2025 Prospects with Big Shoes to Fill

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023-24 hoops season is a little over two months away, but the excitement in the air is palpable. The junior class has big shoes as they are looking to make an impact on the court this season. Here are the 2025 prospects with big shoes to fill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1389143' first='Griffin' last='Linstra'], 6'4 CG Manasquan</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linstra has big shoes to fill this season as he will have to shoulder both the scoring load and ball-handling. The 6'4 guard rarely makes bad decisions with the ball in his hands and has a nice touch on his floater. Linstra finishes nicely around the basket and can draw contact in the paint. He is a tough on-ball defender as he makes it hard for his man to get to his spot on offense. Linstra's ability to run the offense effectively is something that will help Manasquan throughout the 2023-24 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1472517' first='Alex' last='Grospe'], 5'10 PG South River</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grospe ran the Rams' offense efficiently throughout the season, but they will need his scoring output to tick up with the graduations of five players who scored at least 100 points. The 5'10 guard has a smooth shooting stroke and can knock down triples in bunches. Grospe uses his handle effectively as he can get into the paint and finish around the basket. He threads passes to teammates and gets deflections on the defensive end. Grospe is a true point guard prospect who should put up big scoring numbers this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107781' first='Nas' last='Middleton'], 6'5 PF Teaneck</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middleton has massive shoes to fill as he replaces Second Team All-State performer and Towson signee <strong>Tyler Tejada</strong> in the paint. The 6'5 forward has a strong frame, which he uses to get position down low and draw contact in the paint. Middleton has a good touch around the basket and a nice release on his free throws. He is tough to boxout down low and holds his ground on defense. Middleton is a gritty forward prospect whose ability to control the paint is something that will help his stock throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1472514' first='Aiden' last='Ur'], 6'3 PG St. Thomas Aquinas</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ur has the potential to breakout this season as he will have the ball in his hands more. The 6'3 guard has a solid handle, which he uses to get into the lane and create plays. Ur rises up with confidence on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. He moves well without the ball in his hands and has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor. Ur's ability to score inside and out is something that will help his game over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1919190' first='Xavier' last='Cuevas'], 5'10 PG Paterson Eastside</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cuevas will be tasked with raising his scoring output for the Ghosts after the loss of their top four scorers. The 5'10 guard is a tough defender as he jumps passing lanes and makes it hard for his man to get to his spot. Cuevas makes good passes as he can find open teammates in the halfcourt. He finishes nicely around the basket and has the ability to play off the ball as well. Cuevas is a tough guard prospect whose stock should rise with more touches on the offensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->