2025 Breakout Candidates

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295791' first='Kaelyse' last='Mitchell'] (2025) of Evansville's Francis Joseph Reitz High School.   As I have done the last several years, I will be posting several season preview articles in October & November. However, at this time, I wanted to give an early look at a handful of 2025 prospects who I feel could step up and stand out during the 2024-2025 season. This isn't everyone, obviously, but based on their play this Summer, or their opportunity this upcoming Winter...or a combination of both...they stood out to me as solid candidates to really expand on what they did as Juniors one year ago.   .    Playing for a talented and deep program, Nevaeh finally saw a great deal of action as a Junior, averaging 10.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for the Tigers. However, as a Senior, I look for her to push towards a double-double average and to score in the teens. The University of Buffalo commit is strong, willing to be physical, plus she's athletic and skilled. She is highly effective at the offensive end in the mid-post, she can knock down a rhythm '3', and she is putting it on the floor much better. I also like her defensive versatility.     Ayla has been a Varsity regular throughout, but the graduation of three key 2024 starters offers her plenty of opportunity to make an even bigger impact this time around. Ayla has been steady, averaging 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for an Indian team who made it to the Class 4A State Finals in February. This year, however, I would expect her to be a double-figure scorer and possibly approach 10 rebounds per game as well. Her versatility at both ends of the floor is what makes her a great fit for Indiana Wesleyan University.     Kassie had a solid Spring but an even better July. Additionally, she has transferred back to Southport where she began her career. As a Sophomore for the Cardinals, she averaged 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, but last season at Decatur Central, the strong and physical wing scored it at a 9.3 point-per-game clip. She plays with a nonstop motor and a lot of emotion, and she can affect the game in many ways. She rebounds and defends with aggression, she's a strong attacker offensively, plus she can knock down an open jumper.     Since seeing Kaelyse for the first time between her 7th & 8th Grade years, she has consistently improved bit by bit each year. She has become more comfortable in her frame, she has gotten stronger, and she continues to add skill to her play. She is a size mismatch nearly every time out, so simply keeping the ball high and finishing through contact is key for her. After a Junior year that saw her average 8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, I look for her to approach a double-double as a Senior, especially if she can stay on the floor longer.     Emma transferred into Morristown early into the 2023-2024 season, and she made an instant impact for the Yellow Jackets, averaging 8.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. She is a solid all-around athlete, she has nice length, wiry strength, and she plays with a motor. Now that she's comfortable within Morristown's system, I would expect for her averages to rise as a Senior. She also shoots it consistently from the perimeter, so look for her to also be a pick-and-pop threat. Over the Summer she committed to Marian University Ancilla.     Chloe is an under-the-radar prospect who is just starting to come to the forefront. She has played each of the last two seasons for Cascade, averaging 9.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game as a Junior, but her Senior year she could really step that up. She has now seen several quality players graduate in 2023 & 2024, and she could nearly double her scoring. She has nice length, bounce, plus some speed & quickness. She can play a little on the ball, knock down open perimeter jumpers, and attack the basket for scores.

The featured image is of Kaelyse Mitchell Kaelyse Mitchell 6'5" | C Evansville F.J. Reitz | 2025 State IN (2025) of Evansville's Francis Joseph Reitz High School.