2025 Forwards with Big Shoes to Fill

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>September has just started, which means the new school year is starting soon. The upcoming basketball season is months away, but teams are getting ready for the 2022-23 season. The incoming sophomore class is looking to make an impact this winter, especially in the front court. Here are the 2025 forwards with big shoes to fill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547475' first='Jack' last='Bailey'], 6'9 PF Blair Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bailey is set to make his mark for the Buccaneers in his debut season as he can impact the offense in a variety of ways. The 6'9 forward has a nice release on his jumper and shoots the ball with confidence from behind the arc. Bailey can also put the ball on the floor and finish around the basket. He is a solid rebounder and moves well without the ball in his hands. Bailey slides into the frontcourt spot vacated by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850680' first='Lual' last='Manyang']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012964' first='Joe' last='Carroll']</strong>, giving Blair Academy a stretch-four prospect alongside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013041' first='David' last='Luberoff'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013065' first='Ian' last='Imegwu']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411622' first='Mekhi' last='Ragland'], 6'6 PF Hudson Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ragland will be manning the perimeter down low for the Hawks and should have a strong sophomore campaign. The 6'6 forward has a strong frame, which he uses to get position down low and has a nice touch around the basket. Ragland is capable of knocking down open jumpers on the perimeter and sets good screens in the half court. He is tough to box out on both ends of the floor and is an underrated interior defender. Ragland is a physical forward prospect who will be one to watch in Hudson County as he fills in the spot for graduated <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='901947' first='Xavier' last='Edwards']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1456843' first='Destine' last='Evans'], 6'6 SF Pennington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans is an intriguing prospect to track as he will get minutes in both the interior and perimeter. The 6'6 forward attacks the basket strong as he finishes with authority above the rim and does not mind contact. Evans moves well without the ball in his hands and can hit jumpers on the perimeter. He skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and slides his feet on the defensive end. Evans is a gritty forward prospect who does what it takes to help his team win on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1557544' first='Jordan' last='Torres'], 6'4 SF Elizabeth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Torres is a wing prospect to track in Union County as he is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. The 6'4 wing has a smooth release on his jumper as he wastes little motion and can knock down triples in bunches. Torres can also score in the mid-range and is capable of beating his defender off the bounce. He is an underrated rebounder and has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor. Torres' ability to stretch the floor is something that will help his stock in a big way this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1412104' first='Justin' last='Silva'], 6'0 SF Southern Regional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Silva may be an undersized forward prospect, but that should not stop him from having a solid sophomore campaign. The 6'0 forward has a strong frame, which he uses to get position in the paint and draw contact around the basket. Silva is a nice finisher around the basket and moves well without the ball in his hands. The ball doesn't stick in his hands, and he fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor. Silva is a hard-working forward prospect who will get more looks on the offensive end in 2022-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->