2024 Rankings Update: Top 20 Stock Risers
In this article:
With about half of the high school season in the books, we’ve gotten a good look at which seniors have elevated their game to the point of seeing a boost in our most recent rankings update. In this piece we…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith about half of the high school season in the books, we’ve gotten a good look at which seniors have elevated their game to the point of seeing a boost in our most recent rankings update. In this piece we take a closer look at those inside the top 20 who earned a jump in the 2024 rankings.
No. 4 Sebastian Rancik Sebastian Rancik 6'9" | PF JSerra | 2024 State #89 Nation CA-S | JSerra
Rancik has been healthy this season and it’s resulted in him being on an offensive tear. The 6-foot-9 forward is one of the more skilled and versatile players in the country and his efficient inside-out scoring punch has the Lions sitting at 15-2 on the season and one of the best teams in the state. Rancik was already a top 6 guy but his strong season bumped him into the top 5.
No. 7 Tyrone Riley Tyrone Riley 6'5" | SF St. Pius X St. Matthias | 2024 State #152 Nation CA-S | St. Pius X-St. Matthias
Riley jumps up two spots in the most recent rankings update for a similar reason as Rancik – he’s healthy and playing at an extremely high level. The 6-foot-6 lefty wing led the Warriors to a championship in the top division of the Tarkanian Classic and has Pius in the conversation for a spot in the Open Division playoffs.
No. 9 Justin Pippen Justin Pippen 6'3" | PG Sierra Canyon | 2024 State CA-S | Sierra Canyon
Pippen is experiencing a similar rise to his older brother, Scotty, in his senior season. The 6-foot-3 point guard is one of our biggest stock risers overall – jumping into the top 10 from No. 61 in our previous update last spring. Pippen’s rise has been equal parts development and opportunity as he’s now the main signal caller at Sierra Canyon and is making the most of that opportunity as his recruitment continues to pick up Power 5 Conference steam. Pippen is a high motor, high IQ playmaker who can knock down open threes, create for teammates and get to the rim.
No. 11 James Evans James Evans 6'6" | SF West Ranch | 2024 State CA-S | West Ranch
Evans has always been a top 15 prospect in the class simply because of his elite combination of size and explosive athleticism, so why the multi-spot bump in this update? The skill and feel are coming along. Evans has been doing a great job of picking his spots to score and getting to the areas of the floor where he’s most effective. The 6-foot-6, UNLV-bound wing is knocking down pull-up jumpers with consistency and getting to the rim where he can finish through contact or over rim protectors.
No. 12 Aaron Powell Aaron Powell 6'0" | CG Campbell Hall | 2024 State CA-S | Campbell Hall
Powell’s scoring arsenal is really impressive. The 6-foot combo guard is one of the better players at creating shots for himself off the bounce and his ability to stop and elevate on a dime makes him a guy who can keep defenders off-balance. Campbell Hall has played a very tough schedule this season and Powell has shown that he can compete against the best and on big stages.
No. 16 Jermaine Washington, Jr. Jermaine Washington, Jr. 6'0" | PG Rancho Verde | 2024 State CA-S | Rancho Verde
Washington is one of the more dynamic athletes it the state when it comes to his speed with the ball, change of direction and ability to elevate on his jumper and when finishing at the rim. The San Jose State-bound senior has Rancho Verde out to a 16-2 start to the season.
No. 17 Kendyl Sanders Kendyl Sanders 6'6" | PF St. Bernard | 2024 State CA-S | St. Bernard
Sanders is one of the more intriguing unsigned seniors and, based on the college coaches in the gym during his last few games at The Classic at Damien, Division 1 schools are beginning to give him a serious look. The 6-foot-6 forward is a versatile wing/forward who can face-up and shoot out to the three-point line and use the bounce to get to the paint and score or find open teammates.
No. 20 Cameron McNamee Cameron McNamee 6'6" | SG Santa Margarita | 2024 State CA-S | Santa Margarita
McNamee does one thing that at a high level that is valued at every level of basketball: He shoots the three-ball off the catch. The 6-foot-5 wing is an elite spot-up shooter and floor spacer whose skill-set as an off-ball, low volume guy will translate to the next level. McNamee enters the top 20 conversation for this reason.