason No. 1 team was seven-time FAB 50 champion Oak Hill Academy of Mouth of Wilson, Va. Prior to Oak Hill, Montverde Academy started No. 1 for three consecutive seasons, so that means a Florida program is preseason FAB 50 No. 1 12 of the past 14 seasons.
Yes, the EYBL Scholastic teams dominate the top of the FAB 50, but its a misnomer that public and parochial schools that fall under the leadership of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) can’t compete with academy-type programs. As many EYBL Scholastic teams are learning, sometimes it is continuity and experience together that is a bigger factor in success than simply having the best raw talent on the roster. More academy-type programs are not just looking for the highest ranked players, but the ones that best fit their culture as the stakes of high school basketball continue to grow.
With a roster that includes elite talents such as shooting guard Caleb Holt, junior sensation Bruce Branch and point guard Nasir Anderson, Prolific Prep (which competes in the Grind Session’s Power Conference) has the ability to hold serve as the nation’s No. 1 team, but the competition to remain No. 1 is as fierce as ever.
RELATED: Preseason 2025-26 FAB 50 (16-30) | Preseason 2025-26 FAB 50 (31-50) | Preseason East Region Top 20 | Preseason Southeast Region Top 20 | Preseason Midwest Region Top 20 | Preseason Southwest Region Top 20 | Preseason West Region Top 20 | Ballislife Podcast Network | FAB 50 Rankings Criteria | History of High School Team Rankings
GO TO: No. 1 / No. 2 / No. 3 / No. 4 / No. 5 / No. 6 / No. 7 / No. 8 / No. 9 / No. 10 / No. 11 / No. 12 / No. 13 / No. 14 / No. 15
Preseason 2025-26 FAB 50 National
Team Rankings Powered by Ballislife.com
By Ronnie Flores
(Final 2024-25 ranking in parentheses; *Indicates forfeit wins, forfeit losses not included; **Indicates forfeits and defaults not included; Look for preseason Region-By-Region Top 20 Rankings on Tuesday, November 11 and for the preseason Mr. Basketball USA Tracker on Wednesday, November 19.)
1. (3) Prolific Prep (Southwest Ranches, Fla.) 35-6
Key Players: SG Caleb Holt 6-5 2026 (No. 5 247Sports.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), SG Bruce Branch 6-6 2027 (No. 1 247Sports.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), PG Nasir Anderson 6-4 2027 (No. 6 Rivals.com), PF Davion Adkins 6-6 2026 (No. 27 Rivals.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American, Kansas commit), PF Alex Smith 6-8 2026 (No. 95 Rivals.com, Ohio St. commit), PF M.J. Madison 6-9 2026 (No. 117 Rivals.com), PG Aaron Ona Embo 5-10 2027.
Why Team is a National Title Contender: The program has been FAB 50 eligible for three years and has been capable of challenging No. 1 level teams for all three seasons. The difference this year is the experience the coaching staff gained by coming up just short of its goals of a No. 1 ranking and Chipotle Nationals crown and the physical makeup of the team. Coach Ryan Bernardi, who turned 28 in June, feels this unit has the physical ability to take away other team’s strengths and good roster cohesion. One rankings factor that has become more prevalent since academy-type programs created conferences post-COVID is roster cohesion, as just collecting a roster full of Elite Top 50 type recruits has proven to be a hit-or-miss proposition.
X-Factor Player: Alex Smith because of his ability to stretch defenses with his outside shooting. Smith shot 48 percent from 3-point range and Bernardi feels his team can live up to expectations if Smith knocks down three or four 3-pointers per outing against a national schedule.
Key Transfer: Similar to many teams in the preseason Top 15 of the FAB 50, the Crew’s roster is dotted with newcomers, but M.J. Madison stands out because of his experience. He played in the Nike EYBL Scholastic League in 2024-25 (for Long Island Lutheran) and has experience playing in Chipotle Nationals. In fact, he started for LuHi in its 81-80 quarterfinal loss to Prolific Prep. Madison’s game is suited for the slower pace when things get thick among the ranked teams or at Chipotle Nationals. “M.J. is a good rebounder and has good hands,” Bernardi said.
Key FAB 50 Stat: This program will look to qualify for Chipotle Nationals for the seventh consecutive year, where it holds a 3-5 (.375) all-time mark. This year’s end-of-season tournament takes place April 2-4 in Indianapolis.
Bet You Didn’t Know: Prolific Prep is now 72-1 all-time in the Grind Session Power Conference, with its sole loss to Dream City Christian of Arizona in January of 2023.
Mark Your Calendar: Prolific Prep knows it has to do well in its two power conference games with new kid on the block and No. 7 Southeastern Prep if it expects to qualify for Chipotle Nationals and retain its No. 1 preseason ranking. This season, the Grind Session World Championships take place March 20-22, 2026 in Lawrence, Kan. Prolific Prep also has big games on Dec. 19 vs. No. 3 CIA Bell Vista and on Dec. 21 vs. Montverde Academy at the City of Palms Signature Series. With the program now in Florida, the Crew also has a true road game vs. No. 11 IMG Academy on Feb. 7.
2. (14) Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) 20-9
Key Players: PG Davion Thompson 6-2 2027 (No. 17 247Sports.com, Ballislife National Sophomore of the Year, Ballislife Underclass All-American), SF Trent Perry 6-4 2026 (No. 77 ESPN.com, Kansas commit), C Ethan Taylor 6-10 2026 (No. 21 Rivals.com), SF Tajh Ariza 6-8 2026 (No. 14 247Sports.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American, Oregon commit), C Tristan Reed 6-10 2026 (No. 67 Rivals.com, Mississippi St. commit), SF Luca Foster 6-5 2026 (No. 37 ESPN.com, Gonzaga Commit), PF Cameron Barnes 6-7 2027 (No. 57 ESPN.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), SG Keonte Greybear 6-1 2026, PG Carlos Medlock 5-11 2026 (No. 66 Rivals.com, Michigan St. commit).
