USA TODAY High School Sports is revealing the 2019-20 Super 25 Preseason Boys Basketball Teams. The Super 25 has been a staple of USA TODAY for more than 30 years and highlights the best teams around the nation.
Each post contains analysis, key players and more from USA TODAY Sports’ Jason Jordan in consultation with the USA TODAY High School Sports staff.
ALL-USA: 19-20 ALL-USA Preseason Boys Basketball Team
LOOKBACK: 2018-19 Final Super 25 Boys Basketball rankings
Click through to see each team:
No. 25 ARCHBISHOP STEPINAC
Location: White Plains, New York
Preseason Rank: 25
2018-19 record: 14-16
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
Last year, injuries early in the season prevented the team from living up to its potential record-wise. Archbishop Stepinac proved that in the playoffs, getting to the championship game.
A.J. Griffin and R.J. Davis combined for more than 45 points per game last season, but they’re more than just scorers. Griffin averaged a double-double with 10.9 rebounds and was an elite defender, putting up 3.5 blocks and 2.4 steals, and David had seven rebounds to go with 4.9 assists. All five starters are returning, and the team is getting back junior Jonah Phang, a 6-foot-8 center who missed last season due to a knee injury. With a healthy team, it will be exciting to see if the Crusaders can live up to expectations.
NO. 24 ROSELLE CATHOLIC
Location: Roselle, New Jersey
Preseason Rank: 24
2018-19 record: 28-4
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 17
There’s no more Kahlil Whitney, but Roselle should still be able to compete with the best of them after getting to the championship game last year. Four-star center Cliff Omoruyi averaged a double-double last year and guards Richie Greaves and Corey Floyd are returning starters in a solid backcourt. That group will be boosted by incoming transfer CJ Wilcher (Xavier commit) and Niels Lane (Florida), both of whom are four-star shooting guards.
Head coach Dave Boff sees this as perhaps the deepest team in program history with as many as seven Div. 1-bound players on the team. With that depth and experience, Roselle looks to be in a good spot entering the season.
NO. 23 ARCHBISHOP MOELLER
Location: Cincinnati
Preseason Rank: 23
2018-19 record: 29-0
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 23
Last season, Archbishop Moeller became the first Div. 1 team to go undefeated since 1995. In winning two straight championships – the first Cincinnati-area program to do so since 1973-74 – the Crusaders asserted themselves as one of the great Ohio team of recent memory. Can the back-to-back champions make it a three-peat?
They’ll have to do so without star guard Miles McBride, now at West Virginia. But the team still has pieces. Logan Duncomb is a four-star junior center. Senior forward Max Land was a Greater Cincinnati Second Team player last year, and senior forward Alex Williams joined Duncomb on the Honorable Mention list.
NO. 22 DUNCANVILLE
Location: Duncanville, Texas
Preseason Rank: 22
2018-19 record: 32-7
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
The Class 6A state champions, Duncanville will play strong national teams in addition to its usual Texas schedule. With Micah Peavy at the helm, the Panthers are hoping to do it again. Peavy, ranked as the No. 2 player in Texas in the Class of 2020, averaged 16 points and 6.6 rebounds last season and put up 22 points and 10 rebounds in the championship game.
The team is losing last year’s leading scorer Jahmius Ramsey, though. But Ramsey was one of just four seniors on the 2018-19 team, and the only one to average more than six points a game. With an experienced corps coming back, Duncanville should be formidable.
NO. 21 HAMILTON
Location: Sussex, Wisconsin
Preseason Rank: 21
2018-19 record: 24-5
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
Patrick Baldwin Jr., by some accounts, could be considered the top player in the Class of 2021. He averaged 19 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game last year. The team is returning all five starters, three of whom are being recruited by Div. II schools and one of whom, Lucas Finnessy, is set to play football at Minnesota.
Last year, Hamilton fell in the Elite Eight despite being the one seed. It would be unsurprising to see them make another push of the same nature this season.
