Top new names in 2025 rankings update
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We updated our 2025 rankings and almost doubled the amount of prospects on our list, going from 30 to 54 prospects. In this article I’m going to take a look at the top five prospects who made their debut in…
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Continue ReadingWe updated our 2025 rankings and almost doubled the amount of prospects on our list, going from 30 to 54 prospects. In this article I’m going to take a look at the top five prospects who made their debut in the rankings with this update.
A very skilled forward, Vanderwalker plays for his Dad at Northside Christian in Westerville. Because of the small school he plays at, I didn’t get to see him until the spring with All Ohio Red, but Vanderwalker proved he’s one of the best wing forwards in the state. Vanderwalker can put it on the floor, showed good vision in the short roll and can shoot it from the outside. This is a prospect I’m going to be watching closely as he develops because when Vanderwalker fills out physically it’s going to help him out a lot on the interior.
Highlights
Crutcher is a prospect I saw at Midwest Live and really liked the skill he showed. Crutcher was able to create his own shot and shot it well from the outside. Crutcher is physically advanced for a 2025 prospect and was dominant for Elyria in June. I’ll want to see Crutcher this winter as him and Ryan Walsh Ryan Walsh 6’0″ | PG Elyria | 2023 State OH could lead Elyria to their best season in recent memory.
Probably the most unknown prospect in this article, Wassler played JV as a freshman and plays for an independent grassroots team. Wassler has good size at 6’8 and finished easily around the basket in the spring game I watched. I want to see Wassler’s development this winter as being patient with young bigs is a must.
Hutchins is one of the elite shooting wing forwards in the state. Despite his funky release, Hutchins is money from well behind the 3-point line. Hutchins played for both All Ohio Red and Midwest Basketball Club this spring/summer and made contributions for both teams. After playing brief minutes as a freshman for Lima Sr, Hutchins is projected to be a leading scorer for a Spartans squad that has been the dominant program in NW Ohio the past five or so years.
Another elite shooting prospect, Cotton is a two sport stud for Lima Sr. Cotton had some huge games for an All Ohio Select squad that was dominant on the NY2LA circuit this spring and summer. Cotton is a good mover off the ball and also has range well behind the 3-point line. If Cotton can expand his offensive game with more off the bounce creation and get to the paint more consistently, he’ll see his ranking improve as the 2025 class shapes out over the next couple years.