Indiana public school takes top spot in national high school basketball rankings

Indiana's Fishers High School has claimed the top spot in a new ranking of the top 25 public boys' basketball programs in the United States.

The list, published by the sports news outlet Rivals, utilized the Massey Ratings system to highlight elite public programs that are often overshadowed by private schools in national rankings. Fishers leads the pack with a perfect 22-0 record.

Following Fishers in the top five are Arizona’s Sunnyslope (23-2) at No. 2, California’s Redondo Union (24-3) at No. 3, Texas’ Seven Lakes (33-0) at No. 4, and Utah’s Timpview (21-2) at No. 5.

Texas emerged as the most represented state on the list, placing more schools in the top 25 than any other state.

The rankings are based on Massey Ratings, a data-driven analytical model. The system evaluates teams by processing game results, strength of schedule, and scoring margins.

The decision to establish a distinct ranking for public high schools marks a critical recalibration within the landscape of American scholastic athletics. In a system where private institutions often command a competitive advantage—driven by robust endowments, superior infrastructure, and the ability to recruit talent regardless of municipal boundaries—this specific classification by Rivals serves as a vital benchmark for public-sector achievement. It elevates programs that operate under tax-funded mandates and serve strictly localized student populations.

Beyond the court, these rankings reflect the unique sociological role of high school sports as the primary social and cultural anchor for American towns. Unlike the professionalized models of the NBA or NCAA, high school basketball remains a deeply localized enterprise where a team’s success, such as that of Fishers (Indiana), functions as a catalyst for community morale and civic pride.

Furthermore, the implications of these rankings extend into the realm of socioeconomic mobility. By increasing visibility for public-school athletes, these standings provide critical exposure for collegiate recruiters, facilitating scholarship opportunities that might otherwise be obscured by the dominance of elite private academies. Ultimately, the geographic diversity reflected in these rankings suggests a decentralization of the national talent pipeline, affirming that elite athletic development is no longer the exclusive province of a few well-capitalized hubs.

For many Vietnamese-American families, school sports have become a cornerstone of the American experience. Whether we are rooted in communities like Little Saigon or building lives through the nail salon industry, seeing our children join these teams is about more than just physical fitness. It is a vital pathway for cultural integration, a lesson in teamwork, and a strategic step toward securing college scholarships. These rankings capture a side of American life that our community—from those here on F2B or H-1B visas to families who have been here for generations—is now navigating firsthand.