Class 5A: 10 Players We Can’t Wait To Watch In 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 New Mexico high school basketball season ended Saturday as five state champions were crowned in every classification. We're already looking forward to the 2025-26 season. Here are 10 players we look forward to watching in 2025-26:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht'], Cleveland</strong>: If the junior season for our #1 prospect in the 206 class was just the appetizer, Albrecht's senior campaign in 2025-26 should be spectacular. Scored a school record 47 points in a single game this season and scored 25 points in a first-round state tourney win over Atrisco Heritage. He's already surpassed the 1,500 career point plateau. If he stays healthy, he should reach the rarified air of 2,000 career points next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2368515' first='Jayden' last='Brisby'], Las Cruces</strong>: Just a freshman, Brisby is one of the top young players in southern New Mexico. He helped lead the Bulldawgs into the state tournament as one of Las Cruces' top scorers. He'll step up and become one of the team leaders in 2025-26 when the Bulldawgs will seek to go deeper into the state tournament. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2714567' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'], Sandia</strong>: The ultimate ‘thrill-a-minute' player in the state. He's a dynamic 3-point shooter, dribbler and just about everything else when it comes to basketball. Second leading scorer for the Matadors, who nearly toppled Volcano Vista in the 5A state championship game. Brown averaged 14.3 points, 4.6 rebounds (impressive, considering he's 5-foot-9) and 4.5 assists per game. He made 92 3-pointers in 2024-25, an average of about three per game. Just a freshman, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2694526' first='Hunter' last='Butler'], La Cueva</strong>: The 6-foot-4 Butler was the leader of a La Cueva (19-11) team that exceeded expectations following the loss of several major contributors&nbsp; from 2023-24. Butler led the Bears in scoring (15.1 points per game) and rebounding (6.3 rpg) in 2024-25. With most of La Cueva's major contributors returning in 2025-26, the future looks bright for the Bears.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaedyn Hernanadez, Alamogordo</strong>: Hernandez, just a freshman, was often the Tigers' top scorer in games in 2024-25, usually putting up between 10 and 15 points per game. He was rewarded by being named First-Team All-District in 5A-3. Because Alamogordo finished below .500 and didn't make the state tournament, we didn't hear much about the Tigers this season. That could change next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2432180' first='Daylen' last='Holt'], West Mesa</strong>: Just a freshman, Holt is one of the top young players in the Albuquerque Metro Region. He followed up a strong summer in 2024 with a solid campaign for the Mustangs, regularly scoring in double digits. He'll make plenty of noise next season. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2694458' first='Bryce' last='Johnson'], Manzano</strong>: The Monarchs are rebuilding and Johnson is leading the charge. He averaged 13.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game with seven double-doubles in 2024-25. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2706557' first='Noah' last='Lovato'], Rio Rancho</strong>: The 6-foot-4 Lovato was Rio Rancho's leading scorer as a sophomore in 2024-25, averaging &nbsp;11.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in just over 17 minutes per game. Presuming his minutes increase in 2025-26, Lovato's numbers should rise accordingly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2111977' first='David' last='Lunn'], Volcano Vista</strong>: Presuming he stays at Volcano Vista (I'm sure he'll be approached by some of these elite academies), Lunn will be the favorite to earn state Player of the Year honors in 2025-26. In his first two seasons with the Volcano Vista varsity, Lunn owns two state championship trophies and a gaudy 58-3 record. Lunn has speed, power and a fearless playing style. He led the Hawks with 19 points in Saturday's 5A championship game, playing nearly 34 minutes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2026077' first='Elijah' last='Martinez'], Cibola</strong>: Only a sophomore, Martinez led Cibola to one of its best seasons in years by averaging 23.5 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He was named First-Team All-District and was the district's second leading scorer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2832983' first='Brycen' last='Bowie'], Cleveland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2085694' first='Drew' last='Bramlett'], La Cueva &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2834006' first='Hector' last='Gallegos'], Mayfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1717217' first='Sataurus' last='Griego'], Farmington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2714580' first='Gad' last='Harris'], Sandia &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1276352' first='Mason' last='Howell'], Sandia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2827470' first='Emmitt' last='McDaniel'], Organ Mountain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2827447' first='Johnny' last='Molina'], Clovis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rashuad Morris, Atrisco Heritage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2827330' first='Ethan' last='Oetzel'], Albuquerque High</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deon Session, Atrisco Heritage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our Cleveland Storm junior, [player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht'], had a record breaking performance with 47 points and broke the school record! Plus, we got the dub, 84-75! <a href="https://twitter.com/coachzcole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachzcole</a> ⚡️🏀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StormBasketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StormBasketball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EarnIt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EarnIt</a> <a href="https://t.co/X2ulvpd6Yc">pic.twitter.com/X2ulvpd6Yc</a></p>&mdash; Cleveland Storm Basketball⚡️ (@cleveland_bball) <a href="https://twitter.com/cleveland_bball/status/1881189047978307780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore Season ✅ AAU Season Loading… <a href="https://twitter.com/AbcSpotlightNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AbcSpotlightNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a> ✝️ <a href="https://twitter.com/HoopsInTheQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoopsInTheQ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_bmase?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_bmase</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops_NM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/eb_ericb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eb_ericb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SebastianNoel47?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SebastianNoel47</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/b_keys11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@b_keys11</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Keys2Succe2023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Keys2Succe2023</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJamesJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJamesJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/W6B1Lel3xt">pic.twitter.com/W6B1Lel3xt</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2026077' first='Elijah' last='Martinez'] (@ElijahMtz2027) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElijahMtz2027/status/1900734685950726276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blessed to receive all state honorable mention!<a href="https://twitter.com/SebastianNoel47?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SebastianNoel47</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamDiehl15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AdamDiehl15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ttadams11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ttadams11</a> <a href="https://t.co/mRUBWGgqlR">pic.twitter.com/mRUBWGgqlR</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2714567' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'] (@zay32brown) <a href="https://twitter.com/zay32brown/status/1901788320939622811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">dub. <a href="https://t.co/pe479hyMf5">pic.twitter.com/pe479hyMf5</a></p>&mdash; Cruces Boys' Basketball (@CrucesBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/CrucesBB/status/1876453240822518215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">26pts 7rbs 4ast and Player Of The Game vs Eldorado HS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/metrotournament?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#metrotournament</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/westmesabasketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#westmesabasketball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/freshman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#freshman</a> #2028 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/playerofthegame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#playerofthegame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RussellGurule?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RussellGurule</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops_NM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/D1NewMexico?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@D1NewMexico</a> <a href="https://t.co/uhCbTxF2aC">pic.twitter.com/uhCbTxF2aC</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2432180' first='Daylen' last='Holt'] (@DaylenHolt1) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaylenHolt1/status/1877234961129869649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->