Junior of the Year and All-2024 Teams

All-State and all-league teams are celebrating the best players across the state. For something different, Prep Hoops decided to put together an all-2024 team, including the Junior of the Year.

Similar to the 2023 class, we ran into an incredible log jam at the shooting guard/small forward position. In order to be true to the actual positions these guys play, we were stuck with several of the top players in the state battling for two spots on the all-star team. TJ Williams TJ Williams 6'4" | SG Wichita Heights | 2024 State #154 Nation KS , Zaxton King Zaxton King 6'2" | SG Lawrence | 2024 State KS , Mason English Mason English 6'2" | SG Pittsburg | 2024 State KS , Andrell Burton Andrell Burton 6'4" | SG Campus | 2024 State KS … what do you do?

So, as you can see, the first team isn’t the five best players, but rather the best players at the five traditional positions. (We did fudge a little by calling Will Thengvall Will Thengvall 6'3" | SF Kapaun | 2024 State KS a power forward.) Here’s our best effort at the top three teams:

First Team:

PG – Tesean Williams Tesean Williams 5'7" | PG Wichita Northwest | 2024 State KS , 5-foot-7 guard, Wichita Northwest:

This guy is a blazing playmaker. He tore up teams with his ability to break down a defender and get to a shot. He’s lightning in transition and can get to buckets on his own by slicing through the open court for layups. He’s a nightmare of an on-ball defender with quick hands and anticipation.

SG – Mason English Mason English 6'2" | SG Pittsburg | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-2 guard, Pittsburg:

A pure scorer, English was good for about 30 points every night despite every team’s best effort to take him out of the game. He can shoot it from anywhere, but he’s also great at getting into the paint and drawing fouls. He’s one of the state’s best shooters as well as all-around scorers. He carried Pittsburg to the state tournament.

SF – TJ Williams TJ Williams 6'4" | SG Wichita Heights | 2024 State #154 Nation KS , 6-foot-5 forward, Wichita Heights (pictured):

The last two seasons, Williams did everything for the Falcons but pop the popcorn and wash the uniforms. He’s a uniquely talented guy who can play every position on the floor. We inserted him at the small forward position to get the best players around him on the first team. He defends the rim, feeds his teammates and handles the ball. Against the best competition in the state at the 6A tournament, he showed off explosiveness and physicality defending at all three levels.

PF – Joey Matteoni Joey Matteoni 6'8" | PF Blue Valley Northwest | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-7 forward, Blue Valley Northwest:

Matteoni is arguably the best floor runner of the bigs in the state. He can make a play at the rim at one end, then sprint to the other end to finish. He’s also among the best rebounders in the state. He made a tremendous jump from sophomore to junior year and was a statistical leader on a deep and talented state champion.

C – Eli Lawson Eli Lawson 6'7" | C Bennington | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-7 center, Bennington:

Arguably the best big in the small school levels, Lawson doesn’t just beat up on small schools. He stands out in summer competition against the best from all levels. He’s a fundamental big with great hands and a soft touch. He’s physical and graceful at the same time.

Junior of the Year: TJ Williams TJ Williams 6'4" | SG Wichita Heights | 2024 State #154 Nation KS

Williams has had a claim to “best player in the state” for the past couple of seasons. He’s certainly the most highly recruited. He averaged 16 points, 7 boards and 4 assists per game and demonstrated at the state tournament once again that he’s the headliner.

Second Team:

PG – David Cobin David Cobin 5'10" | PG De Soto | 2024 State #270 Nation KS , 5-foot-10 guard, De Soto

SG – Zaxton King Zaxton King 6'2" | SG Lawrence | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-2 guard, Lawrence

SF – Andrell Burton Andrell Burton 6'4" | SG Campus | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-4 forward, Campus

PF – Will Thengvall Will Thengvall 6'3" | SF Kapaun | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-4 forward, Kapaun

C – Tory Homan Tory Homan 6'7" | C Maize South | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-7 center, Maize South

Third Team:

PG – Kyden Thompson Kyden Thompson 6'0" | SG McPherson | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-2 guard, McPherson

SG – Cory Muehler Cory Muehler 5'11" | CG McPherson | 2024 State KS , 6-foot guard, McPherson

SF – Joseph Dyck, 6-foot-2 forward, South Gray

PF – Devin Kerr Devin Kerr 6'4" | PF Piper | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-4 forward, Piper

C – Mikey Brand Mikey Brand 6'4" | SF Bishop Carroll | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-4 center, Bishop Carroll