Five Best GHSA Basketball Teams in 2023-24

Georgia has remained one of the best basketball states in the US for decades. Each year, more of the state’s most talented prospects choose to play for Overtime Elite. Nine of the top eleven prospects in Georgia for the Class of 2024 currently play for Overtime Elite. However, the state of Georgia is still loaded with talented high school teams and elite prospects. Basketball fans in the Metro-Atlanta area have a lot to be excited about this year. The Georgia high school basketball season is on the horizon. We ranked the top five GHSA basketball teams heading into the 2023-24 season.

5. Grayson High School (Rams)

Grayson has emerged in recent years as one of Georgia’s finest high school basketball programs. The Rams have finished the season ranked in the top six in the state for the last three seasons (Maxpreps). In 2022-23, Grayson went 24-6, finishing the season ranked fourth in the state of Georgia. Grayson High School steamrolled their way through the first three rounds of the playoffs. They put up 99 points in the first round of the playoffs against Marietta. Their closest game through the state quarterfinals was a 17-point victory over Walton. Ultimately, Grayson would face a juggernaut in Wheeler in the semifinals, losing 67-55.

In 2023-24, four-star guard Gicarri Harris will return to lead the Grayson Rams. The 6’4″ 185 lb prospect is ranked the 8th best player in Georgia for the Class of 2024. We watched Harris score at will this summer on the 3SSB circuit for the Atlanta Celtics. Moreover, Harris has developed into an even more consistent shooter from long-range. Gicarri Harris is an unselfish player who constantly looks to set up his teammates. Furthermore, he has the ability to carry the scoring load for his team when necessary. Led by their explosive backcourt, Grayson eyes its first GHSA basketball title in 2023-24.

4. Norcross High School (Blue Devils)

Undoubtedly, Norcross High School is a powerhouse basketball program in GHSA 7a. Similar to Wheeler, the other GHSA 7a powerhouse program, Norcross plays a national schedule. Since 2005, Norcross basketball has appeared in nine state championship games in Georgia’s highest classification. In addition, they were victorious in six of their nine state championship appearances. In 2022-23, Norcross lost in the GHSA 7a semifinals in a down-to-the-wire matchup against Cherokee. Norcross has been regarded as one of the best public-school basketball programs in the country since the early 2000s.

It appears that Norcross doesn’t have quite as much talent as the elite teams heading into the season. Nevertheless, the Blue Devils should never be counted out. They are very well-coached and always seem to find rhythm and confidence as the season progresses. It would be surprising to anyone if Norcross made another run at the GHSA 7a state championship in 2023-24.

Norcross’s basketball program has produced the most NBA players of any GHSA school with seven. Head basketball coach Jesse McMillan is what makes them a legitimate contender each year. On the other hand, Norcross had several talented prospects graduate following the 2022-23 season. Small forward Mari Jordan, the Blue Devils’ best player last season, moved on to play for UGA. Moreover, point guard Mier Panoam currently plays at Tulane University. Additionally, shooting guard Samarion Bond is an impactful freshman at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

Returning Players

Eleven players will be returning from last season for Norcross’s 2023-24 campaign. 6’4″ combo guard Michael Pace will take on a larger role as a scorer this season. Pace, who is a senior, is one of the best players in the state at finishing in transition. In particular, he is an excellent scorer with a highly polished offensive skillset. Michael Pace will be a nightmare for teams this year due to his athleticism, intensity, and high basketball IQ.

Jaronn Saulsberry, a 6’7″ forward, is expected to make a major impact this season. The sophomore is a unique talent that stood out this summer on the AAU circuit. Last month, Saulsberry received offers from Florida State and Georgia Tech. He is a lockdown defender with good length and playmaking ability. The Blue Devils also added high-flying 6’7″ forward Casey Williams, who recently transferred from Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Â Clearly, Williams is a game-changer on both ends of the floor. He is a special athlete and moves around the court very fluidly for his size and length.

3. Wheeler High School (Wildcats)

It is rare for a public high school to consistently remain a basketball powerhouse on the national scale. Conversely, Wheeler High School in Marietta is exactly that. They have produced the second most NBA players of any GHSA team with five. At this time, the Wildcats are coming off a GHSA 7a State Championship victory in 2022-23. In addition to this, they went a perfect 21-0 against GHSA teams last year. All seven of Wheeler’s losses in the previous season were from out-of-state teams. Wheeler won every game in the 2022-23 GHSA basketball 7a playoffs by double-digits except for one.

