Breakout Players At Balling On The Beach: Class of 2025 WFs

Deerfield Beach, Fla. — A collection of multifaceted forwards comprise the next list of top breakout players from the 2021 Balling On The Beach tournament. This cluster of talented swingmen emerged as premier prospects from an impressive collection of teams that assembled in South Florida last weekend. Here are five soon-to-be freshmen that earned our attention from the Class of 2025…

Dante Allen | Kendall, FL | Class of 2025

Allen is a burly 6-foot-5 slasher who spent his minutes at the 2021 Balling On The Beach tournament rotating between forward positions while gobbling up rebounds and making hustle plays for the eighth-grade champion, Nightrydas Elite (FL), squad. An above-the-rim athlete, Allen is a capable finisher around the basket with either hand, and demonstrated an emerging set of skills on the wing. He’s a versatile defender, possessing the strength to hold taller players in check within the paint, and enough fluidity to keep smaller opponents in front of him on the perimeter. Allen absolutely belongs on the shortlist among the Sunshine State’s 2025 class.

Kenny Gatling | Philadelphia, PA | Class of 2025

It was wonderful to see Gatling back on the court with Team Jacko (PA) during the 2021 Balling On The Beach event. The 6-foot-5 forward had grown so quickly that he was hospitalized for a period of time in recent months but appears to be well on his way to regaining his form. Gatling utilized his length to affect the action at both ends and should be even more impactful as he begins to reclaim his foot speed and athleticism with additional rehabilitation. You can tell that the spindly prospect is gradually beginning to trust his body once again and the confidence that comes with that will be critical for his progression moving forward.

Omarion Harvey | Fulshear, TX | Class of 2025

One of the most impressive performers in the Southwest region this year among his peers, Harvey was at it again with JL3 Elite – Battle (TX) throughout the 2021 Balling On The Beach event. The 6-foot-6 forward is still stretching upward but is doing so without having lost a step, and his overall production continues to trend in the right direction with his final summer on the youth hoops circuit set to begin. Harvey’s physical growth will largely determine his ultimate position, but the continued development of his face-up game, in addition to his increased activity around the rim bodes well for whichever forward spot is most comfortable for him long-term.

Josiah ‘JJ’ Massaquoi | Bethesda, MD | Class of 2025

Massaquoi is best described as an animal on the hardwood at the eighth-grade level. The Team Durant (MD) forward is physical as well as instinctive and is an absolute load to contain when considering the explosiveness built into his 6-foot-4 frame. His motor ran at a higher rate than the majority of his opponents and the DMV prospect’s second jump was quicker than nearly any of the frontcourt players that he encountered at the 2021 Balling On The Beach tournament. At his best when attacking the rim in transition, or playing downhill from the perimeter and high post, Massaquoi may become even more dominant should his wing skills continue to evolve.

Sean Van Dorn | Fayetteville, GA | Class of 2025

Van Dorn appears poised to become a well-known player in what is shaping up to be another deep class of hoops talent in the Peach State. The 6-foot-4 swingman was a standout for the AE5 Rimockers (GA) team during the 2021 Balling On The Beach event and flashed substantial upside with his blend of size, skill, and athleticism. Although at times indifferent when selecting his spots to attack offensively, Van Dorn had little difficulty getting into the lane off the bounce, and was consistently involved in the action defensively. Based on his variety of tools, it will be interesting to monitor how the Georgia native constructs his game on the high school stage.

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