2025 & 2026 Prospect Updates: Check-ins & Future Outlook
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Each year there are a few players who show up for the new season clearly bigger, stronger, or with a different mentality on the court. I’ve taken a handful of guys from the 2025 and 2026 classes that put in…
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Continue ReadingEach year there are a few players who show up for the new season clearly bigger, stronger, or with a different mentality on the court. I’ve taken a handful of guys from the 2025 and 2026 classes that put in the work in the offseason and have shown big growth over the early parts of the season. Here’s some guys to watch as they continue to grow over the rest of the year.
Walker looks to have taken a huge step physically this season, bulking up and working to fill out his big frame. It’s resulted in more attacks to the hoop from outside and stronger finishing at the rim. He’s also taken a big step forward with his handles, and that combination of strength and ballhandling has allowed him to fight through close defending and hold off opposing players as he rises up for shots. It’s pretty impressive how much improvement he’s been able to show after just one summer. If he continues to smooth out those handles and sink jumpers with more and more consistency, Walker should be able to start fully tapping into his potential as an all-around wing prospect.
Niko Christofilis
Niko Christofilis
It’s not been an ideal start for Seattle Prep who sits at 1-6 overall and 1-4 in Metro League play. However, there is hope for the Panthers as they look ahead. The team has a lot of talent in the 2025 and 2026 classes, and one example of that talent is Christofilis. He’s already getting good minutes for Prep and shows no lack of confidence when it comes to scoring the ball. He’s shown great instincts and a natural feel for the game, looks just as good attacking the rim as he does spotting up from outside, and even has the propensity to take guys head up and work for a quality shot. There’s a lot of potential here for Christofilis to develop into a multi-faceted scorer as time goes on.
Gage brings exceptional athleticism and strength to the court, and it shows in his ability to nail tightly contested pullups from the mid-range, and in his ability to twist and twirl to the rim. If he has an edge on his defender, it’s game over. There are not many guys that can hold their ground against Brumfield when he gets an angle to the rim. However, one area he can still improve on is shot selection. I think because he is so powerful, he feels he can get his shot at just about any time. While it does result in some pretty plays, if he can develop a few more finesse moves to garner more space for his shot, he should be able to convert at a higher rate and boost those scoring numbers while expending a little less energy. There’s a lot of potential for Brumfield to be a high-octane slasher and playmaker on the defensive end, but a little more finesse could go a long way in helping speed up that process.
Birley’s been off to a hot start for West Valley, scoring consistently around the 20-point mark in all but one of their first six games. He’s able to get his shot off the bounce with a quick pullup and has a nice catch and shoot game. Going forward, if Birley is able to add some strength and improved quickness to his game he should be able to take off as a more dynamic scorer. He already has the length to shoot over defenders and the touch on his shot to hit from just about any spot, but the added strength would help him attacking the rim and getting to the line with more regularity. He’s got a high ceiling and is starting his sophomore season off the right way.
Highlights
Warren Bullock
Warren Bullock
I was pretty excited to see Woodinville this season, mainly because of juniors Jaiden Blackmon Jaiden Blackmon 6’3″ | PG Woodinville | 2024 State WA and Jamison Atwood Jamison Atwood 6’5″ | SF Woodinville | 2024 State WA . But it’s the guy manning the point guard position that has really caught my eye. Warren Bullock plays a smart game, reading the court well on both ends, playing patient but ready basketball. He’s only 5’8 but he can finish strong at the rim using his body to seek contact and avoid shot blockers. Most of all, he seems perfectly comfortable leading the offense, making the smart plays and getting the ball to the right spots. Bullock takes care of the ball like a point guard should, and he’ll be one to keep tabs on as his toughness will be tested while Woodinville makes a run at the playoffs.