2025 Top Ten Breakdown

<p>Its not often that a senior class rankings can change this much at the top, but this year is that exception. Its certainly not due to anyone under-performing or "falling" in the rankings but rather some exceptional reviews and evaluations by some high level Division I recruiting services that have brought the change. This being the next to last rankings release for 2025's, [player_tooltip player_id='1573155' first='Braydon' last='Hawthorne'] is the new number one and for good reason we'll explain below. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Paulin had a tremendous offseason with excellent showcase performances as well as gaining recruiting traction. He's a tweener position-wise, plays a four but has the athleticism to be on the wing. Running the floor and finishing is one of his strengths and if in a system that's up-tempo he flourishes at the next level on both ends of the floor. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">IX.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Jenkins is one of the most entertaining and fun players to watch in WV. He does an exceptional job of pushing the ball in transition as well as being the floor general in half court sets. His overall best asset is to recognize breakdowns in offensive flow and create his own shots which he knocks down at every level consistently. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">VIII.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kellum is one of the fastest rising recruits in recent years in the mountain state. His long length body coupled with elite athleticism is what almost every college coach searches for. Kellum has worked hard to develop his three and mid-range shooting throughout the offseason. He's the top recruiting target of a couple good MEC programs as well as JUCO's. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">VII.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kirk has done everything right the last several months in regards to development and recruiting and we're starting to see the fruits of it. Kirk has offers in hand including most recently DII WV Weslyan. Kirk doesn't put up eye popping scoring stats, but he's in every stat category and typically defends opponents best scorer. Kirk is dynamic in being brought up in a high school system with dedicated half court sets, but excels in tempo situations often finishing with transition dunks. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">VI.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Salazar continues to fly under the radar not just in WV but in regional recruiting circles. He's regarded as a Division I recruit by several Ivy Leagues schools and lower level DI's . Salazar has one of the most complete skill sets of anyone in this class and we'd classify him as a high level ball handler and passer. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">V.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Caleb has played and performed is way into countless recruiting conversations with evaluators and college coaches. He's had multiple DI's take interest, as well as getting offered by a multitude of schools at many levels and most recently MEC power Fairmont State. Caleb is yet another WV wing type player who has a complete skill set with great length and athleticism. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">IV.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Quantez has continued to push forward in development and improvement which has pushed his recruiting to new levels. Having several offers in hand at many different levels of basketball, we still expect to see some high level JUCO offers come in given his shooting talent and size for a guard. Quantez is a high level shooter especially with pull ups in midrange and a budding lockdown defender at the next level. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">III.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Goodwin is signed, sealed and almost delivered to the University of San Diego, a division I program that plays in the West Coast Conference. Goodwin has had an absolute whirlwind of recruiting the last twelve months while simultaneously improving his game. Goodwin plays the wing positions as well as power forward seamlessly and has excelled against high level competition in both situations. Once you see him play its not secret why he was coveted by so many DI programs. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">II.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor seems to be one of the best kept secrets in DI recruiting despite already being offered by several. His three star rating is seen as undervalued by many while he's projected as a mid-major program recruit, but recently scouts are asking why he isn't seen as a power conference prospect. Recently the 6'9" wing dazzled scouts and coaches at the Grind Session garnering player of the game vs CHI Prep recording a double double in 18 points and 12 rebounds against highest level competition. Taylor is accurately described as an explosive wing with excellent touch from three and plays strong around the hoop. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">I.</h2>    <p>When Hawthorne is finished at Huntington Prep he will have one of the most storied and recognized ascents in the recruiting world that not only we've seen in WV but across the country. It should go without saying Hawthorne has an elite level work ethic to go along with his size and elite athleticism. Recently described as a top 50 rated recruit by scouts, it seems WVU got the steal of a lifetime. Hawthorne is not only labeled as one of the fastest rising recruits in the US in recent history but there's also talk of NBA prospect abuzz. We'd certainly say he's the rare combination of highest rated recruit with the highest ceiling. </p>

Its not often that a senior class rankings can change this much at the top, but this year is that exception. Its certainly not due to anyone under-performing or "falling" in the rankings but rather some exceptional reviews and evaluations by some high level Division I recruiting services that have brought the change. This being the next to last rankings release for 2025's, Braydon Hawthorne Braydon Hawthorne 6'9" | SG/SF Huntington Expressions Prep | 2025 State #215 Nation WV is the new number one and for good reason we'll explain below.