5 Impressive 2025 Connecticut Prospects: Part 1
In this article:
The state of Connecticut overall has a great group of talented prospects in the class of 2025. Today, I will be highlighting five names that have impressed me in their junior year! Let’s get started! Jake Palluzzi New E #82…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe state of Connecticut overall has a great group of talented prospects in the class of 2025. Today, I will be highlighting five names that have impressed me in their junior year! Let’s get started!
Jake Palluzzi Jake Palluzzi 6’0″ | CG Choate Rosemary Hall | 2025 State New E has an absolute flamethrower of a jumper. Smooth like butter. He is not afraid to use his superpower to his advantage, launching shots off the catch and sidestepping jump shots. Palluzzi is also a terrific finisher on the inside with a bulk-like frame and will use his body to take on contact on his finishes. He is quicker than you think too, easily getting by defenders with hesitations, rip-throughs, and high acceleration burners. Palluzzi combines this scoring prowess with good decision-making. He finds the open man and puts the ball in the right spot for his team to win. A program needing a half-court lead guard should eye Palluzzi as the guy to fill that role.
Highlights
Jeremiah Ibeziako Jeremiah Ibeziako 6’8″ | PF Taft | 2025 State New E first stands out with his burst and athleticism. He is a rocket to the rim and can finish with both hands. His athletic gifts also help him grab rebounds and attack the glass. Ibeziako’s offense in the half-court is still more of a work in progress compared to his transition game, but I have seen great signs of real talent in that department too. He can rise over and knock jumpers in the mid-range, especially on the baseline. His jump shot off the catch can be a weapon as well when he gathers and takes his time. His long arms and high motor also serve him well on the defensive end of the court, bodying up opponents. Ibeziako can fill a variety of roles for a program as an athletic and high-effort forward.
Taj Walters Taj Walters 6’5″ | SF Greenwich Country Day | 2025 State New E is a strong, explosive, rim-attacking presence. He is comfortable handling the ball and putting the rim to sleep with ferociousness. Walters loves using crosses and euros to evade defenders and create space for himself. He also has some interesting shooting flashes, especially when he creates for himself in the mid-range area. With the ball in his hands, Walters causes havoc for opposing defenses with his combination of skill, power, and fearlessness. These traits also show themselves in high-effort rebounding and weakside rim protection, which make Walters even more intriguing. A program should be very happy with the tool chest that Walters deploys, as it is a worthy investment.
Andreo Ash Andreo Ash 6’8″ | PF Canterbury School | 2025 State New E is a unique forward who thrives in the interior. He uses his lower body strength to barge his way to the rim and finishes nicely with soft touch. Ash has superb body control and knows his body against incoming defenders. While most of his scoring comes through the paint, he can also use his unconventional and quick twitch jumper to score in the mid-range and 3-point areas. Ash also has shown an awesome ability to pass effectively in transition and find the open man in the half-court. A connecting forward with an interesting brand of traits should make any program froth at the mouth to get him.
Ian Randall Ian Randall 7’0″ | C Hotchkiss School | 2025 State New E is a big man with a lot of offensive potential. He can operate with the ball in his hands and loves to score with turn-around jumpers in the mid-range. Randall has a great sense of how to use the glass and the bank shot his friend. His court vision is stunning and can find cutters at the top of the key throwing passes in a variety of angles. Randall can also stretch the floor from deep in pick-and-pop scenarios. While not that strong, his height and instincts help protect the rim. While obviously, his frame needs some development, a program that sees the long-term upside should take a swing at the skilled Randall.