2024 Rankings Update: New Additions Part 2

<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1371674" first="Cooper" last="Fortune"] | Millard West</strong></p> <p>I attended two Millard West games this season, and Fortune was the Wildcats' best player in both. He's got a nose for the ball, especially on the offensive glass. His offensive efficiency fell off from the summer, but there was a lot of responsibility on Fortune's shoulders for his high school team. I would expect him to take strides after taking his lumps in that increased role.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1408009" first="Harrison" last="Long"] | Mount Michael</strong></p> <p>Long set the Mount Michael single-season 3-point make record this season, and close to half of those came from 3+ feet beyond the line. It is uncomfortable to guard a player out that far, but if the defense gets caught with their heels inside the line he will fire it and make you pay. He is not the greatest athlete, but he still manages to get dribble penetration by leveraging his shooting threat to create driving lanes.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1371671" first="Grayson" last="Bouwman"] | Fort Calhoun</strong></p> <p>Bouwman had the greenest of green lights, and he used that long leash to score 17 points per game and put up 5 threes per game, hitting 32% of them. He is comfortable spotting up or shooting off movement. He would often steal some points against a sleepy defense by pulling up in semi-transition in rhythm. As the handle improves, he will be able to take advantage of unrealized skills as a driver and pull-up shooter.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1266005" first="Kendall" last="Hinton"] | Lincoln Southeast</strong></p> <p>There are reasons to be excited about Hinton's future. He is a strong athlete with quick feet. It's easy to envision how he could become a major matchup issue because of his ability to play bully ball but also mix in finesse and quickness. He is front and center on my watch list this summer, and he could be making big leaps in these rankings over the next few cycles.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1408010" first="Ty" last="Smolinski"] | Gretna</strong></p> <p>Whatever Gretna needed off the bench in a given game, Smolinski was able to provide it. Rebounding, secondary ball-handling, ball movement, and defense were all things he brought to the table. Just like the rest of that Gretna team, Smolinski exhibited poise and calm in whatever situation he was brought into.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1371673" first="Darrell" last="Sterling"] | Omaha Benson</strong></p> <p>Sterling Jr. showed playmaking flashes throughout the year, and there was a gradual, consistent improvement in his decision-making from start to finish. He can break his man down off the dribble and has the passing touch to make the right play on time and on target.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1432550" first="Max" last="Frohloff"] | Millard West</strong></p> <p>Frohloff was an eager shooter when he got his opportunities. Instead of making the simple play, he often tried to force the issue and make something happen. The shot selection and decision-making were questionable at times. But through all of that, he showed the skills and confidence needed to be a valuable offensive player. I'm excited to see how he grows with more consistent opportunities this summer.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1432551" first="Dylan" last="Sheard"] | Omaha South</strong></p> <p>When things were going south for the Packers during a game, Sheard was often the player his coaches turned to for energy, effort, and toughness off the bench. Whether he got offensive touches or not, he made his presence known every possession with rebounding and defensive intensity. When those touches did come, he showed some nice touch around the basket.</p>