Prolific Prep (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) begins the 2025-26 high school basketball campaign at No. 1 in the Preseason National Top 10. The Crew finished No. 3 in 2024-25, falling shy of capturing their first Chipotle Nationals title after losing in the semifinals.

 

Although Prolific Prep does not return any key contributors from last year's squad, a reloaded roster features talent from top to bottom. No. 4-ranked senior Caleb Holt is joined by top-ranked junior Bruce Branch and No. 7-ranked junior Nasir Anderson. Top 40 Kansas pledge Davion Adkins anchors a frontcourt that includes four-star Ohio State commit Alex Smith, three-star senior M.J. Madisonand promising freshman Draydne McDaniel.

 

East Coast powerhouse Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), upstart Buckeye State program Spire Academy (Geneva, Ohio), 2023 Chipotle Nationals champion Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) and seven-time Chipotle Nationals champion Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) appear to be Prolific Prep's biggest challengers for the No. 1 spot.

 

The high school basketball landscape has experienced unprecedented change over the past decade with an increasing number of student-athletes gravitating toward programs outside the realm of state governing bodies and prep hoops in a traditional sense. In response to those changes, MaxPreps has revamped its approach to national rankings, giving independent and academy-based programs their own platform.

 

Programs who roster fifth-year players are not eligible for inclusion. Teams who are recognized members of the Overtime Elite League are also not considered for the National Top 10.

 

Read on for a complete look at the Preseason National Top 10. Click on team names for in-depth previews.

(GRAPHIC: Ryan Escobar)

1. Prolific Prep (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

2024-25: 35-6, No. 3 in final National Top 10

Breakdown: Following a relocation of their campus from Napa, Calif. to the Sunshine State, the Crew reloaded in a major way in the offseason. Top 10 prospects Caleb Holt, Bruce Branch and Nasir Anderson headline a talented core that includes Davion Adkins, Alex Smith and M.J. Madison.

 

2. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.)

2024-25: 21-7, No. 4 in final National Top 10

Breakdown: Top five Class of 2026 prospect Dylan Mingo headlines a Crusaders roster that features plenty of depth after a busy offseason for head coach John Buck. No. 4-ranked junior Moussa Kamissoko, top 100 Cincinnati pledge Kayden Allen, international transfer Kaur Tomann and top 150 senior T.J. Crumble are expected to round out the starting five for a program in search of its first win at Chipotle Nationals.

 

3. Spire Academy (Geneva, Ohio)

2024-25: 16-19, unranked

Breakdown: Legendary head coach Kevin Boyle takes over the helm after capturing seven national championships and leading Montverde Academy to 14 straight top 10 finishes in the national rankings. Expectations are high for his first season in Ohio as top 20 junior King Gibson, top 25 senior Alex Constanza, four-star Alabama commit Tarris Bouie III, top 30 junior Jaylan Mitchell and top 70 Providence commit Aiden Derkack are expected to be the key cogs.

 

4. Link Academy (Branson, Mo.)

2024-25: 22-9, No. 7 in final National Top 10

Breakdown: Depth will be the calling card for the Lions this season as the fifth-year program features eight players ranked No. 102 or higher in their classification. Top 20 Oregon pledge Tajh Ariza, top 80 Michigan State commit Carlos Medlock, four-star Kansas commit Trent Perry, top 40 seniors Ethan Taylor and Luca Foster, No. 81-ranked senior Tristan Reed and top 60 juniors Cameron Barnes and Davion Thompson are all expected to compete for minutes in the Link Academy rotation.

 

5. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)

2024-25: 19-8, No. 8 in final National Top 10

Breakdown: A new era begins at Montverde Academy as long-time Gonzaga head coach Steve Turner takes over the helm of the most successful high school program of the past 15 years. Impact transfers include No. 9-ranked junior Lincoln Cosby, top 70 juniors Derek Daniels and O'Neal Delancy and top 80 seniors Joe Philon, LSU commit Kevin Thomas and Northwestern pledge Jayden Hodge; while Kent State commit Dhani Miller is the top returner from last season.

 

6. Southeastern Prep Academy (Orlando, Fla.)

2024-25: 15-9, unranked

Breakdown: Former Duncanville (Texas) head coach David Peavy takes over the helm at the Florida program following a successful tenure in the Lone Star State. Southeastern Prep Academy looks to put itself on the national radar this season behind a talented roster that features an elite trio of junior prospects as No. 2-ranked C.J. Rosser, No. 3-ranked Obinna Ekezie and No. 19-ranked Beckham Black are expected to be the catalysts.

 

7. Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.)

2024-25: 28-5, No. 2 in final National Top 10

Breakdown: After advancing to the semifinals at Chipotle Nationals in the program's first appearance, the Bobcats will look to build on last season's success. Key returners include top 100 junior Antonio Pemberton and three-star Seton Hall commit Darien Moore. Top 70 senior Markus Kerr and top 20 sophomores Kevin Wheatley and Michai White are expected to play significant roles for Brewster Academy this season.

 

8. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

2024-25: 21-8, No. 10 in final National Top 10

Breakdown: The Ascenders return three starters from a squad that earned its seventh appearance at Chipotle Nationals last season. Top 100 Boston College commit Trey Beamer, top 100 Pittsburgh pledge Jermal Jones and top 40 Pittsburgh commit Chase Foster return to the rotation while top 30 North Carolina State commit Cole Cloer, top 70 Stanford commit Aziz Olajuwon, top 60 Tennessee commit Ralph Scott and No. 2-ranked sophomore Ahmadou Tourayare the top newcomers.

 

9. CIA-Bella Vista (Scottsdale, Ariz.)

2024-25: 21-7, No. 6 in final National Top 10

Breakdown: Despite the departure of reigning Nike EYBL Scholastic Coach of the Year Brandon Rosenthal, the Bears have plenty to build with top 30 senior Miles Sadler, No. 5-ranked junior Paul Osaruyi and three-star West Virginia commit Aliou Dioum. Top newcomers include top 50 senior Vaughn Karvala, top 100 junior Lyris Robinson and top 100 senior Jalen White for the Copper State powerhouse.

 

10. AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.)

2024-25: 19-8, unranked

Breakdown: Although the Dragons missed out on Chipotle Nationals last season, a strong returning core puts them in a strong position to compete for a fifth appearance in the event. No. 11-ranked senior Miikka Muurinen, top 50 seniors Kaden House and Quincy Wadley and four-star Xavier commit Kalek House are the top returners while top 20 junior Demarcus Henry was the biggest addition of the offseason.