SC Next Top 25: The best high school boys’ basketball teams in 2025-26

Spire Academy (Ohio) is the biggest riser in the ESPN SC Next Top 25 team rankings to kickoff the new calendar year. The program checks in at No. 2 in the nation after picking up three ranked wins over Southeastern Prep (Fla.), AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) and Faith Family (Texas). Kevin Boyle is in his first year leading Spire Academy, following a dominant tenure at Montverde Academy (Fla.).

Principia (Miss.) and Bartlett (Tenn.) have both played their way into the Top 25 after standout performances at the City of Palms Classic. Principia picked up ranked wins over Columbus (Fla.), Wheeler (Ga.) and Bartlett (Tenn.). Meanwhile, Barlett knocked off Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) and Petersburg (Va.), and then defeated ranked Southeastern Prep (Fla.) 68-62 at the Memphis Hoopfest event.

Up next on the major showcase schedule is the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. on Jan. 15-19, which will feature ranked multiple teams as well as players from the 2026 ESPN SC Next Top 100, 2027 ESPN SC Next Top 60 and 2028 ESPN SC Next Top 25.

SC Next player rankings:
2026 SC Next 100 | 2027 SC Next 60 | 2028 SC Next 25

2025-26 boys’ SC Next Top 25

1. Link Academy (Miss.)

2. Spire Academy (Ohio)

3. Prolific Prep (Fla.)

4. Dynamic Prep (Texas)

5. AZ Compass (Ariz.)

6. Paul VI (Va.)

7. Bella Vista (Ariz.)

8. La Lumiere (Ind.)

9. Principia (Miss.)

10. Bartlett (Tenn.)

11. Southeastern Prep Academy (Fla.)

12. Columbus (Fla.)

13. Montverde Academy (Fla.)

14. Brewster Academy (N.H.)

15. Sunrise Christian (Kan.)

16. Calvary Christian (Fla.)

17. Wasatch Academy (Utah)

18. Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.)

19. Sierra Canyon (Calif.)

20. Bishop O’Connell (Va.)

21. IMG Academy (Fla.)

22. Sunnyslope (Ariz.)

23. Wheeler (Ga.)

24. Santa Margarita (Calif.)

25. Faith Family (Texas)