2025-26 Season Preview: Freshmen to Watch

The class of 2029 is loaded with talent from up and down the state. So it should be of no surprise that many of them are expected to contribute early. Here are a few to keep track of:    Davis is a feisty guard who played DB for the Hawks football team this Fall. A real competitor, he's always on attack mode, whether he's jumping passes on defense or creating shots. And his jumper is good pulling up and spotting up. Even though he's coming off football season, expect Davis to make an immediate impact, one way or another.     With no shortage of perimeter players on the Hornets roster, someone has to do the dirty work inside; and Littlejohn is more than up to the task. The combo forward is effective passing out of the high/low post, as well as scoring from those spots. His biggest contributions will come from his willingness to guard and rebound against taller and stronger forwards. So Littlejohn may not be in a featured role yet, but his role will be pivotal to the team's success.     After scoring +100 points on varsity as an 8th grader, Parsons is ahead of the curve as a freshman. His special skill is his ability to play and/or without the ball: and he might be better without it. As a starter or sixth man, Parsons can space the floor from the corner or run off of screens for movement threes. And when the Hornets need him to handle the rock, he can get into the paint and draw fouls.     Sosa will likely be the first guard off the bench for Sallies but he is sure to bring a spark. With his eyes on the rim, he can knock down jumpers or get into the teeth of the defense. However, the greatest value Sosa can add won't show up on the box score. He can pressure other guards on defense and, in lineups with Wright, he can be another ball-handler who tilts the defense for their shooters and gets the ball to their bigs inside.     Wilburn will have to orchestrate a Ducks team that's still finding its rhythm, but he has all the tools he needs. First and foremost, he has the hands on defense to create extra possessions. His vision as a passer allows him to throw teammates open while he stands still or throw live-dribble passes that hit teammates in their shot-pockets. And when defenders play off him or go under a screen, the lefty can drill the three.     [player_tooltip player_id='2767455' first='Khaleef' last='Wilson'] | 6'0 G 2029 Archmere On a squad that is capable of deliberately generating shots within the flow of the offense and playing sound defense schematically, Wilson provides the curve ball they need. His ability to pressure the rim and a driver, cutter, or lob threat will open up even more three-point opportunities for others. And when his teammates force long passes or missed shots, he can pluck the ball out of the air and take it coast-to-coast. If Wilson can handle the responsibility, he and the team will flourish this season.

The class of 2029 is loaded with talent from up and down the state. So it should be of no surprise that many of them are expected to contribute early. Here are a few to keep track of: