Get to Know These 2024s & 2025s: Breakdowns & Player Comps

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the spring and summer I watched a ton of players from the 2024 and 2025 classes. As they transition to their junior and sophomore seasons there are going to be a bunch of guys lighting up the courts and showing a glimpse of what is to come for Washington basketball. I've highlighted a handful of players here that each bring a unique skillset to the court and found player comps that paint a clearer picture of what these guys can do. These comparisons should help show what these players have accomplished so far as well as the potential they show for the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_636444d89c52e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1315357"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003ePlayer Compu003c/strongu003e Andre Iguodalau003c/emu003ernrnI'm taking the early Golden State version of Iguodala in this instance when he was an impact defender, a superb passer, and could still step out to hit the outside shot. For Cunningham it's nearly a perfect comparison. He's a versatile guard that can fill any number of roles. Like Iguodala, he's capable of bringing the ball down and initiating the offensive attack, he can run the fast break and make the right decisions, and he plays gritty defense with his long wingspan. There are times when Cunningham finds his rhythm on the offensive end too, putting the ball in the basket at a high rate with tough finishes inside and long jumpers sprinkled in. He has a ton of potential and could end up being a high-caliber two-way playmaker.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6364451b9c530","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":"Sam Merriman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bishop Blanchet","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"NW Coastal","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eu003cem data-rich-text-format-boundary=u0022trueu0022u003ePlayer Comp u003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003eu003cem data-rich-text-format-boundary=u0022trueu0022u003eTony Allenu003c/emu003ernrnI have had Merriman on my mind since I first saw him play in early spring. I didn't know his name and I've been keeping the image of his game locked in the back of my head waiting to figure out who this kid was. Now that I know his name, I have the perfect player to illustrate his game - Tony Allen a.k.a. the Kobe stopper. I like this comp for Merriman because he plays all-out all game. He's only 6'1 but he out-rebounds bigger players, out-hustles more talented guys, and outlasts nearly everyone he steps on the court with. He's not much of a shooter, though occasionally he gets them to fall, but Merriman is a strong finisher, a stout defender, and a kid who pushes the envelope never giving up on a play. He is not the most talented player on the court at any given time, but you always feel his presence and impact.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_636445839c531","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1450500"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003ePlayer Compu003c/strongu003e Cuttino Mobleyu003c/emu003ernrnAnother seamless fit, Harris and Mobley are a match in almost every way. Both lefty strokers, both explosive finishers at the rim, and both play a patient game with a mix of moves and fakes. Harris is a natural scorer. He has a soft stroke with a good snap of the wrist and buries shots from outside. He almost soars to the rim at times with great explosion and length. And most of all, Harris understands almost instinctually how to create space for his shots with all sorts of moves. There are quite a few talented senior guards on Kentridge so it will be interesting to see how he fits into an experienced backcourt this season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_636445999c532","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1485658"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eu003cemu003ePlayer Comp u003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003eu003cemu003eKyle Lowryu003c/emu003ernrnNorris has the look of a player that quietly does more damage than you realize. He's not the quickest, not the most athletic, and not the biggest, but he approaches the game with confidence, feel, and good awareness. He has a beautiful stroke from deep that had me searching for shooters to compare him too, but he also has a side to his game where he prods the defense and draws defenders to set up teammates with open looks. He sees the soft spots in the defense so well and attacks them anticipating defenders stepping up. Norris also looks like a stronger guard who can body up on defense. I'll be curious to see how he does this season with a lot of minutes opening up in Graham Kapowsin's backcourt.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_636461c6d83db","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1450620"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eu003cemu003ePlayer Comp u003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003eu003cemu003eLouis Grante-Hallidayu003c/emu003ernrnI was re-watching some film on Krohn when it struck me how similar his game looks to his former teammate, Grante-Halliday. Given that Krohn isn't quite as tall or thick as Grante-Halliday, they still approach the game with a similar mindset, aggressive but always open to making the right play. What made Grante-Halliday a special player was his ability to pass, hit the three, and play bully ball on smaller defenders. Krohn can do that too. He passes extremely well from both the high post and wings, he has a good jump shot that isn't lights-out but still consistent, and he's a ferocious driver. He also has a little bit of dog in him, battling inside on the glass and muscling up shots at the rim through physical defense. Krohn is a competitor and will be a key guy for Eastside Catholic this season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /-->