Summer Storylines: 2025 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hard to believe it but the 2025 class has ended their AAU careers. They've played their last games of "summer ball" ever. Some have already made their college decisions and others will soon. Here's a look at some storylines coming out of the Summer for these rising Seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Appreciate History:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't think it's hyperbole to say that Zakiyah Johnson and [player_tooltip player_id='254279' first='Leah' last='Macy'] are two of the best and most decorated players in the history of Kentucky. For most of their careers, everyone has wanted to compare the two. At the end of the day, we should all appreciate the ridiculous talent of both players. Macy is headed to Notre Dame and Johnson will choose from a list of elite schools when she commits. Regardless of how their Senior seasons go, we should all be excited about the way they have represented Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Get Well Soon:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right behind Johnson and Macy are three players who are recovering from ACL tears. [player_tooltip player_id='311967' first='Ciara' last='Byars'] should be back in plenty of time for a full Senior season. [player_tooltip player_id='403464' first='Grace' last='Mbugua'] will hopefully get some kind of Senior year after tearing her knee up in the spring. [player_tooltip player_id='254562' first='Peyton' last='Bradley'] is one of the best pure scorers in the state. Hopefully all three get the chance to get back at it soon and finish their high school careers on the court where they belong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">How Good is this Class?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top of the class is ridiculous but there are plenty of other players who would be among the best in Kentucky any other season. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='254274' first='Halle' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='254285' first='Skylar' last='Waller'] have had long and decorated careers. Other girls like [player_tooltip player_id='254281' first='Lainey' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='326295' first='Bailee' last='Duck'], [player_tooltip player_id='254278' first='Karmin' last='Riley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='254284' first='Grace' last='Bale'] have been high in these rankings for what seems like a decade now. The sheer amount of talent across Kentucky in the 2025 class is amazing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who Will Break Out?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This class is very good and very deep. While the top is outstanding, there are also several players lower down the rankings who could break out with huge Senior seasons. Some names to keep an eye on are [player_tooltip player_id='502279' first='Nataya' last='Strader'], [player_tooltip player_id='688040' first='Aubrey' last='Randolph'], [player_tooltip player_id='688045' first='Leighan' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='688044' first='Zoey' last='Beehn']. Those and many others have potential for big seasons. Miss Basketball is a 2 horse race but regional Player of the Year awards should be hotly contested this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->