2024 Spring Sleepers to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first live period is underway right now, and we decided to take a look at 8 prospects in the 2024 class that division one schools should look at if they're looking for a sleeper!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259633' first='Elijah' last='Kelly'] | 6'8” F | Radford/GATA Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1741990,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Kelly-Elijah.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Kelly-Elijah.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1741990" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly was the breakout player in the Roanoke/New River Valley area this year, and he's set to have a lot of coaches watching him this summer. He looks the part with long arms and a great frame that he's grown into over the last few years. He has good ball skills for his size as he can handle, shoot and pass on the perimeter. He has great tools defensively and big upside as someone who can play and guard multiple positions moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489063' first='Brandon' last='Jennings'] | 6'3” PG | St. Chris/Global Squad</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1531282,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Jennings-Brandon-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Jennings-Brandon-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1531282" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jennings burst onto the scene last year with Team Push 16U, and now will be able to show his ability to run the show with a talented team around him. At 6'3” with long arms, Jennings is able to finish at the rim and use his length defensively to get deflections. He's a patient guard who is shifty off the bounce and has great vision and playmaking ability. He picks his spots and can score it from multiple levels, but he thrives in making others better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1117676' first='Josiah' last='Rickards'] | 6'3” CG | Catholic/Team Loaded 757</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1918808,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Rickards-Josiah-17.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Rickards-Josiah-17.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1918808" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rickards continues to produce at a high level after leading Catholic to a Final Four appearance, and he's possibly the most under recruited player in the 757. The 6'3” combo guard has good size and the ability to rise up and knock down tough shots in the midrange. He changes speeds well to get in the paint and understands angles to finish on floaters and at the rim. He can score the ball from all three levels and has a good feel and IQ for the game too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1260002' first='Kameron' last='Tinsley'] | 6'6” WF | Cave Spring/Team Durant</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1903376,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Tinsley-Kam.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Tinsley-Kam.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1903376" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tinsley started the summer off with a bang, and was subsequently picked up by Durant after that. He's always been intriguing as he has long arms and is a good athlete, and he's continued to improve throughout the last few years. The lefty is a good shooter from deep and can get to spots in the midrange where he can stop and make contested shots. He has huge upside defensively when he gets to college and can put some weight on his frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1759704' first='My'Kel' last='Jenkins'] | 6'6” WF | Woodside/Boo Williams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1246216,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/07/Jenkins-Mykel.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/07/Jenkins-Mykel.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1246216" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenkins is still relatively unknown in recruiting circles, but the 6'6” wing has a lot of tools that translate to the next level. He has long arms and a strong frame allowing him to play through contact and make shots over defenders off the bounce. He's a good passer with good vision and he does the dirty work defensively and on the glass. He's an all-around prospect who can stuff the stat sheet and impact the game across the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1759699' first='Kamren' last='Martin'] | 6'4” CG | Blue Ridge/Inspire Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1777527,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Martin-Kamren.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Martin-Kamren.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1777527" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin had a big junior season at Blue Ridge, and will run on the Adidas Gold Circuit with Inspire Elite. He's worth a look for coaches that will be at 3SSB events, as he has prototypical size for the guard position at the D1 level and a lot of game to go along with it. He's quick off the bounce and able to use his size to elevate over defenders to make tough shots and see over the top of the defense to deliver passes. He's athletic, plays with a good motor and has a lot of upside as a two-way guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259621' first='Dominique' last='Bailey'] | 6'3” WG | John Marshall/Team Loaded VA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1694458,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Bailey-Dominique.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Bailey-Dominique.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1694458" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bailey is worth a look for college coaches because he's the type of player you'd rather have on your team than face as an opponent. He's an absolute dog of a defender who will face guard the other team's best player, has great anticipation as a charge taker and he's a pest who will bother opponents and knows what he can get away with. He's improved both as a catch-and-shoot guy and in his ability to attack in straight lines on the offensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259628' first='Abu' last='Yarmah'] | 6'6” WF | Patrick Henry/Team Loaded NC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yarmah is coming off a big junior season where he helped Patrick Henry to the state tournament, and is part of a large group of 540 players that are under recruited right now. The lanky 6'6” forward uses his athleticism on both ends of the floor and plays with a high motor. He's a good secondary ball handler who can create for himself and others off the bounce, and he's improved as a shooter as well. He has a lot of upside moving forward with tons of room to get better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->