The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines

The end of August is here and the 2025-2026 high school season will be here before we know it in just a couple of months. As always, a lot has changed since the most recent “way-too-early” top-25 national preseason rankings that dropped back in May. About every single program has shifted from top to bottom since then and more and more prospects have switched schools and made announcements on where they will be playing for the 2025-2026 season.

Gathering more intel, breaking transfer news, and and scouting multiple prospects over the last few months — I had a chance to breakdown the current top-25 preseason national rankings into three different tiers leading up to the high school basketball season. The next official set of rankings to start the season will come in late October or early November.

Tier 1: National Championship Contenders

5. Long Island Lutheran (NY)
Last Season Record: 22-7
The Crusaders made the Chipotle Nationals field for the third straight season and are continuing to represent the Big Apple as of one of the best teams in the country. Long Island Lutheran also made it to the EYBL Scholastic Conference championship game before losing to Link Academy (MO) in North Augusta, SC last year. Head coach John Buck and staff will look to make it four straight for the 2025-2026 high school season. 2026 Dylan Mingo — who had a standout spring, summer circuit — leads the charge for this year’s group. 2028 Moussa Kamissoko and 2026 Omar Kessam headline key returnees for the Crusaders next season. 2026 T.J. Crumble, 2026 Kayden Allen, 2027 Jamal McKnight Jr., and 2027 Christian Proctor headline the newcomers on campus for Luhi that makes them a real national championship threat for the 2026-2026 season.

Tier 2: Potential National Championship Contenders

6. Wasatch Academy (UT)
Last Season Record: 25-5
Wasatch Academy had themselves one hell of a season last year finishing 25-5 and sharing the regular season conference championship title in the Nike EYBL Scholastic with Bella Vista Prep (AZ) and Brewster Academy (NH). The Tigers should be back as one of the premiere teams in the conference and could see themselves back in the Chipotle Nationals field for the second straight season. 2026 Katrelle Harmon (Creighton), 2026 Junior County, and 2026 Manu Manciel are key returning starters from last season’s squad with 2026 Chidi Nwigwe and 2026 Jayden Johnson as highly rated newcomers for head coach Paul Peterson and staff coming to campus. How far can this Wasatch team go

7. Southeastern Prep (FL)
Last Season Record: 16-8
New head coach David Peavy has secured himself a squad coming into the 2025-2026 high school season that can already see themselves in Chipolte National conversations. Southeastern Prep should be a program that open eyes at least over the next two seasons with a roster they have that I think can hold things down against the best of the best nationally right now. The Falcons have recruited highly rated prospects 2027 Beckham Black, 2027 Obinna Ezekie Jr., and 2027 C.J. Rosser who headline their roster right now with a group full of highly rated junior prospects. Peavy — after making public school Duncanville High School a power house in Dallas, Texas — looks to bring his culture as a head coach to Orlando and have major success as the head man now at Southeastern Prep.

8. Dynamic Prep (TX)
Last Season Record: 34-5
Dynamic Prep — a prep school out of Dallas, Texas founded by former 6x NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal — is coming into their fifth season as a program and have stamped themselves as a national threat as they made it to the Chipolte Nationals title game before losing to Columbus (FL) and the Boozer twins just last season. 2027 Marcus Spears Jr. will headline the group coming in this season as they look to continue their unique run in the prep school rankings. 2026 DaKari Spears, 2026 Seven Spurlock, 2026 Kamden Mcgilveary, and 2026 Elton Smith are just a few of many newcomers for Dynamic Prep. Could Jermaine O’Neal reach the Chipotle Nationals field for the second consecutive season? 

9. AZ Compass Prep (AZ)
Last Season Record: 19-8
After having two alumni selected earlier this summer in the 2025 NBA Draft — Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans) and Javon Small (Memphis Grizzlies) — the Dragons come in with a roster that could see themselves back in the mix come Chipotle Nationals time in late March/early April 2026. AZ Compass Prep finished last season outside of the field going 19-8 overall. 2026 Kaden House, 2026 Kalek House, 2026 Quincy Wadley, and 2026 Miikka Murrinen return to headline the 2025-2026 roster. Newcomers for the Dragons include 2026 Rajan Roberts, 2027 DeMarcus Henry, 2027 Jimmie “Tripp” Haywood III, 2026 James Turner, 2026 Elijah Summers, and 2026 Alex Ensor.

10. Montverde Academy (FL)
Last Season Record: 19-8
A year after going 33-0 and winning another national championship under Kevin Boyle with Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks), Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans), Asa Newell (Atlanta Hawks), and Liam McNeeley (Charlotte Hornets) — the Eagles go 19-8 in Boyle’s last season as head coach. Former Gonzaga HS College (DC) head man Steve Turner will run the show now at powerhouse Montverde and has put together a competitive roster coming into next season. 2026 Dhani Miller returns for his senior year while 2026 Jayden Hodge, 2026 Joe Philon, 2027 Lincoln Cosby, 2026 Kevin Thomas, 2027 Derek Daniels, and 2027 Oneal DeLancy are the newcomers on campus to round out the roster for Steve Turner’s first year as the head coach of Montverde Academy.

