2025 Rankings: Stock Risers (Pt. 4)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our most recent ranking update came to the class of 2025 which saw us expand the number of ranked prospects from 65 to 100, meaning: Tons of new names to get familiar with. In this piece we take a closer look at the players who saw their stock soar in our latest update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630665' first='Owen' last='Verna'], Mater Dei, Previous Rank: 52, New Rank: 47</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Verna carved out a highly-important role for the Monarchs as a floor spacer and catch-and-shooter from three-point range. The 6-foot-2 two-guard possesses some of the most fundamental shooting mechanics in the region and it pays off in the form of consistency from multiple spots from behind-the-arc. Verna averaged 10.2 points per game for Mater Dei this season and knocked down 67 triples.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630666' first='John' last='Gazzaniga'], Orange Lutheran, Previous Rank: 53, New Rank: 50</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gazzaniga is known around the county as a multi-sport guy who also excels in football and water polo. The 6-foot-6 forward is hard to miss on the field as he towers above the other quarterbacks who take pre-game reps but his performance on the hardwood this season makes us think his long-term future is in basketball. Gazzaniga was a force inside for the 23-win Lancers both in scoring and rebounding. His positional post defense and physical rim protecting are other traits of note.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630675' first='Alek' last='Sanchez'], Montgomery, Previous Rank: 63, New Rank: 55</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like his older brother JJ, [player_tooltip player_id='1630675' first='Alek' last='Sanchez'] is a versatile and high IQ player who impacts the game in a variety of ways. The 6-foot-4 wing/forward makes his biggest impact with his passing as he dished out a team-high 4.9 assists per game as a sophomore. Sanchez has great vision off the wing, out of the high and low posts and in transition. As far as scoring goes, Sanchez picks his spots well and allows his offensive touches and opportunities to come to him. His 9.8 points per game average isn't eye-popping, but expect that to continue to rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630705' first='Malachi' last='Knight'], Leuzinger, Previous Rank: 65, New Rank: 57</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knight's high volume scoring ability is what earned him a bump in the latest rankings. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard is lethal off the ball with his ability to move and find open gaps in the defense for paint finishes and spreads the floor well with his three-point shooting. Knight also has the feel, shiftiness and ball skills to create scoring opportunities for himself in isolation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->