D'Angelo Russell and Montverde Academy are our pick as the top team in Florida this season.
Photo by Jim Redman
MaxPreps 2013-14 Florida Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
Click here to see the boys basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state1. Montverde Academy2012-13 record: 25-2, Academy national champions
Head coach: Kevin Boyle
With seven seniors already committed to Division I programs, don't count on the Eagles taking a step back after winning the National High School Invitational last season. Senior guard
D'Angelo Russell (6-foot-4, Ohio State commitment) and junior Australian transplant
Ben Simmons (6-8, G/F, LSU) are among the headliners.
2. Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville)2012-13 record: 30-4
Head coach: Rex Morgan
The Apache roster includes at least eight players who will play Division I basketball. Leading the way is
Brandone Francis (6-5, Sr., G, Florida verbal commitment),
Dante Buford (6-6, Sr., F),
Nate Mason Jr. (5-10, Sr., G, Minnesota),
Lamonte Turner (6-2, So., G) and
D.J. Russell (6-6, Fr., G/F, Miami).
3. Providence (Jacksonville)2012-13 record: 35-1, Class 3A state champions
Head coach: Jim Martin
The Stallions always play smothering defense under Martin (45.7 points against per game last season) and have starpower to go with it in Duke-bound guard
Grayson Allen.
4. Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach)2012-13 record: 27-2, Class 7A state champions
Head coach: Melvin Randall
The back-to-back state champions will be looking for a three-peat behind senior guards
Richard Lee (6-3) and
Lance Tejada II (6-0, East Carolina verbal commitment) and 6-6 junior forward
Therrell Gosier.
5. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando)2012-13 record: 24-5, Class 4A state champions
Head coach: Jason Vallery
Much of the supporting cast is gone from last year's state championship, but the Highlanders were unbeaten with North Carolina-bound point guard
Joel Berry (25.3 points per game).