Top Sophomores to Watch in 2024-2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're spotlighting the exceptional sophomores from the Class of 2027 who made a big impact statewide as freshmen last year. These rising stars have showcased impressive skill and dedication, distinguishing themselves early on as players to watch. From scoring prowess to rebounding tenacity, we'll break down the best sophomore athletes across California, each ready to make an even bigger mark on the upcoming 2024-2025 season.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["658328"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671fdd23ec7dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cabrera is the definition of a versatile powerhouse: she shares the ball, scores the ball, and steals the ball with ease! This standout sophomore is set to build on an already stellar freshman year, where she averaged over 20 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals per game. With stats like these, Cabrera is a proven all-around playmaker. Her scoring threat is especially evident from deep, where she sank 84 three-pointers in just 28 games last season. Whether it's off the pass, off the dribble, or even with a defender's hand in her face, Cabrera is locked and loaded from beyond the arc. Her confidence and precision make her a player to watch from anywhere around the key this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["843761"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671fdd23ec86c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What catches the attention of opponents, coaches, fans, and college scouts alike? Try an astonishing 38.7 points per game—put up by none other than <em>freshman</em> sensation [player_tooltip player_id='843761' first='Jaylene' last='Hughes']. Last season, Hughes scored over 40 points in multiple games, amassing nearly a thousand points in just one year. This 5'7" guard brings relentless scoring versatility to the court: she can shoot from beyond the arc, slice into the lane, and finish against taller defenders. Lightning-quick with the ball, she's comfortable pulling up from anywhere, keeping her eyes locked on the basket from coast to coast. An undeniable scoring threat, Hughes is poised to push her average even higher this season as a sophomore. Opponents, take note—she's locked in and ready to dominate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896586"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671fdd23ec8d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='896586' first='Katie' last='Golden'] lives up to her name as a standout freshman sensation, putting up a solid 24 points per game last season and earning a high state ranking heading into her sophomore year. Known for her relentless scoring, Golden brings more than just offense to the court—she's a formidable defensive force, averaging nearly 5 steals per game. With impressive range and speed, she leads her team with a maturity beyond her years, setting up another promising season. Players like Golden make the game thrilling to watch, as they bring a complete skill set and a drive that's only just beginning to shine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896596"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671fdd23ec93a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rice, standing tall at 5'10", is the commanding presence every team dreams of having down low. As the tallest player on our list, she wasted no time making a mark in her freshman year, regularly putting up double-doubles with impressive ease. Out of 28 games last season, she posted 7 double-doubles, notching a 19.3 points-per-game average that speaks to her consistency and determination. Her rebounding skills are strategic—using her frame to anticipate the ball's trajectory off the board and leveraging her athleticism to tip and secure rebounds over her competition. Agile and smart in the paint, she fights for every board, showcasing the grit and hard work that make her double-doubles anything but accidental. Rice is a force to watch, as her relentless drive is bound to bring even more standout performances this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Audrey Baker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rancho Dominguez (Long Beach, CA)","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671fdd23eca53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baker may stand at 5'7", but she's proven that size is no barrier to dominating on the boards. As a freshman last season, she defied expectations by averaging an impressive 11.1 rebounds and 22 points per game, battling fearlessly against taller upperclassmen and coming out on top. Her knack for positioning herself to control the boards and score with ease makes her a formidable force under the basket. With a year of varsity experience under her belt, her team eagerly anticipates her returning with even more confidence to elevate her game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->