Wheeler’s Isaiah Collier was named the 2022-23 Boys Basketball Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year. This was the fifth time a Wheeler player has received this award. Subsequently, Wheeler alumni Jaylen Brown signed a five-year supermax extension with the Boston Celtics worth over $303 Million USD. Without a doubt, Wheeler High School is a factory for basketball talent.

Losing the number one prospect in the nation will certainly knock Wheeler down a peg. If any team in the state can bounce back from such a loss, it is Wheeler. The Wildcats still have an excellent backcourt and one of the best big men in the state, 6’11” Josh Hill, this upcoming season. Hill has shown immense potential, moves well for his size, and has excellent length and athleticism. Also, he appears to have gained some mass heading into the 2023-24 season.

2. Kell High School (Longhorns)

Kell has two outstanding basketball prospects on their team entering 2023-24. They are led by their 7’0″ 300-pound center Peyton Marshall. Marshall is the 9th best center prospect in the nation and the 7th best prospect in Georgia in the Class of 2024 (247Sports). CJ Brown, the 26th-best point guard prospect in the nation, is a phenomenal player as well. Moreover, Brown is ranked the number 25 overall prospect in the state of Georgia for the Class of 2024.

Kell High School is coming off of a State Championship victory in 2022-23. They finished 28-2 on the year, finishing the season with a 15-game win streak. In the GHSA 5a playoffs, they won each game in the first four rounds by double digits. They defeated a talented Eagles Landing team to cap off the season with a title. There are high expectations in 2023-24 for the defending GHSA 5a State Champions. The Longhorns will be bringing back their two best players for another potential run at the GHSA 5a State Championship in Macon.

GHSA Basketball Classifications

Kell is a 5a school under GHSA or the Georgia High School Association’s classifications. 5a is the third highest of the GHSA’s public school classifications. Student population is the main factor when GHSA assigns classifications for schools. Every 7a team in the state has a higher student population than Kell. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that a GHSA 7a school will always have the best team.

The Longhorns, based out of Marietta, put on an excellent performance last season and have most of their key players returning. Kell has a legitimate argument for being the best high school team in Georgia. Peyton Marshall is the most dominant player in any classification of GHSA basketball. In conclusion, there appears to be only one GHSA team more talented than Kell.

1. McEachern High School (Indians)

McEachern had a good season in 2022-23, finishing 23-7 after losing to Wheeler in the GHSA 7a quarterfinals. They gave the Wheeler Wildcats their toughest game of the 22-23 playoffs, losing 79-71. You can check out the highlights from the most hyped-up game of last year’s GHSA basketball playoffs here. McEachern is bringing back most of their talent this upcoming season. Additionally, they appear to be one of the most loaded teams in GHSA basketball.

The Indians are led by five-star prospect Airious “Ace” Bailey. The 6’8″ senior is ranked the number one basketball prospect in the nation for the Class of 2024. Bailey will play for Steve Pikiell at Rutgers at the NCAA level next season. Clearly, Ace Bailey is on a mission this year to prove why he is the best player in the nation.

In 2023-24, the Indians will be without their dynamic playmaking point guard Jamichael Davis. Davis is now a freshman at Rutgers University. Ace Bailey will reunite with Davis next season in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Nonetheless, 6’3″ shooting guard Moses Hipps will be returning for his senior season. He is the third-best shooting guard in Georgia for the Class of 2024. We were able to see Moses Hipps play for Game Elite 3ssb last summer as well. Above all, Hipps is an excellent shooter that plays hard on both ends of the floor.

An Impactful Transfer

Elite guard Jeremiah Wilkinson transferred to play for McEachern this upcoming season. Wilkinson is ranked the 21st-best basketball prospect in Georgia for the Class of 2024. We were able to see Jeremiah Wilkinson play for Game Elite 3ssb on the Adidas circuit this summer. He is a fundamentally sound, coachable, and explosive guard who plays the game the right way. Wilkinson can jump out of the gym and finish highlight-reel dunks in transition. Recruiting insiders originally believed he would commit to play for Mississippi State. In spite of these claims, Wilkinson recently committed to play for the University of California.

Conclusion

The McEachern Indians will have the most talented team in GHSA this season. They have an absolutely loaded roster from top to bottom. It should be noted that all five of McEachern’s “projected” starters in 2023-24 are high-level NCAA D1 prospects. Led by five-star combo guard/forward Ace Bailey, the Indians will be a very difficult matchup for any GHSA team this season.