PH Top 250: 2024 Standouts to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an assortment of talent from all across the Bluegrass State faced off in the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo at the MidAmerica Sports Center in Louisville this past weekend, it's time to highlight some of the more explosive prospects from the class of 2024 that made their presence known in the gym last Saturday. Without any further ado, here's my list of some highly impactful 2024 standouts to watch out for on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2148156"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65035f7f766f7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the top of my list of notable performers is [player_tooltip player_id='2148156' first='Nick' last='Belle'], a 6-foot-1 combo guard at Henderson County High School. Belle stood out due to his explosiveness on both sides of the floor, initially catching my attention with his accurate shooting from range and his ability to force turnovers on the other side of the floor with his aggression as well as his physical playstyle. I also like Belle's deceptive footwork, composure and ability to be unpredictable with his decision-making.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2132180"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65035f7f76750"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='2132180' first='Jackson' last='Rose'], a 6-foot-3 combo guard at Powell County High School. In addition to outstanding size and speed, Rose stood out due to his championship mentality and selfless playstyle, contributing excellent support for his team with smart passing. Another aspect of Rose that impressed was his ability to attack the rim from down low and consistently beat the defense to second-chance opportunities on both sides. With a great wing span, Rose was also crucial defensively, protecting the rim from dangerous outside shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1287889"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65035f7f76797"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Claiming the number three spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='1287889' first='Zane' last='Whitaker'], a 6-foot-6 small forward at Magoffin County High School. What made Whitaker such a playmaker on both sides of the floor was his overall height and wingspan, providing excellent support in the paint with swatting away dangerous shots and being in the right position to grab rebounds. I'm additionally fond of Whitaker's ball control and ability to muscle his way to the rim under pressure. Whitaker's footwork and versatile edge were aspects of his game that were also hard to ignore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1410836"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65035f7f767da"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another skilled player to keep an eye on is [player_tooltip player_id='1410836' first='Joey' last='Foushee'], a 5-foot-9 point guard at Shawnee High School. Foushee was turning heads due to his overall athletic edge and ability to quickly punish the opposition with his quickness in transition, calculated passing and his deceptive footwork. I was also fond of Foushee's effort from inside, blasting through heavy contact to the rim. On the other side of the floor, Foushee played solid defense, utilizing his physicality and aggressive playstyle to pressure the offense and force turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1587726"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65035f7f7681c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in at number five on my list of standouts is [player_tooltip player_id='1587726' first='Sammy' last='King'], a 6-foot-2 shooting guard at Bluegrass United Homeschool. With great footwork and a strong handle on the ball, King caught my attention with how he meshed with his teammates and shared the ball, proving he can score, force turnovers and make significant contributions to the team with quick and precise passing. Another part of King's playstyle that made an impact was his pull-up jumper and ability to both juke out defenders with his footwork and sink shots from along the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2175429"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65035f7f7685a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also worth mentioning is [player_tooltip player_id='2175429' first='Tyrin' last='Thorpe'], a 6-foot-1 shooting guard at Fort Knox High School. What stood out most about Thorpe was his ball control and selfless playstyle, contributing strong organization along the perimeter as well as lightning quick passing. I also liked how Thorpe handled himself under heavy pressure, showcasing his strong footwork and ability to maneuver the court. Thorpe also took more than a few efficient shots from range, proving himself as a dangerous weapon to leave open from outside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->