The Best From Balling On The Beach (Class of 2025 Posts)

Deerfield Beach, Fla. — The 2021 Balling On The Beach tournament returned to South Florida over the weekend with much excitement and anticipation after a year hiatus. In all, nearly 325 teams participated including more than 50 eighth-grade teams, in what has become a “must-attend” event for many of the nation’s top youth hoops programs. The action certainly did not disappoint, with several future five-star prospects in attendance, and a deep pool of up-and-coming talent. Here are a handful of frontcourt prospects from the Class of 2025 that impressed me the most…

Cameron Boozer | Miami, FL | Class of 2025

An elite, national talent, Boozer has my vote as the premier frontcourt prospect in the Class of 2025 entering high school and the 6-foot-8 forward lived up to his billing by helping his Nightrydas Elite (FL) team capture the 2021 Balling On The Beach eighth-grade crown. A fluid and skilled athlete with the ability to impact the game around the rim by utilizing his length and athleticism, Boozer is also able to stretch the floor with his shooting touch and passing ability. The son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, this versatile forward certainly has the pedigree, intangibles, and physical measurables that typically indicate future stardom.

Shareef Jackson | Philadelphia, PA | Class of 2025

Jackson and his Team Jacko (PA) club were without several key pieces but made no excuses and still managed to play their way into the top (gold) bracket at the 2021 Balling On The Beach tournament. A 6-foot-7 forward, Jackson is the owner of a strong frame, has a reliable set of hands, and is not afraid to mix it up in the lane. The son of former NBA forward Marc Jackson, it won’t be out of the question for the younger Jackson to add another couple of inches to his frame, and he’ll be counted on to contribute immediately for Roman Catholic (PA) High School as a freshman this fall. Recruiting circles in the Northeast region will know this name very soon.

Andrew Rader | Green Bay, WI | Class of 2025

Ironically, a trip to South Beach provided me my first in-person look at the Midwestern post prospect who stands 6-foot-9, and fits the bill as the best frontcourt prospect I’ve evaluated from the region this year in the Class of 2025. Rader has an impressive frame but also possesses a soft touch in the lane and displayed face-up potential during the 2021 Balling On The Beach event. The Team Herro/Phenom U (WI) product logged an impressive weekend, snatching down rebounds around the rim, and converting second-chance opportunities through contact. He’s a force in the eighth-grade division with translatable skills that will serve him well at the next level.

Nigel Walls | Rio Rancho, NM | Class of 2025

I’ve written about Walls as much as any post player from the Class of 2025 this year and his flashes continue to hint at a bright future on the hardwood. A lanky 6-foot-9 frontcourt prospect, Walls once again ran the floor with ease, and used his length to have an impact on both ends of the court. He rejected or altered a good number of opponents’ attempts in the paint throughout the weekend at the Balling On The Beach tournament and did a nice job of finishing drop-off passes around the rim. His ability to quickly transition rim-to-rim as well as his shooting touch and range that extends to the perimeter are tools that will shape his collegiate recruitment.

Caleb Wilson | Atlanta, GA | Class of 2025

Wilson’s game and frame have continued to evolve at a rapid pace since my viewings of him earlier this spring. The wiry, eighth-grade forward now stands every bit of 6-foot-7 if not slightly taller, and his versatility has only continued to improve. In the mold of stretch-four man, Wilson showed his ability to put the ball on the floor in the halfcourt, while attacking the rim and knocking down jumpers facing the basket. His AE5 Rimrockers (GA) club, sponsored by 2020 #1 NBA Draft Pick Anthony Edwards, got off to a slow start during the Balling On The Beach event before reeling off four consecutive victories on Sunday to win the bronze bracket.

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