2026 Rankings Reveal: Breakout Sophomores

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore year is when things start to click for players. So compared to freshman year, exponentially more kids flash. It was hard to choose, but here are FIVE breakout sophomores:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2352457"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWhile Denis's game can be summed up as “threes, steals, and blocks,” it's the way he does it that's so impressive. Whether he was standing still or relocating to open space, Denis was always shot-ready and showed a quick release. And on defensive, his steals and blocks were often a byproduct of him rotating from outside of his area. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2364771"],"_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":"At a program known for its guard play and on a team with ones more experienced than him, Evans III had the keys. The Bluejays were at their best with the ball in his hands due to his decision-making. A modern guard, Evans III's talent getting to the cup and the range on his jumper opened up passing windows which he was more than willing to utilize.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2358358"],"_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":"Kilgoe earned 1st team Henlopen South honors with his impact on both ends. As a defender, his solid frame, quick hands, and high intensity allowed him to put the clamps on other guards. Those traits translated to offense too, where Kilgoe excelled as a rebounder, finished through contact at the rim, and hit timely shots from deep.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2352456"],"_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":"As creative and shifty as Baysah is off-the-dribble, he's really an all-around playmaker. His ability to create paint touches or negative space for step-back threes was a constant source of offense for the Wildcats. Just as important, Baysah was an event creator on defense, shooting gaps and even coming up with blocks to shift the momentum.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2370950"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAn impressive run-and-jump athlete, Duncan literally flies around the court. He has a good feel for contesting shots, shooting gaps and getting mid-air putbacks. Though his skill on offense is still catching up to how well he deploys his physical tools, Duncan attacked from the elbow with straight-line drives and mid-range jumpers.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f1f67663215"} /-->