A Closer Look at the 2024 Shooting Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently released our update to the 2024 Class Rankings. Using those rankings, we can create an All-Ranked Team for the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What that list made glaringly clear is the abundance of top players Prep Hoops has categorized as “shooting guards” in 2024 class. It's crazy to realize that the top four players (and five of the top nine) are all in the same position group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the guys listed as “shooting guards” are true shooters/scorers. Others are versatile, almost “position-less” players who do everything for their teams. They come in a variety of sizes and bring different talents to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For these reasons, and because it's rare to have so many good players in one category, let's take a closer look at the standout “shooting guards” of the 2024 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270090' first='TJ' last='Williams'], 6-foot-5 guard, Wichita Heights, #1 overall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Considered the best player in the state for quite some time, Williams is finally a senior after guiding the Falcons to the state finals the past two seasons. He recently made a lot of hometown folks happy when he committed to Wichita State for college. This guy might just be the definition of a “position-less” player – he can run the point, defend in the paint as well as on the perimeter, crash the boards, and distribute the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270094' first='Andrell' last='Burton'], 6-foot-6 guard, Campus, #2 overall (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ok, so Burton might have needed to be recategorized as a small forward. He continues to grow and is now listed at 6-foot-6. He's long and has a ton of spring. It's too bad Campus has struggled the past couple of seasons, but Burton tries to do everything possible for the team. He recently picked Drake for his college choice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270296' first='Mason' last='English'], 6-foot-2 guard, Pittsburg, #3 overall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>English has been among the state's best scorers the past two seasons, getting buckets from all three levels. But he's not just selfishly racking up points. Important things to know about this guy: 1) he put the Dragons on his back and took them to 5A state despite everyone's best effort to shut him down, 2) he also averaged 4.5 assists per game last year, and 3) he's remade his body through a lot of work. He's now a long, lean, more athletic guard while retaining his physicality. Recruitment will heat up for this guy moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1378439' first='Zaxton' last='King'], 6-foot-2 guard, Lawrence, #4 overall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another brilliant scorer, King gets it done in a variety of ways at all three levels. He's best attacking the lane and can get shots off with his long arms and ability to release from different angles. Lawrence will have to replace a bunch of graduates this year, so King will have to lead and produce a ton for the Lions. As far as we know, he's received some strong offers but has yet to commit for college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1436793' first='Kyden' last='Thompson'], 6-foot guard, McPherson, #9 overall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This guy has blown through our ranking list and has become one of the most highly-regarded guards in the state. He was 4A all-state and has really impressed with his work on the club circuit. He has a long, slender frame that will probably continue to develop. We don't know much about his recruitment, but there should be a lot of interest for this guy, much like English, as his senior year plays out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below that elite group, there are some other 2024 shooting guards who are among the best players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At #22, [player_tooltip player_id='1461340' first='Will' last='Cravens'] is an under-publicized athlete. He can really fly and shows on the football field that he's tough, skilled and competitive. At #24 you have [player_tooltip player_id='1461341' first='Logan' last='Sullivan'], a gifted scorer who opponents go out of their way to scheme against. And at #25, [player_tooltip player_id='1390595' first='Kalen' last='Streit'] comes in somewhat similar to Cravens, a versatile, bouncy athlete who scores at all three levels, distributes and can make a big impact defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->