With private schools officially starting practice yesterday and public schools starting tryouts tomorrow, this week is a great time to start really diving into what the 2024-25 season will look like in the triangle. On Monday, I gave my reaction and thoughts on the Wake Hoops Preseason Coaches Poll and today I’m going to give a list of sophomore prospects who I believe will enjoy a breakout year. You can read part one here.

6’2” Bryson Gray (Millbrook)

Gray should see a relatively heavy role with the Wildcats as he builds upon a strong JV season and Millbrook graduates a lot of production. He’s a physical, athletic combo guard who should provide value as a defender, scorer, and playmaker at multiple positions. He was an integral part of the Millbrook JV team as a freshman, leading them to a 13-7 record. His motor, tenacity, and overall athleticism will make him an immediate impact defender while his court sense and ability to create space for himself and others will provide him with consistent production offensively. 

5’11” Gui Wilkins (Enloe)

Wilkins was dominant as a freshman on JV last season for the Eagles and, similar to Gray, should step into a relatively heavy role this year with Enloe. He’s been highly productive throughout the fall and, thanks to some transfers at his position, should be in line for more touches than previously anticipated. He’s a shifty combo guard who has a knack for creating and making shots off the dribble. He’s quick with the ball in his hands and has proven to be comfortable scoring at all three levels. Given his scoring ability and potential opportunities this season, picking Wilkins to breakout feels like a safe bet. 

6’4” Avery Hicks (Wakefield)

Hicks has developed nicely over the past 12 months and is ready to contribute for a new look Wakefield team this season. He’s a lanky, twitchy wing who’s still filling into his frame and finding his footing as an athlete. He’s shown real flashes of ball skills and I expect him to be a better self-creator at the end of the season than at the beginning. He should provide much needed defensive versatility as he’s able to guard almost every position in some capacity. As his confidence grows, expect Hicks to showcase some really intriguing stuff this season. 

6’2” Ethan Wisler (Wakefield)

Wisler, similar to his teammate Hicks, has seen a steady development path over the past year and is ready to contribute for the Wolverines as a sophomore. He’s one of the more reliable and solid players in his class, able to provide a level of consistency within his game that is seldom found in sophomores. He understands how to impact winning in a way that not many players do. He’s unselfish, can hit shots, is a sturdy defender, and plays with an active motor. He’ll be a swiss-army-knife for Wakefield this year and he and Hicks will make a fun pairing together. 

6’4” Griffin Cockerham (Cardinal Gibbons)

Of all the names on this list, Cockerham is perhaps the most prepared to contribute at a high level this season. He’s a highly physical wing/forward hybrid with real strength and functional athleticism. Outside of his physical tools, he has a good feel for the game and is an underrated passing threat. He knows how to use his athleticism to create advantages and mixes up speeds well. Thanks to his straightforward path to production and motor, I think Cockerham can be a consistent double-double threat this season.

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