Preseason Superlatives: 2025 Top 25 (Pt 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We still have a long way to go before the next hoop season starts, so let's have some fun with some preseason superlatives for the 2025 class. Here are a few for players currently in the top 25 of their class ranking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bull</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1850299' first='Kaden' last='Powers'] - He has the bull superlative because of his ability to create separation through contact both at the rim and in the midrange. He is consistently able to create good looks off the bounce and that's a huge reason he is so successful scoring with the midrange jumper. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450980' first='Martin' last='Kaupanger'] - This is part game, part attitude for Kaupanger. He has really been a big presence on both ends this spring and summer, finishing big dunks, getting up to send shots back, and showing his physicality on both ends. He's on a mission this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450991' first='Corey' last='Tita'] - Tita is a downhill monster who has the power to shrug off defenders and the bounce/strength to go up high, take contact, and finish through defenders. He'll be a key guy once again at Kentwood this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sonic the Hedgehog</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1451033' first='Jaylen' last='Petty'] - He just has that next level of "go" that likens him to Sonic. He plays with great pace, can score from any level, and has that big bounce to sneak up on guys at the rim and deliver powerful finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1485587' first='Bryce' last='Smith'] - He plays with an "all-out" mindset on the hardwood. He's going fast whenever he can, applying pressure to the game, and is a big, big athlete who can make plays most guys his size can't.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Skippy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450999' first='Cesar' last='Hernandez'] - Hernandez's game is "smoother than a fresh jar of skippy." He's a smaller guard at 6'0 who has incredible ability to stop-and-go and create separation around the perimeter. His jumper is just as smooth as his handle and that combo is why he was one of the top scorers in the state last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1485543' first='Beckham' last='King'] - There is more to King than just his sweet jumper but when you watch him play, you can't help but be awed by his shooting. He has a buttery stroke that he's constantly dropping in over outstretched defenders, and more often than not it's nothing but net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Swiffer</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450982' first='Gelonni' last='“JuJu” Ervin'] - I'm talking about the Swiffer duster here, with the extension. Ervin has the ability to get to balls both off the glass, rim, and passes that many kids simply can't reach. This allows him to play high above the rim and constantly clean plays up inside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pablo Sanchez</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1451025' first='Leyton' last='Martin'] - Anyone familiar with the classic computer game <em>Backyard Baseball </em>knows the name Pablo Sanchez. Martin's ability to impact the game far above his stature is why I draw the comparison here. Martin puts up insane stat lines and is arguably the most important player to his team in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Catapult</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450981' first='Josiah' last='Lee'] - Lee is the catapult for multiple reasons. Firstly, he has no fear of missing shots. He knows what he brings to the floor and can be a lightning rod from deep. Secondly, is his burst and ability to make plays at the rim. He's a strong finisher with some bounce who can make plays on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1631540' first='Nirvaan' last='Misra'] - Misra is a catapult because of his electric long-range shooting, but also because of his ability to make a play from any spot on the court. He has deep, deep range from three, but he's also an adept passer who can spot passes from anywhere on the court and make plays in an instant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hammer</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450933' first='Xavier' last='Santana'] - His ability to do it on both ends makes him the hammer, giving and taking. He can nail in shots from three and deliver a blow on the defensive end with his on-ball defense and eye for picking ballhandler's pockets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->