2025 Rankings Update: Top Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The spring and summer club and high school basketball scenes gave us a great number of opportunities to see prospects in team and showcase style events. With the 2025 class preparing for their junior season of high school basketball, we put a fresh update on our rankings for that class. In this piece we dive into the top newcomers and what earned them a spot in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 9 [player_tooltip player_id='1630619' first='Jovani' last='Ruff'], Long Beach Poly</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ruff is technically a newcomer but also not really. When he transferred away from a CIF Southern Section school to a prep program we removed him from the rankings and when he transferred back to Poly we put him back in the rankings. That aside, the rising junior is one of the better perimeter scorers in the region with his ability to knock down three-point shots and mid-range jumpers both off the dribble and off the catch. Ruff checks back in at No. 9.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 30 [player_tooltip player_id='2119930' first='Jacob' last='De Armas'], Mira Costa</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>De Armas was one of the biggest SoCal stock raisers of the summer. The 6-foot-4 guard/wing is a long, rangy and athletic slasher who has great pop in his legs and he's a fearless attacker of the rim. De Armas got on our radar at the Redondo Union summer league event and continued to rise with good performances at Cali Live and Section 7. With a good high school campaign, De Armas could rise even higher than his debut rank of 30.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 49 [player_tooltip player_id='2119931' first='Chris' last='Holland'], Riverside Poly</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holland has great scoring feel and carries himself with a lot of poise on the court. The 6-foot-2 guard is a lethal perimeter shooter off the catch when given time and space and has improved as a ball-handler and mid-range shooter since last high school season. What I like most about Holland is the fact that he doesn't chase the ball or hunt shots. He lets the game come to him and plays within the team offensive concept.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 56 [player_tooltip player_id='2119932' first='Danny' last='Kennard'], Foothill</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kennard is one of the more skilled big men that we have in Southern California. At 6-feet-10 with mobility, good hands and touch and a little bit of mean streak, the rising junior is an impactful two-way player at the high school level. Kennard does the simple things well and his combination of fluidity and coordination makes him a viable 5-man at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 61 [player_tooltip player_id='2119933' first='Austin' last='Unegbu'], Long Beach Poly</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unegbu is a guy I can see rising as he's primed for a breakout high school season. The 6-foot-3 lefty has really good feel of the bounce, especially when creating rhythm jumpers for himself. Unegbu's strong frame and smooth but explosive athleticism makes him a drive and finish threat in transition and half-court settings. What really earned him a spot in the rankings is his defensive versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->