Why Team is a National Title Contender: As is a theme with many of the FAB 50 title contenders, coach Chad Myers feels this team has talented pieces that fit better than last year’s team that was just as talented (if not more). He also likes the versatility of this roster, with many having the ability to play multiple positions, combined with the physical capabilities of Ethan Taylor and Tristan Reed. In other words, the Lions can beat teams in multiple ways, as such as any team in the country. Last year’s team didn’t live up to preseason expectations and Myers and his staff will use that experience to make adjustments and have this team more prepared for a FAB 50 title run.
X-Factor Player: Ethan Taylor, whose progression in fall practices has been impressive, according to Myers. If Taylor and Reed can control the paint, this team has a chance to be dominant as it looks to capture its first ever EYBL Scholastic League regular season title.
Key Transfer: Luca Foster has the opportunity to take this team the next step up if he plays with an aggressive mentality each night. His play will help open the door for Davion Thompson, who led the Nike EYBL in scoring last spring. Foster showed what he was capable of last season when he put up 28 points vs. Montverde Academy in a game at the City of Palms Classic while at Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, Pa.).
Key FAB 50 Stat: This is the fifth year the program has been FAB 50 eligible and its preseason ranking has gone up each season while peaking at No. 2. The first year, it began at No. 40 and jumped up to No. 11 in 2022-23 when it captured the FAB 50 national title and Chipotle Nationals (then known as GEICO Nationals). Incredibly, this is the third straight season the Lions begin at No. 2 and this time they hope the end ranking is right in range of the preseason forecast. After capturing the first ever EYBL Scholastic tournament title last year, Link Academy was simply not ready to compete vs. Dynamic Prep in the first round of Chipotle Nationals, losing 74-55. That loss dropped its record to 6-3 (.667) all-time at the event.
Bet You Didn’t Know: Four players on the roster competed for the Mokan Elite travel ball club on the Nike EYBL Circuit: Taylor, Reed, Keonte Greybear and Trent Perry, and the coaching staff is looking for that cohesion to pay dividends this season.
Mark Your Calendar: The Lions want to start off EYBL Scholastic League play on a positive note when they open up with No. 21 Wasatch Academy at the 5 For the Fight National Hoopfest in Utah on Nov. 24. Link Academy plays six league games in 17 days in January. That will tell the tale of the regular season and how much momentum the Lions have as they try to repeat as EYBL Scholastic Conference Tournament champions after a strong showing in the West Division.
3. (6) CIA Bella Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.) 21-6
Key Players: PG Miles Sadler 6-1 2026 (No. 23 Rivals.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), C Paul Osaruyi 6-10 2027 (No. 3 ESPN.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), SF Vaughn Karvala 6-8 2026 (No. 30 ESPN.com, Indiana commit), SF Jalen White 6-8 2027 (No. 77 247Sports.com), SG Lyris Robinson 6-5 2027 (No. 86 Rivals.com), C Aliou Dioum 6-10 2026 (No. 89 Rivals.com, West Virginia commit).
Why Team is a National Title Contender: The Bears are preseason FAB 50 ranked for the first time and with good reason. Last season, they shared the EYBL Scholastic League regular season title with No. 8 Brewster Academy and No. 21 Wasatch Academy and have a more potent roster this season and plenty of experience. It begins with Miles Sadler, a clutch performer who plays bigger than his stature. In a conference as competitive as the EYBL Scholastic, where 13 teams crack the preseason rankings, having a veteran point guard is quite important and Sadler could be conference MVP if the Bears win the West Division, which has seven ranked teams while the East has six. Last season, he was first team all-conference after averaging 16 ppg in conference play. X-Factor Player: Paul Osaruyi. In a conference dominated by physicality and size, he has to step up and show consistency on both ends of the floor because there will be few days off for a program that hopes to repeat last season’s success while breaking in a new coach after Brandon Rosenthal left for college (UCSB assistant). Aliou Dioum is raw and talented, and his defensive ability allows Osaruyi to take advantage of mismatches on the interior.
Key Transfer: Vaughn Karvala. From Oregon (Wis.), this wing can really shoot the ball and makes the athletic, highlight play around the basket at least three times a game. With a big start to the season, he could be a shoo-in for the McDonald’s All-American Game. Don’t blink, but when it’s all said and done Karvala is the team’s second best all-around player after Sadler.
Key FAB 50 Stat: CIA Bella Vista was technically a first time conference member in 2024-25 after merging with Canyon International Academy and wasn’t strongly considered for last year’s preseason FAB 50.
Bet You Didn’t Know: This program had the second best opponent field goal percentage (.392) and opponent 3-point percentage (.257) in 2024-25 conference play while finishing second in scoring (64.0 ppg). If head coach D.J. Wright can mold his team to produce similar numbers, CIA Bella Vista will be in the thick of the conference title race and in the No. 1 ranking hunt.
Mark Your Calendar: The Bears play No. 12 Spire Academy at the Players Era event in Las Vegas on Nov. 28. Regardless of that outcome, it can’t have a letdown the next evening vs. Oak Hill Academy of Virginia. This unit will also have monster games late in the conference schedule the weekend of Feb. 13-15 vs. No. 2 Link Academy and No. 16 Dream City Christian in Glendale, Ariz.
4. (4) Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.) 21-7
Key Players: PG Dylan Mingo 6-5 2026 (No. 2 Rivals.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), SF Moussa Kamissoko 6-7 2027 (No. 2 Rivals.com), PF T.J. Crumble 6-7 2026 (Ballislife Underclass All-American, North Texas commit), SF Kayden Allen 6-5 2026 (No. 47 Rivals.com, Cincinnati commit), PG Jamaal McKnight Jr. 6-0 2027 (No. 88 247Sports.com), C Omar Essam 6-11 2026.
