2025 Rankings Reveal: Junior Stock Risers
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This season featured a ton of parity as some teams came out of nowhere and even the top teams had some surprises. All of them were fueled by players who leveled up and boosted their stock. Stevie Nixon Jr DE…
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Continue ReadingThis season featured a ton of parity as some teams came out of nowhere and even the top teams had some surprises. All of them were fueled by players who leveled up and boosted their stock.
After spending the previous season on JV, Nixon Jr emerged as an impact player at the lead guard spot. With his explosive lower half, he got downhill off-the-bounce and played through contact on his way there before scoring at the rim. Nixon Jr showed strength on the defensive and offensive glass as well, often getting putbacks.
A transfer from Newark, Hart played an instrumental role for the new-look Warriors program. The way he used his athleticism at the point-of-attack on defense caused problems for opposing guards and led to turnovers. And on offense, he served as one of Sanford’s primary ball-handlers and knocked down open shots from three.
Even at his size, Smith lightning in a bottle and certified hooper. He broke out this season after playing behind talented upperclassmen in previous years. Smith put up numbers in the biggest games by getting wherever he wanted with the ball in his hands. Whether it was a pull-up jumper or a floater, he illustrated a deep bag to get shots off.
The dynamic shooter made a splash in-state this past season. Ho added a much needed element to the Saints offense by spacing the floor with standstill and movement threes. It didn’t necessarily show in the win-loss column, but his contribution elevated their play and had them in some games which they might not have been in otherwise.
The Hawks’ starting PG got injured in the fall and Womack was the one who stepped up to fill that void. At his best on the break, he pushed the pace with early hit-aheads or simply by taking the ball coast-to-coast himself. An energetic defender, many of those transition opportunities were generated by him creating a turnover as a helper or on-ball.