2024 Updated New England Rankings: The X-Factors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the recent update of the Class of 2024 New England basketball rankings, it's time to explore the players that are the biggest x-factors on the list. What does this mean, you ask? Well, it's a combination of a few things but the main component to being an x-factor is versatility. Who are the most versatile players in the class? Let's find out:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://prephoops.com/new-england/rankings/2024-rankings/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prephoops.com/new-england/rankings/2024-rankings/">Click here for the updated 2024 New England rankings.</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632dd20f93360","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1586504"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494f2b9157f4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>deJongh is a 6'2" point guard that does a lot of great things on the basketball court. Here are those things. First, he's great in transition. Once he's accelerating in the open court, he's nearly unguardable and can't be stopped. He starts and stops on a dime, and he's got excellent twitch. Secondly, deJongh has a great feel for the game - he knows when to go fast and he knows when to slow it down. His passing also shines through thanks to his feel for the game. He makes the right reads and is not prone to turnovers whatsoever. On the other end, he's an active on-ball defender. He brings a ton of energy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632dd35b93361","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1332824"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494f2b915816"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ostad is a the pitch-perfect interpretation of a modern day combo guard. He's an excellent shooter, and this ability allows him to score in a variety of ways. He's great at coming off screens and squaring his body towards the basket. Furthermore, the mechanics are all there as well - the shot looks great. He's also flashed an ability to create his own shot and score off-the-dribble. Outside of shooting, Ostad is a crafty finisher and he finds ways to get to the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632dd42393362","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1489272"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494f2b91582e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colon is a long, athletic 6'5" wing that's capable of scoring in bunches. He's an excellent scorer and finds ways to put the ball in the basket. He's also a very solid defender thanks to the length and athleticism he brings to the table. I'm excited to watch more of Colon as the season goes on because he's a player that's only scratched the surface. He's going to make a lot of noise this upcoming season with Bradford Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632dd59993363","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221112"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494f2b915844"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nyakundi is a big man that offers extreme versatility and two-way player to any program that he plays on. He's also fairly athletic for his size, as he's mobile and can run the floor well. He's got an elite scoring game - he can score inside with footwork and soft touch, and outside with a good-looking 3-point shot. Rebounding is arguably Nyakundi's best skill, as he's an absolute beast on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632dd73793364","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204660"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494f2b915859"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a lengthy, athletic combo guard that's a pure scorer. He's an expert shooter and he moves well without the basketball. He's also got an amazing handle that's super crafty, and his creativity allows Jones to get inside and slash to the basket. He's a great vertical leaper as he gets great elevation off one foot. Jones is a player that's going to have a spectacular year at Rivers, and he's the team's x-factor for success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632dd89893365","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1489309"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494f2b91586c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lindsey is a quick, shifty guard that is an excellent passer and scorer. He's great at finding open teammates off-the-dribble. He makes a lot of high-level reads that are very impressive to watch. Scoring-wise, Lindsey scores at all three levels. He's an excellent finisher and driver, and the ball-handling ability allows Lindsey to create space and get to his spots on the court. As the point guard for a very impressive Rivers team, Lindsey is going to be tasked with being the team's facilitator and sometimes primary scorer. All signs point to him filling that role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->