Why Team is a National Title Contender: The Crusaders have finished in the Top 10 of the FAB 50 the past three seasons and in the Top 5 the past two seasons and there is no reason to believe they don’t have the personnel to be at that level once again in 2025-26. The coach staff is very gun-ho on the roster’s size and versatility, plus the talent level makes this ranking warranted. If CIA Bella Vista’s Miles Sadler is not the best lead guard in the Nike Scholastic League, then Dylan Mingo is. He played alongside his older brother Kayden Mingo as a junior (who made second team all-conference) and after a terrific summer which included a MVP performance at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, he’s a leading conference MVP candidate. If the weapons around him compliment his play, there is no reason why the Crusaders can’t capture the East Division.
X-Factor Player: Moussa Kamissoko. He played in a reserve role as a sophomore, but head coach Jon Buck (332-71) and assistant coach Jay David expect him to take a quantum leap this season. He’s a legitimate 6-foot-8 guard who can stroke the perimeter shot and rebound the rock. Kamissoko could wind up as one of the best players in program history if his development curve stays on the proper projection.
Key Transfer: It’s not easy to single out a player on this roster, but Jamaal McKnight Jr. is a classic understudy to Mingo and could have a breakout season. Christian Proctor (6-7, 2027) is a three and D type who is also expected to play a key role.
Key FAB 50 Stat: The Crusaders are preseason FAB 50 ranked for the ninth consecutive season. They technically compete for a state title, even though the New York Federation Tournament of Champions has not been played since the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. That allows LuHi to compete in the traditional bracket of the City of Palms Tournament in Ft. Myers, Fla. It opens as the top seed vs. No. 47 Bartlett and would face the Imhotep Charter (Pa.)-Petersburg (Va.) winner in the second round with No. 6 Archbishop Stepinac on the same side of the bracket.
Bet You Didn’t Know: Only once in the past eight years has any other New York club besides LuHi or Archbishop Stepinac finished as the top ranked FAB 50 team from the Empire State. That was in 2021-22 when Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.) won the NYC Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Class AA title over Stepinac and finished No. 19.
Mark Your Calendar: LuHi is focused on starting the season off on the right foot when it battles No. 2 Link Academy and No. 30 Sunrise Christian Academy at the NBA Cup in Las Vegas (Dec. 12-14). After playing in a field with 11 other FAB 50 ranked teams at the City of Palms, LuHi will face No. 9 Paul VI at the Jordan Jumpman Holiday Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Dec. 27-28).
5. (21) AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) 15-7
Key Players: PG Kaden House 6-4 2026 (No. 38 247Sports.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American, Maryland commit), SG Quincy Wadley 6-4 2026 (No. 26 Rivals.com), SG Kalek House 6-2 2026 (No. 92 ESPN.com, Xavier commit), SF Demarcus Henry 6-8 2027 (No. 16 247Sports.com), PF James Turner 6-7 2026.
Why Team is a National Title Contender: It has the necessary pieces to challenge for No. 1 and coach Pete Kaffey likes the makeup of his roster. Similar to other Nike EYBL Scholastic League clubs, the Dragons are more concerned with cohesion and Kaffey is frank about the fact his team has at least three rotation players 19 or approaching 19. He likens it to the trend of college basketball (where coaching staffs prefer older players) and with the physical makeup of the nation’s top teams, that makes a difference. It also makes a difference when you have one of the nation’s top lead guards in Kaden House. He makes the engine go and led the Dragons to three impressive wins at the Border League fall event in Las Vegas when the club was less than 100 percent healthy.
X-Factor Player: Kalek House. Kaffey is impressed by his approach to the game and unflappable demeanor. Kaden’s brother and the son of former NBA guard Eddie House is solid in every aspect of the game and what he brings to the table the Dragons can’t do without.
Key Transfer: Demarcus Henry. His impact has been profound and he’s more well-rounded than the coaching staff thought after coming over from Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). The program prides itself on its rebounding prowess and Henry will impact that area.
Key FAB 50 Stat: This program has been FAB 50 eligible since 2022-23 when it opened at No. 4 and spent some time at No. 1 in the rankings. It has never started lower than No. 16 and last year it didn’t quite live up to expectations after beginning at No. 5 and finishing 5-6 in league play. Kaffey is keenly aware of the expectations around his program and is confident this team will live up to its preseason billing and challenge for the West Division crown of the EYBL Scholastic League.
Bet You Didn’t Know: Malachi Kaffey (6-1, 2028) is the first tenth-grader to suit up for the program’s national team. He is the son of the head coach.
Mark On Your Calendar: It would be easy to drop this team a notch after power forward Miikka Muurinen left a year early for pro ball, but the roster is well balanced. Quincy Wadley is also back at 100 percent from his ACL injury and should help get the team off to a good start. AZ Compass Prep wants to avoid a slow start and win its first four conference games. The Dragons open up with No. 30 Sunrise Christian Academy at the Five for the Fight in Utah (Nov. 24-26) and face No. 8 Brewster Academy at the NBA Cup in Las Vegas (Dec. 12-14).
6. (31) Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) 26-4
Key Players: SG Jasiah Jervis 6-4 2026 (No. 22 Rivals.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American, Michigan St. commit), SG Hassan Koureissi 6-5 2026 (Fordham commit), SF Dylan Perry 6-7 2026 (Monmouth commit), SF Adonis Ratliff 6-11 2026 (No. 16 Rivals.com, USC commit), C Darius Ratliff 7-0 2026 (No. 12 Rivals.com , USC commit), SG Josh Rivera 6-6 2027 (No. 71 247Sports.com).
