2024 Rankings: Off The Radar Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 315 players, there is bound to be some new talent that was eventually going to be discovered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were 56 new players and here are some of the standouts that are not top-10 for position but are very good players in their own right.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here are 8 newcomers from the last three months that are off the radar:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2365468' first='Nick' last='Ponds'] <strong>Sahuaro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the big reasons that the Tucson team made it to the 4A Finals. He does a little bit of everything for the Cougars. He defends multiple positions and scores it from inside and out. He cleans the glass and loves getting to the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2353006' first='Ethan' last='Buckner'] <strong>ALA Ironwood </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A wing forward helped lead the talented 3A team to the final-4. They only lost by 4 to the eventual 3A Champs and he, like Ponds, fills up a box score. He rebounds, will block shots, scores around the basket and is way more athletic then you realize. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2359859' first='Jake' last='Harrison'] <strong>Valley Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sturdy framed scoring guard is a lefty sniper. He helped the Trojans make it to the 3A Finals and won it with a big game when it mattered. He shoots it easily from the three point line and can drive the lane. He is a stout on-ball defender and made the right plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2281139' first='Anderson' last='Hatch'] <strong>Payson (Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good sized shooting guard is a versatile player who plays the right way, like a son of a coach would. He is a smart passer and will rebound the ball (8.2 rebounds per game) and take it coast to coast. He moves without the ball and will score in transition and even throw it down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2311522' first='Jadden' last='Jones'] <strong>Ironwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A combo guard with decent size was pivotal to get them to the 5A finals and win it. He is the third senior guard that can beat you with Gifft and Carabio. He will defend, make shots from the perimeter and get downhill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1194212' first='Carter' last='Mehlberg'] <strong>Mesquite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger scoring guard is one of the better standstill senior shooters in 4A. He helped lead the Wildcats to the Final-4 with his super quick release. He squares up about as quick as you can and lets it fly. He can ball fake and get to the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2365469' first='Domonic' last='Okeke'] <strong>Pinnacle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong football-like frame point guard is a bully on-ball defender. He has quicker feet and length to keep his defenders in front of him. He gets downhill but he can also make plays and hit the three. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2315925' first='Mal' last='Both'] <strong>Inspire Prep National</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long and fluid forward is all arms and legs. He will defend multiple positions and throw it down above the rim. He can make a play, score on hook shots and pull-up from mid or hit the three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->