2025 Midseason Stock Risers
With the holiday season coming to an end, it’s time to take a look at some 2025 midseason standout players who are leading their teams so far. Some of these players are the leading scorers on their team. And some…
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Continue ReadingWith the holiday season coming to an end, it’s time to take a look at some 2025 midseason standout players who are leading their teams so far. Some of these players are the leading scorers on their team. And some of them dish out the most assists.
What all of these players have in common, is a knack for playing a pivotal role at a pivotal moment. The big steal, the big shot, the big assist, or causing the big turnover, are invaluable plays for any team. Through midseason we’ve seen players accomplish these things in high intensity moments. And you never know how or when something great is going to happen.
However, they do it, this group of 2025 midseason stock risers are on a path to end the season strong for their teams.
Jalen Waters
Jalen Waters
Jalen Waters is lighting it up for Brooklyn Collegiate this season. As a shooter, Water can be lethal from behind the arc. And many teams have had trouble finding him on the perimeter for open threes. For Brooklyn Collegiate, Waters operates as a secondary ball handler and the offense doesn’t take a dip when he’s at the realm. We love that Waters doesn’t settle for shots and uses his quickness to blow by defenders while getting to the rim.
Kyler Emanuel
Kyler Emanuel
Kyler Emanuel is a scrappy guard on offense and defense. As a primary defender, Emanuel is good on the perimeter and has shown the ability to force his opponents into bad shots. When playing help defense, we like how often Emanuel is able to close out on shooters. For his size, Emanuel is good at getting to his spots and rising for midrange jump shots. And at midseason, Emanuel is leading his team in 3 pointers made. Because of his scrappy nature, Emanuel doesn’t quit on loose balls and helps create extra possessions with his effort.
Richard Gunther
Richard Gunther
Richard Gunther is a guard who is constantly moving and keeping the defense off balance. Because he is a threat from outside, defenses try to eliminate open looks at the rim. However, we saw this open up several back door lanes for Gunther who was either on the receiving end or dishing out good passes. In addition, Gunther does finish well around the basket and isn’t afraid to embrace contact on his way to rim. On defense, Gunther has active hands and feet, which have a tendency to create steals and transition baskets.
Flavio Jean
Flavio Jean
Flavio Jean is one of the most dynamic ball handlers in the PSAL. And this season he’s taking his duties as lead guard to another level, currently leading Brooklyn Collegiate in assists with 5 a game. Because of his elite handle, Jean sets up defenders in a variety of ways. Either to get off an easy shot, a tough layup, or using his vision to find the open man. Defenses have to be on their toes when the ball is in Jean’s hands. And Jean is a pest on the defensive side of the ball. Using his speed and strength, Jean creates chaos on the perimeter when he’s locked in on a ball handler.
Justin Delapaz
Justin Delapaz
Justin Delapaz is shooting the basketball at a high clip through midseason. Besides leading his team in 3-pointers made, Delapaz is also leading Stevenson in assists. At times, Delapaz can be unconscious from behind the arc. If he needs to get a shot off the dribble, he’s capable of working off screens and also utilizes a nice step back when called for. But Delapaz also moves well without the ball and is just as lethal when catching and shooting.
Asher Elson
Asher Elson
Asher Elson is a force on the inside and outside for South Shore. In the paint, on the defensive end Elson affects opposing guards who attempt to drive to the basket, either blocking shots or forcing them into bad shots. Through midseason, Elson is leading South Shore in scoring and doing so in a variety of ways. Not only is Elson knocking down the outside shot, and dominating the middle. In addition, Elson is reaching the free throw line and hitting a little under 80-percent of his attempts.
The holidays have came and gone, but there is a lot of high school basketball left to be played. Although, these are the team leaders now, that doesn’t mean other players won’t emerge and contribute. We expect more players to shine as the playoffs get closer. And we expect these 2025 midseason stock risers to continue to soar.