Why Team is a National Title Contender: The three-time New York Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) AA city and state champs could have its best overall team if the chips fall into place. Coach Patrick Massaroni (196-85) counts four starters and 11 lettermen returning as the highest rated team in the country that plays for a full-fledged, state governing body state championship. It begins with Jasiah Jervis (16.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.8 spg), a returning first team all-CHSAA selection that should garner some All-American acclaim as a senior. Adonis Ratliff (12.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg) is another honors candidate on a unit with incredible depth and length.
X-Factor Player: Josh Rivera (6.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg) will take on a bigger role and be counted on to aid Jervis with ball-handling duties. The Crusaders will look to dominate in so many aspects of the game that its lack of an experienced point guard won’t hurt much in the big games.
Key Transfer: Stepinac doesn’t really have a transfer per se, but Darius Ratliff was injured most of last year and having him back completely changes the complexion of the lineup. The Ratliff twins are long and a load to deal with when on the court together. Most teams will have a tough time matching up with 14 feet of length and athleticism.
Key FAB 50 Stat: The Crusaders are preseason FAB 50 ranked for the sixth time in seven seasons. Before it was on the bubble in 2022-23, the program started in the mid thirties of the FAB 50 three times before the lead up to this season. Stepinac has a chance to be the first New York State Federation program to capture the FAB 50 title since Niagara Falls (N.Y.) in 2004-05.
Bet You Didn’t Know: No team has ever captured four consecutive New York Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) AA state titles in a row. In the first season of the FAB 50 (1987-88), St. Nicholas of Tolentine in the Bronx finished No. 1 in the country. That team started off No. 8 in the National Prep Poll (FAB 50 precursor) and was led by the late Malik Sealy.
Mark On Your Calendar: The Crusaders will travel to Virginia to play No. 9 Paul VI on national television on Dec. 11. Stepinac also plays in the City of Palms Classic in Florida, where it could meet No. 36 The Villages in the second and potentially No. 4 Long Island Lutheran in the semifinals.
7. (NR) Southeastern Prep Academy (Orlando, Fla.) 16-8
Key Players: PG Beckham Black 6-2 2027 (No. 9 ESPN.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), C Obinna Ekezie Jr. 7-0 2027 (No. 4 247Sports.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), PF C.J. Rosser 6-9 2027 (No. 3 247Sports.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), SF Jaxon Richardson 6-5 2026 (No. 11 ESPN.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), PF Griffin Starks 6-7 2027 (No. 52 Rivals.com), SF Marri Wesley 6-5 2027 (No. 81 Rivals.com).
Why This Team is in Contention: The Falcons soar onto the national scene with an influx of talented transfers and a coach who has tasted success at a national level. In fact, new coach David Peavy led Duncanville (Texas) to the 2022 FAB 50 national title and to a No. 3 finish in 2023 and coached a program that was the University Interscholastic League’s (UIL) best for five straight seasons. This team is long on talent and size with the core of its roster still juniors. The late addition of Jaxon Richardson from defending FAB 50 champ Columbus gives the Falcons a boost and gives them one of the best starting lineups in high school basketball.
X-Factor Player: Beckham Black. As the team’s lead guard, his play will be key in order to get this somewhat inexperienced unit on the same page and focused on the task at hand. Black’s decision-making is keen and his unflappable demeanor will be a difference-maker. Peavy built his Duncanville teams on defensive pressure with an endless amount of rotation players ready to step up and do the job defensively. This team will rely more heavily on its starters, so being on the same page will be key.
Key Transfer: Obinna Ekezie Jr. He’s oozing with talent as one of the best shot blockers in the country and also has experience playing in the event the Falcons hope to: Chipotle Nationals (April 2-4) in Indianapolis. Ekezie was a starter last season at Prolific Prep and his presence not only allows the other four players to defend aggressively, it gives Southeastern Prep a standout at each traditional position on the floor. If he plays up to his vast potential, watch out as the season goes on.
Key FAB 50 Stat: Many programs have done well in their first season on the national radar with a new head coach. In fact, Link Academy won the FAB 50 national title in 2023 in only its second season being eligible for the rankings and with a first year coach (Bill Armstrong).
Bet You Didn’t Know: SEPA was part of the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) last season and is now a full-fledged member of the Grind Session’s Power Conference. The Grind Session was formed in 2014 and its Power Conference is a 16-team conglomerate of the best programs on its circuit that must adhere to its bylaws. In 2012, the state of Florida passed legislation that allowed students from private schools not part of the FHSAA to participate in athletic competitions against full-time FHSAA member schools. This included the SIAA, which has produced a bevy of talented teams over the past decade.
Mark On Your Calendar: The big games on the docket for Peavy’s club will be Power Conference games vs. top-raked Prolific Prep. One is scheduled to take place on Jan. 24 at the Crush in the Valley in Northern California. Those matchups will give us a good indication of what this club is made of…or what Prolific Prep is. This team also has an early test vs. No. 13 Montverde Academy at the Miami Tip-Off (Nov. 21).
8. (2) Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) 28-5
Key Players: SG Darien Moore 6-3 2026 (No. 132 247Sports.com, Seton Hall commit), PG Antonio Pemberton 6-0 2027 (No. 43 247Sports.com), PG Michai White 6-0 2028 (No. 13 Rivals.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), SG Markus Kerr 6-5 2027 (No. 75 247Sports.com), SF Kevin Wheatley Jr. 6-7 2028 (No. 21 Rivals.com), PF Brayden Jones 6-8 2026 (Fairfield commit).