NO. 20 MINNEHAHA ACADEMY
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Preseason Rank: 20
2018-19 record: 23-2
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren make up one of the most formidable one-two punches in the country. Suggs, ranked No. 17 in the 2020 Chosen 25, is an athletic point guard who also plays quarterback for the football team. Holmgren, the No. 11 player in the Class of 2021, has made strides as a ball handler even with his 7-foot frame. That will be a nasty combination to defend and tough to get around when Minnehaha is on defense.
With three straight titles, it would be tough to imagine this team not winning a fourth. But that’s a tall task for any team to do – can the seniors stay motivated and win all throughout high school? That’s the pinnacle of a youth sports career.
NO. 19 MORGAN PARK
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Preseason Rank: 19
2018-19 record: 28-5
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
A 28-5 season last year was broken up by a loss in the sectional finals, but Morgan Park returns the star backcourt of Adam Miller, who averaged 26.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists last year, and Marcus Watson, who averaged 12.7 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 steals per game.
Brandon Weston will be a key addition for this group. He transferred from Lake Forest but wasn’t eligible to play for Morgan Park last season. Now, the four-star small forward will be a boon to what head coach Nick Irvin told the Chicago Sun Times could be the best team in program history.
NO. 18 RANCHO CHRISTIAN
Location: Temecula, California
Preseason Rank: 18
2018-19 record: 26-6
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
It’s officially the Evan Mobley show at Rancho Christian. With fellow ALL-USA California First Team big Isaiah Mobley moving on to USC, the younger Mobley has a year as the main star as he works to polish his expansive game in which he already has strengths on the perimeter and post on both offense and defense.
But he’s not the only good player at Rancho Christian. Dominick Harris is an explosive scorer, and he has a well-rounded game that included five rebounds and four assist per game last year. And Rancho Christian is getting the addition of Jayce Catchings, who led Missouri in scoring last year with 27.6 points per game. After falling in the state semifinals last year, Rancho Christian will try to get further this year.
NO. 17 BISHOP GORMAN
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Preseason Rank: 17
2018-19 record: 28-5
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 22
Bishop Gorman was one of eight teams selected to compete at the GEICO Nationals last year, and the Gaels return some of their star talent this season for another run. Noah Taitz is the star senior of the bunch, and Zaon Collins and Will McClendon are strong pieces in the junior class.
However, Isaiah Cottrell will be a tough piece to replace, as the four-star power forward transferred to Huntington Prep (West Virginia). With only one player on the team taller than 6-foot-6 – sophomore center Max Allen – the team will have to find ways to win without the size advantage against national foes.
NO. 16 MATER DEI
Location: Santa Ana, California
Preseason Rank: 16
2018-19 record: 29-5
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
Returning all five starters and the first two players off the bench, Mater Dei is poised to make another run for the state championship. Last season, the Monarchs fell to Sierra Canyon in the semifinals, but they have experience together and star talent. Point guard Devin Askew is a Chosen 25 Kentucky commit and Wilhelm Breidenbach was a double-double machine.
Harrison Hornery has offers from Pac-12 schools including Cal, USC and Arizona and two players are committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Additionally, incoming transfer Casey Jones put up more than 20 points per game for Eastlake (Sammamish, Washington) last season. Mater Dei looks to be deep.
NO. 15 WASATCH ACADEMY
Location: Mount Pleasant, Utah
Preseason Rank: 15
2018-19 record: 26-3
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 10
The Tigers return four starters from a team that went to the GEICO Nationals tournament last season.
Mady Sissoko, a senior center who is committed to Michigan State, and Caleb Lohner, a senior forward who is committed to Utah, give Wasatch one of the most consistent frontlines in the country; the pair combined to average 23 points and 13 rebounds a game last season.
Richie Saunders, a senior marksman who is committed to BYU, and Mike Saunders, a senior point guard who is committed to Cincinnati, give the Tigers a veteran backcourt capable of putting up big numbers, and underclassmen guards Richard Isaacs Jr. and Brennan Rigsby add depth and talent.
NO. 14 OAK HILL ACADEMY
Location: Mouth of Wilson, Virginia
Preseason Rank: 11
2018-19 record: 37-5
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 7
The Warriors aren’t built like a traditional Oak Hill team with a full stock of five-star talent to overwhelm teams in swarms all game.
