Who are the best boys’ high school basketball players in North Carolina? Here’s our top 25
Davidson Day guard Isaiah Denis, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, is the top boys’ high school basketball player in North Carolina.
The UNC commit headlines the annual ranking of the state’s top 25 senior players. The rankings, sponsored by The Charlotte Observer and News & Observer of Raleigh, are compiled by the media company’s high school staff and N.C. prep basketball expert Rick Lewis, a co-host of The Observer’s “Talking Preps” streaming show.
Denis is ranked as a four-star national recruit by 247 Sports and the No. 47 overall recruit nationally. He committed to North Carolina earlier this month, choosing the Tar Heels over Ohio State, Miami, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Wake Forest and Kansas.
Denis was part of a Davidson Day team that won the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A state championship last season. He scored 18 points in the title game.
This season, Davidson Day is 6-3 under new coach Ricky Hickman.
The N.C. top 25 boys’ basketball rankings
| Rk. | Name | School | Ht | Pos. | College |
| 1. | Isaiah Denis | Davidson Day | 6-5 | CG | UNC |
| 2. | Eli Ellis | Moravian Prep | 6-0 | PG | South Carolina |
| 3. | Kaden Magwood | Combine Academy | 6-1 | CG | Auburn |
| 4. | Zymicah Wilkins | Christ School | 6-8 | C | N.C. State |
| 5. | Gevonte Ware | 1 of 1 Academy | 6-9 | C | Rutgers |
| 6. | Jaylen Cross | Caldwell Academy | 6-4 | CG | Charlotte |
| 7. | Jackson Keith | Southern Durham | 6-6 | SF | Butler |
| 8. | Trent Steinour | Lake Norman | 6-10 | C | Clemson |
| 9. | Marcus Jackson | Word of God | 6-10 | C | Undecided |
| 10. | Michael Phillips | Grace Christian | 6-6 | SF | Marquette |
| 11. | Chadlyn Traylor | North Mecklenburg | 6-3 | PG | College of Charleston |
| 12. | Robert Moore | Moravian Prep | 6-6 | SG | Undecided |
| 13. | Bryce Slay | Carmel Christian | 6-5 | SG | Marquette |
| 14. | Madden Collins | Christ School | 6-3 | CG | American |
| 15. | Zacch Wiggins | Grimsley | 6-5 | SF | ODU |
| 16. | Isaac Ericksen | Green Level | 6-8 | PF | Illinois State |
| 17. | Adriel Nyorha | Winston-Salem Christian | 6-5 | CG | Arkansas State |
| 18. | Jordan Vick | Word of God | 5-11 | PG | Undecided |
| 19. | Abu Yarmah | Moravian Prep | 6-7 | SF | High Point |
| 20. | KJ Younger | Weddington | 6-5 | SG | UNC-Greensboro |
| 21. | Josiah Parker | Combine | 6-6 | PF | Florida Atlantic |
| 22. | Tre McKinnon | Lake Norman | 6-5 | SF | Appalachian State |
| 23. | Will James | Holly Springs | 6-4 | SF | Toledo |
| 24. | JD Bowden | Ambassador Christian | 6-1 | PG | Undecided |
| 25. | Chance Gladden | Ravenscroft | 6-4 | CG | Boston |
This story was originally published November 27, 2024 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Who are the best boys’ high school basketball players in North Carolina? Here’s our top 25."