11. Brewster Academy (NH)
Last Season Record: 28-5
Brewster Academy played in only their second season in the Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference and made their debuts in the Chipotle Nationals last season finishing 28-5 and making it to the semifinal round. The Bobcats should begin the season somewhere in the top-15 nationally as of right now and have put together an elite caliber roster once again. 2027 Antonio Pemberton returns after having an eye-opening spring, summer circuit and also Seton Hall commit 2026 Darien Moore — 2028 Michai White and 2026 Markus Kerr headline just some of the newcomers putting on a Brewster Academy uniform this season.

12. La Lumiere (IN)
Last Season Record: 15-13
The Lakers probably had one of their more disappointing seasons last year after beginning the 2024-2025 season in my top-10 national last preseason. La Lumiere is looking to make it back in the race nationally and putting themselves back in the Chipotle Nationals for the first time since the 2021-2022 high school season. The Lakers lose a ton from their senior-loaded roster a year ago. 2027 Devin Cleveland, 2026 Gan-Erdene Solongo, 2027 Peyton Kemp, 2026 Gabe Weis, 2026 Jacob Webber, 2027 Ferlandas Wright, and 2026 Notre Dame commit Jonathan Sanderson headline the newcomers on campus for La Lumiere coming into the 2025-2026 high school season. 

Tier 3: Wild Cards

13. Sierra Canyon (CA)
Last Season Record: 27-7
Sierra Canyon reached and captured the CIF State Division I championship last season and might have their best overall team on paper for the first time since the 2021-2022 high school season with the additions of 2026 Brandon McCoy Jr. — who transfers from St. John Bosco (CA) — 2026 Brandon Martinsen and 2026 DeLan Grant have also been added to their roster for next season. 2026 Maximo Adams — who had one hell of a spring, summer season in the Nike EYBL — headline key returners for the Trailblazers and will lead the pack coming into the 2025-2026 high school season. The real question here is, how far can this Sierra Canyon team go in the state of California?

14. Notre Dame (CA)
Last Season Record: 28-8
The No. 1 prospect in the class of 2026 — Tyran Stokes — coming into his senior season — is indeed expected to finish his high school career at Notre Dame Sherman Oaks. The Knights finished the 2024-2025 high school season with a 28-8 overall record while reaching the CIF State Open Division championship game before losing to Roosevelt (CA). Notre Dame is expected to be one of the top programs out of the state of California once again and with 2026 Zach White and 2027 NaVorro Bowman headlining as key returnees as well from last season squad. 

15. Wheeler (GA)
Last Season Record: 29-3
The defending Georgia state champions should be back as not only one of the best teams in the Peach State and will be apart of the new “Tradition Alliance” conference this season. The Wildcats continue to be a dominate public school program and are expected to begin the season ranked somewhere in the top-25 rankings. 2026 Colben Landrew — who had a stellar spring, summer helping secure the Adidas 3SSB Championship — and 2027 Kevin Savage — who also was apart of that 3SSB team — headline the key returnees for head coach Larry Thompson and staff. Wheeler comes into the scene ranked as the number one team in Georgia coming into the 2025-2026 high school season. 

16. Paul VI (VA)
Last Season Record: 27-6
Always one of the premiere elite basketball programs out of the DMV and loaded WCAC — Paul VI comes in as a wild card in the national top-25 preseason rankings. The Panthers are headlined with future McDonald’s All American 2026 Jordan Smith Jr. — who has been a key contributor the PVI success since his freshman campaign. PVI also returns key pieces 2026 Turk Brown and 2026 Matthew Mena — and have added new additions 2027 Braydon Young and 2027 Farrell Djossinou to their roster. Could Paul VI make another run at another WCAC championship while playing a national schedule?

17. Oak Cliff Faith Family (TX)
Last Season Record: 27-9
After winning the EIBC last season in their only year in the league — Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy will debut this season in the loaded Nike EYBL Scholastic come the 2025-2026 high school season. The Dallas area powerhouse program has earned their stripes over the last few years as one of the elite basketball programs in the country. The Eagles are set with a roster full of next level prospects headlined with 2028 Xavier Young, 2026 Cameron Lomax, 2026 Gallagher Placide, 2026 Gavin Placide, 2027 Kyle Amadi, and 2027 Brayden Williams — all will be new to the Faith Family program coming next season in their first year in the Nike EYBL Scholastic. 

