“Nothing But Net” Class of 2024 Pre-Summer Top 100
by Van Coleman
The Class of 2024 which will be entering its junior season in high school this fall has been affected by the Pandemic and limited events as much as any class during the past two seasons and really broke out last fall and through this most recent high school season. But even with the ability to watch both in person and online through a number of the streaming sites it has been somewhat limited when compared to previous years. So we know that this summer as we switch our focus to them we will see a number of changes in these rankings as we get to observe more and more of the top talent and their skill and physical development. But for now, coming out of the spring evaluation period and getting ready for this coming summer here are the top talent that has emerged in the rising junior class.
In the number one spot, is long and skilled wing forward in 6’8″ Naasir Cunningham who is a gifted multi-level scorer from the arc to the rim. He can explode off the dribble to finish with highlights or stop and pop the pull-up jumper. If doubled or tripled he finds the open man and he keeps defense honest with a quickly improving stroke from around the arc. He is followed closely by explosive 6’5″ scoring guard Isaiah Elohim. He has range to the NBA arc and creates space or explodes to the rim with exceptional ball skills. He like Cunningham is a bucket-making machine when needed but he also has tools to run the break or set up the half-court game.
In at number three is an explosive and physical wing in 6’6″ Ian Jackson who attacks the rim with a vengeance and can finish with highlights at the rim. He has improved his consistency on the perimeter and is a threat to score at all three levels. In at number four is smooth 6’6 swing man Tre Johnson who can stroke it from three or attack the basket off the dribble and finish in traffic or stop and pop the mid-range jumper. He has the tools to grab it off the glass and run the break that makes him tough to handle in the transition game. Rounding out the top five heading into the summer is 6’9 strong bodied power man Derik Queen who is a load on the blocks and glass. He has the ability to hit the jumper from the elbow or pick and roll to rim and finish through contact.
But lets face it, the top five aren’t safe by any means as fast rising talents like 6’6″ wing Bryson Tucker, 6’2″ points David Castillo and Elliott Cadeau, along 6’8″ forwards Jaren Stevenson and Trentyn Flowers are all looking to crack the top five this summer. There are lots of quality talent in the next ten to fifteen to round out the top twenty-five, so as we said in intro there is going to be lots of movement this summer that is for sure!
With that in mind lets take our-pre-summer look at the Top 100 rising juniors, potential breakthroughs, and others to watch in the Class of 2024.