Updated New Mexico 2025 Rankings: Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Rankings were posted earlier this week! Our staff has plenty of analysis on the way to complement the release!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quickly, though, below is a simple look at the names of players who were considered stock risers, who made the biggest jump in the latest rankings and why:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687823' first='Thomas' last='Adams']</strong> | SF | Sandia: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687823' first='Thomas' last='Adams']</strong> had an amazing sophomore year for the Sandia Matadors and the future is looking bright. Throughout his sophomore campaign, he showed flashes of stardom that is on the way. He averaged just under 10 points per game as the Sandia Matadors fourth leading scorer and is looking to be the new potential #1 scoring option going forward. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687823' first='Thomas' last='Adams'] </strong>runs the floor really well on thee fast break and has a nice release for quick scores going the other way. He has a really nice outside shot to space the floor in the Matadors offense but attacks the basket often to open up his game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687823' first='Thomas' last='Adams']</strong> has another great quality being an unselfish player that can play off the basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon']</strong> | CG | Highland: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon']</strong> is the next future star at Highland High School. He had a breakout type of season this year emerging as the team's second leading scorer in their pursuit of another 4A State Championship. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon']</strong> averaged 14.2 points per game which ranked 5th among the Class of 2025 according to MaxPreps. The Highland Star had some explosive games this year proving he can be the next potential #1 scoring option in the near future. This season <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon'] </strong>had six 20-point games, made 70 three-pointers which was the 7th most in New Mexico and was the states best free throw shooter especially late in games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon']</strong> was as automatic as it gets at the free throw line and someone you didn't want to send to the line. He made 107/121 of his free throws this year which was a free throw percentage of 88%. [player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon'] is as clutch of a player as any player in New Mexico with his big shot making and free throw shooting down the stretch,. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687828' first='Abraham' last='Pena']</strong> | PG | Hobbs: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687828' first='Abraham' last='Pena'] </strong>from Hobbs High School is a scoring first point guard that was among the most consistent of his Class. He averaged just under 13 points per game and was the team's second leading scorer behind Star teammate; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1875330' first='Michael' last='Mackey']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687828' first='Abraham' last='Pena']</strong> can space the floor with his shooting along with his floor general/playmaking abilities. He made 44 triples and was the Hobbs leading three-point shooter this season. As a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1687828' first='Abraham' last='Pena'] showed great consistency by scoring in double-digits in 20 of the 29 games he suited up in this year. With teammate and leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1875330' first='Michael' last='Mackey'] graduating, expect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687828' first='Abraham' last='Pena']</strong> and other teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717327' first='Braylon' last='Vega']</strong> to carry more of the scoring load next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1695658' first='Jesse' last='Gonzales']</strong> | CG | Robertson: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1695658' first='Jesse' last='Gonzales']</strong> helped Robertson High School reach another 3A State Championship Game appearance this past season. He was Robertson's second leading scorer who averaged over 13 points per game during his sophomore season. He was the 8th leading scorer among the 2025 Class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1695658' first='Jesse' last='Gonzales']</strong> can play either guard positions and did a phenomenal job running the floor for the Cardinals this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687829' first='Estevan' last='Espinoza']</strong> | CG | West Mesa: Is an underrated athletic player for the West Mesa Mustangs. The lefty has an underrated handle on the basketball, shifty and has bounce you wouldn't expect. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687829' first='Estevan' last='Espinoza']</strong> can easily create his own shot and take over games on the offensive end when he gets going. There was times throughout the year when the Mustangs needed a spark of energy from off the bench and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687829' first='Estevan' last='Espinoza']</strong> provided that on both ends of the floor by just playing hard with his energy and hustle. With a bigger role next season, don't be surprised if <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687829' first='Estevan' last='Espinoza'] </strong>is a starter next season and is the potential second leading scorer for the West Mesa Mustangs behind star teammate; [player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->