18. Calvary Christian (FL)
Last Season Record: 22-1
The defending class Florida 3A state champions — Calvary Christian looks to be on top as one of the premiere schools in the state of Florida once again and will also be apart of the new “Tradition Alliance” conference starting in 2025-2026. Head coach Cilk McSweeney and staff had themselves one hell of a season last year — finishing 22-1 overall on the season with a few upset wins over some of the best nationally ranked programs. 2027 Cayden Daughtry and 2026 Colin Paul headline the roster coming into the 2025-2026 high school season with a few newcomers as well.

19. Oak Hill Academy (VA)
Last Season Record: 23-11
It has been since the end of the 2021-2022 high school season that legendary high school head coach Steve Smith ran things in the Mouth of Wilson, Virginia at powerhouse Oak Hill Academy. 2026 Ethan Mgbako and 2026 Donovan Williams headline the key returnees from last season’s squad. 2027 L.J. Smith, 2026 Kuol Deng, 2027 Jason Singh, 2026 Korie Corbett, and 2027 Howard Williams headline a group of newcomers headed to the legendary powerhouse program. Can Oak Hill Academy get back in the Chipotle Nationals field for the first time since the 2021-2022 high school season.

20. Dream City Christian (AZ)
Last Season Record: 24-10
Dream City Christian comes into the 2025-2026 high school season as another wild card program who could possibly have their chances of reaching the Chipotle Nationals come late March/early April. The Eagles finished 24-10 last season and will debut this season in the Nike EYBL Scholastic after being one of the best teams in The Grind Session over the years. 2026 Ikenna Alozie will headline the roster for this group coming in next season with big time additions 2027 Keaundre Morris, 2027 Malachi Jordan, 2028 Martray Bagley, 2028 Mateen Cleeves Jr., and 2028 Quincy Wright.

21. IMG Academy (FL)
Last Season Record: 20-8
It has been awhile since the powerhouse program IMG Academy has held up the national championship trophy — secured the then GEICO Nationals championship back at the end of the 2018-2019 high school season. The Ascenders finished last season with a 20-8 overall record and not making the now Chipotle Nationals field. 2026 Chase Foster, 2026 Trey Beamer, and 2028 Bamba Touray — an expected highly talented sophomore — are currently headlining the roster for the IMG Academy roster. The Ascenders have also added 2026 Aziz Olajuwon — son of 12x NBA All-Star and NBA Champion Hakeem Olajuwon — and 2026 Cole Cloer to their roster for the upcoming high school season.

22. Sunrise Christian (KS)
Last Season Record: 28-4
Sunrise Christian had one of the better off-seasons — revamping almost their entire roster coming into the 2025-2026 high school season. The Buffaloes finished last season with an impressive 28-4 record and look to be a national championship team potentially for next year. They have no returners from a year ago with a whole new roster from top to bottom. The new prospects expected on campus include a plethora of potential high level guys 2027 Avery Moses, 2027 Caeden Hutcherson, 2026 Jonathan Ozabatou, 2027 Ben McKinney, 2026 Omar Karem, 2026 Stefan Marjanovic, 2028 Zach Dashiell, 2027 Christian Matos, and 2027 Ben Dzabatou.

23. Archbishop Stepinac (NY)
Last Season Record: 26-4
Archbishop Stepinac is back again as one of the top programs nationally come the 2025-2026 high school season. The Crusaders are expected to play another national schedule with 2026 Jasiah Jervis — who had one of the best spring, summer circuits — headline this year’s roster for head Patrick Massaroni and will be apart of the new “Tradition Alliance” conference starting this upcoming season. 2026 Adonis Ratliff, 2026 Darius Ratliff, and 2026 Hassan Koureissi are key returnees for the defending city and state champions.

24. Columbus (FL)
Last Season Record: 30-3
This will be the first year since the 2020-2021 season that Columbus High School will be without both twin brothers — sons of former NBA players Carlos Boozer — Cameron and Cayden Boozer, who are starting their freshmen campaign at Duke this fall. The Explorers are the defending national champions and also winning The Throne National Championship the year before. 2026 Caleb Gaskins, 2026 Jaxon Richardson, and 2026 Cello Jackson headline this year’s group that will try and stay competitive on the national stage. 2026 Felipe Quinones transfers in from IMG adding more depth on the perimeter for Columbus. How good will Columbus be without the Boozer twins?

25. Millennium (AZ)
Last Season Record: 20-8
The Tigers saw themselves get knocked out of the 2025 AIA semifinals last season to rival Sunnyslope (AZ). Looking to accomplish the same standard and beyond, Millennium High School comes in again as one of the best public school programs in the country for the 2025-2026 high school season. 2026 Cameron Holmes — younger brother of current Denver Nuggets forward DaRon Holmes — headlines this year’s roster for Millennium and will have the help of newcomers 2028 Adan Diggs — a highly rated sophomore — and 2028 Trey McKinney.

NEXT FIVE:
26. Sunnyslope (AZ)
27. Gillion Academy (VA)
28. Bishop McNamara (MD)
29. St. John Bosco (CA)
30. The Villages Charter (FL)