2025 player rankings: 5 takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new 2025 Tennessee player rankings are here. There are some newcomers. There was movement in the latest installment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are 5 takeaways from the new 2025 Tennessee player rankings:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jones moves inside the top 15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evangelical Christian School's <strong>Tyler</strong> <strong>Jones</strong> moved up six spots to No. 14. As a sophomore this past season, he averaged 14.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. At 6-foot-2, Jones has the ball handles to play point guard. He has the scoring ability to play at shooting guard. Jones brings value at any spot in the backcourt, which makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freeman made his way inside the top 15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fayette Ware's <strong>Tacarien</strong> <strong>Freeman</strong> moved up two spots to No. 15. During the 2022 season, Freeman showed balance offensively. His decision making was on point for the most part, either making the right reads or putting his head down and getting into the lane. Freeman finished the 2022 season averaging 10 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Butler debuts inside the top 25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1852698' first='<strong>Taquez</strong>' last='<strong>Butler</strong>'] from Douglass High School debuts at No. 24. He was the Red Devils' most reliant and dependable offensive weapon for the entirety of the 2022 season. Butler, who averaged 12.8 points per game last season, was an all-state caliber player for a program that came up short in this past season's TSSAA Division 1 Class 2A Boys' state championship game against Alcoa. He does a great job of driving to the basket and finishing through contact. Butler can make shots from the perimeter. He handles ball pressure very well and never seems to get rattled.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stevens has upside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fayette Ware's <strong>Tarceous</strong> <strong>Stevens</strong> debuts at No. 65. At 6-5, Stevens showed flashes of being a solid two-way player in this class. He's solid on the glass and alters shots at the rim. The key for him will be to improve offensively and put on more muscle. Stevens, who averaged just 6.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 block, and 1.0 steal per game in 2022, will have to play a bigger role next season due to the loss of TSSAA Division 1 Class 3A Mr. Basketball winner [player_tooltip player_id='1346844' first='Damarien' last='Yates'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bowling made a name for himself in 2022</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fayette Academy's <strong>Corbin</strong> <strong>Bowling</strong> debuts at No. 60. He was the Vikings' best player from start to finish. He's offensively, head and shoulders, better than many prospects in this class. Bowling can get to his spots on the court. He doesn't have a problem scoring at a high clip. Bowling, who averaged 18 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.7 steals in 2022, is a beauty to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->