Updated Rankings - 2025 Centers

So sorry for the delay in getting this article done. With me starting a new job and some personal computer troubles it seems like every day something new gets in the way. But there was no way I wasn't going to get this cranked out to sprinkle a little love on the Bigs. Centers are the rarest form of player. The world just isn't making enough of them and Volleyball is stealing more than is acceptable to a Basketball Junkie, like myself. So getting a couple into your College Basketball program is important.   Here are a few players worth signing from the class of 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='257276' first='Angelina' last='Pelayo']   Pelayo has been a major mover in our rankings recently. Some of that can be attributed to increased playing time due to several other Interiors no longer being on her High School Tam Roster. Bu it isn't just that. She has trimmed up and appears to be taller than she was when last checked. She is more agile, more assertive, has better touch around the rim and her footwork is more precise. The work she has been putting in on her game is apparent and leads you to believe there are big things to come.   In the past I thought she was going to be a load that just needed to embrace banging a little more to be a greater asset. I thought she was going to be more of a Bull with a good set of skills to go with it. Now I believe Pelayo is going to be more of a do it all type of Center. A versatile player that can handle every facet of the game in the paint. Both finesse and power. If she did not continue to get any better than she is right now she would still be a major prospect, but I am certain that she is going to keep improving. She is in the right scenario for her training and development. It is possible she could continue to rise in our Rankings next season, and if I were a betting man I would bet on it.   [player_tooltip player_id='167139' first='Ramiya' last='White']   White is about to enter her Junior Season playing for her 4th Head Coach in as many years. And while I believe that each of those Coaches is excellent at their jobs this kind of turnover has to be hurting her development. But every negative has a positive to it and with this player the positive could come to the Coaching Staff that can secure her services on the Next [player_tooltip player_id='886739' first='Level' last='']. She may slide down a bit into a range where a few schools that thought they couldn't get her can step up and have a chance to sign a higher-caliber player than they might normally.. But if that is going to happen I probably need to stop saying things like that or the big dogs will stay interested. Sorry Coach. And you're welcome Other Coach.   White has also trimmed down a over the course of the last year. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised to see this so much. She is an athlete and almost everybody put on some weight during COVID. But this is definitely something I have to say, so that Coaches will know she is putting in the work. With the right skills training and the professional fitness instruction on the next-[player_tooltip player_id='886739' first='Level' last=''] I have no doubt that White can become a game changing type of player. Especially as a Shot Blocker. Her timing needs a little work and she doesn't get everything she has out of her impressive reach, but that can be taught.   [player_tooltip player_id='167137' first='Sarah' last='Baker']   The mid-range jump-shot that Baker has developed over the course of the last season has become a great asset in her arsenal. In the past she was more of a hustle payer that did the dirty work around the rim. She is still a banger in the paint. Not shy about putting a shoulder or her body into an opponent to win the fight for positioning. She wears other teams Bigs like a backpack multiple times per game. But the ability to step away a make her defender follow her or give up the jumper is greatly increasing her prospects for playing in College. I am eager to see what she will be able to do next year that she wasn't doing this past season.   Baker is the kind of player that could play the 4 or the 5 in most offenses. She is a dogged defender, tough on the glass and appears to have the stamina of a marathon runner. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that she runs them nor or takes up the sport after her basketball career is over. She is the kind of player every Coach loves to have on their team. The hustle, heart, and effort alone make her impossible to put on the bench. I don't think I have ever seen her out of a game unless she had foul trouble or the game was decided. I cannot recommend her tenacity to you enough Coach.   [player_tooltip player_id='398022' first='Julia' last='Hunt']   When I wrote the opening paragraph of this article I had forgotten that Hunt was waiting below in my outline to be discussed. So it may seem I was talking about her when I wrote the lead but I wasn't. Although she is a perfect example of an excellent player being stolen away from Basketball by the evils of Volleyball. I kid (do you Julia, by all means), but it is true that she has already laid claim to a Volleyball scholarship on the far side of the world. I don't know Coach, but if I were you I think I would have to consider taking her captive until you can deprogram the Volleyball out of her and get her mind focused the right way, on Basketball. I know, you have to let people follow their own path, but shouldn't we steer youth in the right direction? SIGH!!!   Hunt must be amazing in Volleyball, because she is a quite excellent at playing basketball. I almost don't want to tell you Coach because I feel like it would be cruel of me to parade this kind of a talent in your face knowing you can't have her. But, I guess, I do talk about other players someone else has signed too, and maybe you can be the one that keeps her HOME in Basketball. She has the ability to dominate the game on both ends of the court. Blocking shots, rebounding, making short jumpers and well-developed post moves. It is a thing of beauty to behold. Maybe you can see her play against somebody else you ae recruiting.   [player_tooltip player_id='231464' first='Jasmine' last='Jordan']   I want to say that Jordan just signed somewhere a bout a week ago, but maybe it was just an offer. Either way, you only need to see her move to know she is a College Prospect, you don't need to see her touch the ball at all. Her stride is so smooth and efficient that it give the illusion that she is a bit slow. I can assure you that is not the case, as she tends to fly past defenders like they are wearing shoes made of cement. One of her best assets on Offense is how she moves without the ball, running through various cuts in the offense. She often gets open enough to receive the ball on the first cut, and if her teammates are ready to pass she has excellent hands to make the catch.   Defensively, Jordan is long and has great timing and a elite dancer's body. If she had been putting in the time at Ballet the last several years instead of Basketball someone that works for a different type of company would be writing about her tour jete or arabesque right about now. Thankfully for us, she chose Basketball, and instead has been working on agile finishes around the hoop and is very adept as such. I also thought she had graduated last season and was pleased to know I get another shot to see her play before she follows whatever offer she choses.   [player_tooltip player_id='487157' first='Jeannae' last='Bolin']   I am not sure Bolin should be listed in this category. She does play the role of a Center on her High School and Travel Ball teams, but I would project her as more of a Power Forward on he next [player_tooltip player_id='886739' first='Level' last='']. Either way I am glad she is in this category so that I can tell you about her.   Bolin has a toughness to her and does not shy away from contact on either side of the court. She has good footwork and excellent timing and is a quick leaper, allowing her to wait for her opponents to jump before she does. Then she springs up towards the hoop with the ball to put in a one or two-handed shot in off the glass. I really like her game and I can see her continuing to develop her ability to put the ball on the floor. That is going to be the biggest key for her moving forward and playing on the next [player_tooltip player_id='886739' first='Level' last='']. If she can be counted on more for the short drives from the elbow and the corner that can really help her separate further from other players she is competing with for College Roster spots.   She moves fairly well off of the ball, is working on her shot with some visible progress, and is good at finding the rebounding gaps in the paint to maximize her chances of obtaining the ball. I'm not exactly where she fits in yet on the next-[player_tooltip player_id='886739' first='Level' last=''], but I am sure she fits somewhere on the next [player_tooltip player_id='886739' first='Level' last='']. Make sure you take a look at her this summer Coach.

So sorry for the delay in getting this article done. With me starting a new job and some personal computer troubles it seems like every day something new gets in the way. But there was no way I wasn't going to get this cranked out to sprinkle a little love on the Bigs. Centers are the rarest form of player. The world just isn't making enough of them and Volleyball is stealing more than is acceptable to a Basketball Junkie, like myself. So getting a couple into your College Basketball program is important.