Which Class AAA Players Could Breakout in 2025-26?

<!-- 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>Every season, new stars emerge and reshape the landscape of South Carolina high school basketball. This year's Class AAA group is full of players ready to break out as they step into bigger roles, sharpen their skills, and put their schools in the mix for a state championship. Here are six players who could do just that this season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2559202' first='Joel' last='Hodo'] (Waccamaw) - The first Class AAA player who could break out this season is [player_tooltip player_id='2559202' first='Joel' last='Hodo']. I only got to see Hodo in person during the AAU Season, but it happened to come in the middle of his best weekend of the Summer. Despite not being overly flashy in any physical category, Joel gets the job done by frequently getting paint touches where he can finish or score. Hodo was efficient in short stints as a Sophomore, but I think he takes a big step in 2025-26. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3042143' first='Samuel' last='Ross'] (Pendleton) - Ross followed up his team-leading 11.8 Points Per Game last Winter with a nice Summer on the AAU Circuit. The lefty Guard has one of the more well-rounded games in the Upper State of Class AAA, but didn't necessarily reflect that in the box score last year. Going into his Junior Year ,where he has improved physically and mentally, Samuel could break out as a potential College Prospect with an uptick in numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2314648' first='Zyshawn' last='Jamison'] (Swansea) - Zyshawn was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for Swansea. He averaged 15.4 Points Per Game despite the team going winless in 20 games. Other than a few intriguing players who got minutes as Freshmen and Sophomores last season, it's mostly a clean house for the Tigers, who don't return anyone who scored more than 4 PPG in 2024-25 other than Jamison. He is a tough shot-maker and will be called on for just that against some of the best Class AAA has to offer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2491608' first='Llogen' last='Rivers'] (Oceanside Collegiate) - The Landsharks desparately need one of their younger players to step up and provide some offense early in the season. There aren't many teams in Class AAA that lost more through graduation or transfer than Oceanside Collegiate, and Llogen is one of the guys I think can step into that large void. Rivers saw the floor in almost every game last year, but now he'll get more touches and opportunities to showcase his playmaking ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Philip Deveaux</strong> (Crescent) - Another Region 3 Guard who could break out this year is Deveaux. He had a big Freshman Season in 2024-25, averaging 12.6 Points Per Game, 4.1 Assists Per Game, and 2.4 Steals Per Game. However, with the Tigers' leading and third-leading scorer from last year graduating, there is major room for progression for Philip as a scorer. If he can boost his scoring while remaining efficient and productive across the stat sheet, Deveaux could be a dark-horse All-State performer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2881251' first='O'Bryan' last='Clark'] (Loris) - Rounding out the list of players who could breakout this season is [player_tooltip player_id='2881251' first='O'Bryan' last='Clark']. There are few teams with as much returning experience and production as Loris, but don't forget about this Freshman when naming the reasons why the Lions could be the last team standing in Class AAA. Clark will be one of the best three-point shooters on the roster, and that is necessary in this division that features so many athletes and strong team defenses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->