With the high school basketball season still months away, MoCo Hoops has released its preseason Top 50 Watchlist, highlighting 50 Montgomery County boys basketball players to watch heading into the 2026-27 season.
The watchlist features players from 24 Montgomery County public high schools spanning the Classes of 2027 through 2030. Rather than serving as a player ranking, the list recognizes athletes expected to make an impact during the upcoming season.
Magruder, Northwest, Whitman, Churchill, Richard Montgomery, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, and Wootton each placed at least three players on the watchlist, highlighting the depth expected from those programs this season.
As with any preseason watchlist, the selections are likely to generate discussion among players, coaches, and fans. With another talented crop of underclassmen preparing for the season, the list offers an early look at many of the players expected to make an impact on Montgomery County boys basketball this winter. The players selected are:
Blair: Michael Bean, Paul Ransom
Blake: Bilal Swangin, Wale Oladotun
Churchill: Messiah Manning, Nolan Dooley, Ethan Camps
Clarksburg: Exavier Watson
Damascus: Avery Richardson, EJ Simpson
Einstein: George Evans
Gaithersburg: Matthew Brodigan
Kennedy: Gabe Colston, Max Joshua
Magruder: Zeke Dabbondanzi, Alan Burt, Sol Stephen, Nate Wilson
Northwest: Connor Kuku, Trey Goodlow III, Landen Veney, Jaden Moore
Northwood: Noah Blair
Paint Branch: Mahki Martin, Elijah Miles
Poolesville: Thomas Straniero
Quince Orchard: Anthony Guthrie
Richard Montgomery: Jayceon Smyth, Joseph Davis Jr., Charlie Orce
Rockville: Khamaal Frazier-McCants
Seneca Valley: Tylei Young, Malik Simmons Jr., Xzavier Mabone
Sherwood: Jamar Nix, Ryan Siagat
Springbrook: Mason Redder, Caleb Charles, J’Ream Cobbs
Walter Johnson: Jeremiah Williams, Carter Brooks
Watkins Mill: Lester Walker
Wheaton: Louis Henderson
Whitman: Max Williams, Grady Miller, Rowan O’Brien, Maxx Walton
Wootton: Puran Wadhwa, Chase Winkour, Kevin Roth
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