2024 Rankings: Top Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The end of the high school season is the best time to throw a fresh update on class rankings and our latest 2024 update went live on Monday. In this piece we take a look at some of the top newcomers to our 2024 rankings which include some players who were in SoCal already and had big seasons and some who moved into the area and proved their worth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1127313' first='AJ' last='Swinton'], Sierra Canyon, No. 15</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swinton made a midseason transfer from Oak Hill in Mouth of Wilson (VA) to the Chatsworth-based school and made an immediate impact for the Trailblazers. The 6-foot-5 wing, who is committed to Virginia Tech, is considered a 3-star wing by some recruiting websites and it's easy to see why the VaTech coaching staff got him locked in early. Swinton is a Power Five conference athlete with his transition finishing abilities above the rim and has the physical and athletic tools to be a multi-positional defender at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1817906' first='Bryce' last='Bedgood'], Valencia, No. 21</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bedgood is going to go down as a late-bloomer special. The 6-foot-9 forward caught our eye in some club games last spring and summer but we wanted to see him put it all together when it mattered most - and he did. Bedgood helped lead Valencia to a Southern Section 4AA title and a State Division 4 title while showing off a versatile game that'll have Division 1 programs swarming the Grapevine in the next couple of months. Bedgood is a long, wiry, fluid athlete with plenty of skill to go along with his intriguing frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1817879' first='Nasir' last='Meyer'], Agoura, No. 25</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meyer is one of the best scoring guards in the region and his rise at Agoura High was both quick and meteoric as his smooth shot-making and shot-creating off the dribble turned heads and opened eyes. The wiry 6-foot-3 combo guard plays with a cool, calm and collected pace, creates space off the dribble to get an open shot and has a variety of dribble moves that keep defenders guessing on where his next step will be. Meyer will be playing his club ball with West Coast Elite this spring and summer and should get plenty of regional and west coast recognition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1852474' first='Charlie' last='Hutchison'], Mission Bay, No. 31</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hutchison was kind of a "jack-of-all-trades" guy for the Buccaneers in his sophomore season. He scored when he got his chances, always rebounded and defended, but this season he took on a much bigger role and flourished in it. The 6-foot-6 wing/forward was the main guy as Mission Bay finished with 24 wins on the season. Hutchison improved as a driver and finisher at the rim, crashed the boards and knocked down open shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1817898' first='Alier' last='Alier'], Orangewood Academy, No. 37</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alier is another versatile forward who brings a bevy of skills to the playing floor. At 6-feet-7, the junior can handle it, drive and score at the rim, make the high IQ play drive-and-kick's in the lane and is a beast of an offensive and defensive rebounder. One of the best parts of Alier's game is his motor. He plays the game with great energy on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->