2025 Rankings Update: Top Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hard to believe but these 2025s are already Juniors and only have one year of AAU left before they'll be committing to schools and off to college. This class took a hit with several top ten players opting to leave for prep schools but the class still has a good depth of talent in it. Here's a look at the best forward prospects in this update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ca8283c6a35"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1123543"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the better scorers at the All A level, Hayden has been a 20 point per game scorer for the last couple of years and shows no signs of slowing down. Blakeman is a good athlete who is a better shot blocker than you'd expect and a solid rebounder when he wants to be. He's a scholarship level prospect for sure.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ca8283c6a91"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1479265"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Rice had a solid AAU season with Midwest and should be a good prospect at the NAIA and D2 level as he becomes more and more comfortable as a full time perimeter player. Lawson plays with a fantastic motor and can really rebound the ball at a high level. If he can transition to being a wing, he can see D1 offers coming his way eventually.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ca8283c6adc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1876862"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the better prospects in Northern Kentucky in that 2025 class, Gutman is long and a sneaky good athlete who can make perimeter shots or get to the rim and finish. Aaron is legit 6'6 and still growing. He sat out July AAU due to some injuries but if he gets back in front of coaches next spring, he could earn D1 offers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ca8283c6b24"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318185"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Elijah is one of those prospects who has been under the radar due to his lack of playing high level AAU but he passes the eye test as a bouncy wing who can use his athleticism to make u0022wowu0022 plays when he wants to. Walton needs to continue developing his perimeter skills in the long term but he's definitely a scholarship level prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ca8283c6b89"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1369458"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Will is a scorer who can get hot in hurry and be hard to guard thanks to his quick first step and his ability to excel as a catch and shoot threat from behind the three point line. Hanke doesn't have eye popping numbers due to the balanced attack at Saint X, but he's capable of going for 25+ on a good shooting night and he consistently impacts winning for his teams.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ca8283c6bd2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1269603' first='Jaden' last='Stewart'], Pike Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1123569' first='Makhi' last='Smith'], Woodford County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1587491' first='Jace' last='Birney'], Ballard Memorial</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1512908' first='Trevor' last='Ellis'], Mercer County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1587734' first='Zek' last='Mackey'], North Hardin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->