Updated 2024 Rankings: SEPA Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier today we published our <a href="https://prephoops.com/pennsylvania/rankings/2024-rankings/">updated Class of 2024 prospect rankings</a>. By now you are familiar with the names who have remained at the top list for a year or more. Names like five-star recruits [player_tooltip player_id='1189096' first='Jalil' last='Bethea'] (Miami commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='1281786' first='Ahmad' last='Nowell'] (UConn commit). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So today we will dig into the Pennsylvania Class of 2024 rankings and review five players who used the 2023-24 high school season to increase their recruiting stock significantly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five southeastern Pennsylvania 2024 stock risers you need to keep an eye on at the next level.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>57 to 43…</em>[player_tooltip player_id='1123885' first='Nick' last='Coval'] – 6'2” / Parkland / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL / Shooting Guard: </strong>Coval is a career 2,000-point scorer, two-time 6A 1st Team All-State selection and is committed to Davidson. Yet somehow, he took his game to another level in 2023-24. In addition to scoring the rock this season, Coval was a maestro on offense. He served as a primary ball handler where he dictated tempo, managed set plays, and handed out assists. He also grabbed rebounds and played solid defense. During his senior campaign Coval averaged 22 ppg. and drained 70 triples as he pushed Parkland to the District 1-6A title (repeat champion) and the 6A state championship game. He registered a season high 34 points (7 threes) vs. Northampton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>94 to 60…</em>Yadiel Cruz – 6'2” / Reading / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] Red / Shooting Guard:</strong> The 2023-24 Berks Conference POY poured in 22.4 points per game this season. Cruz is a highly accurate 3-point shooter (48 3PM) but his specialty is scoring via creative finishes at the rim. His speed and crafty dribble drive moves get Cruz to the rack in the half-court and in transition. Plus, Cruz can slam on the breaks and hit pull up jumpers. Cruz pumped in a season high 40 points (4 3PM) against Harrisburg. He also posted 30 points (2 3PM) vs. Cardinal O'Hara. This season Cruz also proved he can run as a secondary ball handler. In March Cruz helped push Reading to the 6A state tourney semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>189 to 95…</em>Rylan Muniz – 5'11” / Executive Education ACS / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] Select / Combo Guard:</strong> Muniz was previously ranked inside the top 200 for our Class of 2024 rankings. So, we knew this scoring guard was talented. But we never could have predicted the bust out senior season Muniz was going to post. In 2023-24 Muniz was an absolute 3-point sniper as he established a new state record with 130 made threes on the season. Muniz (40% on 3PAs) is constantly moving off the ball and he owns a quick trigger. The combination makes Muniz difficult to guard along the arc. In addition to splashing threes, Muniz is tough to stop in the open court. His speed and change of direction dribbles enable him to go rim to rim in a hurry. Muniz averaged 20 points, 3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 2023-24.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>135 to 117</em>…[player_tooltip player_id='1850287' first='Zuri' last='Harris'] – 5'11” / Coatesville / PA Coalition / Combo Guard:</strong> Harris is a quick and multi-talented guard who led Coatesville to the Ches-Mont League title as well as the quarterfinals of 6A state tournament. He can blow past defenders off the bounce, knock down threes and hand out dimes. At the other end of the court, his incredible energy, quickness, and anticipation skills enable Harris to serve as a lockdown defender. The combination of his offensive prowess and his plus defensive skills earned Harris a 1^st Team All-Ches-Mont selection. This month Harris pushed Coatesville to the 6A state quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>197 to 171…</em>[player_tooltip player_id='2322845' first='Jaydon' last='Smith'] – 6'5” / Carlisle / Team PA / Wing:</strong> In 2023-24 this long and athletic hybrid prospect registered games of 42, 33 and 29 points. Needless to say, Smith can fill it up at all three levels. Additionally, Smith can serve as secondary ball handler, is a beast on the glass and is a tenacious defender. His high basketball IQ and constant communication with teammates make Smith a leader on the court. This season Smith boasted a stat line of 21.2 points, 7.4 boards and 6 assists per game. He was a 1^st Team All-Mid-Penn Conference selection as well as the MPC-Commonwealth Division POY. He also eclipsed the 1,000-point career scoring mark. Smith is committed to Shippensburg University (D3).   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->