What they do have is arguably the best scorer in the country in shooting guard Cam Thomas, a senior who is ranked No. 11 overall in the Chosen 25. Thomas led the Nike EYBL in scoring this summer, pumping in 30 points a game. He’s averaging even more so far this season with 37.1.
Thomas’ supporting cast will consist of very capable players like senior guard K.K. Robinson and senior wings Darrick Jones Jr., a Towson commit, and Jamari Sibley.
Oak Hill will also need forward Emmanuel Okpomo to be a force in the paint against bigger teams this season.
Still, Oak Hill’s success weighs most heavily on Thomas getting buckets, which bodes well for the Warriors.
NO. 13 ROMAN CATHOLIC
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Preseason Rank: 14
2018-19 record: 26-5
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
The Cahillites have a “big three” that make them a legitimate contender; sophomore forward Jalen Duren is widely regarded as the No. 2 overall player in the 2022 class, Lynn Greer, a junior point guard, is a talented playmaker and scorer and combo guard Justice Williams, a sophomore, can fill it up from all three levels.
All three players had breakout summers, which was right on time since their roles will expand this season. If they can continue their stellar production into the high school season the Cahillites could challenge for the top tier of the Super 25.
NO. 12 MAYFAIR
Location: Lakewood, California
Preseason Rank: 13
2018-19 record: 21-5
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
The Monsoons boast one of the most talented and exciting backcourts in the country with Josh Christopher, a senior shooting guard who is ranked No. 16 in the Chosen 25, and Dior Johnson, a five-star sophomore point guard.
Mayfair recently lost Devontes Cobbs, who transferred to Hillcrest Prep, but the combination of Johnson and Christopher makes the Monsoons the favorite in most games this season.
Bigger lineups could give them problems because the Monsoons lack size, but their speed and athleticism should keep them formidable all season.
NO. 11 PAUL VI
Location: Fairfax, Virginia
Preseason Rank: 12
2018-19 record: 27-9
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
The Panthers return four starters from a talented team that competed valiantly after its star went down last year just as the season was starting.
Jeremy Roach, a senior point guard who is committed to Duke, tore his ACL and missed all of last season. Now he’s back to lead a group of young, quick guards and wings.
Trevor Keels, a junior wing, starred last season in Roach’s absence, Josiah Freeman, a senior shooting guard, can fill it up and Knasir McDaniel, a point guard, is one of the top sophomores in the country.
The Panthers lack size, but they’ll be quick and talented and have one of the best floor generals in any class back at the controls.
NO. 10 DEMATHA
Location: Hyattsville, Maryland
Preseason Rank: 10
2018-19 record: 33-5
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 19
The Stags no longer have all-everything guard Justin Moore, now a freshman at Villanova, but senior center Hunter Dickinson, who is ranked No. 23 in the Chosen 25, and senior wing Earl Timberlake lead a talented core that should keep them in contention all season.
Dickinson averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds a game last season and was one of the top big men in the Nike EYBL this past summer, and Timberlake averaged 19.4 points and 10.6 rebounds a game at the Nike Peach Jam tournament this summer.
Jordan Hawkins, a junior shooting guard, and Tyrell Ward, a sophomore shooting guard, give the Stags depth in the backcourt and one of the most complete lineups in the country.
That will keep them near the top of the grueling Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and the Super 25.
NO. 9 LONG ISLAND LUTHERAN
Location: Brookville, New York
Preseason Rank: 9
2018-19 record: 25-2
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 9
The Crusaders return the key pieces of a state championship team that finished in the Top 10 of the Super 25 last season.
Senior point guard Andre Curbelo, an Illinois commit who averaged 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals a game, Hugo Bergstrom, a senior point guard, and shooting guard Jalen Celestine, who averaged 13 points, six rebounds and five assists a game, form one of the most talented backcourts in the country.
Senior forward Zed Key, an Ohio State Commit who averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds a game, junior forwards Drissa Traore, who averaged 10 points and eight rebounds a game, and Paul Jordan give the Crusaders a solid and deep frontline.
Long Island Lutheran has the talent and the depth that will make them more than formidable even against fellow Super 25 teams this season.
