Remember the Name: Freshman Ready For Stardom

Every year, a new wave of talent enters the high school basketball scene—but some freshmen already play with the poise, skill, and confidence of seasoned veterans. These rising stars have wasted no time making their presence felt, showcasing elite skill sets, maturity beyond their years, and the potential to dominate the game for seasons to come. From pure scorers to versatile playmakers and defensive anchors, these freshmen are ready for stardom. Remember their names now—you'll be hearing them for years to come.    (Cover Photo) [player_tooltip player_id='1227838' first='Victoria' last='Pippi Boyer'] only needed one play this travel ball season to show just how special she is. Her game is well beyond her age, and she already possesses a well-rounded offensive skill set. She is a pure scorer who can score at all three levels—shooting threes off the dribble or catch, pulling up from mid-range, and finishing creatively around the rim. Victoria is also what we call a “phone booth scorer,” able to create her own shot off the dribble and still get a bucket.   And she's just getting started. Combined with her athleticism and motor, she is quick on the court and can change direction with ease. As her basketball IQ continues to develop, Victoria has a legitimate case to be the top player in the state by her senior year and potentially a nationally ranked player. That said, there are other talented players in this article, making the competition for that top spot in the state intense.     [player_tooltip player_id='945413' first='Anyla' last='Parker'] is one of the most experienced freshmen in the state and could arguably be one of the most experienced in the nation. She has been on the radar for what feels like a long time. Coming into high school, Parker has already competed against some of the top players in the country on the biggest high school stage—Geico Nationals—and she wasn't just there; she competed at a high level.   This demonstrates both maturity and skill. Parker is a composed guard who can control the pace of the game, attack the rim with ease, and finish creatively with either hand or off either leg. Her mid-range shooting has improved significantly, making her a serious threat to opponents. She is likely considered a top player in her class and is definitely a leader in the PACK.     [player_tooltip player_id='400816' first='Leila' last='Bryant'] already has significant varsity experience, having led her team to Lakeland last season as the leading scorer with 18.7 PPG, totaling 412 points. She is on track to become a 2,000-point scorer in her school's history. This travel season, she competed with juniors heading into their senior year on the Power 24 and demonstrated her ability to score against some of the best players in the nation.   There is very little Leila can't do on the floor—she is a scoring machine. What is most impressive, however, is her leadership; older players naturally gravitate toward her to take over, and she never backs down from the challenge. She has a strong case to be recognized as one of the top players in the state and nation, not just in her class, once her career is complete.     [player_tooltip player_id='1229164' first='Grazia' last='Martin'] is a player who has made a name for herself this travel season. Under the big lights, she has shined brightly. Her dedication to being a two-way player is well beyond her age. Offensively, she has the footwork and skill to score from behind the arc, the midrange, or in the post—whether off the catch or the dribble. On the defensive end, she takes pride in blocking shots and shutting down her matchups. Her competitive motor consistently shows up in big games, and she thrives in clutch moments.   With her length, skill, and motor, Grazia has the tools to become one of the top players in the state and potentially nationally ranked by the end of her high school career.     Aliah Rae Newsome attended a high-major Division I Elite camp this summer, where coaches consistently praised her next-level footwork. Aliah embodies the traditional forward/post player who isn't afraid to punish opponents for four quarters. Combining strength, footwork, and skill, she is a defensive matchup nightmare. Her game extends beyond this—she rebounds effectively, pushes the ball in transition, and delivers quick outlet passes. Offensively, she can space the floor, knock down mid-range jumpers, and hit open threes. As Aliah continues to develop, gaining strength and speed, she has the potential to become one of the most dominant players in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='1197558' first='Khloe' last='Overstreet'] already has valuable varsity experience, helping lead her team to an Elite Eight appearance while averaging 11.0 PPG, shooting 42% from the field, and scoring 298 points in a season. She is on track to become a 1,500-point scorer in her school's history. As a point guard, Khloe has the potential to be one of the top three-point shooters in her class. She can light it up from behind the arc, which serves as an equalizer, but she also has the ability to put the ball on the floor, use a few combos to get to her spots, and finish off her opposite leg to disrupt defenders' timing.   Khloe plays with excellent balance and under control, often attacking off two feet. If defenders cut her off, she can still create another scoring opportunity, making her a versatile and dangerous offensive weapon.     When watching [player_tooltip player_id='1151383' first='Ruby' last='Patterson'], it doesn't take long to be impressed by both her skill and how hard she plays. What makes her stand out the most is her pure jumpshot—and it's a true jumpshot, with quick lift off the ground. In one sequence, she used a smooth pump fake and then rose up quickly into her jumper with a defender right on her, proving the old adage: “Hand down, man down.” Ruby is also lethal with her one- or two-dribble pull-up.   Adding to her arsenal is her ability to change pace around the rim, using euro steps and deceleration moves that make it difficult for defenders to predict how she will score. Ruby is definitely a player to keep an eye on as she develops into one of the top players in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='1229484' first='Kendal' last='Curtis']' game continues to grow as she consistently adds new dimensions to her skill set. Once primarily a post player, she has developed into an athletic small forward with the ability to slash to the rim and use her euro step to split defenders with quick decision-making. Her three-point shot has become increasingly consistent, making her a true three-level scoring threat.   Curtis plays just as hard on the defensive end, where her versatility allows her to guard positions 1–5. She also has excellent court vision, often finding her teammates with on-time passes, including next-level bounce passes that lead to easy buckets. As she continues to improve her athleticism and refine her shooting, it will be hard to deny [player_tooltip player_id='1229484' first='Kendal' last='Curtis'] a spot among the top players in the state

Every year, a new wave of talent enters the high school basketball scene—but some freshmen already play with the poise, skill, and confidence of seasoned veterans. These rising stars have wasted no time making their presence felt, showcasing elite skill sets, maturity beyond their years, and the potential to dominate the game for seasons to come. From pure scorers to versatile playmakers and defensive anchors, these freshmen are ready for stardom. Remember their names now—you'll be hearing them for years to come.