Cluster Buster: Class of 2025 Pt 1
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An aspect from an evaluation standpoint our staff will be paying close attention to this spring and summer is taking groups of prospects that are closely ranked with similar skill sets or positions. Evaluating them while deciding who has separated…
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Continue ReadingAn aspect from an evaluation standpoint our staff will be paying close attention to this spring and summer is taking groups of prospects that are closely ranked with similar skill sets or positions. Evaluating them while deciding who has separated themselves from that pack or should move to another group. You hear it a lot in NFL and NBA Draft talks as Cluster Busters! We do our own version of that here in Cluster Busters: Class of 2025 Pt 1!
Tristian Ford Tristian Ford 6'2" | PG Chi-Prep | 2025 State #158 Nation IL (Chi-Prep), Dietrich Richardson Dietrich Richardson 6'6" | PG Peoria Manual | 2025 State #177 Nation IL (Manual), Bradley Longcor Bradley Longcor 6'3" | PG Quincy | 2025 State #337 Nation IL (Quincy), EJ Horton EJ Horton 6'2" | PG Phillips | 2025 State IL (Philips)
This is the top group of point guards in the class of 2025. They are toward the back end of the top 10 in the rankings. Which one will make the move up into potentially the top 5? Ford and Horton are similar with them both being southpaws with shifty games off the bounce and explosive passing to go with solid shooting. Longcor probably is the best pure distributor of the group and has a smooth shot. Richardson has the highest ceiling with his size, length, and athleticism.
JT Pettigrew JT Pettigrew 6'8" | C Bolingbrook | 2025 State IL (Bolingbrook), Jonah Funk Jonah Funk 6'9" | C El Paso Gridley | 2025 State IL (El Paso Gridley), Nick Allen Nick Allen 6'9" | C Bradley Bourbonnais | 2025 State IL (Bradley Bourbonnais)
These big men are bonafide mid-major talents at this stage. Can any of them break into high-major contention? Pettigrew is coming off a monster junior year where he was Mr. Double Double. Funk brings the two way ability as a skilled inside/outside threat on offense along with big time shot blocking on defense. Allen posted big numbers as a junior scoring in the post and rebounding at a high rate.
EJ Mosley EJ Mosley 6'0" | PG Romeoville | 2025 State IL (Romeoville), EJ Breland EJ Breland 6'0" | PG St. Patrick | 2025 State IL , Yaris Irby Yaris Irby 5'10" | PG Niles North | 2025 State IL (Niles North), Christian Cummings Christian Cummings 5'11" | PG Rockford Christian | 2025 State IL (Rockford Christian), Tyreek Coleman Tyreek Coleman 6'2" | PG Waubonsie Valley | 2025 State IL (Waubonsie Valley)
This is the next tier of point guards in the 2025 class. Each one of these guys brings plus athleticism to the table being able to get in the teeth of the defense along with shot making capabilities. The difference might be who becomes the best distributor and defender.
AJ Demirov AJ Demirov 6'0" | PG Crystal Lake South | 2025 State IL (Crystal Lake South), Jayden Tyler Jayden Tyler 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State IL (Homewood Flossmoor), Makai Kvamme Makai Kvamme 6'0" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL (DePaul Prep)
Then in this cluster of point guards they are winners! Tyler and Kvamme won state titles and Demirov carried his team to the Elite 8.
TJ Seals TJ Seals 6'5" | SF Johnson Prep | 2025 State IL (Johnson College Prep), Donte Montgomery Donte Montgomery 6'2" | SG Oak Lawn | 2025 State IL (Oak Lawn), Leshawn Stowers Leshawn Stowers 6'4" | SF Peoria | 2025 State IL (Peoria)
A lot of upside in this group of wings that fly under the radar! Seals is a physical and athletic force that played at a smaller high school last year. Montgomery quietly had a big year and is an elite shot maker! Stowers is a silky smooth multi level scorer that can defend.
Cameron Thomas Cameron Thomas 6'3" | PG Mount Carmel | 2025 State IL (Mt. Carmel), Robert Walls Robert Walls 6'2" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL (DePaul Prep), Dierre Hill Dierre Hill 6'0" | PG Belleville Althoff | 2025 State IL Jr (Belleville Althoff), Lorenzo Shields Lorenzo Shields 6'2" | PG Simeon | 2025 State IL (Simeon)
These combo guards are all from high profile high schools with two of them meeting up in the state title game in Thomas and Walls. Hill will play football in college. Shields proved a lot with the ball in his hands this year.