Top new forwards from 2025 rankings update
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Our 2025 rankings update saw 24 new prospects make our rankings as the list grew from 30 to 54 prospects. In this article we’re going to look at some bigs you’ll be hearing a lot more about in the next…
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Continue ReadingOur 2025 rankings update saw 24 new prospects make our rankings as the list grew from 30 to 54 prospects. In this article we’re going to look at some bigs you’ll be hearing a lot more about in the next couple seasons.
Kropp and the next player featured in this article were members of the Nova Village 2025 squad that won the UA Rise championship this July. Lots of members from that team ended up making their debut in the rankings as Kropp will be looking to make a big jump at the varsity level this winter. With Olentangy Liberty graduating their two leading scorers but returning a lot of role pieces, it’ll be interesting to see who steps up and fills in the scoring load that was lost. Kropp has good size for a power forward and a frame that should continue to build muscle. I want to see Kropp improve as a finisher around the basket and continue to show flashes of attacking closeouts when the ball is in his hands.
McMorris is a prospect who really caught my eye because I’d never heard of him before seeing him in July with Nova. McMorris was active around the rim on both ends and as shown by his profile photo can throw it down in the paint. Gahanna played a pair of bigs inside last season with Javan Simmons and Josh Whiteside and I’d expect them to lean on their size again with a new look squad. This could be a big winter for McMorris as he could be a big time stock riser in central Ohio this winter.
The prospect with the most varsity production as a freshman, Stubbs was a constant force on the inside for Trinity last season. Stubbs has a huge frame that’s a mismatch for smaller bodied big men. In an era of basketball where lots of players want to play on the perimeter and be mobile, Stubbs is an old school back to the basket big which works well at the high school and college level. Stubbs has good footwork and can pass the ball out of the post as well. It’ll be interesting to see how his body progresses throughout these next couple years and how he plays at Buchtel this winter while surrounded by athletic wings and guards.
Probably the best explosive athlete in this article, Aniton has quick burst and gets up quickly to block and contest shots at the rim. I was impressed when I saw him for the Marshall Warriors in April and it looked like Aniton had grown in height when I saw him in June with Maple Heights. Aniton is a project big man who plays hard and has the physical frame to dominate on the interior. Progressing his offensive skill should be a focus this winter for Aniton but there’s a lot to be intrigued by right now.
Montgomery holds offers from schools like Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame and more high major programs for his talent on the gridiron as he’s regarded as one of the top QB’s in the nation. On the hardwood, Montgomery is no slouch either as he uses his frame to muscle opponents off drives and has a smooth shot from the outside. Montgomery’s future will be on the gridiron, but he’s talented enough of a basketball player to deserve a mention in Ohio’s 2025 class as well.