Five Freshman to Keep an Eye On in North County San Diego
The class of 2025 has been a strong one for San Diego County with many players in it already becoming known contributors at the varsity. With a plethora of great players coming out of the class many have not gotten…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe class of 2025 has been a strong one for San Diego County with many players in it already becoming known contributors at the varsity. With a plethora of great players coming out of the class many have not gotten the recognition they deserve as prospects. North Country is a great example with these diamonds in the rough who have to potential to be great players for years to come.
Elijah Stephens (2025) | 6-4 F | Sage Creek
Stephens has already become one of the key players in the Bobcats starting rotation and looks very comfortable playing at the varsity level. Stephens has impressive physical attributes for a freshman which allows him to be a big contributor on the boards and allows him to show off his post-game where he exhibits nice touch around the rim with both hands. Stephens also has shown off the ability to score off face-ups and hit open jumpers giving a glimpse into what he could do in the future as his role for Sage Creek increases over time. Defensively Stephens plays the role of the center well using his size to affect and block shots, if he continues to grow Stephens can become a great rim protector with high-scoring upside to boot giving the Bobcats what could be their eventual go to go sooner than later.
Cody Myers (2025) | 6-3 G/F | Vista
Myers has been a bright spot for the Panthers in his limited minutes on varsity and is slowly adjusting to the pace of varsity basketball after getting moved up from JV early in the year. Myers has a good-looking jumper and will knock down shots if left open and has shown he can be a contributor on the boards as he is deceptively athletic for a freshman. This along with his long wingspan give him the potential to develop into a versatile defender who could guard multiple positions. Myers was able to cause a lot of damage on the JV level as a finisher using his length to get to the rim and complete tough layups and I believe as he continues to grow comfortable playing varsity basketball Myers will be able to translate this offensive talent to the varsity level as well. Myers has the tools to become a great player and I expect him to be a big contributor for Vista next season.
Ashaun Mitchell (2025) | 6-0 G | Oceanside
Mitchell is part of the freshman tandem for the Pirates and has been one of their best players all season. Mitchell is a very solid on-ball defender using his speed and quickness to stay in front of his man and helps apply pressure fast in their press. On the offensive end, Mitchell has a great feel for the game at such a young age. His ability to control the pace of the game when the ball is in his hands is big for Oceanside as well as his tendency to not waste many movements with the ball, either making quick passes or attacking off the dribble. Mitchell is a crafty finisher around the rim and is not afraid of contact allowing him to be a scoring factor each game and draw in the help D giving him more opportunities to set up teammates. Mitchell has looked the part of a solid point guard this season but has the upside to be more than that, he could end up being one of the best in the county and gives the Pirates a bright future
David Turner Jr. (2025) | 5-10 G | Oceanside
Turner is the second part of the impressive Pirate freshman duo and is just as promising of a prospect. Turner has an impressively strong frame for such a young player and he knows how to use it. On defense, Turner is able to stick bigger guards due to his strength and is no slouch in the speed department either. On the other end of the court, Turner is a bruiser and is very adept at getting the ball to the rim for strong finishes regardless of contact. Turner is also a good catch-and-shoot player knocking down open threes when given looks with his quick release. Turner could end up becoming a consistent three-level scorer for Oceanside as he has the tools to become an extremely tough cover if he puts it all together. Turner and Mitchell have the potential to eventually be one of the next great duos in San Diego and lead the Pirates to success.
Ayden Horn (2025) | 6-1 G/F | RBV
Horn has found himself a role in the Longhorns rotation as a spark plug off the bench and has shown a lot of promise. At 6-1 with his big long wingspan, Horn uses his length to get into passing lanes on defense, get his hands on the boards, and even block shots. One of the most promising things about Horn is that he is a very confident player when it comes to the offensive end looking to score often when he gets into the game either as a catch-and-shoot guy or even creating his own offense through quick pull-up jumpers. Horn has shown flashes of being a future great volume scorer for RBV and as his role increases expect his numbers to drastically increase as well. On a senior-heavy Longhorn team, Horn gives RBV a guy they can build with in the future to come.