2024’s Rankings Update – Top Risers
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There was plenty of movement in our most recent rankings update; in fact, we even had some major movement in the Top 10, where Andre Mills Andre Mills 6'3" | CG Brimmer & May | 2024 State #116 Nation NLG…
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Continue ReadingThere was plenty of movement in our most recent rankings update; in fact, we even had some major movement in the Top 10, where Andre Mills Andre Mills 6'3" | CG Brimmer & May | 2024 State #116 Nation NLG rose into the Top 5 (#5) and Elijah Crawford Elijah Crawford 6'1" | PG Brewster Academy | 2024 State #169 Nation NLG cracked the Top 10 (#8).
Beyond that, 17 prospects rose at least 10 spots in this update. A few, like Chike Ndefo Chike Ndefo 6'7" | PF Vermont Academy | 2024 State #232 Nation NLG (#20, +17) and Jeremiah Jenkins Jeremiah Jenkins 6'0" | PG Brewster Academy | 2024 State #244 Nation NLG (#22, +12) cracked the Top 25 with their rises; while others, like Fallou Gueye Fallou Gueye 6'6" | SF Putnam Science Academy | 2024 State NLG (#34, +17) saw big rises after positional changes during their school seasons this winter.
Here are five more prospects that made significant jumps in the most recent rankings update:
Previous Rank: 82 (+44) Zimmerman, who recently received an offer from Indiana State, was one of the highest risers in this rankings update. A big guard that excels on both ends of the floor, Zimmerman has a crafty finishing package around the rim, is a terrific off ball cutter, and shoots it at a high clip from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations. He’s comfortable handling the ball and does a good job of creating paint touches off his drives. Defensively, his combination of size and strength allows him to guard up a position, while his lateral mobility and quickness allows him to defend smaller quick guards. He’s undoubtedly one of the top unsigned seniors still on the board in New England and is a prospect that clearly has his best days of basketball still ahead of him.
Previous Rank: 134 (+79) Bradford was the biggest riser in our updated rankings for the class of 2024. There are two points that should be made about his change in rank this time around; first, we undoubtedly missed on our first evaluation of him prior to our last rankings update, and second, he had an absolutely terrific post-graduate season at Loomis Chaffee. Bradford is an impressive athlete with great positional size that can really put pressure on the rim off the bounce. His combination of a quick first step, great length, and solid strength allows him to be a terrific finisher at, around, and above the rim. On top of that, he’s a great defender who capitalizes on his afformentioned physical gifts to be a nuisance both on the ball and in the passing lanes. He’s another high-ranking uncommitted prospect that should have a handful of good programs to choose from this spring.
Previous Rank: 92 (+18) Ismail capitalized on his post graduate year in a way that few others in New England did, and subsequently, saw himself first enter the rankings this fall and then rise almost another 20 spots this winter. He has great length at the lead guard position and an incredibly quick first step off the bounce. He’s more scorer than facilitator, but made a nice transition this winter from being a pure scoring guard to more of a true combo that can run an offense. Defensively, he showed the ability to really lock up at the point of attack, moving well laterally to keep the ball in front of him and out of the paint. Maybe most impressive, was his ability to rebound, particularly in traffic and by the rim. He went from a prospect that had localized Division III recruitment just 10 months ago, to someone who now has scholarship interest from multiple Division I and II programs.
Highlights
Previous Rank: 140 (+33) Dixon is another prospect that saw a big rise after a terrific prep season where he showcased more skill with the ball in his hands than we had seen in the past. A big, power wing that can get downhill off the bounce, Dixon proved this winter that he’s a capable decision maker with some real promise as a secondary playmaker. His combination of size and strength allows him to bully smaller defenders around the rim, where he is an excellent offensive rebounder, but it’s his ability to play on the perimeter that has really come along as of late. Defensively, he can guard up and down a lineup and should thrive at the next level as someone who can grab a rebound and then iniate the offense on the break. He also remains uncommitted and is another prospect that should have a handful of scholarship level programs hoping for his commitment this spring.
Highlights
Previous Rank: 159 (+14) An All-ISL selection this winter for Thayer Academy, Tangishaka is a prospect that impressed every time we saw him take the floor. A big guard that can play either spot in the backcourt, Tangishaka filled the stat column this season averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He’s a three-level scorer than can really create seperation off the bounce and has impressive lift on his jump shot, both of which allow him to get his shot off whenever he wants. He’s a high level shooter from behind the arc and a handful to contain in the open floor. He showcases plenty of versatility on the defensive end of the floor and should only continue to get better on that end as he gets stronger. He, like all four of the previously mentioned prospects, remains uncommitted and is someone that could garner some late scholarship attention at the Division II level this spring.