2024-25 Season Recap: Breakout Freshmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we have all had time to take a breath after a long and exciting High School Basketball Season, it's time to take a look at some notable prospects before our focus fully shifts to the Grassroots Season. Next, let's take a look at some of the Breakout Freshmen from the 2024-25 Season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2544211' first='JJ' last='Gray'] (Carolina Forest) - First up on my list of this season's Breakout Freshmen is [player_tooltip player_id='2544211' first='JJ' last='Gray']. JJ had a fantastic season in his first one in the Palmetto State, averaging 17.9 Points Per Game, 5.1 Rebounds Per Game, and 1.7 Steals Per Game. Despite his age, Gray has already displayed a good feel for the game, exciting positional size, and a knack for putting the ball in the basket. JJ can get it going from downtown or turn the corner and finish around the basket as he was a 45% shooter this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2554843' first='Aidan' last='Walls'] (Horse Creek Academy) - Aidan is another youngster who showcased his ability to score the rock in the 2024-25 Season. He averaged 17.5 Points Per Game despite some of his team's struggles. Walls was added to my radar following the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase and has already been a standout with his AAU team. Not only can Aidan score it at a high rate, but he will also put his teammates in good positions and has a good balance between the two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2630771' first='Kaleb' last='Allen'] (TL Hanna) - Allen debuted inside the Top 20 of the Prep Hoops SC 2028 Rankings and played a key role on a talented team in his Freshman Year. Kaleb has an intriguing blend of size and athleticism, allowing him to play several positions at the High School level. He was mostly deployed around the basket this season, using those physical attributes to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Allen has been on the right side of several highlight plays in his young career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2722116' first='Roman' last='Ruggiero'] (Eastside) - Roman is one of South Carolina's elite Freshman shooters and has already had an impact for the Eagles in his first season on Varsity. He averaged 9.8 Points Per Game while shooting 40% from three with over 50 makes. Ruggiero mostly played off the ball, which allowed him to use his movement, shot readiness, and fluid release to stretch the floor for his teammates. He projects to be a valuable piece for Eastside's young core.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2418911' first='Jamerion' last='Williams'] (Abbeville) - Capping off the 2024-25 Season's Breakout Freshmen is [player_tooltip player_id='2418911' first='Jamerion' last='Williams'], a prospect who stood out multiple times in Abbeville's route to the 1A State Championship Game. Williams averaged 5.7 Points Per Game, 1.6 Assists Per Game, and 1.9 Steals Per Game this year, including a 14-point performance in the finale. Jamerion can score the ball from inside and out and be effective on or off the ball. He also has a tight handle and good vision with the ball in his hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->