High school basketball season is upon us once again, and anticipation is at a fever pitch to see which elite squads will rise above the competition. In their first team rankings for the 2024-25 campaign, SCNext has anointed Columbus High School out of Florida as the top dogs in the land.
Columbus Leads Initial Rankings on Strength of Boozer Brothers
The Explorers, coming off a 28-win season, boast an embarrassment of riches with Duke commits Cameron Boozer (2025 ESPN 100 No. 2) and Cayden Boozer (2025 ESPN 100 No. 17) leading the charge. The dynamic duo isn’t the only elite talent on the roster, as Columbus also features junior standouts Caleb Gaskins (2026 ESPN 60 No. 10) and Jaxon Richardson (2026 ESPN 60 No. 28). With this collection of star power, Columbus has the pieces to make a run at mythical national championship honors.
Link Academy, Long Island Lutheran Round Out Top 3
Checking in at No. 2 in SCNext’s initial rankings is Link Academy out of Missouri. The Lions are an absolute juggernaut, with six ESPN ranked prospects on their loaded roster. Headlining the group is top-10 national recruit and skilled big man Chris Cenac Jr. (2025 ESPN 100 No. 7).
Long Island Lutheran slots in at No. 3 in the first poll of the season. The New York powerhouse is coming off a stellar campaign that saw them earn a trip to Chipotle Nationals. With a strong returning core, the Crusaders have their sights set on a return trip to the prestigious season-ending tournament.
Montverde, Prolific Prep Headline Chipotle Nationals Contenders
Perennial powerhouses Montverde Academy (No. 4) and Prolific Prep (No. 5) round out the top five, giving us an early preview of the contenders for this season’s Chipotle Nationals crown. Montverde captured the title last April with a convincing 79-63 victory over Paul VI and have the talent to make another deep run.
It’s shaping up to be another incredible season of high school hoops. These ranked teams are absolutely loaded with next-level talent that will be starring on the college stage in the very near future.
– High school scouting expert on SCNext’s preseason rankings
Under-the-Radar Squads Crack Top 25
While the top of the rankings features familiar names, there are several ascending programs that made their presence felt in the initial poll:
- No. 21 San Antonio Brennan (TX), led by Houston commit Kingston Flemings (2025 ESPN 100 No. 21), scored a thrilling 88-86 victory over Dynamic Prep on the opening weekend thanks to Flemings’ game-winning dunk in the closing seconds.
- Gonzaga College High School (DC) debuts at No. 10 and looks poised to dominate the always competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference this season.
- West Coast stalwarts Harvard-Westlake (No. 13) and St. John Bosco (No. 11) are the highest ranked teams out of talent-rich California and have the firepower to make noise on a national level.
As the season gets rolling, expect plenty of change in subsequent rankings as contenders vie for position. In such a competitive landscape, any team is capable of getting scalding hot and making a run up the rankings in the blink of an eye.
The first showcase events of the season will provide an opportunity for the top dogs to solidify their positions while simultaneously giving the next tier of teams a chance to break through. With so many elite prospects and well-coached squads in the mix, the 2024-25 high school basketball season promises to be one for the ages.
SCNext Top 25 High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus (FL) | 0-0 |
| 2 | Link Academy (MO) | 2-0 |
| 3 | Long Island Lutheran (NY) | 0-0 |
| 4 | Montverde Academy (FL) | 0-0 |
| 5 | Prolific Prep (CA) | 6-0 |
It’s still early, with most of the basketball season yet to be played, but the teams at the top of SCNext’s initial rankings have the talent and pedigree to stay in the national championship hunt all year long. The next poll is sure to bring more shakeup as contenders attempt to stake their claim as one of the nation’s elite. The journey to Chipotle Nationals will be a wild ride, and it’s only just begun.
