2024 Rankings: Breaking Down the Top 10
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With the class of 2024 rankings set to be updated shortly, here’s a look at the new top 10 for the state of Wisconsin with the 2021-22 season winding down… 1. Kon II Knueppel Kon II Knueppel 6'6" |…
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Continue ReadingWith the class of 2024 rankings set to be updated shortly, here’s a look at the new top 10 for the state of Wisconsin with the 2021-22 season winding down…
1. Kon II Knueppel Kon II Knueppel 6'6" | SG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2024 State #15 Nation WI (Wisconsin Lutheran)
Knueppel is still the most complete prospect in this class. There’s really not any holes in his game. The knock on him might be athletic ability, but I’ve seen some plays where the 6-foot-5 wing is pretty sneaky in that department. Knueppel is averaging 14 points, seven rebounds, and three assists for a deep Wisconsin Lutheran team that’s currently 24-2. As good of a shooter as there is in the state, Knueppel is knocking down 54.4 percent of his shots, including 42.5 percent from 3-point range. Knueppel has an outstanding basketball IQ, doesn’t settle for bad shots, can score from anywhere on the floor, and just makes a variety of plays throughout the game that don’t involve putting the ball in the basket or ones that don’t show up in the scorebook.
2. Nick Janowski Nick Janowski 6'3" | SG Pewaukee | 2024 State #126 Nation WI (Pewaukee)
If somebody told me Janowski was the top player in this class, I don’t think I’d argue it. Probably going to let the AAU season settle this one as the team dynamics between Pewaukee and Wisconsin Lutheran are different and both Janowski and Knueppel get it done in different ways. Janowski is not only scoring and shooting the ball as well as anybody in the state this season, he’s expanding his game and doing the little things. Have seen him play with such passion and effort on the defensive end of the floor and on the glass this season. There’s also a rare ability to shoot himself out of a slump mid-game that I’ve never witnessed. Janowski can miss five in a row and all of a sudden get hot like the slump never even happened. Playing alongside a handful of college prospects, Janowski is still getting 17 points and three assists per game and shooting 53.0 percent from the floor, including 43.2 percent from deep.
3. Tayshawn Bridges Tayshawn Bridges 6'2" | CG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2024 #86 Nation GA (Milwaukee Academy of Science)
When he’s at his best, Bridges makes a strong case for the No. 1 spot as well. A strong, athletic, explosive, and exciting guard, Bridges can do some scary things that no one else in this class can. Whether or not he can be consistently great and make winning plays on the defensive end will likely determine how high he gets in these rankings. Leading the Novas to a 22-3 record, Bridges is averaging 19 points and three assists per game — numbers that are skewed because MAS has a ton of blowouts under their belt.
4. Amari McCottry Amari McCottry 6'5" | SF St. Thomas More | 2024 State #304 Nation WI (St. Thomas More)
Size, versatility, and a high motor separate McCottry in his quest for the No. 1 spot. McCottry is just going to come at you for 36 minutes and create a ton of mismatch problems with his ability to size up defenders and take them to the rim as a long, 6-foot-6 combo forward. McCottry can do a little bit of everything on the floor, posting 23 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game this season. He can also defend pretty much all five positions at this level as well.
5. Will Hornseth Will Hornseth 6'8" | PF De Pere | 2024 State #208 Nation WI (De Pere)
Hornseth rounds out the prospects that I think have No. 1 potential in 2024. Think Hornseth is really built for the next level. The 6-foot-8 forward is not only very skilled on the block, but he can step away from the rim and shoot the basketball. Hornseth also has very good hands. You can throw that ball anywhere and he’ll go get it. He’s confident in a number of post moves and shows an extremely soft touch around the rim. At 24-2, De Pere is arguably the best team in Division 1. If they win that gold ball, think Hornseth, who’s averaging 17 points and six rebounds per game while shooting 72.4 percent from the floor, is going to be the guy that pushes them over the top.
6. Jaquan Johnson Jaquan Johnson 5'10" | PG Pius XI | 2024 State WI (Pius XI)
If this kid were 6-foot, maybe even 5-foot-11, there’d be no shortage of college suitors. It’s heart and not height with Johnson, who can dominate a game at 5-foot-9. As a sophomore, Johnson averaged 23 points and four assists per game, leading Pius XI to 15 wins. A stocky, but explosive guard, Johnson finishes at the rim as well as anybody in this class despite his size. He’s also got in-the-gym range as a shooter and a point guard’s feel/vision when he gets into the paint.
7. Nacir Beamon Nacir Beamon 6'2" | SG Nicolet | 2024 State WI (Milwaukee Academy of Science)
An athletic, downhill guard with an improving jumper, Beamon has an aggressive scoring mentality. Beamon is posting 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game for a Milwaukee Academy of Science squad that could win a state title in Division 4. Beamon can fly in the open floor, but also possesses the handles and toughness to break down defenses in the halfcourt.
8. Stevie Clark Stevie Clark 6'6" | SF Oshkosh North | 2024 State #322 Nation WI (Oshkosh North)
Clark is posting big numbers as a sophomore. In the midst of a breakout season, Clark is averaging 20 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game while playing next to another Division 1 prospect. Clark has turned himself into a three-level scorer, able to play with his back to the basket on the block, create and pull-up in the mid-range, and catch and shoot from the perimeter. Also a scrappy, high motor wing, Clark battles on the glass and will stick his face right in the fan for 50-50 balls.
9. Cole Hansen Cole Hansen 6'4" | SG Legacy Early College | 2024 State SC (Wauwatosa West)
Skilled guard that knows how to score and make plays. Maybe doesn’t have ideal athleticism for the two-guard spot, but there’s a natural feel for the game that allows Hansen to thrive. Hansen is getting 13 points per game on a pretty deep Tosa West squad. A guard that creates off the bounce, Hansen is still shooting 46.5 percent from the field.
10. Jack Daugherty Jack Daugherty 6'8" | PF Brookfield Central | 2024 State #311 Nation WI (Brookfield Central)
Among the players in the top, this is the guy I might be the most wrong about. Think Daugherty still has a ways to go and work to put in, but the flashes and potential are eye-opening. Daugherty also seems to be getting better as the season wears on. Daugherty is averaging 14 points and eight assists per game for a 21-5 Brookfield Central squad. The 6-foot-8 forward is also shooting a very impressive 43.8 percent from 3-point range. If Daugherty develops some confidence in his combo forward ability, especially his willingness to pull defenders away from the rim, size them up, and go to work…watch out.
Also considered: Bennett Basich Bennett Basich 6'3" | SG Arrowhead | 2024 State WI (Arrowhead), Sekou Konneh Sekou Konneh 6'6" | SF St. Thomas More | 2024 State WI (St. Thomas More)