Top 25 California high school boys basketball preseason rankings (11/17/2024)

St. John Bosco, two-time defending Open champion Harvard-Westlake and Eastvale Roosvelt head the pack.

Then sophomore guard Brandon McCoy of St. John Bosco (California) during the 39th annual Tournament of Champions against Edmond North (Oklahoma) at Great Southern Bank Arena on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. / Greta Cross/Springfield News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK

The season started Monday. We didn't peak. These are out a couple days late, but promise, all were picked before any of the Southern Section squads got underway.

It's hard to bet against the two-time defending Open Division champion Harvard-Westlake Wolverines, especially with the return of perhaps the state's best two-way player in Nik Khamenia, a 6-8 power forward headed to Duke, and the addition of super shooter Joe Sterling.

Plus they have arguably the state's best coach in David Rebibo. That's a mouthful.

But St. John Bosco is simply that good, blessed with a trio of players that no one can match. Most of the rest of the state tips off next week. Until then, here's a look at the state's Top 25 with a lot of input from SBLive's Tarek Fattal.

Note: Only teams that play for a CIF State California title were considered for this rankings, thus eliminating Prolific Prep of Napa Christian, which can and will play for both a mythical national title. On Tuesday, the Crew defeated the No. 1 team in the SBLive preseason national rankings.

2024-25 TOP 25 CALIFORNIA BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 25

1. St. John Bosco (28-7 in 2023-24)

Brandon McCoy, Elzie Harrington and Christian Collins make up arguable the best trio in California. Very talented group with an elite coach in Matt Dunn.Collins is expected to be eligible immediately after valid change of residence.

2. Harvard-Westlake (33-3)

Nik Khamenia and new transfer Joe Sterling will be a savvy pair of experienced players bringing along a bevy of high-talented underclassmen under the guidance of David Rebibo. The Wolverines are the two-time defending CIF Open Division champions.

Harvard-Westlake forward Nik Khamenia scores against Salesian in the 2024 CIF State Open Division final on March 8, 2024 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. / Greg Jungferman

3. Eastvale Roosevelt (31-4)

Brayden Burries, Issac Williamson, Myles Walker and Dominic Copenhagen make up a cohesive unit that reached the Open Division finals and CIF State Open regional final.

4. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks (31-4)

Tyran Stokes is nursing a wrist injury that could sideline him for the first few weeks of the season, but Lino Mark, Zach White and Caleb Ogbu can handle the heavy lifting until Stokes returns. With Stokes, the Knights will see themselves nationally ranked by various outlets.

5. St. Joseph-Santa Maria (31-4)

The headliner of course is Baylor-bound and fourth-year starter Tounde Yessoufou, who is nearing 3,000 career points at a 29.0 per game clip to go along with 11.0, 2.8 steals and 1.7 blocks per outing in his career. But the Knights also boasts 4-star guard Julius Price, another four-year starter with offers to Minnesota and Washington. Other starters Gunner Morinini and Abdoul also return.

Tounde Yessoufou has been one of the nation's top recruits since his freshman season at St. Joseph of Santa Maria. / Photo: Dennis Lee

6. Salesian (31-2)

The defending Northern California Open champion graduated a ton but return Elias Obenah, Yale-bound Alvin Loving and two-sport standout Carlton Perrilliat among a host of others in an attempt to duplicate a nearly perfect season of sharing. Not a single Pride player averaged even 10 points per game last season.

7. Riordan (25-5)

The Crusaders were slated a few slots higher until it was learned Cal-bound guard Semetri Carr, who played with the Crusaders during an impressive June live period, decided to transfer from Branson-Ross to Redwood-Larkspur, his hometown public school. The Crusaders, the NorCal Open runner-up and two-time Central Coast Section Open champ, return loads of D1 talent, including 6-5 wing Jasir Rencher (Texas A&M commit), 6-9 post Steve Emenek, 4-star junior guard Andrew Hilman, Ryder Bush, along with transfers Kirby Seals (Santa Cruz), D.J. Armstrong (Branson). Watch out for 6-9 frontliner J.P. Phitvos.

Nes Emeneke (23) is a rapidly rising 2025 college basketball recruit for rapidly rising California power Archbishop Riordan, which just captured the Cali Live 24 championship in the highest Pool 1-2 play. Emeneke had 13 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in the title win over Damien. / Photo: Todd Shurtleff

8. JSerra (25-7)

The Lions will compete to win the Trinity League and are destined for the Open Division with returners Jarne Eyenga and Godschoice Eboigbodin, new transfers Brannon Martinsen (Mater Dei) and BJ Davis Ray (Duncanville), and rising sophomore Earl Bryson.

9. De La Salle (25-6)

What a front line with Oklahoma-bound Alec Blair, a 6-6 senior who can play and defend anywhere, and 6-7 bangers David Balogun and Braddock Kjellevig. The pressure will be on the backcourt but returning starter Ibrahim Monawar, a 6-2 junior, back the Spartans sould be able to run with anyone.