Why Team is a National Title Contender: It will take some work, but the Bobcats should be in the thick of the EYBL Scholastic League East Division race and could challenge the top ranked teams if their interior play improves as the season wears on. Brewster’s backcourt is what makes this team go, as Antonio Pemberton and Darien Moore make up one of the strongest pair of guards in the talent-laden league. Coach Jason Smith (669-152) also likes his team’s depth bolstered by newcomers such as Markus Kerr and Kevin Wheatley Jr., who are talented and will have to show some rebounding capabilities when Smith has a small lineup on the court.
X-Factor Player: Similar to Kerr, Pemberton had a great spring and summer and is expected to make a quantum leap in production. Obviously the interior has to be productive and sound defensively, so Brayden Jones is a critical piece. Smith is banking on the other four positions to defend at a high level to take some of the pressure off of Jones.
Key Transfer: Michai White was one of the few 2028 players on the Nike EYBL 17U circuit and will be counted on to score the ball. He’s also a deft passer and will be hard to keep out of the lineup.
Key FAB 50 Stat: Defense is the calling card for Smith’s program, as it led the EYBL Scholastic League in defense (allowing 50.8 ppg per league game) in 2024-25. It’s a stat the Bobcats will have to come close to replicating in order to move up in the rankings.
Bet You Didn’t Know: Tayden Langdon (6-2, 2027) is the son of former Duke standout Trajon Langdon, a 1994 McDonald’s All-American out of East Anchorage (Alaska) and currently the Detroit Pistons’ President of Basketball Operations. Similar to dad, Tayden is a quality outside shooter.
Mark On Your Calendar: The Bobcats, which entered the EYBL Scholastic League in 2023-24 and have now been preseason FAB 50 ranked for the second consecutive season, won a share of the league crown in 2024-25 after beginning the season at No. 17. This year, Smith feels his team will be much better in February than at the beginning of the season, so it will look to start off conference play on a strong note and then make the necessary adjustments. Brewster Academy, which has been operating as a boarding school since 1965 and still plays plenty of post-graduate teams to fill out its schedule, will face No. 30 Sunrise Christian Academy and No. 5 AZ Compass Prep at the NBA Cup in Las Vegas (Dec. 12-14).
9. (11) Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) 27-6
Key Players: SG Jordan Smith Jr. 6-3 2026 (No. 2 247Sports.com, Ballislife First Team All-American), PG Lawrence “Turk” Brown 6-1 2026 (Florida Gulf Coast commit), PF Matt Mena 6-8 2027, SF Braydon Young 6-8 2027, SF Farrell Djossinou 6-6 2027, SG Brian Mitchell Jr. 6-4 2027.
Why Team is a National Title Contender: The talent level is high, the team culture proven and the expectation level consistent for a program that has been a consistent FAB 50 title contender in recent seasons. Paul VI did lose some returning firepower to transfer and is a smaller unit this season, but coach Glenn Farello (611-216) has an ultra-talented group led by the best player in the ultra-tough Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) in Jordan Smith. With its defense-oriented club, Paul VI wants to play fast, create turnovers and wear out other talented teams in the fourth quarter. It’s also hard to bet against a team that has a great player and has won the WCAC Tournament title three of the past four seasons.
X-Factor Player: Smith is a legit Mr. Basketball USA contender and is arguably the best perimeter defender in the country. His mere presence and effort has made his teammates better team defenders this fall. Farello and his staff love the progress of the newcomers and players expected to take on a bigger role. Among the players expected to expand their roles include Dylan Harsanyi (6-3, 2027), who was deep on the bench last season and Ryan Bahr (6-4, 2028), a JayVee player in 2024-25. Turk Brown, Smith and newcomer Brian Mitchell will shoulder the load as the primary ball-handlers and to create mismatches, will be on the floor all at the same time on many occasions.
Key Transfer: Braydon Young. The athletic swingman comes over from Mt. St. Joseph (Baltimore, Md.) and has a nice blend of strength and athleticism. He’s expected to fill the role graduated Jaquan Womack (now at Towson) played the last two years. Womack broke out at DMV Live in 2024 and Mitchell was the only key cog not with the team during the June Scholastic Live period, so the chemistry building is important.
Key FAB 50 Stat: This program has been on a tear post-COVID. The 2022-23 team did spend some time at No. 1 in the FAB 50 and the 2023-24 team went unbeaten in the WCAC. Both those teams began in the Top 5 of the preseason FAB 50 and even though last year’s team started off at No. 23, it went on to down preseason favorite Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) in the WCAC title game after winning the regular season crown.
Bet You Didn’t Know: The Panthers have been preseason FAB 50 ranked 12 of the past 14 years.
Mark On Your Calendar: Even though this can be considered a “rebuilding” year, the Panthers play a tough national schedule. They face No. 1 Prolific Prep on Dec. 6 and then the following Thursday (Dec. 11) host No. 6 Archbishop Stepinac in a game televised by ESPN. The Panthers will participate in the City of Palms Tournament in Florida (Dec. 18-23) and the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Missouri (Jan. 15-17) and face No. 2 Link Academy at the Jordan Jumpman Holiday Classic in New York after Christmas.
10. (10) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) 28-8
Key Players: SF Tyran Stokes 6-7 2026 (No. 1 247Sports.com, Ballislife National Junior of the Year, Ballislife First Team All-American), PG NaVorro Bowman 6-2 2027 (No. 28 Rivals.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), PF Zach White 6-6 2026 (San Diego St. commit), SG Josiah Nance 6-5 2027 (No. 105 247Sports.com), SG Caleb Ogbu 6-2 2026.
Why Team is a National Title Contender: The Blue Knights return four starters and eight lettermen off a team that was runner-up to Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.) for the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state and Southern Section open division crowns. While Roosevelt graduated its three best players, Notre Dame returns not only its two best players, but perhaps the best player in the senior and junior class in California. In fact, Tyran Stokes (21 ppg, 9 rpg) is the No. 1 ranked player in America and a serious Mr. Basketball USA Candidate because of his ability to take over with his downhill strength and scoring impact. NaVorro Bowman Jr. (14 ppg, 4 apg) is now a hot commodity with national scouts, but in reality he had a monster second half of his sophomore season and can control games with his tempo, change of speed and shot making ability around the rim.
