We kick off our spotlight on the top talents from the high school basketball scene for the 2024-25 season with the Junior All-America Team, showcasing the remarkable Jordan Smith of Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.), who has been named National Junior of the Year.
Smith led the Panthers to a No. 11 ranking in the Top 25, averaging 18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He played a crucial role in securing the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship, scoring a game-high 29 points in a thrilling 58-54 victory against Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) during the championship match.
Recognized as the No. 5 prospect in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports, Smith joins an illustrious group of past winners, which includes the likes of Paolo Banchero, Jalen Duren, Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson.
Selecting players for this team takes into account their team’s success, individual performance, and local, regional, and state accolades earned during the recently concluded season. Potential career prospects at the college and professional levels are not the foremost factor. Players enrolled in post-graduate or non-scholastic programs are not considered for this honor.
Junior All-America: First Team
Jason Crowe Jr., Inglewood (Calif.)
6-3 | Guard
A top 10 prospect, he averaged 35.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.1 steals per game, leading the Sentinels to a 26-7 finish. Crowe Jr. has amassed 3,331 career points as he heads into his senior year.
Jalen Montonati, Owasso (Okla.)
6-7 | Wing
This two-time Oklahoma Player of the Year averaged 23.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, steering the Rams (25-5) to the Class 6A state tournament.
Jordan Smith, Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.)
6-3 | Guard
Smith led the Panthers (27-6) to both the WCAC regular season and conference titles, averaging 18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
Tyran Stokes, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
6-7 | Wing
Ranked as the top junior, Stokes averaged 21.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while helping Notre Dame reach the Open Division state semifinals and claim the No. 13 spot in the Top 25, achieving 17 double-doubles in 29 games.
Miles Sadler, CIA-Bella Vista (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
5-10 | Guard
During Nike EYBL action, he averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game, leading the Bears (21-6) to the No. 4 position in the National Top 10 and a share of the conference title.
Junior All-America: First Team
Latrell Allmond, John Marshall (Richmond, Va.)
6-8 | Forward
He recorded 21.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, propelling the Justices (25-2) to the No. 10 rank in the Top 25 and their fourth consecutive state championship.
Tajh Ariza, Westchester (Los Angeles, Calif.)
6-8 | Wing
After transferring to his father’s alma mater, Ariza averaged 27 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists to help the Comets advance to the quarterfinals of the Division II state tournament.
Caleb Holt, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
6-5 | Guard
After winning back-to-back state titles with Buckhorn (New Market, Ala.), Holt helped the Rams (28-3) earn the No. 17 rank in the Top 25, averaging 18.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.8 steals per game while advancing to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals.
Colben Landrew, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.)
6-5 | Guard
He played a significant role in helping the Wildcats (29-3) clinch the Class AAAAAA state championship, averaging 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while contributing to their No. 7 ranking in the Top 25.
Dionte Neal, Reidsville (N.C.)
5-9 | Guard
As North Carolina’s Player of the Year, he averaged 22.9 points, 9.3 assists, 7.1 steals, and 4.8 rebounds per game, leading the Rams (31-0) to their second consecutive Class 2A state championship.
Junior All-America: Third Team
J.J. Andrews, Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock, Ark.)
6-7 | Forward
He averaged 28.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game for the Class 5A state quarterfinalists.
Caleb Gaskins, Columbus (Miami, Fla.)
6-8 | Forward
After transferring from Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) right before the season, Gaskins averaged 14.5 points and 6.2 rebounds, aiding the Explorers (27-3) to the No. 1 position in the Top 25.
Dylan Mingo, Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.)
6-5 | Guard
A five-star prospect, he contributed to the Crusaders (21-6) reaching the top of the National Top 10, averaging 14.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game as part of a well-rounded attack.
Jaxon Richardson, Columbus
6-6 | Wing
The son of former NBA dunk champion Jason Richardson, he stepped up as a vital contributor for the Explorers this season, averaging 14.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for the top-ranked team in the Top 25.
Abdou Toure, Notre Dame (West Haven, Conn.)
6-6 | Wing
This two-time Connecticut Player of the Year averaged 25.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, leading the Green Knights (25-2) to their second consecutive Division I state championship.
Honorable Mention
Ikenna Alozie, Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.)
6-3 | Guard
Recognized with All-Grind Session honors after an impressive season featuring several standout performances, including a game with 30 points and 10 rebounds against National Top 10 rival Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.).
Kaiden Bailey, Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
6-2 | Guard
He received co-MVP honors in the Trinity League after averaging 19.0 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game.
Toni Bryant, North Tampa Christian Academy (Wesley Chapel, Fla.)
6-9 | Forward
According to his stats, he averaged 21.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 6.5 blocks, and 2.1 assists per game, leading the Titans (24-7) to the Class A state semifinals. Bryant has amassed impressive career totals of 1,669 points, 1,055 rebounds, and 677 blocks.
Aiden Derkack, Colonia (N.J.)
6-5 | Guard
This four-star prospect had an impressive year in New Jersey, posting averages of 24.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game for the Group 3 state semifinalists.
Austin Goosby, Melissa (Texas)
6-5 | Wing
He averaged 20.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, playing a crucial role in the Cardinals’ run to the Class 5A Division 1 state championship game.
Jasiah Jervis, Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.)
6-4 | Guard
Jasiah led the Crusaders (26-4) to the 25th position in the Top 25, averaging 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, while securing their third consecutive Intersectional AA title.
Marcus Johnson, Garfield Heights (Ohio)
6-1 | Guard
This four-star Ohio State commit earned the Ohio Player of the Year award for a second consecutive year, boasting averages of 29.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.
Chidi Nwigwe, Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.)
6-7 | Wing
Nwigwe played a vital role in helping the Buffaloes (18-7) achieve the No. 8 position in the National Top 10, averaging 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists per game. He also recorded a season-high of 26 points in a December win over AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.).
Fred Smith Jr., Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.)
6-6 | Wing
The Tennessee Player of the Year averaged 21.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, leading the Saints (25-5) to the Division II Class AA state title game.
Brandon McCoy Jr., St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
6-5 | Guard
Despite facing injuries that sidelined him for twelve games, McCoy maintained averages of 16.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.8 steals, and 3.6 assists per game against a tough schedule.
Qayden Samuels, Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.)
6-5 | Wing
After starting the season with an 0-9 record, the Mustangs fought back to finish just under .500 at 14-15. Recognized as a top 20 prospect, Samuels averaged 23.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game against an incredibly challenging national schedule.
Jonathan Sanderson, Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.)
6-3 | Guard
A finalist for Division II-AA Mr. Basketball, Sanderson averaged 24.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, aiding the Tigers (20-11) in reaching the state semifinals.
Billy White III, Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (Corpus Christi, Texas)
6-7 | Wing
White led the Eagles (39-1) to the Class 5A Division 1 state semifinals, with averages of 18.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, solidifying his position in the national player standings.
Christian Wiggins, Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn.)
6-3 | Guard
Wiggins, a four-star prospect, guided the Trojans (29-4) to the Class AAAA state championship, averaging 19.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, and contributing 21 points in the title-game victory.
Sebastian Wilkins, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.)
6-8 | Forward
A top 40 prospect, Wilkins averaged 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, shooting 56.4 percent from the field, which helped the Bobcats (27-4) reach the No. 2 position in the National Top 10.
