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Boys' Basketball 2025-26 Preview: Who's Hot, Who's Here, and What to Expect

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 19:40 GMT by Los Angeles Daily News

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Boys’ Basketball 2025‑26 Preview: Who’s Hot, Who’s Here, and What to Expect

The 2025‑26 boys’ basketball season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, and the Daily News has taken a deep dive into the key stories that will dominate the hardwood. From powerhouse programs that have built dynasties in their conferences to individual talents poised to break the mold, the preview outlines the big‑picture landscape, the emerging stars, and the strategic shifts that could redefine the way high‑school hoops is played this fall.

1. The “Big Four” Teams Still Reigning

The article opens with an overview of the four teams that have consistently topped the national conversation: Houston’s St. John’s Preparatory, Dallas’ Baylor Academy, Los Angeles’ Harborview High, and New York City’s St. Peter’s Academy. Each of these programs carries a history of state championships, deep playoff runs, and a reputation for developing college‑ready talent.

• St. John’s Prep (Texas): Back‑to‑back state titles in 2023 and 2024, led by senior point guard Jordan Allen, who averaged 18.3 points and 7.5 assists last season. The article cites the team’s balanced attack, emphasizing a defense that has allowed fewer than 55 points per game all year.

• Baylor Academy (Texas): Co‑champions of the 2024‑25 Texas Conference, they’re looking to add a third title. Freshman phenom Liam McDonald, the nation’s #12 ranked shooting guard, is highlighted as a catalyst who can create offense on the fly.

• Harborview High (California): Having gone 42‑0 in the previous season, Harborview’s senior center Tyler Williams (6‑8, 210 lb) remains a dominant force in the paint, while the offense runs on the perimeter with a 40% 3‑point conversion rate.

• St. Peter’s Academy (New York): The only major New England program on the list, they boast a strong frontcourt featuring sophomore Eli Rivera and a perimeter shooter, Marcus Lee, who have both drawn interest from Ivy League recruiters.

The preview notes that each of these teams faces a unique challenge: staying fresh after a long stretch of success, integrating new players, and navigating a conference schedule that now includes more non‑conference games that could carry significant playoff weight.

2. “Stars to Watch” – Players Who Could Break the Mold

While team stories set the scene, the Daily News underscores that the future of boys’ basketball depends on the individual performances of a handful of high‑profile athletes. A detailed table in the article lists 12 players across the country, annotated with their key strengths, potential college destinations, and scouting reports from regional coaches.

1. Jordan Allen (St. John’s Prep, Texas) – Senior guard, 6‑3, 200 lb. Averaged 18.3 ppg and 7.5 apg, known for his court vision and a 48% three‑point shooting streak. Projected to draw offers from ACC schools.

2. Liam McDonald (Baylor Academy, Texas) – Freshman shooting guard, 6‑1, 190 lb. 14.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.7 spg. Recognized for his quickness and clutch shooting.

3. Tyler Williams (Harborview High, California) – Senior center, 6‑8, 210 lb. 12.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg. Known for his shot‑blocking ability and inside scoring.

4. Eli Rivera (St. Peter’s Academy, New York) – Sophomore power forward, 6‑7, 200 lb. 15.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.3 bpg. Strong post presence and a solid mid‑range jumper.

5. Marcus Lee (St. Peter’s Academy, New York) – Sophomore guard, 6‑0, 170 lb. 16.2 ppg, 3.1 spg. Excellent three‑point shooter with a 42% conversion rate.

6. Mason Lee (San Diego’s Mission High, California) – Freshman guard, 5‑11, 155 lb. 13.5 ppg, 4.0 apg, 2.8 spg. Known for defensive hustle and a high basketball IQ.

7. Kevin “KJ” Jones (Miami’s Coconut Grove High, Florida) – Junior forward, 6‑5, 190 lb. 18.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg. Strong inside game and rebounding machine.

8. Jalen “Jae” Thompson (Washington’s Seattle Prep, Washington) – Senior guard, 6‑1, 180 lb. 20.5 ppg, 5.3 apg, 3.5 spg. Defensive anchor and a floor‑spacing shooter.

9. Omar K. (Chicago’s Northside Prep, Illinois) – Freshman center, 6‑9, 225 lb. 12.8 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 2.6 bpg. Emerging rim protector with a developing post game.

10. Avery “Ace” Johnson (Denver’s Highland Academy, Colorado) – Sophomore guard, 6‑0, 165 lb. 17.2 ppg, 3.8 apg. Known for his ball‑handling and playmaking.