X-Factor Player: Zach White (12 ppg, 5 rpg). This four-year standout does all the dirty work around the rim, but he’s steadily improved his offensive game without losing that role player mentality. Coach Matt Sargeant (245-132) needs White to remain out of foul trouble in the big games in order for this team to meet expectations.
Key Transfer: Ilan Nikolov (6-5, 2027) comes over from Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) and adds nice scoring pop and a change of pace off the bench.
Key FAB 50 Stat: The preseason No. 1 CIF team has finished as the top or No. 2 ranked team in California six of the past seven seasons. The only time it didn’t happen was in 2020-21 when Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) finished fourth in the state in the unique CIF spring season when there were no CIF state championships conducted.
Bet You Didn’t Know: White’s father Russell White was an All-American running back at CAL and was known as California’s first “rock star” high school football talent when he played running back at Crespi (Encino, Calif.) between 1986-88. Zach doesn’t play football but his older brother Xavier does at Central Michigan.
Mark On Your Calendar: The Mission League is California’s best this season, on paper, as it contains the state’s top three FAB 50 ranked teams. The Blue Knights could meet FAB 50 No. 18 and state No. 2 Sierra Canyon up to five times this season. Those occasions would be the title game of the Les Schwab Tournament in Portland, Ore. (Dec. 30), in the Mission League tournament (Feb. 3 or 5), in the CIFSS playoffs and potentially in the SoCal open playoffs. The set league matchup takes place on ESPN on Jan. 9. Notre Dame is the top seed at the Tarkanian Classic (Dec. 19-23) and will face No. 6 Archbishop Stepinac on Jan. 17 and No. 9 Paul VI on MLK Monday (Jan. 19) at the Panini Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.
11. (20) IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 21-8
Key Players: PF Chase Foster 6-8 2026 (No. 33 247Sports.com, Pittsburgh commit), SG Jermal Jones Jr. 6-4 2026 (No. 71 ESPN.com, Pittsburgh commit), PG Trey Beamer 6-3 2026 (No. 75 ESPN.com, Boston College commit), SF Aziz Olajuwon 6-7 2026 (No. 40 ESPN.com, Stanford commit), SF Cole Cloer 6-8 2026 (No. 25 ESPN.com, N.C. State commit), SF Ralph Scott 6-8 2026 (No. 35 247Sports.com, Tennessee commit), C Max Meyer 7-1 2026 (No. 75 Rivals.com), C Ahmadou “Bamba” Touray 7-0 2028 (No. 1 Rivals.com).
Why Team is a National Title Contender: The Ascenders have a nice combination of experience, talent and motivation to stay in contention for the program’s second FAB 50 title. Coach Sean McAloon will rely on seven seniors, with Jermal Jones Jr. and Aziz Olajuwon the team’s best two-way players. When the going gets tough, that duo will be relied on to score and their level of play lifts the rest of the team. Jones is one of three returnees along with Trey Beamer and Chase Foster. McAloon singled out the improvement of Foster as being one of the reasons he feels good about this team.
X-Factor Player: Max Meyer. He has a good feel for the game and will be a defensive menace for many of the opposing offenses IMG Academy will face. He’s a good shot blocker and his production and presence will help Bamba Touray develop from an oozing prospect into a key contributor at the highest level of high school hoops.
Key Transfer: Cole Cloer. His competitive edge and ability to score in a variety of ways will pay dividends for a well-known academy-type program that is no longer part of the EYBL Scholastic League.
Key FAB 50 Stat: The program has been ranked in the preseason FAB 50 for 10 consecutive years and the only time it didn’t finish ranked was that first season (2016-17) when it began No. 16. This is the program’s lowest start since it began at No. 24 in 2017-18, the season before it captured the FAB 50 title.
Bet You Didn’t Know: The Ascenders traveled to Abu Dhabi (capital of United Arab Emirates) in early October to participate in the inaugural NBA Academy Showcase. They played boarding school teams from France and Australia, in addition to a team from NBA Africa. McLoon felt it was a terrific bonding experience for this program.
Mark On Your Calendar: IMG may no longer be part of the EYBL Scholastic League, but it plays a loaded schedule. The Ascenders will play at No. 21 Wasatch Academy, No. 28 La Lumiere, plus No. 3 CIA Bella Vista on Jan. 18 at the Panini Hoopall Classic in Massachusetts. IMG also plays No. 13 Montverde Academy on the road and No. 1 Prolific Prep at home.
12. (NR) Spire Academy (Geneva, Ohio) 16-19
Key Players: SG Aiden Derkack 6-6 2026 (No. 45 ESPN.com, Providence commit), SF Alex Constanza 6-7 2026 (No. 15 Rivals.com, Georgetown commit), SF Tarris Bouie 6-6 2026 (No. 33 ESPN.com, Alabama commit), PG Darrell Davis 5-11 2027 (No. 83 247Sports.com), PF Jaylan Mitchell 6-7 2027 (No. 19 ESPN.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), PG King Gibson 6-4 2027 (No. 5 Rivals.com).
Why Team is a National Title Contender: Throw away last year’s record or anything else in the past about this multi-sport, international boarding school founded in 2009. Everything changed when the program hired Kevin Boyle away from Montverde Academy in Florida. He led that program to seven FAB 50 national titles in 13 seasons and developed five Mr. Basketball USA honorees in a span of 10 years (2015-2024). Now, this team is not nearly as good as his best MVA teams, but Boyle feels it’s every bit as good as his final MVA team that finished No. 7 in last year’s FAB 50. To climb higher than that spot, Alex Constanza is going to have to show consistency because he’s capable of being the team’s leading scorer. Aiden Derkack has terrific defensive instincts and is quick offensively, while French product Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan (6-10, 2026) is a rim-runner with solid all-around skill.
