Who are the best freshmen this year in the state? Name player, school and region?

2 minutes ago, Wildcat1993 said:

Who are the best freshmen this year in the state? Name player, school and region?

Taylen Kinney 9th Region Newport High School. Also, James Turner 9th region Newport High School. Both have quite a few D1 offers. Kinney has one from Texas A&M.

Jayden Johnson, Louisville Trinity, 7th Region.  Started some for Male last year as an 8th grader.  

30 minutes ago, Nkybballfan23 said:

Taylen Kinney 9th Region Newport High School. Also, James Turner 9th region Newport High School. Both have quite a few D1 offers. Kinney has one from Texas A&M.

Got to be an amazing player to have Buzz Williams and Tex A&M offering you already. Hopefully they come down here to the Lexington area this year would love to see him play.

Edited November 15, 20223 yr by theguru

15 minutes ago, Smallhoops said:

Jayden Johnson, Louisville Trinity, 7th Region.  Started some for Male last year as an 8th grader.  

Looking forward to seeing how that move to Trinity works out for him. Male didn’t use him like they should have imo last year. With the loss of Kaleb, and Dez Jayden easily could’ve been the go to player at Male this year. That Trinity squad is loaded.

Edited November 15, 20223 yr by theguru

Amari Owens. I believe he’s playing for Sayre High school 11th Region this year. This kid game is fun to watch. Scores on all levels and a big time playmaker at the PG. Not the biggest guard but super crafty around the rim with Floaters and layups. Crunch time you’ll love to see him with the ball in his hands doesn’t shy away from the moment at all. 

JaVonte Yangoua at Williamstown is a really nice player. He's playing behind some talented upperclassmen, but should have opportunities to carve out a role as a playmaker this season. 

Johnson is the highest ranked and the best on a national scale. I know In NKY there’s some studs coming up, Newport has the two mentioned above.Kinney is super advanced for his age, his feel for the game and advanced skill already are awesome to watch. But CCH also has two that need to be mentioned in Athens Mcgillis and Donovan Bradshaw. Mcgillis game is super fun to watch, lights out catch and shoot guy. Also very quick, people tend to say he is Steph curry like in the way he runs around and has a quick trigger. Bradshaw is the younger brother of Lacey from ND, 6’4-6’5 will play the 3/4 that can defend all positions and is lanky and athletic. Not much of a skills guy but super athletic and great body, CCH should be able to develop him. Both play at the highest level on the AAU circuit for Midwest Basketball Club. Reed Shepherd, Rayvon Griffith, Gabe Cupps, many of the top Midwest players play for this program just speaks volumes of their talent.

19 hours ago, GoBucks97 said:

Johnson is the highest ranked and the best on a national scale. I know In NKY there’s some studs coming up, Newport has the two mentioned above.Kinney is super advanced for his age, his feel for the game and advanced skill already are awesome to watch. But CCH also has two that need to be mentioned in Athens Mcgillis and Donovan Bradshaw. Mcgillis game is super fun to watch, lights out catch and shoot guy. Also very quick, people tend to say he is Steph curry like in the way he runs around and has a quick trigger. Bradshaw is the younger brother of Lacey from ND, 6’4-6’5 will play the 3/4 that can defend all positions and is lanky and athletic. Not much of a skills guy but super athletic and great body, CCH should be able to develop him. Both play at the highest level on the AAU circuit for Midwest Basketball Club. Reed Shepherd, Rayvon Griffith, Gabe Cupps, many of the top Midwest players play for this program just speaks volumes of their talent.

Do you know by chance if they play any teams down here in central kentucky around the Lexington area.

Edited November 17, 20223 yr by theguru
Rule 13

30 minutes ago, Wildcat1993 said:

Do you know by chance if they play any teams down here in central kentucky around the Lexington area.

I don’t think they play any schools in Lexington.

I have never seen a kid like Jayden Johnson before. I've always heard about these guys who transcend the limitations of their age and size, but until I saw this kid running with D'Angelo Russell, David Johnson, Damion Lee and some other pro guys in the offseason, I couldn't believe it. He is tremendous in the open floor and has a killer jump shot. He defends well, can pass and is very intelligent. Alongside McClain, Vasser, Walls and Pfeiffer, it will be hard to pick against Trinity this year!  

Jeremiah Jackson for St. X will be a key contributor for St. X and I believe down the road will be a D1 prospect.

DeAaron Watkins, from Madisonville North Hopkins. 6'7 freshmen picked up his first D1 offer from Jacksonville State in the fall.  

6 hours ago, #RockNation said:

I have never seen a kid like Jayden Johnson before. I've always heard about these guys who transcend the limitations of their age and size, but until I saw this kid running with D'Angelo Russell, David Johnson, Damion Lee and some other pro guys in the offseason, I couldn't believe it. He is tremendous in the open floor and has a killer jump shot. He defends well, can pass and is very intelligent. Alongside McClain, Vasser, Walls and Pfeiffer, it will be hard to pick against Trinity this year!  

Saw him play few times last year and hit big shots for Male but got lost in the shuffle don’t know if it was because of coaching or frustration from not being involved more. Then saw him in the EYBL in Louisville and it seemed like the same and at times was playing too cool. Looking forward to seeing what he does with Trinity and an actual Coach this year. 

A lot of opinions and a lot of lists out there. Here's one:

Prep Hoops Kentucky 2026 Rankings

1 Jayden Johnson 6'5" SF Trinity
2 James Turner 6'6" SF Newport
3 Gabe Weis 6'6" PF Washington County
4 DeAaron Watkins 6'8" C Madisonville-North Hopkins
5 Taylen Kinney 5'11" PG Newport
6 Max Meagher 6'6" SF Lexington Catholic
7 Jordan Bender 6'6" PF DeSales
8 Luke Fawns 6'5" SF Montgomery County
9 DeMarcus Surratt 6'1" PG Lafayette
10 Walker Craig 6'6" SF Rockcastle County
11 Cole Edelen 5'11" CG Male
12 Bryten Close 6'6" C Taylor County High
13 Carson Fraley 6'1" PG Pulaski County
14 Jeremiah Jackson 6'3" SF St. Xavier
15 Jordan Rawlings 6'3" SG North Laurel
16 Jacob Spurlock 6'2" SG Boyd County
17 Simon King 6'4" SF Lexington Christian
18 Kendall Phillips 6'5" PF Wayne County
19 Jackson Klope 6'6" C McCracken County
20 Ethan Bell 6'3" PF St. Xavier