Daily News boys basketball 2025-26 preseason top 15 rankings

Here is the Daily News boys basketball 2025-26 preseason top 15 rankings:

1. Sierra Canyon: The Trailblazers will start the season as the No. 1 team in the state after winning the CIF State Division I title last season and getting new transfers Brandon McCoy (from St. John Bosco), Brannon Martinsen (JSerra) and Delan Grant (St. Francis). Coach Andre Chevalier also returns forward Maxi Adams, who just committed to North Carolina.

2. Notre Dame: The Knights lost No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes the first week of November when it was announced he ‘withdrew’ from the school. Despite the loss, Notre Dame is still very good with junior point guard NaVorro Bowman Jr., San Diego State commit Zach White, and Swiss-Army knife junior Jojo Nance.

3. Harvard-Westlake: The Wolverines will be led by Texas commit Joe Sterling, who is one of the country’s best shooters. He will have fellow seniors Amir Jones, Dom Bentho and Barron Linnekens to help, but the key to this team will be the progress of juniors Pierce Thompson and Cole Holden.

4. Crespi: The Celts will look to twin juniors Isaiah and Carter Barnes to lead the way. Impact transfer Jasiah Williams will likely be their leading scorer. Role players Christian Tshina-Nazambi, Malakai Perrantes, and sleeper Cayman Martin will be nightly contributors.

5. St. Francis: The Golden Knights possess one of the biggest players in the state in newcomer Cherif Millogo, a 7-foot-3 center from Burkina Faso in West Africa. The 4-star prospect immediately impacts coach Todd Wolfson’s team. Sophomore point guard Luke Paulus will be running the show.

6. Village Christian: The Crusaders return All-CIF point guard Deion Lewis, 6-foot-11 center Aaro Salo, wing Noah Porter and guard Ryan Girgis. Keep an eye out for transfers Pedro Villanueva (SoCal Academy) and a pair of freshmen in Will Conroy Jr. and Myles Mobley, son of former NBA guard Cuttino Mobley.

7. Campbell Hall: The Vikings parted ways with coach David Grace a few weeks ago, and now Vonn Webb will be at the helm. Campbell Hall returns forward Nikita Kochnev, guard Christian Rogers, and much-improved sophomore PG Chris Paul II. The team also welcomed 6-foot-10 transfer Kyle Sanders from Bishop Montgomery.

8. Legacy Christian: Coach James Mosley, the longtime coach at Santa Clarita Christian, has built a new program in the Santa Clarita Valley at Legacy Christian. His top players include his son JR Mosley, 6-foot-5 Xzavier Miller and shooter Matthew Burton. Look out for newcomer Ender Berg, a 7-footer from Mater Dei.

9. Thousand Oaks: The Lancers return a nice core in Dylan McCord, Gabriel Chin, Jake Ange, and Jaydon Nwene. PG Stefen Sherman (from Southern California Academy) and Kaden Glover (St. Bonaventure) will be impact transfers. Sophomore Micah Chin is a sleeper.

10. Cleveland: The Cavs will contend for a City Section Open Division title this year with 6-foot-8 Sergine Deme and guard Sho Evans. Cleveland will also boast the help of impact transfers TJ Wansa (Alemany), Charlie Adams (St. Bonaventure), Chasen Pejoro (St. Genevieve) and Emmitt Claiborne (La Salle).

11. Alemany: The Warriors return senior guards Tyler Vuille and Jake Koochof, and add big man Sam Mbingoazo. Freshman Austin Acy is one to keep an eye on – son of former NBA player Quincy Acy.

12. Heritage Christian: Big year for junior PG Dominic Loehle and sophomore Eli Simmons. The Warriors were an Open Division team last year, but lost star players Tae Simmons and Dillan Shaw. This squad is very young and will have three ninth graders on varsity, including Nalu Clark, younger brother of Kihei Clark.

13. Saugus: The Centurions are always tough under coach Alfredo Manzano. Top players include Braydon Harmon, Aiden Pisarnwongs, and Derek Hsu.

14. Knight: Coach Tom Hegre is still at it, entering his 20th year at the helm. He returns Golden League Player of the Year and CIF Southern Section Division 3AA Player of the Year Amare Larane. Hegre coached NBA star Paul George (Class of 2008).

15. Birmingham: Don’t be surprised to see the Patriots climb these rankings as the season goes on with top players X’Zavion McKay and Christian Graham returning. Birmingham also has a bevy of transfers, including AJ Berry (from Grant) and Tekeio Phillips (Chatsworth).

Next five: Chaminade, Golden Valley, Westlake, Taft, Calabasas