2025 Rankings: Prospects with More to Prove (Part I)

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">There's are still prospects in the 2025 class lurking outside the Top 100 in the state of North Carolina's 2025 rankings with more to prove! Take a look at Part I!</h3>   <p><em>USE CODE</em><strong><em> anderson30</em></strong><em> for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION!</em> <a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe/?coupon=anderson30">Subscribe</a> today!</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Gibson has come into his own at the point guard role for Winston-Salem Christian National and remains a target for DII programs in the region to get on their radar. He's an underrated playmaker as well as an underrated scorer at 5-foot-10 who plays with a gritty edge to his game that's hard to contain. He's shown he can knock down shots, defend and make plays for others and keep his team within the flow of the offense as a floor general.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/d1_gibson/status/1879727755388186962 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Hammond is healthy and proving to be a consistent piece in The Burlington School frontcourt as they're on a three-game winning streak and 13-7 on the season. He's producing 15.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 2.1 assists per contest and remains a target for DII programs to get on their radar given his size, activity and ability to make plays for others as a stretch-forward. He nearly didn't miss in their last victory, going 8-for-9 from the field and 1-for-1 from behind the arc with 21 points, seven rebound, three blocks and two assists in their last victory over Holly Springs. Look for him to be a factor in their quest for an NCISAA State Title. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson Prep Academy looks to repeat as NCHSAA State Champions while [player_tooltip player_id='2268349' first='Elijah' last='Newsome'] continues to grow in the 2025 rankings at the combo guard position. He's a prospect for DII/DIII/JUCO programs to get eyes on over the next few months. He's had himself a breakout season as a starter with 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.8 assists per game in their 9-3 start to 2024-25. He's an athletic presence who can also showcase his ability to shoot the ball from deep, especially with corner 3's, to make an impact on the game. Defensively, he's shown he can play in passing lanes and create opportunities on the fast break to showcase his athleticism. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Harris is a recent addition in the 2025 rankings to keep an eye on out of Northwood Temple Academy. He's still due to move up even more when the final rankings update in March as he showcases his skillset in the backcourt as a creator and shooter in the backcourt. He's producing 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.2 assists per game as one of the primary creators in isolation for the Eagles. He's got the ability to get a bucket in space no matter who is in front of him and is an asset for DII/DIII/JUCO programs to get their eyes on over the next few months. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Herbert remains an under-the-radar prospect in the Trinity Christian School rotation to keep on DII/DIII/JUCO radars given his room to improve. He's a slashing presence who can finish in traffic and make things happen off the bounce. He's the Crusaders' second-leading scorer with 12.3 points per game along with 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game as they're 11-6 on the year and 4-1 so far in Sandhills Conference action. As he shows his efficiency more on the shooting front, look for his recruitment to go in the right direction. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more underrated shooters and scorers in the 252 area, Dempsey remains overlooked at Bertie High in the Four Rivers Conference. The 6-foot-3 scoring guard is pouring in 27.6 points per game on 58 percent shooting from the floor and 32 percent from behind the arc while also posting 11.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He's a prospect who's shown he can fly around doing a little bit of everything to make his presence felt in more ways than one. He's a prospect for DII/DIII programs to get on their radar as he looks to lead the Falcons on another run in the NCHSAA State Playoffs. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Another point guard prospect out of Lake Norman High, [player_tooltip player_id='1990413' first='Josh' last='Yates'] is a DII/DIII target in the region worth recruiting! He's dishing out 4.0 assists per game to go along with 9.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game as the Wildcats are surging! He's their leader in 3-pointers made (28) while being their second leader in total assists (56) as he looks to go out with a bang in his senior year. A stat worth noting? He's averaging 8.0 assists per game in Greater Metro Conference action as they're 3-0. Look for him to continue to elevate his game as Lake Norman looks to make a run to another NCHSAA State Title. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Swansboro isn't short on talent at all as they're unbeaten still at 11-0. [player_tooltip player_id='1990376' first='Jonah' last='Holt'] is a prospect for DIII/JUCO programs in the region to get their eyes on given his production. He's producing 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per contest on 47 percent shooting from the floor. He's a length guard at 6-foot-3 who's capable of creating off the bounce and making things happen in the painted area with his frame. As he shows more consistency and efficiency on the perimeter, look for his recruitment to really grow in the class. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Epperson is seemingly getting better with each outing at Southern Wake Academy in 2024-25. He's moved into the 125th position and remains a forward prospect for DII/DIII/JUCO programs to get on their radar. He's putting up 9.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest as he continues to showcase his abilities to make his presence felt around the rim on both ends of the floor. As he continues to develop his overall game, look for his recruitment to grow over the next few months.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/bryan_epperson/status/1863978257722359832 </div></figure>