11. Isaac “Izzy” Brown (Boston’s Roxbury Prep, Massachusetts) – Junior guard, 6‑0, 165 lb. 16.0 ppg, 2.5 spg. Renowned for his athleticism and explosive drives.

12. Tariq “T‑M” Muhammad (Houston’s North Star Academy, Texas) – Freshman forward, 6‑7, 200 lb. 11.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg. Quickness for a big man and a growing mid‑range shot.

The article also notes that many of these players are already on the radar of Division I programs, especially those with a reputation for playing “college‑style” systems that prioritize ball movement and perimeter shooting.

3. Coaching Shuffle: How New Staff Could Influence the Season

Another major talking point is the coaching churn that has taken place over the last off‑season. While the Big Four have largely retained their coaching staffs, three schools have introduced new head coaches:

• St. John’s Prep: Head coach David “Dave” Miller returned for his 5th season after a brief stint in the NBA Summer League. Miller is credited with building the team’s defensive identity.

• Baylor Academy: The school hired former college assistant Michaele “Mikey” Torres to revamp the offense. Torres is known for his fast‑break style and aggressive transition offense.

• Harborview High: Coach Kevin “K‑T” Thompson replaced the long‑time coach who retired after a 20‑year run. Thompson, a former high‑school player from the same region, emphasizes player development and a “team‑first” culture.

These coaching moves are highlighted as potentially reshaping each team’s trajectory. The preview specifically calls out how a coaching philosophy shift can impact player roles, especially for those on the cusp of transferring or moving to the next level.

4. Conference Dynamics & Non‑Conference Play

A significant portion of the article is devoted to the evolving conference landscape. The Texas Basketball Coaches Association (TBCA) has announced an expanded 12‑team conference schedule that will pit the Big Four against rising programs like Austin’s Green Oaks High and El Paso’s Southwest Prep. These matchups are expected to provide a more rigorous test and serve as a litmus test for the teams’ playoff readiness.

Non‑conference games are also being re‑emphasized. With the NCAA now awarding more “quality win” points for out‑of‑region victories, schools are scheduled to play opponents from neighboring states and the Midwest. For example, St. John’s Prep will face Chicago’s Northside Prep in a high‑stakes rivalry game, while Harborview High will travel to Los Angeles’ St. George’s Academy for a late‑season showdown.

5. Statistical Trends & Predictive Analytics

Using data from the last three seasons, the article projects several key trends:

• Increased Three‑Point Shooting: Average 3‑point attempts per game have risen from 30.1 to 36.4 over the past three years, a shift that favors guard‑heavy lineups.

• Rebounding as a Differentiator: Teams with an average of more than 38 rebounds per game tend to finish higher in the final state rankings. That metric highlights the importance of frontcourt presence.

• Turnover Control: The top 10 teams have a turnover margin of +2.5 or higher. The preview identifies the teams with the most improvement in this area as potential dark horses.

The piece also incorporates a small section on predictive modeling, noting that analytics firms have started providing "per‑player value" scores that factor in usage rate, defensive rating, and off‑court leadership. The article quotes Dr. Maya Singh, a data scientist with the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, who says, “If a player’s value index is above 12.5, that’s a sign they’re a game‑changer.”

6. Upcoming Tournaments & State Playoffs

Finally, the preview highlights the major tournaments that will serve as the climax of the season. The State Championship Series (held at the Texas‑Florida Regional Arena) is scheduled for March 12–14, featuring a best‑of‑five format for the top four teams in each conference. Additionally, the National Invitational Invitational (NII) will invite the top 24 teams based on final rankings.

A brief rundown of the playoff bracket is also included, noting that St. John’s Prep and Harborview High are the top seeds, while Baylor Academy and St. Peter’s Academy are placed at the bottom of the bracket, giving them the advantage of a “play‑in” style qualification.

Bottom Line

The Daily News’ preview paints a vivid picture of a season that will be defined by elite competition, individual talent, and strategic innovation. The Big Four remain the heavyweights, but the influx of talented transfers, the strategic coaching changes, and the rising competitiveness of mid‑tier programs mean that any team can surprise if they play their system to perfection.

For fans, parents, and scouts alike, the key takeaway is that the 2025‑26 boys’ basketball season will be a showcase of skill, strategy, and storytelling, setting the stage for the next generation of athletes to take their place on the national stage.