2024 Rankings: Moving Up in the Top 20

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wanted to dive deeper into the movement among the top 20 of the 2024 rankings. We had five players making significant rises and staking claims as some of the top prospects in their class. These players have shown incredible progress over the past year and are some of my favorite names to watch heading into the summer months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1450604"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003ePrev Rank: 21 (+3)u003c/emu003ernrnA powerful guard who exhibits great instincts, Williams has the size as well as a great mix of playmaking and scoring ability that makes him one of the top point guards in his class. His steady ascent up the rankings over the past year is well-deserved as he's a player who continues to show improvement across the board. He has a chance to have a monster high school season for a team that is filled with talented wings and forwards.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1463068"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cemu003ePrev Rank: 17 (+1)u003c/emu003ernrnAdams has always been an intriguing prospect with his phenomenal length and the evident potential with his ball skills. He's another guy who has made steady progress and it shows, but this spring he has displayed growth in a few key areas that really has me excited for what is to come in his senior year. He's still a consistent double-double threat with the ability to block multiple shots a game, but his handle and outside shot have improved to such a degree that now he looks more capable of creating shots off of the dribble, drawing defenders and making key passes in the open court, and could even be a possible floor-stretcher.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1450497"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cemu003ePrev Rank: 19 (+5)u003c/emu003ernrnOlson shared the backcourt with Kobe Parlin last season, with both guards averaging over 20 points per game. Next season, he will be the guy. He's already shown the ability to drop big scoring games but he'll also be counted on to set the tone defensively and create more looks for teammates. He's done a great job improving his handle, adding moves to his bag, and diversifying his ability to attack in the half court. He's become an electrifying player who sees the court extremely well and should be a candidate for 2A player of the year next season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1450963"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cemu003ePrev Rank: 14 (+1)u003c/emu003ernrnJay has proven to be one of the best in his class at making the tough shots. He almost seems to lock in more when there is a hand in his face. He can hit with a quick release under duress, with turnarounds and fadeaways working with his back to the hoop and has added some toughness when attacking the rim. He's made a concerted effort to improve his dribbling and take on more challenges defensively, as well as continuing to improve his leadership qualities.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1450562"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cemu003ePrev Rank: 12 (+2)u003c/emu003ernrnThis guy looks better and better every time I see him. He's come a long way from just a year ago and still has a lot of potential left to tap in to. Ervin continues to improve around the hoop, incorporating more post moves, better footwork, and a nose for the ball coming off of the rim. He's still improving the outside shot, free throws, and the ability to take big men off the dribble from the perimeter, but it's his defensive ability that really stands out and an improved motor has helped him get in the right spots to be a more effective player.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1450492"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cemu003ePrev Rank: 7 (+2)u003c/emu003ernrnHe only rises two spots in this update but Simmons has been one of the most impressive players I have watched improve over the past year or so. He went from being primarily a paint player with some potential in the face-up mid-range shot, to a guy that is a threat to score with from any spot on the court. His progress with his 3-point shot is probably the most impressive add to his game, but he also seems to anticipate action better and plays with a ton of confidence. He is quickly putting himself into that next level of players and should be getting a ton of interest as the year goes on.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647b6d05d5bf0"} /-->