Top 2024 Playmakers in Kentucky to Watch
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Following an exciting season of high school basketball action in the Bluegrass State, it’s time to look back at some of the most impressive standouts on the court from last season. Today, we will continue to explore some more of…
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Continue ReadingFollowing an exciting season of high school basketball action in the Bluegrass State, it’s time to look back at some of the most impressive standouts on the court from last season. Today, we will continue to explore some more of the top returning seniors that are set to lock in for their final season later this year. Without any further ado, here’s my list of the top 2024 playmakers in Kentucky to watch for on the court in the 2023-24 campaign.
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At the top of my list of notable performers is Travis Perry Travis Perry 6'2" | PG Lyon County | 2024 State #115 Nation KY , a 6-foot-2 point guard at Lyon County High School. In 37 contests with the Lyons last season, Perry was the top scorer and the second-best rebounder on the team, recording a grand total of 1,170 points and 227 rebounds, averaging 31.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. The rising senior out of Eddyville, KY. additionally shot 52.3% from the field, 44.9% from beyond the arc and 87.4% from the free throw line. What stands out about Perry is his control at the top of the key, his solid footwork and his ability to consistently score the basketball. Perry also showcased solid shooting from around the perimeter and could drive to the rim.
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I am additionally impressed with Trent Noah Trent Noah 6'7" | SF Harlan County | 2024 State #139 Nation KY , a 6-foot-7 shooting guard at Harlan County High School. Over the course of 31 games with the Black Bears last year, Noah was the team’s top scoring machine and rebounder, recording 821 points and 396 rebounds, averaging 26.5 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. The rising senior out of Harlan, KY. also shot 52.3% from the paint, 37.5% from behind the three-point line and 83.1% from the free throw line. In addition to outstanding size and speed, what made Noah so impactful was his deceptive footwork and movement as well as his ability to juke out defenders in the paint with his jumpshot. Noah also proved he was dangerous from behind the three-point line as well.
Highlights
Finishing at number three on my list is Brett Decker Brett Decker 6'2" | PG Central Hardin | 2024 State #211 Nation KY , a 6-foot-1 point guard at Central Hardin High School. In 32 contests with the Bruins last season, Decker was the team’s most explosive scoring weapon and one of the top rebounders, collecting a total of 735 points and 114 rebounds, averaging 23.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. The rising senior out of Cecilia, KY. additionally shot 54.0% from the field, 49.1% from three-point range and 83.6% from the free throw line. With great size, speed and pin-point accuracy from range, Decker impressed with his ability to shoot the ball, consistently sinking three-pointers as well as contributing strong ball control and smart passing
Another highly explosive playmaker to keep an eye on is Kade Unseld Kade Unseld 6'5" | SF Warren Central | 2024 State #252 Nation KY , a 6-foot-5 small forward at Warren Central High School. In 34 games with the Dragons last year, Unseld was his team’s second-best scorer and rebounder, recording a grand total of 549 points and 253 rebounds, averaging 16.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. The rising senior out of Bowling Green, KY. also shot 55.1% from the paint, 45.4% from beyond the arc and 76.5% from the free throw line. In addition to excellent size and speed, what stands out about Unseld is his ability to quickly catch and shoot the ball, proving he’s a dangerous shooter from range.
Coming in at number five on my list of standouts is Ayden Evans Ayden Evans 6'9" | C Elizabethtown | 2024 State KY , a 6-foot-9 center at Elizabethtown High School. In 34 contests with the Panthers last season, Evans was the team’s most efficient scoring machine as well as the top rebounder, picking up 548 points and 328 rebounds, averaging 16.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. The rising senior out of Elizabethtown, KY. additionally shot 61.0% from the field, 45.5% from three-point range and 74.0% from the free throw line. What makes Evans such a gamechanger is his height, wingspan and his presence in the paint, showing off his ability to outplay the opposition underneath the rim. Evans also impressed with his rebounding and strong defense.