Wheeler is the #1 Team in the Nation!
Wheeler High School out of Metro Atlanta, Georgia has officially been crowned the #1 team in the nation, and it is easy to see why. Coming off a state championship, Wheeler has not taken its foot off the gas. With six Division 1 players on the roster and elite depth across the board, this is a group built to chase history. Their goal is clear. Go back to back at the state level and finish the season as national champions. All the pieces are in place.
A lot of this success traces back to Coach Larry Thompson and the standard he has built over time. He is one of the most respected coaches in high school basketball and his resumé speaks for itself. Multiple state championships at Wheeler, building on prior championship success at Greenforest McCalep, and now leading a program that sits at the top of the national rankings. Coach Thompson’s philosophy is rooted in hard work, accountability, and development. He does not rely on one player or one system. He builds teams.
His approach is collective. The ball moves, everyone is empowered, and any player can be the leading scorer on a given night. That trust allows players to grow, compete freely, and understand how to win at a high level. His impact goes beyond Wheeler as well, as he’s a coach for USA Basketball and helping to shape the game nationally. The culture, discipline, and consistency he has established are a major reason Wheeler is not just winning games, but sustaining excellence year after year.
The heartbeat of this team starts with its senior class, a group fully committed to winning at the highest level. Colben Landrew, a UConn commit, Jaron Saulsberry, headed to Ole Miss, Amare James, committed to Clemson, and Lamarrion Lewis, who holds offers from George Mason and Clark Atlanta University, form one of the most complete senior cores in the country. This group plays the right way. They share the ball, fly around defensively, play for each other, and bring energy on every possession. On any given night, any one of them can take over a game. The trust and chemistry they play with is real and it shows.
Landrew stands at 6’6” and gives Wheeler a versatile wing forward who can impact the game in multiple ways. He is a true three level scorer who plays aggressive and understands how to win. His game and mindset fit perfectly with what Coach Hurley looks for at UConn, especially his ability to impact the game beyond the box score.
Saulsberry, also 6’6”, brings elite athleticism to the wing spot. He will climb the ladder and finish with authority if defenders get in his way. A wiry athlete with explosive bounce, many consider him one of the most athletic wings in the country. Ole Miss is getting a two way guard who competes, defends, and produces from day one.
James is another 6’6” wing who defines plug and play. His skill set translates to any system and any role. He defends, spaces the floor, and makes winning plays. His game aligns well with the style Clemson plays, especially the emphasis on pace, spacing, and defensive intensity.
Lewis brings a different kind of pressure. A 6’0”sharpshooter who can change the game in a blink, he plays with calm confidence and lets the game come to him. When Lewis gets going, the floor opens up for everyone else. Whatever program lands him will be in great shape moving forward.
Running the show is 4-star junior Kevin Savage, the floor general of this elite squad. At 6’0”, Savage keeps the motor running and the team organized. He is extremely unselfish, athletic, defensive minded, and capable of scoring whenever the moment calls for it. He is the type of lead guard championship teams need. His offer list reflects that, including Purdue, Cincinnati, Dayton, Georgia, Ole Miss, Florida State, SMU, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Auburn, and Georgia Tech.
Wheeler’s depth continues with Shamar Madden, a 6’3” sophomore guard holding offers from Auburn and McNeese State. He gives them another strong option in the backcourt with size and confidence. They also have a freshman gaining invaluable experience in Nigel Matthews, a top five prospect in Georgia’s 2029 class standing at 6’7” and learning the game at the highest level alongside elite talent.
Wheeler’s next matchup will be their toughest test yet as they face the #2 ranked team in the nation, Bishop McNamara out of Maryland, at the City of Palms Classic. It is a marquee matchup and a true measuring stick. If Wheeler continues to play the way they have, they will not just be the top team in the country on paper, they will prove it on the floor.