2024 Rankings: Top Wing/Off-Ball Guard Prospects

The release of our updated 2024 player rankings means for a slew of follow-up content breaking them down in several ways. For this article, I'll be highlighting the top wing and off-ball guards found in MD/DC.   [player_tooltip player_id='1127314' first='Caleb' last='Williams'] | Sidwell Friends/Team Takeover   Ranking: No. 2   The one thing that has been proven as a guarantee with Williams is no matter if he is playing in the winter with his high school or AAU with his grassroots program, he's going to win games. The 6'7 southpaw wing plays with good instincts and feel within the flow of offenses. He makes good decisions and deliveries to cutting teammates while remaining a scoring threat himself thanks to his dependable long-range shooting ability. His size and length present themselves in drives to the rim or when operating in the mid-post as he can take advantage of smaller defenders. On the defensive end, Williams can matchup against multiple positions and bring a rebounding presence as a wing. A plethora of high major programs are after Williams such as Villanova, Syracuse, Michigan, Virginia, Georgetown, Indiana, Miami, Notre Dame, Miami and Penn State.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/IMG-9657-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/IMG-9657-scaled.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1548121" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1225253' first='Drew' last='McKenna'] | Team Loaded   Ranking No. 3   McKenna was one of the best scorers in the MIAA A Conference this past season. His ability to put the ball in the bucket as a 6'8 wing from all three levels helped gain national attention last summer at DMV Live. Although Glenelg Country struggled as a team this past winter, McKenna still showed off his scoring prowess on a regular basis. He has improved with his assertiveness and if he can continue to improve creating space for himself off the bounce, he'll be a handful as he develops in college. As for next season, it remains unknown where he will play his high school ball. McKenna's final three schools include Georgetown, Butler and Xavier.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Malachi-Palmer.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Malachi-Palmer.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1585984" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1579092' first='Malachi' last='Palmer'] | Mt. Zion Prep/Team Melo   Ranking: No. 4   Palmer has ability to play point guard, off-ball guard or the wing. Because of his size at 6'6, he's usually featured more as an off-ball guard or a wing at Mt. Zion and since he made the switch to Team Melo for EYBL S3, he's been able to get back to his scoring ways. Palmer's frame is a college-ready one that creates mismatches throughout the course of games. He's fluid off the bounce where he gets to his spots in 1-to-2 dribbles before getting good elevation on his jumper. He makes solid reads on penetration as he reacts to defensive rotations and has improved his three-point shot off the catch when he has time to set his feet. Oklahoma State, Maryland and LSU have been the main programs involved with Palmer   [player_tooltip player_id='1164818' first='Caden' last='Diggs'] | Bullis/New World   Ranking: No. 7   Diggs caught serious momentum during the back half of his junior season and has translated it to his play on the 3SSB Circuit with New World so far this spring. Diggs is a 6'7 wing with explosive athleticism near the rim. He's a lob threat in transition and understands how to take advantage of slower defenders in quick isolation situations. His jumper is consistent off the catch in the mid-rage and as he continues to improve his three-point shooting and ability to finish through contact with regularity, his overall game will blossom. Like many of the wings with his size and athleticism, Diggs is a valuable defender who can guard multiple positions and use his length to matchup against more perimeter-oriented forwards. Iowa, Seton Hall, George Washington, George Mason and Richmond are among the programs in pursuit of Diggs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1127310' first='Rob' last='Dockery'] | Jackson-Reed/Team Thrill   Ranking: No. 8   Since making the move to Team Thrill, Dockery's production has skyrocketed. His Thrill team has looked dominant as they remain undefeated in UA play and the combination that Dockery and 2024 Derik Queen provide in the frontcourt have simply been too much for the opposition to handle. He's at his best in grab-and-go situations where he leads the break himself. He uses his strong frame to bully his way to the rim for strong finishes while maintaining a presence as a primary playmaker on the ball in half court settings. Dockery's jumper still needs work before contributing for head coach Buzz Williams at Texas A&M once he graduates, but his versatility and size make for a strong foundation as a wing/four man.

The release of our updated 2024 player rankings means for a slew of follow-up content breaking them down in several ways. For this article, I'll be highlighting the top wing and off-ball guards found in MD/DC.