Fall Hidden Gems: 2025 Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fall basketball isn't nearly as important as the high school or grassroots seasons. Yet, all of the events though out September and October offer prospects the opportunities to work on their game and the platforms showcase it. Here are five seniors who did that:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2631129"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6725953e56156"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a deep and pretty talented team, Gibbs gives the Pioneers something no one else can as a versatile wing. He swiftly runs around screens and into catch-and-shoot threes. And he's fluid enough to touch the paint off of closeouts, when teams overplay his shot, and to slide his feet with guards defensively. A high-academic prospect, Gibbs also puts in a ton of effort on the glass, high-pointing the ball like he's a WR in the red zone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2631134"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6726b58a33752"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When opposing teams are locked in on [player_tooltip player_id='1382984' first='Matt' last='Gardler'], Keating is ready to step up. His rebounding on both ends go a long way to keeping the Tigers in games when shots aren't falling and they need easy buckets. Keating is the perfect compliment to Gardler because he can operate out of the high post as a distributor. But he's a threat to score from there too, as well as got to work with his back to the basket on the low block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2329946"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6726b58a337bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Rasmussen is very much a sleeper prospect, he could contribute early in his career at a number of schools across D1 and D3. The perimeter-based forward has a ton of skill, able to knock down spot-up triples at a high clip. And, depending on the matchup, he can take his man off-the-dribble and get to the cup. Rasmussen balances out that finesse on offense with some attitude as a shot-blocker, covering up cracks in the Gators defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2447303"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6726b58a33809"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson is playing his best basketball since a fall departure shook up Appo's rotation. He's not twitchy or explosive; but he's smooth, which is how he gets his shots off before they can be contested. At his size, his three-point shot off the catch is his best offensive asset and his secondary playmaking is right behind it. And thanks to his long arms, Thompson is able to gum up passing lanes and get deflections as a help defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2352349"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6726b58a3384e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With the toughness of a post player and the ability of a guard, Wilborn is difficult to deal with on either end. His activity level and physicality can throw a wrench into any offense. That also makes him impactful on the boards. Then, if he's isolated with the ball in the short corner or at the elbow, Wilborn is liable to slash all the way to the cup and finish above the rim. The combo forward can turn drives or cuts into quick post-ups as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->