2024 Rankings: 10 Guys with Big Potential
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I am taking a closer look at 10 guys in the rankings I really like, all of whom have shown the potential to outplay their rank and be a top 20 player in the 2024 class. They all happened to…
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Continue ReadingI am taking a closer look at 10 guys in the rankings I really like, all of whom have shown the potential to outplay their rank and be a top 20 player in the 2024 class. They all happened to fall in a sweet spot in the rankings (21-30) where they are recognized as top players, but still go a little unheralded compared to others.
For this article, I’m going to talk about one specific aspect of each player’s game I like and one area of improvement that could help lift them higher in the coming year.
For Davies, the drawing factor has always been his mentality for me. He’s a high energy guy that rarely runs out of fuel and has used that internal motivation to make big improvements over the last year. For his growth, I see working in the middle of the floor as an area that could open up his game even more. He put up big scoring numbers last season using his strength and athleticism to get to the hoop and incorporating a much-improved shot from long-range to counter his drives. Working the in between space seems like the next step, as his quickness and strength as well as his high-motor attitude get defenders running back quite often.
Bews is a big, athletic forward at 6-foot-6 who really excels as an interior scorer, using both good footwork, assertiveness, and strength to finish all around the paint. The next step for him seems to be improving from behind the arc. He took big steps to improve his long-distance shot last season and looks like he’s heading in the right direction so far this spring, but continuing to improve his perimeter scoring should allow for more opportunities to showcase his athleticism at the rim and open up space to drive.
I love this guy’s defensive anticipation. He plays much bigger than his listed height, blocking shots from in front, from behind, jumping passing lanes, and using quick hands to strip the ball free. On the other end, he obviously has incredible athleticism and an ability to finish high above the rim, but the next step in his development could hinge on improving the dribble. I think he’s a highly underrated passer and could be a key playmaker for Auburn next season, especially if he can take on more ballhandling responsibilities.
Powaukee is another next-level athlete who has sky-high potential. He does a little bit of everything on the floor, but he is another player that could really benefit from improving his handle. When he has space to operate, he gets to the cup and can bury shots from long-range, but the ability to handle the ball under pressure, get through traffic, and create more space for jump shots off the dribble could really alleviate a lot of the struggles he experiences offensively. His game could really take off with a little bit of fine-tuning, starting with the dribble.
It’s harder to say where Dubiel should improve mostly because he’s a guy that is counted on to contribute in every department. He’s a really instinctive player who uses that court awareness to get the jump on other players and make big plays on both ends. One area I don’t see a ton of from him is shooting off of the dribble. He hits from 3-point at a high rate, uses his length and grit to finish strong at the rim, but as one of his team’s top players he will probably be counted on to bail them out of tough possessions next season, and creating space off the dribble to hit tough, big-moment shots could be an area that will take his game up another notch.
Quickness and effort come to mind when I think of Santana’s game. He’s an ultra-quick player who can get to the rim and lock up ballhandlers on the other side. He’s been putting up big scoring numbers the last two years but a lot of the shots he takes are deep threes, or highly contested shots closer in. I think finding ways to be a better playmaker and finding those tough passing windows could help him put more pressure on the defense by taking some off himself at the same time. He’s already shown he can dime guys up in the AAU season, but I think those numbers can be even higher and could really help his prospects at the next level.
Highlights
Spencer can score the rock. He has now averaged over 25 points per game in the last two high school seasons, as well as over 30 points per game last season. Clearly, he is a crafty, multi-level scorer. And I think Spencer already knows where he can improve, as he looks to be stronger and a better defender in the times I’ve seen him this spring. Continuing to improve his strength and quickness will help him become a better defender and really cement his profile as a two-way threat.
Highlights
Sandberg came on strong at the end of last season to help lead Gonzaga Prep to a 4th place finish at the state tournament. One of his biggest strengths is actually his strength. He’s a bigger guard at 6-foot-4 who can score from every level but excels at holding off defenders at the rim and from the mid-range in order to create space at the last minute and finish from all sorts of angles. He was a key scorer and offensive instigator for them, but I think he has the skill to improve in other areas on the floor, primarily as a rebounder. Like I said, he has good size for a guard and is a sneaky athlete who has the tools to really rebound at a higher rate, especially for a team who loses a lot of experience in the frontcourt next season.
Ibarra is part of a three-headed monster at Quincy, all of whom averaged over 20 points per game last season. Obviously, scoring is not an issue for the Jackrabbits, but with Ibarra’s size and IQ, he really should be a more consistent defender. He definitely shows the ability to impact the game on that side of the ball and can be a big-play guy on defense blocking shots and racking up steals, but sometimes he lets offensives struggles leak into his defensive play. Again, with his IQ he has shown he has the potential to be a high-impact two-way player, it’s just about finding a way to maintain that high level of play on both ends.
Highlights
Dress is one of the true knockdown shooters in his class and he has begun to really incorporate that shooting touch from different areas of the floor, working more from the blocks last season and continuing to find more success at the rim this spring. However, while he shows improved strength and aggression, his perimeter defense can still be a weakness. Improving his lateral quickness would go a long way to helping him improve on the other side of the ball and also continue to help him score from different areas on the floor.