High school basketball has truly kicked off across the nation. With some programs set to begin their season openers this week, let's take a look at High School on SI's updated Top 25 boys basketball national rankings. Alongside this, we have the National Player of the Year watchlist for 2024 - 25 and the preseason SI Six All-American team.

Defending National Champs: A Dominant Start

The defending national champs are off to a great start, winning their first three games by a significant margin. One notable victory was a 77 - 47 win over Wasatch Academy. Their early form shows their strength and potential.In another game, they demonstrated their prowess with a convincing win, further solidifying their position at the top. Their consistent performance is a sight to behold and sets the tone for the rest of the season.

Early Season Wins and Setbacks

Two teams have had big early-season wins. One team triumphed over La Lumiere and AZ Compass Prep, showcasing their ability to handle tough opponents. Another team, despite having three losses without Darryn Peterson, still managed to secure a win over Columbus earlier this season with Peterson scoring 33 points.Columbus, although having a setback to Prolific Prep, still remains in the top five as they are considered the top traditional high school team in the country. Their resilience is commendable.

New York's Best Team: Local Dominance

The best team in New York has shown its mettle with two big local wins. Upcoming games against Brewster Academy and Montverde will be crucial tests for them. Their performance on the local stage is a sign of their growing strength.

La Lumiere's Standout Player

La Lumiere's only loss is to IMG Academy. Darius Adams, a UConn commit, is leading the way for this ball club. His skills and leadership are evident in their games, and he is a key player to watch.

5 - Star Prospect's Impact

Kingston Flemings, a 5 - star prospect, is having an outstanding season. With an average of 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, he is doing it all for the Bears. His performance is a major boost to their team.

Link Academy's Performance

Link Academy had a big win earlier this season but dropped in the rankings after failing litmus test games against Utah Prep and Dynamic Prep. Despite their losses to Allen and Brennan in Texas, their win over Link Academy shows their capability of performing in big games.

Loaded Rosters and Key Players

Teams like the one with Brandon McCoy, Christian Collins, Elzie Harrington, Chris Komin, and Howie Wu are truly loaded. Their combined skills make them a force to be reckoned with.At another team, Nik Khamenia, a Duke commit, is on triple - double watch each time they play. His all - round abilities are a major asset.

Upcoming Season Openers

Some teams haven't started their season yet. For example, one team has their season opener on Dec. 6. Derek Dixon, a 6 - foot - 3 combo guard with a strong build and smooth jump shot, is headed to North Carolina. Gonzaga also has point guard Nyk Lewis (Xavier) and 6 - foot - 9 center Christian Gurdak (Virginia Tech).Another team, led by top junior prospect Caleb Holt, is unbeaten to start the season. Their early success is a testament to his skills.

Big Tests and Upcoming Games

Brewster Academy has a big test against Long Island Lutheran on Dec. 6. They have scored 100 - plus points in five of their six games, showing their offensive firepower.The Pioneers, with small forward CJ Ingram (Florida), power forward Jamier Jones (Providence), and point guard Jalen Reece (LSU), are 4 - 0 and have a big game against Gonzaga on Friday.The Panthers, with 5 - star shooting guard Jordan Smith and 4 - star shooting guard Jordan Hunter, along with senior forward Adlan Elamin (a 4 - star prospect headed to Utah State), are yet to start their season with their opener on Dec. 5.Notre Dame is waiting for Tyran Stokes (wrist), but Lino Marks (Rutgers) and Zach White (2026) are keeping the Knights rolling.In Arizona, the top team led by Koa Peat, the two - time defending state champs, is off to a hot start.The Cougars won their home - opener on November 26 and are looking to build on this momentum.Mt. Zion is making noise after taking down Utah Prep.One team has losses to Oak Hill, IMG Academy, and La Lumiere, but they are determined to bounce back.The defending state champs in Class 7A are off to a great start with a 9 - 0 record.Sidwell, led by Kentucky commit Acaden Lewis, got their season going with a quality win over DeMatha.Bookmark High School on SI for all the latest high school football news. To get live updates on your phone and follow your favorite teams and top games, you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App.