NO. 8 SIERRA CANYON
Location: Chatsworth, California
Preseason Rank: 8
2018-19 record: 32-3
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 12
The Trailblazers got a talented influx of five-star talent in the offseason, but the brightest star Ziaire Williams, a senior wing who is ranked No. 9 overall in the Chosen 25, won’t be eligible until Dec. 29, according to the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section. That’s 27 points, 10.5 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks a game – Williams’ averages at Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, California) last season – in street clothes for more than 10 games.
Still, Sierra Canyon has a plethora of talent that will keep them favored through most games.
Senior shooting guard B.J. Boston, a Kentucky commit who is ranked No. 14 overall in the Chosen 25, versatile senior forward Terren Frank, a TCU commit, sophomore shooting guard Amari Bailey, senior shooting guard Zaire Wade, son of Dwyane Wade, and freshman point guard Bronny James, son of LeBron James, give the Trailblazers a star-studded lineup full of versatile playmakers.
Sierra Canyon has the talent to hold down the proverbial fort until Williams returns to the lineup.
NO. 7 HUNTINGTON PREP
Location: Huntington, West Virginia
Preseason Rank: 7
2018-19 record: 21-4
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
The Fighting Irish boast one of the most talented rosters in the country with Duke commit Jaemyn Brakefield, a wing who is ranked No. 19 overall in the Chosen 25, Michigan State commit A.J. Hoggard, a point guard who averaged 15 points and five assists a game, Baylor commit Zach Loveday, a 7-foot-1 center, Iowa State commit Dudley Blackwell, a wing, and West Virginia commit Isaiah Cottrell, a forward who transferred from Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), where he averaged 15.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.3 blocks a game at last season.
Huntington Prep has everything it needs to compete for a national title and play a grueling schedule that will test them early and often.
NO. 6 MCEACHERN
Location: Powder Springs, Georgia
Preseason Rank: 6
2018-19 record: 32-0
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 3
The Indians went through the 2018-19 season unblemished and declined the chance to compete for a GEICO Nationals title in order for their seniors to focus on recruiting and obligations with other high-profile events; this year, McEachern has the tools to get another shot at New York City in April with reigning ALL-USA Player of the Year Sharife Cooper again at the controls.
Cooper, a point guard committed to Auburn, is ranked No. 2 overall in the Chosen 25 and has the innate ability to make everyone on the court better. Cooper averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 assists, six rebounds and 4.1 steals a game last season.
This year he’ll have a big target in his summer ball teammate Dylan Cardwell, a 6-foot-11 forward who plays big on both ends of the floor.
Expect Camron McDowell and Bobby Moore to have expanded roles for the Indians, but the bottom line is that as long as Cooper is on the floor, McEachern has a legitimate shot at beating anyone.
NO. 5 PROLIFIC PREP
Location: Napa, California
Preseason Rank: 5
2018-19 record: 30-6
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
The Crew boast one of the nation’s best backcourts with Chosen 25 stars Nimari Burnett, who is ranked No. 15, and Jalen Green, who is ranked No. 3, at the controls.
Last season, Burnett averaged 23.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and five assists a game for the Crew.
He teamed up with Prolific newcomer Green this summer in the Nike EYBL and led Team WhyNot (California) all the way to the Peach Jam finals.
Green, who transferred from San Joaquin (Fresno, California), already has NBA Lottery buzz and the pair meshed perfectly. That should spell doom for opposing backcourts all season.
The Crew also boasts elite four-star prospects in wing Jaden Jones and center Frank Anselem to give them one of the most talented rosters in the country.
Like most top tier teams, the Crew’s road will be full of potential landmines, but if they can remain healthy, expect them to be favored in the vast majority of their matchups all season.
NO. 4 PATRICK SCHOOL
Location: Hillside, New Jersey
Preseason Rank: 4
2018-19 record: 17-10
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
The Celtics landed the biggest fish of the offseason when 6-foot-9 all-everything junior forward Jonathan Kuminga, the No. 1 player in Chosen 25, decided to leave Our Savior New American (Centereach, New York).
Kuminga is arguably the biggest matchup problem of any player in any class because of his size and versatile skill set. This summer, Kuminga, a wing, averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game in the competitive Nike EYBL.
