Picking up from the Standouts list are the guys who crashed through the wall like the Hulk in a Marvel movie. These young athletes caught my attention and in doing so they’ve placed themselves on the radar. These are the Breakouts.
- Ron Towns 5’11 PG Southwind HS 2025– I think he was a bit overlooked last year but that will not be the case this year. Regardless of who is there, expect production from Towns. Each year he’s gotten better, and his junior season could be his best one yet. I think 15-20 points a night is expected and, in some games, he could go for 25 or more because of his ability to hit shots, particularly the 3. I think he’s firmly put himself in the best players in 4A group.
- Justin Frison 6’0 PG Houston HS 2027- Eerily similar style of play to his brother (Jordan Frison) however the younger may have a bigger upside. Quickness to to get into the lane with ease, sees the floor well, the touch on the floater/runner, pull up from 10-15 and he makes free throws as well. Last season, he got on the job training and acclimated quickly to high school. When he did, he showed why he’s talked about as a top 5 player in 2027. Right now, I think he’s more of a scoring point but as he gets older and his game matures, I think he will become more of a playmaker but that’s not to say that he doesn’t do that now. For Houston to be what they can be, his numbers will have to increase but watching last month, I have no reason to think that they won’t. I expect a large jump for him this year in production.3.
- Keeper Jackson 6’7 WF St.George 2026 Legit wing size, natural scorer, the talent is there for him to take off this season. Question is though, for who? If that is situated at St George and it’s possible, the Gryphons get a huge boost with him in their lineup. He’s instantly their best player and for him, a new start, new situation… he could thrive. He has a soft touch from distance, really good as a mid-range shooter, he has enough in his bag to take someone off the dribble or to get by closeouts, but he can also make those contested shots. I just want to see that aggression kick up a notch as a scorer. If this happens and it’s there all game, he’s tough to stop. With a few offers up his sleeve now, Jackson’s confidence should be sky high, and we should see that transfer onto the court.4.
- CJ Mcclain 6’1 Combo Guard Kirby HS 2026– Not a huge name in 2026 but he’s one of the best scorers regardless of class in Memphis. He was really productive last year at Kirby making tough shots with high arc on his jumper. He knocks down the 3 ball and he was a physical finisher at the rim last season. He had to do everything for them to win including having to handle and be a decision maker in big moments. In June, I saw him hit stretches where he would score 10-12 points in a row, but he would also have to guard the other team’s best player right after. I can see a 5-6 uptick in points for him if he gets more assistance on the defensive end and that puts him among the top scorers in the city next season.5.
- Cam Brown 6’6 G/F Whitehaven HS 2025– Brown showcases iso scoring ability with a nice shooting stroke. Kid is also rangy with a great wingspan. He’s offensive minded and every team needs a player who can go get his own when needed. That’s what he provides for Coach Kemp. Assertiveness and confidence make Brown tough to guard because he can miss 2-3 shots in a row but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to keep attacking. He’s a willing passer though despite his ability to manufacture offense via the jumper and that will be a part of why Whitehaven could really be good next season.
