Big School Forwards, Centers Added to 2025 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops added eleven forwards and centers to the 2025 rankings following the high school season. To give each his due we split the group into “big school” and “small school” bigs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the six forwards and centers from 4A-6A added to the 2025 class rankings:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#56 [player_tooltip player_id='2393754' first='JJ' last='Lee'], 6-foot-10 center, 2025, Olathe Northwest:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee has flown somewhat under the radar, partly because his team finished just one game above .500, and partly because he played with some really good guards who took some of the spotlight. But Lee is huge, with the power to bury a defender on the post, and the coordination to do something with the ball once he gets it. He has some nice fundamental post moves and soft touch. He was consistently productive, shot 71% and averaged 15 points and 7 boards as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#57 [player_tooltip player_id='2394578' first='Tyler' last='Salmon'], 6-foot-7 forward, 2025, Shawnee Mission Northwest:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars were absolutely loaded this year. One of the best things about them was that they shared the ball and the spotlight. For that reason, guys didn't put up the kind of individual numbers they are capable of. One of those guys is Salmon, a long guy with a really quick release and a nose for openings to catch and shoot. He stretched defenses with his 42% from deep. He was the Cougars' third leading scorer with 11 points per game during the tournament run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#76 [player_tooltip player_id='2393763' first='Pierce' last='Blue'], 6-foot-5 forward, 2025, Eisenhower:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A shooter who can get hot and take over a game, Blue is at his best when running to spots to catch and shoot. He hit 38% from deep last season. Blue averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds as a sophomore, and grew those numbers to 13.5 points and 7 boards as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#77 [player_tooltip player_id='2393765' first='Eric' last='Smith'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Atchison:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After going to state a year ago, the Phoenix returned a bunch of studs and had high hopes for this season. But even with all that talent back, Smith grew into a team leader as the season unrolled. By season's end, he was a go to offensive threat as well as a warrior on the glass and at the defensive end. He's versatile, able to face the goal or get into the paint and post up. He averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds during the season and was really good in the 4A tournament. He started the run to third place in the tourney when he busted out for 18 points and 9 boards against Rock Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#80 [player_tooltip player_id='2393789' first='Larkin' last='Turner'], 6-foot-2 forward, 2025, Junction City:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A perfect complement to the lightning-quick guards at Junction City, Turner is an undersized big man who can run. He's rugged and gritty, going after the boards and defending with athleticism and intensity. He hustled and muscled his way to 8 boards per game and scored a lot of his points off the offensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#84 [player_tooltip player_id='2393799' first='Deacon' last='Pomeroy'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2025, Shawnee Heights:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pomeroy was a role player for the T-Birds, but he came up with some really big games and big plays. With other talented offensive players around, he focused on defense and rebounding. He did a terrific job against bigger opponents as Shawnee Heights' best big body. He muscled his way to 8 rebounds. But he is also adept at stepping out and knocking down the 3-ball and averaged 11 points. He is capable of even bigger offensive numbers next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->