Class A Players to Watch: Five from 2025

A talented pool of freshman experienced their first year of high school basketball and will be looking to build their minutes along with their skillset. We are diving into five players from the 2025 class that earned minutes last year but have a chance to shine in the 2022-2023 season. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="315778" first="Neleigh" last="Gessert"] | Millard West | PF/C | 6’0" Gessert had a solid freshman campaign averaging 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. She has the size and length to create matchup issues down low, however her ability to shoot from the outside and put the ball on the floor to get to the hoop makes her extremely versatile. Gessert was a key component IN the Wildcats winning seven in a row before their district loss that ended their season. Gessert should have a big sophomore year. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/neleigh-gessert/zChhXYucOUaVkVR9a2958Q/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/neleigh-gessert/zChhXYucOUaVkVR9a2958Q/default.htm</a> &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="305778" first="Avril" last="Smith"] | Millard North | PF/C | 5’11" Smith may have some of the best post footwork in the metro. As a freshman, she averaged 7.0 points,  7.0 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game. Smith does a great job establishing position in the post and create angles for easy passing lanes. Her understanding of those angles helps her on the defensive side as she plays those passes very well with active hands. Smith is so smooth in the post and as she develops her ability to create her own shot, she could be a top player in the metro for the next few years. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/avril-smith/NNrH9Vq_kk-eotS2SGcGYA/girls-basketball/stats.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/avril-smith/NNrH9Vq_kk-eotS2SGcGYA/girls-basketball/stats.htm</a> &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="316454" first="Mya" last="Montoya"] | Lincoln Northeast | SG/PG | 5’5" The Knights got quality minutes from Montoya on a nightly basis. Montoya averaged 9.0 points and 1.8 steals per game in limited action. She has a high basketball IQ and plays with confidence on both sides of the ball. She is a threat from deep but does not shy away from getting to in the lane to create a shot or grab a rebound, averaging 2.8 per game. Montoya could be a breakout player for the Knights as her role increases and the ball gets in her hands. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/mya-montoya/WMZr90ugEeyA2wJt_kT-Ug/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/mya-montoya/WMZr90ugEeyA2wJt_kT-Ug/default.htm</a> &nbsp; Kimora Jenkins | Omaha Westside | PG/SG | 5’5" If you are looking for the best all around player on the list, Jenkins is it. Jenkins has the ability to affect every aspect of the game, averaging 5.1 points, 1.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game as a freshman. She is athletically gifted and can easily to get any spot on the floor. As Jenkins shot selection and mechanics develop, she could quickly become a hot prospect in the metro. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/kimora-jenkins/c6-duBroEeyAz5TgcHt2rg/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/kimora-jenkins/c6-duBroEeyAz5TgcHt2rg/default.htm</a> &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="276517" first="Rylee" last="McLucas"] | Bellevue East | PF/C | 6’0" Just like Gessert, Mclucas is very versatile. Her size, length and athleticism will give defenders fits. With limited minutes, Mclucas averages 2.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per game but brought a lot of energy off the bench. She has the size to play down low but has above average dribbling ability and can play off the wing, drawing the opponents bigs out of the lane. With Egan and Jensen graduating, expect Mclucas to have a strong sophomore year for the Chieftains. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/rylee-mclucas/f2jNWUc-EeyA2wJt_kT-Ug/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/rylee-mclucas/f2jNWUc-EeyA2wJt_kT-Ug/default.htm</a>