Deep Dive Stock-Risers (Part Two)
In this article:
In this article, I’ll continue to spotlight some stock risers from lower down in our rankings. These guys have been just as impressive as any other players with their growth and play this spring and summer. Expect them to be…
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Continue ReadingIn this article, I’ll continue to spotlight some stock risers from lower down in our rankings. These guys have been just as impressive as any other players with their growth and play this spring and summer. Expect them to be names to know when the winter season rolls around. You can check out part one here.
Shawn Etheridge Shawn Etheridge 5'10" | PG Marysville Getchell | 2024 State WA Marysville Getchell ’24
He’s been a part of a highly successful D1 Elite program this spring and summer, as they steadily racked up wins at every tournament they went to. Etheridge isn’t one of the bigger names on the team but he provides a specific skill set that translates to just about any team with his ability to lock up ballhandlers, put stress on the ball and create turnovers, and do a little bit of penetrating on the offensive end with his shiftiness. He’s a smaller guard but he’s quick, strong, and plays with high effort and toughness that makes him an annoying player to deal with for opposing teams.
Blake Stempniak Blake Stempniak 6'4" | SG Kentwood | 2024 State WA Kentwood ’24
Stempniak is a 6-foot-4 knockdown shooter who can spot up from anywhere around the arc and provide a quick-release outlet that forces defenders to play up or get burned. He’s become even more consistent throughout the summer season and shown an increased ability to ignore hands in his face to bury tightly contested shots. With his size, he can provide some extra benefits on the glass and defensively at times.
Sebastian Cooper Sebastian Cooper 5'10" | PG King's | 2025 State WA King’s ’25
Here’s a kid that’s rising quickly. Cooper has gotten a lot stronger and quicker, starting last high school season and continuing through the summer. He’s a bigger threat to get to the rim and finish through contact, and since he’s better at beating his man off the dribble, he’s opened up more space to dime up teammates. He looks more confident making those tight passes and taking on a bigger role as a playmaker.
Drew Jones Drew Jones 6'1" | PG Puyallup | 2025 State WA Puyallup ’25
Jones came on strong last winter but he looked even better this summer and proved he can take over games at times with his ability to score from the mid-range and get to the hoop. He’s a smart player that’s aggressive getting into the paint and can take it all the way to the hoop or pull up short for a little jumper or floater. He’s good at attacking angles, staying controlled, and could be an all-league player this winter.
Max Mayo Max Mayo 6'1" | CG Stanwood | 2024 State WA Stanwood ’24
Mayo has been one of the most impressive players I’ve seen throughout the entirety of the spring and summer. He’s really blossomed as a true point guard, someone willing to control the pace, keep his dribble alive while maneuvering all through the half-court, and a guy who can attack space with the shot or the pass. He’s an excellent mid-range shooter who can stretch out to 3-point too, and his decision-making is much improved along with his ability to read defenders and make the right play in advantage situations.
Kane Wood Kane Wood 6'5" | SF Sumner | 2024 State WA Cleveland ’24
Kane had an awesome end to the AAU season, seeing his impact and consistency steadily improve over the last two months of the season. He was a bit undersized at times against some longer and taller frontcourt players, but his work rate around the hoop and ability to stretch the floor helped him mitigate a lot of size mismatches. He’s a strong kid who can establish position low on the boards, but he also moves and anticipates well enough to crash in from the perimeter and get big boards or tip-ins. The biggest highlight of his season though, was his ability to stretch the floor and especially come through with big shots in big spots.