He’s joined in the frontcourt by talented tree-like centers Adama Sanogo and Bretner Mutombo. That should help the Celtics win most battles in the paint this season.
They also landed a talented backcourt veteran in point guard Noah Farrakhan, who played an integral role in IMG Academy winning its first GEICO Nationals title last season.
They’ll need to find their chemistry early with a merciless schedule ahead, but if the talented group gels quickly, they could challenge for the top spot.
NO. 3 HILLCREST PREP
Location: Phoenix
Preseason Rank: 3
2018-19 record: 35-5
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked
The Bruins recently lost Top 30 prospect in Kyree Walker, who is graduating and debating about going pro or playing college, but their roster is so stacked they’re still sitting at No. 3.
Good luck finding a more athletic team anywhere in the country because Hillcrest Prep boasts a team full of versatile players that can play and defend multiple positions.
A pair of five-star underclassmen – junior forward Michael Foster, who is ranked No. 6 in the Chosen 25, and forward Sadraque Nganga, a five-star sophomore – anchor the paint while junior wings Dalen Terry, a five-star point guard who is committed to Arizona and averaged 11.2 assists a game last season, and Keon Edwards, who is ranked No. 19 in the Chosen 25, slash and shoot from the perimeter.
Wing Puff Johnson had a strong summer, Dayten Holman is versatile enough to play both guard positions effectively and late transfer Devontes Cobbs will add even more firepower.
The Bruins also have freshman wing Isaac Hymes, who most consider to be a top 10 player in the 2023 class. Hillcrest Prep will be a matchup nightmare virtually every time they step onto the floor this season but have to find quick chemistry with a handful of newcomers on the roster.
NO. 2 IMG ACADEMY
Location: Bradenton, Florida
Preseason Rank: 2
2018-19 record: 31-1
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 1
Make no mistake about it, IMG could have easily been listed in the top spot of the preseason Super 25. The Ascenders earned their first GEICO Nationals title last season, refusing to die and outplaying everyone in New York.
This year they have the talent to repeat led by their three Chosen 25 players, combo guard Jaden Springer, a Tennessee commit who is ranked No. 8, wing Jalen Johnson, a Duke commit who is ranked No. 9, and forward Moussa Diabate who is ranked No. 9 in 2021.
Additionally, IMG boasts 2022 forward Jarace Walker, widely regarded as a top five prospect in his class.
Then, in four-star center Mark Williams and talented underclassmen like Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Eric Dailey Jr. and the Ascenders have the depth and talent to repeat.
IMG’s biggest loss in the offseason was Noah Farrakhan, who transferred to The Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.). That will be an adjustment because he played a vital role in the Ascenders cutting down the nets in New York last April.
That loss will elevate Springer’s role even more and opens the door for Chikara Tanaka.
As usual, IMG will play one of the toughest schedules in the country, including a matchup with No. 1 Montverde on Jan. 19.
NO. 1 MONTVERDE ACADEMY
Location: Montverde, Florida
Preseason Rank: 1
2018-19 record: 22-3
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: 4
Montverde blew a 16-point lead in the second half of the GEICO Nationals semifinals and fell to eventual champion IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on a last second run-out dunk. To say that left a bad taste in the Eagles’ mouths would be severely understating it.
Montverde certainly has the star power to get there starting with the top player in the country running the show in Cade Cunningham and sharpshooter Moses Moody joining him to form one of the country’s deadliest backcourts.
Cunningham took his game to the next level this past summer, demolishing the competition on the Nike EYBL in route to earning league MVP hardware. He was the best player on any circuit this summer and is the key to why the Eagles are soaring at No. 1.
They also added all-everything forward Scottie Barnes, a Florida State commit who is ranked No. 10 in the Chosen 25, forward Day’Ron Sharpe, a North Carolina commit who is ranked No. 25 in the Chosen 25, and shooting guard Langston Love, who is ranked No. 25 in the Chosen 25 for 2021.
The Eagles also have steady junior point guard Ryan Nembhard and a pair of sophomore five-stars in shooting guard Dariq Whitehead and wing Caleb Houstan; that gives the Eagles four Chosen 25 players and six five-star players. Good luck stopping that.
