2024 Rankings Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 class continues to take shape, with the best players filtering to the top of the Prep Hoops class ranking. The spring and summer gave us a chance to see some guys in action, pay attention to recruiting developments and further evaluate last high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The closer you get to the top, the harder it is to move up. As you would expect, the top two guys – [player_tooltip player_id='1270090' first='TJ' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1270094' first='Andrell' last='Burton'] – remained in place. But there were a couple of big changes in the top 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270296' first='Mason' last='English'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Pittsburg – #3 from #5 (up 2 spots) (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's really hard to move up at the top. But we felt English merited this bump. Take nothing away from the two guys he jumped, but what English is doing is remarkable. We based his move on two things: 1) he's scoring at a historic clip, and 2) he led the junior-heavy Dragons to state despite being the focus of every kind of defense imaginable. He posted 21 points per game as a sophomore, then averaged nearly 30 as a junior. He's physicial, creative, skilled and a hard worker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1436793' first='Kyden' last='Thompson'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2024, McPherson – #9 from #12 (up 3 slots):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This guy is a rocket in the 2024 rankings. Last update he jumped from #53 to #12. He moved up three more spots because of his phenomenal junior year, followed by an impressive summer. He gets a bump because he was a leader of a state champ and was widely recognized over the summer for his work with the Team Kansas club. He combines explosiveness, smooth control and versatile skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1756342' first='Devin' last='Kerr'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Piper – #26 from #44 (up 18 spots):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toughness, rebounding, efficiency, defense, smart decisions, leadership. Kerr brought Piper all the stuff you could want from a forward as a junior. He was picked for third-team all 5A by KSHSAA. Is a beast on the glass, averaging 9 boards a game. He shot a ridiculous 65% from the field last season. He led a very young group to a strong season last year. Expect much more from Piper this year, thanks in large part to Kerr's leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1953948' first='Trent' last='Long'], 5-foot-10 guard, 2024, Clifton-Clyde – #57 from #78 (up 21 spots):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest riser of the class, Long jumped 21 spots for his fantastic junior season. Named all-state in 1A Div. I, Long led Clifton-Clyde to the state tournament with his diverse production from the guard spot. As a junior, he averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals per game. He's the gritty, tough leader of a really good program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other 2024s who jumped at least 10 spots:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1953932' first='Michael' last='Boganowski'], Junction City – #30 from #45 (up 15 spots)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1953933' first='Joey' last='Dyck'], South Gray – #31 from #46 (up 15 spots)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1953939' first='Kaden' last='Franklin'], Derby – #32 from #47 (up 15 spots)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1461438' first='Sam' last='Kemp'], Valley Center – #33 from #43 (up 10 spots)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1300809' first='Dasean' last='Lewis'], Hugoton – #34 from 48 (up 14 spots)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1300838' first='Jacob' last='Fritz'], Blue Valley Northwest – #58 from #71 (up 13 spots)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->