SB Live Washington Top 25 boys basketball rankings: O'Dea, Garfield sit atop preseason all-classification list

Here are Scorebook Live’s preseason all-classification Top 25 rankings for Washington high school boys basketball. Our all-class Top 25 rankings are released

Here are Scorebook Live’s preseason all-classification Top 25 rankings for Washington high school boys basketball. Our all-class Top 25 rankings are released weekly throughout the 2019-20 high school boys basketball season. The rankings are compiled by SB Live basketball analyst and former NBA player Dan Dickau and SB Live Washington reporter Andy Buhler.

More preseason rankings:

4A Top 10 — 3A Top 10 — 2A Top 10 — 1A Top 10 — 2B Top 10 — 1B Top 10

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ALL-CLASS BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 25

Preseason rankings as of Nov. 20, 2019

1. O'Dea (3A)

2018-19 record: 20-8, 3A state champions

The defending 3A state champions lost Noah Williams, but return one of the country’s top 2021 recruits Paolo Banchero and sharpshooter John Christofilis. 

2. Garfield (3A)

2018-19 record: 15-8

Brandon Roy is back to coach the talent-laden Bulldogs, who added Tari Eason, Kendall Munson and rising freshman Jaylin Stewart, son of former Rainier Beach standout Lodrick Stewart.

3. Eastside Catholic (3A)

2018-19 record: 25-3

Are the Crusaders here to stay among the Metro's best? They boast perhaps the most talented backcourt in the state with Nolan Hickman and Shane Nowell also boasts two-sport star J.T. Tuimoloau.

4. Mount Si (4A)

2018-19 record: 26-3

A year after making a run to the state title, Mount Si returns combo guard Jabe Mullins and are the preseason 4A favorite.

5. Olympia (4A)

2018-19 record: 15-9

Washington commit Jackson Grant returns after a strong summer with Washington Supreme, making the Bears 4A state contenders.

6. Ingraham (3A)

2018-19 record: 18-10

Expect a step forward from the Rams. They return 6-10 Saint Mary’s commit Mitchell Saxen, and add Roosevelt transfer point guard Maui Sze.

7. Gonzaga Prep (4A)

2018-19 record: 25-2, 4A state champion.

Sure, the Bullpups must replace the premier piece in winning the last two state championships in Anton Watson. But the Matty McIntyre-led group returns a legit D-I guard Liam Lloyd.

8. Union (4A)

2018-19 record: 24-3

The Titans’ undefeated regular season was soured by a first round exit in the state playoffs. This year, Union boasts swingman Tanner Toolson and is coming off of a stellar summer.

9. Mt. Spokane (3A)

2018-19 record: 25-2

First team all-state selection Tyson Degenhart was a driving force behind the Wildcats’ run to the 3A title. Add the return of point guard JoJo Anderson? Mt. Spokane is again a contender. 

10. Federal Way (4A)

2018-19 record: 26-3

After losing Jaden McDaniels and Tari Eason, the Eagles add Curtis transfer Jared Franklin and swingman Peter Erickson from Enumclaw. (Correction: this story previously stated Federal Way is suiting up eight transfers. Though there area several newcomers, eight was incorrect.)

11. Seattle Prep (3A)

2018-19 record: 13-10

Expect the Panthers to make a leap this year. Center Nic Welp, son of Washington Huskies all-time leading scorer Chris Welp, returns for his senior season. 

12. Rainier Beach (3A)

2018-19 record: 21-6

Some may consider it a down by Beach standards, but don’t sleep on John Hart and the Vikings. 

13. Kentwood (4A)

2018-19 record: 12-11

The Conks boast athletes — namely multi-sport standout Alphonse Oywak. 

14. Jackson (4A)

2018-19 record: 18-6

Jaylen Searles and Carter Korab are back, which makes the Timberwolves dangerous out of the 4A Wesco League.

15. North Kitsap (2A)

2018-19 record: 23-6

The Vikings return wing Shaa Humphrey, and point guard Johny Olmsted has sprouted a few inches to headline a team that returns some 90 percent of its scoring from last season.

16. Skyview (4A)

2018-19 record: 16-7

Gone is league MVP Alex Schumacher, but the Storm sport a trio of multi-year starters in Kyle Gruhler, Squeeky Johnson and Jace Chatman.

17. Ferris (4A)

2018-19 record:16-7

Two all-GSL selections Cole Omlin and McCoy Spink return to a Saxons team that boasts size.

18. Wilson (3A)

2018-19 record: 18-10

3A PCL Daniel Santana is gone, but Damani Green and Jackson Dorsey are among the returners looking to end Lincoln’s multi-year unbeaten league streak. 

19. Lynden (2A)

2018-19 record: 26-1, 2A state champions.

Sure, Lynden lost 11 players from a team that won the 2A state title. But the Lions return several senior leaders and 6-10 shot-blocker Liam Hanenburg.

20. Issaquah (4A)

2018-19 record: 11-14

The Eagles boast enough size to make noise in the KingCo.

21. Auburn (4A)

2018-19 record: 16-7

Maleek Arington and Daekwon Watson are back for the Trojans after all-league freshman campaigns. 

22. West Valley (Yakima) (4A)

2018-19 record: 15-7

The Rams missed the state playoffs last year, but return the bulk of its young core.

23. Kings (1A)

2018-19 record: 22-6

After a show-stopping freshman campaign, 6-7 big Tyler Lindhart returns for his sophomore season for the 1A preseason favorites. 

24. Lincoln (3A)

2018-19 record: 19-6

The Abes lost some size to graduation, but will be fast. They return Julien Simon and add Black Hills transfer Gabriel Wright.

25. Battle Ground (4A)

2018-19 record: 18-10

Gonzaga commit Kaden Perry returns after leading the Tigers to its first 4A state tournament appearance in 17 years.