WV’s TOP 2025 WINGS
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West Virginia’s 2025 class is nothing less than heralded. Its quietly coveted and earmarked by most if not all college coaches that pay any attention at all to WV prep hoops. My belief is that this will be the biggest…
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Continue ReadingWest Virginia’s 2025 class is nothing less than heralded. Its quietly coveted and earmarked by most if not all college coaches that pay any attention at all to WV prep hoops. My belief is that this will be the biggest (in size), deepest and most talented class in the state’s history of basketball recruiting to date. Not to slight any of the classes before it, but this class boasts great size at wings and posts, a deep number of guards that can play at the next level as well as multiple Division I offer to players already, which is nearly unheard of for WV recruiting.
D’arrae Goodwin D’arrae Goodwin 6’7″ | SF The Linsly School | 2025 State #190 Nation WV ‘s stock has continued to rise since December when he started to display his athleticism and physical traits amongst some top competitors not just in WV but in the country. Continuing into spring his play has gotten the attention of several DI coaches and even led to offers including Bowling Green, Marshall, Radford and College of Charleston. An imposing 6’7″ at 16 years old, D’arrae certainly doesn’t hesitate to mix it up in the paint and seems comfortable facing the basket. High motor and high effort are always the case when he hits the floor. Look for his skill level to catch up with his strong sturdy body in the next 12 months and possible P5 colleges come knocking.
Braydon Hawthorne
Braydon Hawthorne
Braydon Hawthorne is the most interesting recruit possibly in WV. He has unmatched length while being the tallest kid in the 2025 class but all the while playing the wing/forward position. Braydon’s skill level started to shine towards the end of the school season and seems to have carried him into the AAU season seeing some success against more than formidable opponents. With a seemingly high ceiling with his size and skill set, Division I Radford and Wichita St have already offered Hawthorne. Once he’s able to add some bulk and strength to his very long frame his game will jump to a new level and other DI suitors will follow.
Caleb Thomas Caleb Thomas 6'6" | PF Spring Mills | 2025 State WV
Caleb Thomas Caleb Thomas 6'6" | PF Spring Mills | 2025 State WV
Caleb Thomas Caleb Thomas 6’6″ | PF Spring Mills | 2025 State WV came on the recruiting scene as an athletic swingman for the Spring Mills HS team showing balls skills while ability to finish at the rim on drives and put backs. In a transition to AAU season, he saw more of a back to basket role develop and found ways to use his size and great feet to expose other players in the paint. Quick to the ball and an excellent post/paint defender, Thomas shows great versatility and comfort in a post up or face up situation. While he’ll be given the green light to play from the wing in high school, I believe college coaches are seeing value in his paint play.
Roman Kellum Roman Kellum 6’5″ | PF South Charleston | 2025 State WV has had an outstanding spring and summer on the highlight reels and in the box scores. But most importantly got the attention of several coaches who covet his size mixed with athleticism and mobility. He is on the radar of several college coaches at every level including D1 who are monitoring his development in hopes of an offer. Kellum has great length and versatility defensively while aggressively rebounds and gets the easy put backs and finishes breaks with rim rocking dunks.
Jayden Bryant Jayden Bryant 6’4″ | SF Williamstown | 2025 State WV has steadily become of the most notable shooters in WV. Playing on a super talented Williamstown HS team and not always needed to score, Bryant came out swinging this spring with WV Gold and hasn’t quit. Great size for a shooting guard or small forward, Bryant shoots it at a high rate especially at the 3 line. A great classic stroke with a quick release he’s given small defenders fits while shooting over them and sizable defenders problems with a quick dribble move to pull up. College scouts will be in the Williamstown gym quite a bit this winter with Bryant sure to be one of the reasons they are there.