Grit Region Spring Superlatives – Class of 2025

<p>Believe it or not, the spring AAU season has officially come to a close. The months of April and May were jam-packed with excellent Prep Hoops Circuit events spanning between Indianapolis, Chicago, Kansas City, Louisville, Grand Rapids, Columbus, and other locations in between. Between <a href="https://twitter.com/jgilbertsport">Jonathon Gilbert</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BRamseyKSR">myself</a>, your two Prep Hoops Regional Scouts for the Grit Region, we’ve had boots on the ground across all events taking in the action and evaluating as many prospects as possible.</p> <p>Over the next several days we will be handing out plenty of “awards” recapping the spring portion of the Prep Hoops Circuit calendar. All-Grit Region teams will be announced, stock-risers will be highlighted, new names will be brought to your attention, and much more. Today, I’m beginning with some old fashioned superlatives. Here are some of the top players in the Grit Region that I’ve seen in the spring across several different categories.</p> <h2>Best Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id="1385291" first="Jeremiah" last="Fears"] (Hoops 4 Health 2023)</h2> <p>When you have a freshman in high school playing up two age divisions and still consistently being one of the best players on the court it will catch your attention. That has been the case throughout the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring with this this Joliet West guard. The younger brother of Michigan State commit [player_tooltip player_id="939058" first="Jeremy" last="Fears"], Jeremiah is similarly dynamic with the basketball. He is lightning quick, can get to any spot on the floor off of the dribble, and has shown a solid shot-making ability from the perimeter. One of the top Class of 2025 prospects in Illinois.</p> <h2>Best Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id="1297034" first="Hudson" last="Horvath"] (EG10 2025)</h2> <p>This EG10 2025 group has really turned some heads throughout the spring both with their play on the Prep Hoops Circuit and some big wins over shoe circuit teams in other events. A big reason for their success has been the scoring prowess of this 5’11" guard. Horvath is an excellent scorer and has shown it against some great competition this spring. His perimeter shooting ability is what stands out the most and is probably his most developed skill at this point. However, as he gets bigger and stronger, expect to see him shoot up the statewide rankings.</p> <h2>Most Versatile: [player_tooltip player_id="1385288" first="Vincas" last="Buzelis"] (Full Package Black 2025)</h2> <p>Buzelis has great size for his age at 6’3" to go along with guard-level skill. He handles the basketball well, can create for himself and others off of the dribble, but also has the size to finish around bigger defenders in the paint. Hailing from Hinsdale Central, Buzelis promises to be a pretty highly ranked prospect in the Class of 2025 when Prep Hoops Illinois debuts those rankings. His shooting ability at 6’3" coming out of the freshman class is very projectable and just adds to his versatility.</p> <h2>Best Playmaker: [player_tooltip player_id="1373105" first="Mark" last="Zackery"] (Team Teague 2025)</h2> <p>While he continues to rack up Division I scholarship offers for his football prowess, Zackery is just as impressive on the hardwood as well. He has elite length which makes him one of the best defenders in his class, but his superlative is for his offensive playmaking. Zackery can get into the paint with ease, doesn’t get sped up even when playing fast in transition, and is a great finisher at the rim. Having him handle the ball has been a big reason why Team Teague has arguably been the best 2025 team in the Grit Region this spring.</p> <h2>Top Stock-Riser: [player_tooltip player_id="1296998" first="Cedric" last="Horton"] (Team Teague 2025)</h2> <p>Team Teague is loaded with prospects and have had a lot of success on the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring. Horton is just inside the Prep Hoops Indiana Top 50 for the Class of 2025 at #46, but he has shown that he probably deserves to move up the rankings. The 6’3" super bouncy wing is excellent in transition, attacks closeouts well in the half court, and crashes the glass hard on both ends. Great athlete that can play above the rim. Horton is really coming into his own as a prospect and has great upside.</p>