Best High School Basketball Factories

As NBA Free Agency has dominated the headlines in the summer months of baseball, we, at NextGenSports, decided to turn out attention to the high basketball season. In recent years of McDonalds’ All-Americans and constant scouting, the high school level t has become a star-driven brand of basketball. Nevertheless, we wanted to get back to the roots of the next NBA stars around the country, looking at the schools themselves. Starting from 10 and making our way to number one, we will be profiling the best high school basketball teams in the land. Look for #9 coming soon…

Number 10:  Montverde Academy, Montverde, Florida

2009-2010 record: 23-5

Coach: Kevin Sutton

Last season, expectations were high once again. Yes, star center Ruslan Pateev had graduated, and he has attended Arizona State on a basketball scholarship. More important, however, James Bell (right) returned for his senior season. The 6 foot 5 inch point guard was considered one of the best shooters in the country. Bell skyrocketed up national prospect rankings towards the end of last season, excelling specifically against fellow powerhouse Findlay Prep.   Scouts loved the Orlando native’s prowess in the paint, as well. He utilized his size often to overpower smaller guards, similar to Denver Nuggets’ guard, Chauncey Billups.

At forward, Jamail Jones did it all. He was extremely versatile, able to play shooting guard, small forward and power forward. Jones possessed a unique maturity about the game of basketball, and he recognized the importance of shot selection. Therefore, he was a guy who will always have a high field goal percentage. After committing to Marquette, Jones had been compared to former Golden Eagles’ star and current Jazz swingman Wes Matthews. Personally, the Georgia product considers himself in the mold of Carmelo Anthony.

Anyone close to the Maryland program cannot wait for Montverde swing man Haukur Palsson. Born in Iceland, he is not very athletic, but what Palsson lacks in natural ability is compensated in the competitive department.  The incoming college freshman will undoubtedly bring his best every night, which shall be crucial to the team’s success. 


Opposing teams often struggled again Montverde especially when Palsson and Jones were effective consistently, opening the court up to James Bell throughout the game. Then the star point guard was open to issue serious damage.

If we look at the entire basketball program, the list of famous alumni is rather short. The reasoning lies within the school, where, Montverde Academy did not start building a high profile, national powerhouse until the early 2000s. Without future a due, here is the short list:

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is arguably the most well-known product. He left Montverde and starred at UCLA for coach Ben Howland. In Westwood, the African prince established himself as a defensive specialist. Drafted in 2^nd round by the Milwaukee Bucks, Mbah a Moute quickly worked himself into the starting lineup with his tenacious play.

Solomon Alabi, the former center from Florida State, was recently drafted with the 50^th pick by the Dallas Mavericks, but later traded to the Toronto Raptors. In Tallahassee, Alabi exceeded expectations, and he was projected to be a lottery pick early into his sophomore campaign. Health issues, however, caused his stock to fall dramatically.

LD Williams emerged as a leader and defensive specialist at Wake Forest last season. 

-Will Baldwin