Three Sophomores are Sure to Rise in Rankings ASAP

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PICTURED: [player_tooltip player_id='2479968' first='Daxton' last='Evans']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will refresh the Class of 2028 rankings July 21st and a quick scan of the current rankings reveals three players certain to rise. Read about the why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2479968' first='Daxton' last='Evans'] - Cleveland High</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2479968' first='Daxton' last='Evans']</strong> earned @PrepHoopsTN Combine All-Star mid-June with another wonderful showing. Daxton is built differently than his older brother Maguire Evans, who signed with Tennessee Tech University. Daxton is built more like The Incredible Hulk. Strong, strong guy. Surprisingly, Daxton displayed some wonderful speed at the combine. His agility is not an afterthought despite his powerful build.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powerful legs. Daxton is a handful around the rim because he leaps high and finishes high. Very strong shoulders. Surprisingly, Daxton posted a blazing sprint speed (3.06 seconds). Older brother Maguire Evans featured on his school's 4×400 this past spring before graduating. Unafraid of contact. Daxton is starting to look more like a football player than a hooper as he bulks up his physique. Daxton plays linebacker for Cleveland HS. - PrepHoopsTN Combine evaluation (6/22/25)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson'] - Bearden High</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Daxton, [player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson'] earned PrepHoopsTN Combine All-Star last month. Porter projects as a Jeff Hornacek-type guard. Elite shooter. Good height. Needs to improve his slashing and handle in tight spaces. Dickson climbs from Watch List to a Top 75 guy in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dickson started for Bearden some at the BCAT Hoopfest. The Bulldogs will be slightly better than last season with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2358333' first='Justin' last='Nordin']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2850737' first='Theo' last='Mills']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1477322' first='Sean' last='Capshaw']</strong> leading the way. Dickson will be able to be a shoot-first guard with the way the team is constructed. Between Nordin and Capshaw they have plenty of ball-handlers. Dickson will be helpful just spotting up and hitting off of the catch. Thankfully, this is his number one skill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2570431' first='Jake' last='Neal'] - Baylor School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2570431' first='Jake' last='Neal']</strong> was in the 2028 rankings, but much, much too low. Neal grew a few inches and, at BCAT Hoopfest, revealed an advanced level of skill and composure for Baylor School. Baylor School was missing some players, specifically Mantas "The Red Mamba" Paldauskas. Mantas shared with @PrepHoopsTN that he is back in Europe visiting his family for the summer and will return to school/campus soon. Remember [player_tooltip player_id='2560261' first='Mantas' last='Paldauskas'] lives at Baylor School on another continent from his home most of the year, so the break is surely warranted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What does Jake do well? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elite handles. Sees the floor wonderfully. Makes smart plays consistently. Neal is quicker than expected and looks to be investing in the weight room already. Neal can thrive as a pass-first point guard for the remainder of his high school career. Expect him to challenge for All-District this upcoming season and then attract college attention in 2026-2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->