X-Factor Player: Jaylan Mitchell is coming off a back injury and is now down 20 pounds and counting. He is going to play a Draymond Green role for this club and the more his physical conditioning comes around, the greater his role will be in crunch time.
Key Transfer: Tarris Bouie. He has tons of talent and is starting to buy into Boyle’s system. As he builds his work ethic, Boyle is expecting in the range of 45 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists per game from Bouie, Derkack and King Gibson, one of the most talented juniors in the country.
Key FAB 50 Stat: There is nothing to compare this unit to stat-wise, as the program is FAB 50 eligible for the first time as part of the EYBL Scholastic League’s East Division. Boyle wants his team to prepare for the next game on the docket and not have tunnel vision.
Bet You Didn’t Know: During mid October, Spire Academy played four exhibition games in Barcelona, Spain and Rome, France vs. international teams, including FC Barcelona’s junior club. It was a 10-day international tour in conjunction with Global Sports & Events, a company that specializes in international events for student-athletes. In a show of how serious Spire Academy takes athletics, tutors traveled with the team.
Mark On Your Calendar: There is no super team on paper and even though this Spire Academy team has work to do, Boyle is confident his team is one of the handful in the mix to compete for FAB 50 No. 1. We’ll take a more cautious approach, however, because some of the seniors have to develop consistency to be considered on par with the nation’s elite. We’ll get a good idea of where this team is at when it faces No. 3 CIA Bella Vista at the Players Era event Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas.
13. (7) Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 19-8
Key Players: SF Kevin Thomas 6-7 2026 (No. 56 ESPN.com, LSU commit), SF Joe Philon 6-9 2026 (No. 38 ESPN.com), PG Jayden Hodge 6-6 2026 (No. 64 247Sports.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American, Northwestern commit), SG O’Neal Delancy 6-2 2027 (No. 30 ESPN.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), PF Lincoln Cosby 6-8 2027 (No. 7 247Sports.com), SF Malachi Booker 6-7 2027 (No. 133 247Sports.com).
Why Team is a National Title Contender: It won’t be easy, but since there is no completely dominant team over the field, the Eagles are yet another EYBL Scholastic League team that can move up and challenge for No. 1. There are eight in the Top 15 of the preseason rankings. Kevin Boyle has moved on to Spire Academy, but the Eagles’ new head coach, Steve Turner, is no stranger to coaching elite level talent and playing in high-stakes games after coming over from Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.). With players such as Kevin Thomas, Joe Philon and Jayden Hodge, the Eagles can really put the ball through the hoop. O’Neal Delancy adds more offensive firepower to a team that has four returning lettermen.
X-Factor Player: Lincoln Cosby. He has been one of the best players in his class nationally ever since the 2027 class came into the national scene. He was a middle school phenom, but now coming over from Overtime Elite, the talented power forward has to bring it every night against the nation’s best competition. He is capable and even shows flashes of being a point-forward type. If Cosby meets the high expectations, MVA will make some noise in the EYBL Scholastic League’s East Division. The areas of concern for Turner are rebounding and keeping foes off the offensive glass, so Cosby’s work in that aspect of the game will determine what schemes can be implemented.
Key Transfer: Jayden Hodge. The Belgium native averaged 19.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 4 apg and 1.8 spg at St. Rose (Belmar, N.J.) but his role will be quite different for the Eagles. He won’t need to score and rebound quite as much, as MVA needs his ball-handling abilities to be on full display in order to meet expectations. Similar to the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, MVA can play a jumbo lineup and create mismatches all over the floor as long as Hodge can control the game’s tempo with the ball.
Key FAB 50 Stat: In his tenure at Gonzaga, Turner finished with a 525-182 mark and teams that finished FAB 50 ranked eight times, which doesn’t include his 2020-21 club that started out No. 31 in the FAB 50 but had its season wiped out by COVID-19 restrictions. Turner knows what it takes at this level and if he finds what he’s looking for at point guard, this team will stay in contention in league and at the national level.
Bet You Didn’t Know: MVA did have an undefeated national team before Kevin Boyle took over the program. That was in 2006-07 when it finished 30-0 and No. 6 in the FAB 50 under Kevin Sutton, now an assistant at Florida Gulf Coast.
Mark On Your Calendar: The Eagles have a major test early vs. No. 7 Southeastern Prep at the Miami Tip-Off (Nov. 21). A national schedule includes an appearance in the City of Palms Signature Series, where they could play No. 1 Prolific Prep or No. 3 CIA Bella Vista in the championship game. The Eagles also play No. 4 Long Island Lutheran at the Panini Hoophall Classic on Jan. 18. They will continue to host the Montverde Academy Invitational (MAIT) from Jan. 29-31.
14. (NR) Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) 14-15
Key Players: SF Qayden Samuels 6-6 2026 (No. 10 ESPN.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), PG Prince Alexander Moody 6-4 2026 (No. 108 247Sports.com, Indiana commit), PF Brandon Woodard 6-8 2027 (No. 32 ESPN.com), PG Kirby Duran 6-1 2027, C Jahmai Drayton 6-11 2027 (No. 100 Rivals.com).
Why Team is a National Title Contender: This team has the talent and experience to challenge No. 9 Paul VI for the WCAC title. This is the first rankings spot where we’re going out on a limb a bit, but taking a deeper look it’s warranted because last year’s won-loss record is deceiving. The team started off 0-9 and a coaching change prompted a turnaround, as coach Jay Gavin welcomes back four starters and nine lettermen. There is plenty to like about this team because of its play-making ability and size, along with the experience it gained during last year’s trying season.
