Class of 2024: Stock-Risers Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295236' first='Raul' last='Stanford'] - Guard - Highland (24 to 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanford is a perfect archetype for a defense-first point guard, someone who can fly around the court and guard any guard in the state. Coming off a season where he earned 4A Defensive Player of the Year honors, Stanford will be the vocal leader of this Highland squad that will go into next season with high expectations, and he'll look to defend his Defensive Player of the Year title. He'll be part of a stacked backcourt that has a great balance of offensive and defensive prowess that will put Highland in a prime position to exceed the results of last season, and Stanford will be able to end his high school career with a bang. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1299263' first='Micah' last='Munoz'] - Forward - ABC Prep (25 to 20)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Munoz has emerged as a key piece of ABC's success, primarily on the defensive end, where his IQ and hustle set him apart from his competition. His off-ball defensive ability is what makes him so special, and his mental fortitude gives him an edge against any opponent he faces. Munoz has also shown improvement on the offensive end, developing into a stretch forward who can play around the perimeter and affect the game from anywhere on the floor. Coming into his senior season with ABC, Munoz will continue develop into one of the premier defenders in New Mexico, and will have the opportunity to showcase his ability to the rest of the country. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254049' first='Justin' last='Mask'] - Guard - Albuquerque Academy (32 to 23)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mask has become severely underrated for his role on Academy's 4A championship team. His ability to be a dependable combo guard who can play from anywhere has propelled the Chargers' to new heights, and he has become an offensive threat from all three levels. What really stands out about Mask's game is his passing ability, and his ability to create for his teammates off the dribble. His court vision and basketball IQ make him a special player, and him coming back alongside other top 25 Class of 2024 players [player_tooltip player_id='1897886' first='Dillon' last='McCleskey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1685484' first='Joe' last='Jack'] make the Chargers the early favorite for the 4A title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679994' first='Josiah' last='Mitchell'] - Forward - Eldorado (38 to 31)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell is a freak athlete with an exceptional motor, which he utilizes to make him valuable on both ends of the court. He'll have a much more expansive role on this upcoming Eldorado squad alongside other Class of 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1276348' first='Josh' last='Jackson'], which will allow Mitchell to showcase his full range of abilities. He can get to the basket at will and can finish with the best of them, using his vertical ability and body control to finish above taller defenders, and his speed and quickness to blow by smaller defenders. Mitchell has become one of my favorite candidates for Breakout Player of the Year, and will have no better opportunity to show his talent than this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1685444' first='Kyle' last='Morris'] - Guard - Bosque (49 to 38)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morris is in the conversation for best player in 3A, and has consistently proved this year after year. He's easily one of the best shot-makers and shot-creators in his class, shouldering the load as the leader of Bosque and as their primary scoring option. Morris' ability to create off the dribble is his biggest strength,. This combined with his range beyond the three-point line makes him dangerous from anywhere on the floor, and very difficult to defend. He'll rejoin a Bosque team this year that is poised to make a deep run in the 3A playoffs, and it will be up to Morris to be the anchor for this Bobcats squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->