Top stock risers from 2024 Rankings Update
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Our 2024 Rankings Update saw some players make big rises up the rankings after strong ends to their senior seasons. In this article, we’re going to take a look at five players who made jumps with a late season surge.…
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Continue ReadingOur 2024 Rankings Update saw some players make big rises up the rankings after strong ends to their senior seasons. In this article, we’re going to take a look at five players who made jumps with a late season surge.
A prospect who’s rise started in July with Wildcat Select, Jones has gotten better and better each time I watch him play and had a monster playoff outing in his last high school game against Toledo Whitmer. Very mobile as a defender, Jones is switchable and protects the rim with his length and timing. Improving on the offensive end as well, Jones is a play finisher as a roll man or sitting in the dunker spot who also improved as a perimeter shooter this year. A ton of upside for the Kent State commit, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him play right away and make an impact in the MAC.
One of the biggest senior season risers I’ve covered during my time in Ohio, Mahaffey went from being a bench guy averaging 3.8 PPG on one of the worst Moeller teams this century to starting for one of the top teams in the state (also at Moeller) and averaging 9 PPG on 50% shooting, 2.2 defensive stocks per game (steals + blocks) and a 3/2 A/TO ratio. The box score can only tell you so much and the eye test for Mahaffey has also shown drastic improvement. One of the top athletes in Ohio, Mahaffey moves like few other wings in the midwest. Taking long strides in transition and super explosive as an athlete by changing directions and speeds, Mahaffey can leave opponents in the dust. One of the top defenders in Ohio as well, Mahaffey made some huge plays as a help-side defender and can lock down on the ball. Still developing as an offensive player in the half-court and as a shooter, if the jumper comes around for Mahaffey, he will be a stud for Akron.
Unfortunately, Springer suffered an injury late in his senior season which prevented him from playing in the Wildcats state title run. However, Springer continued to get better and better throughout his senior season prior to the injury, that he still made a climb up the final rankings. A forward who can space the floor, rebound it, is a solid athlete and can defend in space checks a lot of boxes at the next level. Hoping for a full recovery for Sam as he prepares for his colegiate career to start.
Another state champion, Taylor has steadily seen his stock rise this winter. At the college level many players see their roles shrink, they need to figure out how to impact the game without dominating the ball and playing next to other great players. For Taylor, that adjustment should be easy for him. A guy who has played next to Michigan State commit Jesse McCulloch Jesse McCulloch 6’9″ | PF Lutheran East | 2024 State #136 Nation OH at Lutheran East, Taylor’s job was to sit in the corner and knock down catch and shoot 3’s when the defense helped off him. Also able to attack a closeout and provide value as a defender, Taylor should play the exact same role at the next level. One of the top unsigned players in Ohio’s 2024 class, Taylor has received interest from NAIA’s and holds a pair of offers.
Highlights
The GCL-Co Ed had a really strong showing in the state tournament and Temming put up monster numbers in that league. With good size, quick feet for his height and production on both ends I thought Temming showed real growth as a senior. It’s always hard to project centers at this stage, some end up taking big jumps well after their high school career ends. I would be curious to see how Temming looks after a year at a JUCO, redshirt or post grad option. With a lot of intriguing tools to work with considering his size, mobility, passing and rim protection, I think Temming getting continued reps against tough competition, either in practice or game settings will really show where he’s at as a prospect. A name to watch in the 2024 class from Ohio as they prepare for their college careers.