Alec Blair's midrange game is one of the bet in the state, if not the country. The 6-6 incoming senior wing committed to the University of Oklahoma. / Photo: Dennis Lee

10. Santa Margarita (19-11)

The Eagles have a trio that should win them 20-plus games alone in Dallas Washington, Brayden Kyman and Drew Anderson. Newcomer Kaiden Bailey, who scored 30 points per game last year for Calvary Chapel gives SM a dynamic, superstar element in the backcourt.

11. Sierra Canyon (26-4)

Nothing new in Chatsworth. An influx of transfers (yet again) highlighted by Maximo Adams, Chris Nwuli and Gavin Hightower join returners Bryce Cofield, Bryce James and Jayden Alexander.

12. Mater Dei (29-6)

The Monarchs return guards Owen Verna and Luke Barnett. Forward Blake Davidson and junior Malloy Smith will be expected to play bigger roles this upcoming season. Evan Willis is a 6-foot-7 freshman wing to keep an eye out for.

13. Modesto Christian (28-6)

Gavin Sykes, a 6-4 senior, and Stanford-bound Myles Jones came in late last season, beat De La Salle at NorCals and was edged barely by Salesian. Sykes and Jones return as does super sophomore Elijah Payne, Ryan Atkins (6-7) and Mason Brown. Coach Bruce Fantazia, one of the best in NorCal, will also coach Modesto Junior College this season.

14. Montgomery (28-4)

The best from the San Diego Section, the Aztecs return their four leading scorers in J.J. Sanchez (19.8 points per game), Devin Hamilton (13.2), Xair Mendez (12.4) and Alek Sanchez (8.8). They don't just score in bunches, they play so well together, and last year were in super synch. A year more in tune, there's no reason to think they can't get to 30 wins.

15. San Ramon Valley (29-8)

The NorCal Division 1 champion last season returns UC Irvine commit Luke Isaak to go along with Mason Thomas, Elliot Conley and Thomas Coney. Big teams might give the Wolves trouble, but with such strong guard play, helped by newcomer Tyler Smith, the Wolves could put together a 30-win season.

16. Redondo Union (25-6)

Redondo has a big three in Hudson Mayes, SJ Madison and Chris Sanders. Coach Reggie Morris will also have newcomer Chace Holly, a junior transfer from Lynwood, at his disposal.

17. La Mirada (21-8)

Julien 'Manu' Gomez will be the senior leader, but the star is sophomore Gene Roebuck, who's carrying offers to Kansas, UCLA and Cal. MJ Smith and King Riley will fill roles nicely. La Mirada has added some size, too, with Santiago Lopez (6-7) and Mayfair transfer Daquan Idemudia (6-5).

18. Damien (28-6)

Nate Garcia is finally a senior. The 7-foot, All-CIF big man will be accompanied by Eli Gardner, Elijah Smith, Jacob Allen and sophomore Ziaire Rasshan. Spartans return nine of their top 10 players from last season. That's a recipe for success under Mike LeDuc, who's in his 45th season coaching.

19. Inglewood (13-12)

Jason Crowe and his son Jason Crowe Jr. are now at Inglewood, along with three more impact transfers in Parker Jefferson (from Texas), David Conerly (Westchester) and Dwayne Boston Jr.

20. Carlsbad (30-3)

With more than 2,100 career points, Jake Hall has led the Lancers to 78 victories including last year's sparkling 30-3 record when he gave up his scoring (18.9 per game) for the good of the team. Three junior guards — Briggs Young, Trenton Mehl and Jayden Garner — should help the Lancers to another 25- to 30-win season.

Carlsbad guard Jake Hall has scored more than 2,100 points in his first three varsity seasons for the Lancers | Photo: Justin Fine / Justin Fine

21. St. Pius (24-7)

Forward Douglas Langford will be the leading force for St. Pius as he enters his senior season. Returner Omari Cuffe, Kayleb Kearse (Serra), Dayvion Gates and Jaden Erami (Bosco Tech) make for a good Donte Archie-led squad.

22. Heritage Christian (26-10)

The Warriors return a dynamic duo that rivals anyone in SoCal when it comes to athleticism and length: Tae Simmons and Dillan Shaw. Sophomores Max Hackney and Dominc Loehle are primed for breakout seasons.

23. Los Alamitos (24-6)

The Griffins are a savvy, veteran bunch led by returnrs Trent Minter, Wesley Trevino, Liam Gray, Tyler Lopez and Samori Guyness. All seniors and a junior (Lopez). Los Alamitos likes to play fast.

24. Pasadena (26-5)

Coming off a 26-5 season, Pasadena possesses one of the biggest stock risers in SoCal in 6-foot-10 junior forward Josh Irving. Bulldogs return 11 players from last season.

25. Oakland Tech (30-5)

The defending state Division 2 champions return the San Francisco Chronicle's 2023-24 Player of the Year Ardarius Grayson, a 6-foot do-everything guard who did everything in the state finals: 20 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, five steals. Some transfers should help with those who graduated. Xan Meyer-Plettner (8.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Saddiq Alarbesh (9.1 ppg) should have even a bigger role.

Ardarius Grayson (0) during his team's big state Division 2 title win over Centennial of Bakersfield in 2024 at Golden 1 Center. / Photo: Dennis Lee