Florida Preseason Top 25 Team Rankings (1-5)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the 2023-2024 High School Basketball season is just a few weeks away and Fall Leagues have officially wrapped up. Prep Hoops Florida is taking a deeper dive at the way too early Top 25 teams in the state of Florida, regardless of classification. We will start by previewing our top five teams heading into the upcoming season. A lot of new faces are in new places as well this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 Montverde Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Montverde Academy Eagles come into the upcoming season as our top ranked team in the state of Florida for the 2023-2024 season. The Eagles are loaded with talent all over the frontcourt including recent Duke commit in 6-8 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1529069' first='Cooper' last='Flagg'], 6-9 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1089573' first='Derik' last='Queen'] and recent Georgia commit [player_tooltip player_id='1055578' first='Asa' last='Newell']. The Eagles also have a loaded backcourt as well featuring 6-1 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1116063' first='Robert' last='Wright III'] (Baylor commit) and 6-6 sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1696183' first='Kayden' last='Allen'] who transferred from Grayson (Georgia) over the summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notable Games: 12/1 vs Columbus, 1/12 vs Oak Hill Academy (VA), 1/13 vs Brewster Academy (NH), 1/14 vs Prolific Prep (CA), 1/20 vs DME Academy, 2/2 @ La Lumiere (IN)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 IMG Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IMG Academy Ascenders have once again reloaded their roster with four and five stars all over the floor. Their latest additions include 6-2 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2145508' first='Darius' last='Acuff'], 6-9 senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2197284' first='Donnie' last='Freeman'] (Syracuse commit) and 6-5 senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2197291' first='Chase' last='McCarty']. The Ascenders have more depth this upcoming season and have loaded their schedule with marquee matchups once again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notable Games: 12/1 vs SFA Academy, 12/15 @ Elder (OH), 1/5 @ The Villages Charter, 1/10 vs Tampa Catholic, 1/14 vs Sunrise Christian (KS), 2/8 vs Oak Hill Academy (VA)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 Riviera Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning Class 3A Champion Riviera Prep Bulldogs check in at No. 3 in our preseason rankings. The Bulldogs return their trio backcourt that features 6-1 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1660033' first='Mason' last='Fuentes'], his younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='2294486' first='Myles' last='Fuentes'] and 6-4 junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1301788' first='Dante' last='Allen']. Meanwhile, The Bulldogs return 7-0 junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1450207' first='Gustavo' last='Guimaraes'] who adds a ton of rim protection on the defensive end of the floor. The Bulldogs are heavy favorites to retain the crown in Class 3A again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notable Games: 12/5 @ Columbus, 12/12 @ Miami Norland, 1/8 @ Gulliver Prep, 1/13 vs Sidwell Friends (DC), 1/17 vs Sagemont, 1/20 vs Winter Haven, 1/22 vs Mater Lakes Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Columbus</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two-time defending state champion Columbus Explorers have plenty of experience in their starting lineup this season. 6-5 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1301715' first='Cayden' last='Boozer'], 6-3 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2197286' first='Jase' last='Richardson'] (Michigan State commit), 6-2 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1301708' first='Benny' last='Fragela'], 6-8 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1578317' first='Malik' last='Abdullahi'] (Princeton commit) and 6-10 junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1301714' first='Cameron' last='Boozer']. Cameron is a natural forward who feels very comfortable when he has the basketball in his hands. Cayden is a well-built strong guard who has great court vision along with pure passing skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notable Games: 11/24 vs McEachern (GA), 11/25 vs Wasatch Academy (UT), 12/1 at #1 Montverde Academy, 12/5 vs Riviera Prep, 12/15 @ Miami Norland, 12/19 vs Archbishop Ryan (PA), 1/3 @ Mater Lakes Academy, 1/5 @ Westminster Academy, 1/9 vs Huntington Prep (WV), 1/13 vs Long Island Lutheran (NY), 1/15 vs Paul VI (VA)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 Oak Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Oak Ridge Pioneers round out our "Top 5" in the initial Prep Hoops Florida Top 25 rankings heading into the season. The Pioneers loaded front-court features 6-6 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1301713' first='Jamier' last='Jones'], 6-5 senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1055776' first='Tyler' last='Johnson'] (Virginia Tech commit), 6-6 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1163617' first='Cameron' last='Simpson'] (UCF commit) and 6-10 sophomore power forward Tim Winkler. Jamier is a high-flying wing who can finish on both sides of the rim whether it's off of put-backs or lobs thrown to him. Also don't sleep on 6-0 junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1301787' first='Jalen' last='Reece'] who is a pure playmaker where he has a high IQ and gets his teammates involved often. A key newcomer to the fold will feature 6-9 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1301707' first='Amari' last='Davis'] who has a smooth jumpshot as well as a great distributor of the basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notable Games: 11/22 vs Windermere Prep, 11/25 vs Bishop O'Connell (VA), 12/6 vs Tampa Catholic, 12/12 vs The Villages Charter, 1/19 at Olympia</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->