2024 Rankings: The Top-5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1577941' first='Andrew' last='Crawford'] - ThunderRidge - KC Run GMC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crawford has been consistently atop the 2024 class thanks to his versatility on both ends of the floor. The 6'5 guard is capable facilitating on the ball, dependable getting downhill to make intuitive kick out passes to shotmakers. Given his agility with the wide reach, Crawford is an excellent defensive presence who is comfortable against both backcourt positions, alongside the ability to pressure opposing small forwards. The lefty is incredibly dependable as a ballhandler in traffic, doing well to change speeds while attacking downhill, before leveraging the passing lanes or defaulting to a pull-up jumper. The guard has a bountiful list of collegiate offers, recently including Oregon, Northwestern, George Mason, California, Rice, among local programs like Colorado State and Colorado. Through his past season with ThunderRidge, the junior put up 19.7 points, 11 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1137823' first='Maurice' last='Austin'] - Pueblo South - Colorado Collective</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1589187,"width":222,"height":173,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/27-Maurice-Austin-e1663543409726.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/27-Maurice-Austin-e1663543409726.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1589187" width="222" height="173" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austin is the most skilled perimeter threat in the 2024 class and quite possibly the state. Proving to have a counter under any circumstance. The 5'8 point guard has the ball on string, capable changing the pace under pressure. Given his pace and confidence with the ball, Austin is a constant threat as a pull-up shooter, capable getting up shots over tight contests. He is an intuitive passer, more than capable leveraging his gravity for skip passes and dump offs to cutters. His vision goes both ways, as somebody who is adept at reading the passing lanes and grabbing a steal for the coast to coast layup. Through this past season with Pueblo South, the point guard put up 27.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 5.3 steals per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1438881' first='Emilek' last='Jallow'] - Bear Creek - Colorado Collective</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jallow has ascended throughout the spring, proving to be a dangerous defensive presence with consistent growth as a shotmaker. At roughly 6'6, the small forward is an elite defender, proving wiry strong going up to block shots around the rim. Although an elite rim protector, Jallow shows value defending the perimeter, more than capable switching onto four positions. Already a knockdown shooter off the catch, Jallow has progressed as a diverse shotmaker. The stepback jumper has been a growing point for the small forward, who shows legitimate value hitting tough jumpers in the mid-range. Through his season with Bear Creek, the small forward put up 13.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1369780' first='Charlie' last='Spann'] - ThunderRidge - Colorado Collective</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1429056,"width":145,"height":193,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/IMG_8466-e1649900399222.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/IMG_8466-e1649900399222.jpg?w=480" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='1369780' first='Charlie' last='Spann'] | The Traveling Hoopers" class="wp-image-1429056" width="145" height="193" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spann has been a steady prospect atop the 2024 class, proving most consistent getting to his own shot on drives. The small forward is a strong scoring threat, capable taking contact on drives into the paint. Should he bump away the nearby opponent, Spann is adept at using a short floater or get to the strong finish at the rim. Not to mention that the forward is a knockdown shooter off the catch, showing upside as a shotmaker off the step back when hot. Through his past season with ThunderRidge, the junior posted 21 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Continuing to diversify his portfolio as a facilitator will be important for the wing prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1318385' first='Carson' last='McDonald'] - Vista PEAK Prep - Mountain Stars</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1861136,"width":123,"height":164,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/carsonmcdonald-edited.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/carsonmcdonald-edited.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1861136" width="123" height="164" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonald is yet another valuable prospect on both ends of the floor. Primarily getting to his shot attempts off the catch or on cutters toward the basket. Notably intriguing as a quick screen and roller, McDonald is impactful diving towards the basket with speed. His help defense is valuable, doing well to wall off the lane early and keep both arms up for the contest without fouling. Through his junior season with Vista PEAK Prep, the forward put up 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->