Class of 2025 Spring Frontline Standouts
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The featured image is of Jaylah Lampley Jaylah Lampley 6'2" | SF Lawrence Central | 2025 State IN (2025) of Lawrence Central High School and Nike Lady Gym Rats EYBL 17U (in red). As crazy as it might sound, we…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Jaylah Lampley Jaylah Lampley 6'2" | SF Lawrence Central | 2025 State IN (2025) of Lawrence Central High School and Nike Lady Gym Rats EYBL 17U (in red).
As crazy as it might sound, we are already a month and a half into the 2024 grassroots season, with the first “live” period already having come and gone. As April wraps up, I wanted to highlight seven forwards and posts in the Class of 2025 who have really stood out to me thus far during the Spring tournaments I have been able to attend. This isn’t everyone who has played well, but I seem to take notes on each of the below prospects every time I see them in action.
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I really enjoy watching Jaylah play, as she can do so many different things at all three levels. Her ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter has improved so much over the past year, plus she has nice size, strength, and athleticism. You really have to choose what part of her game you are going to concentrate on taking away. When she isn’t hitting shots or driving the ball to the rim, she can take smaller defenders to the block and score inside, plus she’s a highly effective rebounder. When I’ve seen her this Spring, she looks like she is focused on making the most of her final grassroots season.
I made note of Maya a couple of weeks ago and how much stronger and more confident she was playing. She has always had height as an advantage on her peers, and she has such nice touch and a quick release, that she can score from the perimeter against most shorter defenders. But now with her being more aggressive to the basket, it’s really helping her to find more space outside, plus it’s getting her to the free throw line more often where she can comfortably get two points each time. As she continues to get stronger, she adds more to her game, so I’m excited to see her at Indiana University.
Morgan is one of those kids who absolutely looks the part. She is strong, athletic, and she can get out and run in transition. In the halfcourt, she is great in the mid-post, where she can knock down the 15-footer or attack the basket off the bounce and finish through contact. I feel like when she’s dialed in fully, she could get 15 points and 10 rebounds just about any time she wants. Defensively, she has quickness and uses her physicality well. She can step out and defend wings, but she’s also strong enough to battle “bigs” in the paint. I really like her versatility and physical talent.
Kira has had moments this Spring where she has done some things other girls just can’t do. Her ability to put it on the floor, make dribble-moves, and create offense for herself or teammates is tough to match up with at her size. Additionally, she can dominate in the mid-post or on the block, and she is a highly effective defensive player who blocks/alters a ton of shots. At her peak, she is one of the most talented forwards in this class in the country, and she has flashed that quite a bit recently. I am really curious to see how she applies that at Purdue in 18 months, where she has verbally committed.
I’ve said it a couple of times before but it’s worth repeating…I can remember when Madison was a Freshman and was about a 5-8, slender wing, who would float around at times hunting jump-shots. Now, as a Junior, she is a strong, somewhat physical, high-motor forward who is every bit of 6-feet tall. She still possesses that touch around the perimeter, she’s great in the mid-post, and she can take smaller defenders to the block as well. Her combination of skill, strength, and physicality make her a matchup problem. I can see her drawing a great deal of varying college interest.
Highlights
I really like Jamaya’s potential, and I think some school is going to get quite the steal in her. She is a broad-shouldered, powerful, physical, and aggressive true post. She has some length, soft hands, and she creates space and can finish with either hand around the rim. I think she plays much harder than anyone realizes, and she tends to find gaps and slip in behind defenders for easy scores. Defensively, she likes to establish position and use her strength to root out her opponents. For the next level, she will need to come out on the floor more to defend ball screens, but I think she will adapt quickly.
Highlights
Taylor has done a really nice job of putting herself “on the map” in the last calendar year. She has good length, a wiry-strong frame, and she’s a solid all-around athlete in most directions. She began her career as a nice mid-post forward who could really stick the 15-foot jumper. She has since extended her range to beyond the 3-point line, and she has become quite the threat outside. If she can continue to diversify her game and make her handle more dynamic, I think she could be a really nice “get” at the next level because of her ability to score it at all three levels. She does have Division-I offers/interest.