Recruiting- Five Top Available 2024 DMV Prospects

We are now approaching the month of August and over the course of the last month, we've seen quite a few of the top DMV prospects make their college commitments. As late August and early September roll around, you can expect a flurry of official visits being made and by the time we hit mid-to-late October, you can guarantee for more of those prospects to be off the board. Let's take a look at some of the top available 2024 prospects in the DMV and where their recruitments currently stand.   [player_tooltip player_id='1259631' first='Patrick' last='Ngongba Jr.'] | Paul VI/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover']   The No. 1 ranked prospect in the Prep Hoops Virginia rankings, Ngongba has emerged as one of the best centers in the country after a dominantly efficient spring and summer. The 6-foot-10 nearing 6-foot-11 big man anchored the paint while flashing his ability from the perimeter as an occasional shooter and passer to cement him as a prospect that blue-bloods would pursue with aggression. Ngongba's length, willingness to control the paint as a shot-blocker or rebounder and his ability to put the ball in the basket at an extremely efficient rate are all reasons why his recruiting picture is the way it is now.   Recruitment: Ngongba recently cut his list of schools to a final eight: Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Michigan, Providence and UConn. Kansas State has had the longest presence here. Head coach Jerome Tang and his staff have made it known that Ngongba is their guy and has been even before he blew up nationally. I expect the Wildcats to be a massive player here. Duke is another program that warrants attention because well, they're Duke. The obvious PVI to Duke pipeline is alive and well, but there's a domino here that could play a factor with a couple of schools pursuing Ngongba. 2024 Flory Bidunga could make a decision in the near future and the Blue Devils along with Kansas are well in the hunt. Bidunga's decision will play a role in whether or not Duke or Kansas have a real shot here. UConn head coach Dan Hurley and his staff have been on an absolute heater in July by landing the 2024 guard Ahmad Nowell and dynamic wing [player_tooltip player_id='1259618' first='Isaiah' last='Abraham']. Abraham, Ngongba's teammate at both PVI and [program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'], has an extremely close relationship and has played with Ngongba throughout their high school careers dating back to Highland School. Could they have a shot at landing a trifecta and continuing their factory of dominant bigs? Don't count out the reigning champs. Kentucky is another school that needs to be mentioned here. They're the newest of the group, but if head coach John Calipari decides to sink his teeth in, they should be feared if this recruitment extends into the early winter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579092' first='Malachi' last='Palmer'] | Mt. Zion Prep/[program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo']   Palmer made the switch from NY Rens to [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo'] shortly after the start of spring and as a result, had a lot more opportunities to showcase his strengths as a scoring guard. He boasts a college-ready frame at 6-foot-5 with sound ball skills and fluid mechanics on his jumper. Particularly from the mid-range, Palmer can make the defense pay with regularity and over his high school career, his athleticism has blossomed to the point where he can throw down an impressive dunk in traffic on occasion. There's not doubt that he can help a program at the high-major level shortly after stepping foot on campus, but where he will do that remains a massive question mark.   Recruitment: To say that Palmer's recruiting picture has become cloudy is an understatement. At one point Maryland was pushing hard on this front. The Terps are still involved, but it's tough to say where they really stand. Oklahoma State received an official visit from Palmer last fall and had seemed to be gaining traction here, but again, it's tough to say where they really sit in terms of suitors in this sweepstakes. According to a source, Florida State, Mississippi State and UNLV could receive official visits in the coming months. Palmer has kept things close to the vest, so we'll pay close attention to the next few weeks to see if any visits are set in stone. Palmer ranks as the No. 4 overall prospect in the MD/DC rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='1370514' first='Malcolm' last='Thomas'] | DeMatha/[program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']   Thomas was another DMV prospect who witnessed his stock soar this spring/early summer. Particularly during DMV Live, Thomas' two-way explosiveness against other elite frontcourt prospects helped high major coaches confirm not only that he was a legitimate prospect, but get an idea of the high ceiling that he has to offer. The 6-foot-7 southpaw gets his hand above the rim in the blink of an eye whether it be to swat away and opponent's attempt at the rim or flushing down a dunk of his own. His face-up game has improved as has his efficiency on his jumper from 15-to-18 feet out. As he continues to polish his perimeter skills, his stock will continue to climb.   Recruitment: Thomas has a final eight consisting of Cal, Florida State, Miami, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Virginia Tech and Xavier. Thomas is another prospect who kept his recruitment tight-knit until his ascent. So far we know that he has scheduled two official visits. One to Xavier July 28-30 and one to Florida State September 2-3. There are also plans to set up and official visit with Villanova at some point. These three programs should make a push for Thomas in the race. Xavier was the first high major to offer this spring and made their presence known throughout June. With that being said, no real leader has emerged in this race for the No. 6 player in the MD/DC rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='1164818' first='Caden' last='Diggs'] | Bullis/New World   Diggs has always been an intriguing prospect because of his positional versatility, bouncy athleticism and upside as a prototypical wing in today's game. He's a guy who can use his blend of athleticism and size to defend multiple positions. Diggs is best in transition or on straight-line drives where he can meet defenders at the rim, but over the last 6-to-8 months he has shown some progression in his jumper off the catch. It still needs to be more consistent from deep to really open up the rest of his game, but the signs are there that eventually he will make it happen. For the time being, his makeup and high-flying ability have been enough to make college coaches buy in.   Recruitment: Diggs recently cut his list of schools to a final six including George Washington, Iowa, Old Dominion, Oklahoma State and Seton Hall. It seemed as if Clemson tried to get involved late with Diggs as well, but weren't in time to make the cut. Prior to the spring, it seemed as if Richmond and GW were making ground here, but over the course of the last few months Iowa has ramped up their pursuit. Head coach Fran McCaffrey was courtside for just about every game of Diggs' during DMV Live and after wrapping up an official visit with the Hawkeyes in mid-June, I think it's a safe bet to say they have gained a strong lead for the No. 7 ranked prospect in MD/DC.   [player_tooltip player_id='1259630' first='Garrett' last='Sundra'] | Paul VI/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover']   It was the summer of efficient play for the [program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'] frontcourt rotation of Sundra and Ngongba. Featured in more of a bench role, Sundra would enter the game an utilize his length at 6-foot-10 paired with his soft touch on his mid-range jumper. Sundra made a living from the baseline play off of other's drives or showcased competent hands around the dunker's spot where he finished quickly and high around the basket. His upside as a versatile option at the four or five will come into fruition throughout his college career especially once he adds some additional strength to his frame.   Recruitment: Virginia Tech seemed to be the long favorite here for Sundra, but over the last couple of weeks that has changed. With an official visit set to Notre Dame at the end of this month, it wouldn't shock me at all to see head coach Micah Shrewsberry and his staff take the lead on this one. The fit schematically and academically seem to be ideal for Sundra. Butler has been involved the longest here and continue to keep a stake in the fire, so they cannot be counted out. If there isn't a commitment shortly after his Notre Dame visit, keep an eye on Providence and head coach Kim English. When they smell blood in the water, they can move in quickly and get it done as they did with 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1089572' first='Daquan' last='Davis'].

We are now approaching the month of August and over the course of the last month, we've seen quite a few of the top DMV prospects make their college commitments. As late August and early September roll around, you can expect a flurry of official visits being made and by the time we hit mid-to-late October, you can guarantee for more of those prospects to be off the board. Let's take a look at some of the top available 2024 prospects in the DMV and where their recruitments currently stand.