2025 Rankings: Junior Year Breakouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"The junior year leap." Not every player is on the same timeline but the junior season is often when things start to click for prospects and take their game to a next level. Solidifying their potential to be college basketball players. Perhaps the face of that concept among the current 2025 prospects is [player_tooltip player_id='1796291' first='Tavaris' last='Deans'] of Lawton. His game has gone to another level and was <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/02/2025-rankings-superlatives/">covered in yesterday's Superlatives article</a>. Now, here's a look at a few more prospects who have made similar jumps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1756347"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Last season, Thompson was a quality shooter and strong defender as a u00223 and D prospectu0022.  There were flashes of an improving off the dribble skillset, that as a junior he has taken to another level. He's now very comfortable operating in the mid-range, capable of hitting tough contested shots. While remaining a top priority for defenders when spot up along the perimeter.  The scoring is there, with translatable aspects that should help him carve out early playing time at the next level.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eBut he's more than just a scorer. Even with the expanded offensive role, Thompson is still more than willing to get his nose dirty on the defensive end. In a recent viewing against Putnam City, he created havoc with steals, hustle plays in transition on defense. While also still be willing to do the dirty work with on the ball defense (where his plus wingspan helps him) and even taking charges.  The Sandite is the ring leader for a strong junior class for Sand Springs, that come playoff time will try to make noise a year ahead of schedule.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1475991"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Simpson is coming along strong for a surging Booker T Washington team in 5A.  He's grown taller, started to fill out and seen an increased burst in his athleticism, making him a two-way terror.  It's a cliche to say, but simply he looks the part of a next level athlete. He plays with speed while making it look effortless with how controlled he moves. And he's starting really see his bounce come in. These traits are best shown when skying high for blocks, seemingly teleporting for steals and improving acrobatics with his finishing package.rnrnNot just an athlete, Simpson is stuffing the statsheet for his balanced Hornet squad with 12 points, 5 rebounds and handing out 3.5 assists a game.  Those numbers have started to take an upturn as Booker T gets ready for the stretch run.  There's certain players that when watching fit into the category u0022knows what it looks likeu0022 as no brainer for the next level due to upside that jumps off the page.  A strong finish to the season could put Simpson in that category.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1364821"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Driver had a strong sophomore campaign, but has taken his game to the next level as the number one option for the 6A Spartans. He's a flamethrower from deep, with an expanded off the dribble game. He has textbook footwork, pumpfakes and more on his drives.  Another continuing sign of his evolving game has been him relishing and thriving as more of a playmaker and primary ballhandler for the Spartans. This growth in his game has also translated to winning basketball with Bixby in the top half of a competitive district with a 8-4 record in District play.  Scoring was always going to be on the checklist for the skilled lead guard, but the wins and finding ways to impact the game beyond scoring is what will be needed to continue to help him translate his skillset to be ready to compete at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1796295"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"One of the most complete guards from an offensive standpoint in Oklahoma, Kennedy seemingly never makes a mistake on the court. Sneaky good off the bounce with his use of angles to find lanes to the rim and the ability to get off his shots at the rim over taller defenders. Along with slipping between gaps of the defense, he's also a subtle and effective off the ball cutter in Piedmont's spread out offense.u003cbru003eu003cbru003ePerhaps his most marketable trait is his pinpoint long range shooting that he pairs with great shot selection.  Shooting becoming his calling card could help him standout to college coaches, as they slowly fall in love with the rest of his well rounded game.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1391431"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Leonard is a shifty and gifted slasher for Putnam City North, who can put defenders on skates. His change of direction ability might be unmatched in this class, with an electric driving style. He's a sight to watch in transition with his pace and quickness, while continuing to add to his bag in the halfcourt.  The junior is a capable shooter off the dribble, which makes even more dangerous as a slasher. The offensive production has been there for the Panther, but the wins haven't followed as PCN has struggled this season. Still, there's obvious u0022juiceu0022 to his game marking Leonard as one of the players who could end up with one of the highest upsides in the class if he continues to add to his unique scoring abilities.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1579600"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"A marker in the developmental for the promising forward prospect this year was to turn into an automatic double double. Cotton is just shy of doing that with his season long averages of 13.3 points and 9.8 rebounds. But just last night he had a huge 21 point and 12 rebound performance in a pivotal district win.  His raw ability with size, power, good vertical explosiveness are some of the key factors in how the blue collar forward produces for the Chargers. They will also get his foot in the door as a potential collegiate level player. But he's also shown good signs of developing a face up and floor stretching game. Which would help raise the ceiling of Cotton's college potential.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c137c501172"} /-->