X-Factor Player: Qayden Samuels proved to be one of the nation’s best players over the summer and if he has a big season, McNamara could win its first WCAC title in 31 years. Samuels averaged 23.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg and is one of the nation’s best scorers. He has to remain focused on the team goals and if he’s locked in with Prince Alexander Moody, the team’s point guard, McNamara could move up in the rankings.
Key Transfer: Jahmai Drayton. In order to compete at this level and beat Paul VI in the WCAC, a team needs elite size and the 6-foot-11 junior delivers that. He is a double-double machine and a quality rim protector. He will need to stay on the floor and avoid foul trouble in the big matchups.
Key FAB 50 Stat: The last season in which the Mustangs finished FAB 50 ranked was 2021-22 when it was No. 26 and won the WCAC regular season crown, but faltered in the WCAC tourney semifinals. This year marks the second time Bishop McNamara has been preseason ranked, as it began 2008-09 at No. 30 but finished unranked.
Bet You Didn’t Know: The Mustangs have won one WCAC conference title. That came in 1994-95 in the third season of the WCAC. Before then, it was known as the Washington Catholic League and that season the Mustangs were not ranked in the National Prep Poll (FAB 50 precursor).
Mark On Your Calendar: The Mustangs play a national schedule which includes trips to the City of Palms Classic in Florida, the Jordan Jumpman Holiday Classic in New York, the Melo Classic, the Iverson Classic and the Panini Hoophall Classic. Bishop McNamara plays Rainier Beach of Seattle at the Hoophall Classic (Jan. 18) and it’s a must-win game to stay in this range in the rankings. The COP will go a long way in the direction this team takes from here, as it opens with No. 15 Wheeler in what likely will be the best first round matchup of any tournament in the country this season. The Mustangs could have plenty of momentum going into that Wheeler matchup if they are able to get by No. 24 Winston-Salem Christian (Nov. 29) and highly-regarded Santa Margarita of California and No. 18 Sierra Canyon at the DC Hoopfest (Dec. 5-6).
15. (22) Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) 29-3
Key Players: SF Colben Landrew 6-6 2026 (No. 20 247Sports.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American, UConn commit), PG Kevin Savage III 5-9 2027 (No. 32 247Sports.com), SF Jaron Saulsberry 6-6 2026 (Ole Miss commit), SG Amare James 6-4 2026 (Clemson commit), PG Lamarrion Lewis 6-1 2026.
Why Team is a National Title Contender: There is plenty of firepower returning from a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class AAAAAA title-winning club that begins 2025-26 as the Peach State’s best. Coach Larry Thompson (251-62) counts three regulars and eight lettermen off a club that lost to FAB 50 1 Columbus and No. 2 Brewster Academy and was able to avenge its third loss to Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) in the state semifinals. In the title game, Colben Landrew scored the final 10 points in a 61-56 win over Newton and finished with 21 points, while Kevin Savage added 19. Landrew (18.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.8 apg) is one of the nation’s best players and a McDonald’s All-American shoo-in. Not only does Wheeler have a great player at its disposal, it has terrific shooting, and good depth that allows it to play lights-out perimeter defense.
X-Factor Player: Savage is an explosive southpaw who oozes with confidence on the court. As he goes, so do the Wildcats and the better the competition and the deeper into the game, the better he gets. He is an indispensable cog for a program looking to win its fifth state crown since 2019-20.
Key Transfer: Jaron Saulsberry. As if Wheeler needed anymore firepower on the wings, this Ole Miss commit, who played last season at Norcross (Ga.), is proving to be more than just an athlete and dunker. He had a terrific summer on the Nike EYBL circuit and has developed a dependable pull-up game. Wheeler has more than one versatile perimeter defender and Saulsberry can guard both backcourt spots and the wings.
Key FAB 50 Stat: This program has started out in the preseason FAB 50 four out of the past five seasons with the 2023 club led by Isaiah Collier starting at No. 12 and finishing at No. 20 with seven losses.
Bet You Didn’t Know: Wheeler’s 2015 club, led by the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, handed FAB 50 No. 1 Montverde Academy its only loss. Its highest ranked team ever was the 2004-05 team which finished No. 6 in the FAB 50 at 31-1.
Mark On Your Calendar: Thompson is a bit concerned by his team’s lack of interior size and depth up front and it will have to show it can survive a national schedule against some big clubs. The Wildcats can’t afford a loss to No. 43 Webb on Nov. 25 to stay in this range. Wheeler faces No. 33 Salesian on New Year’s morning at Hoophall West with the winner most likely facing No. 32 Millenium the next day. Wheeler is also in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo. (Jan. 15-17) along with No. 9 Paul VI, No. 47 Bartlett and No. 49 Principia, plus highly-regarded Calvary Christian Academy of Florida and St. John Bosco of California. At the City of Palms Tournament, Wheeler faces No. 14 Bishop McNamara and whoever survives that FAB 50 war will likely take on No. 22 Columbus in the second round.
RELATED: Preseason 2025-26 FAB 50 (16-30) | Preseason 2025-26 FAB 50 (31-50) | Preseason East Region Top 20 | Preseason Southeast Region Top 20 | Preseason Midwest Region Top 20 | Preseason Southwest Region Top 20 | Preseason West Region Top 20 | Ballislife Podcast Network | FAB 50 Rankings Criteria | History of High School Team Rankings
Note: The FAB 50 powered by Ballislife.com is a continuation of the National Sports News Service ratings that began in 1952. These were the first national high school rankings and the late Art Johlfs of Minnesota compiled them. They were compiled for many years by the late Barry Sollenberger of Phoenix, who merged them into the FAB 50 25 years ago.
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
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Preseason 2025-26 FAB 50: Teams No. 16-30!