Top new forwards in 2024 rankings
We updated our 2024 rankings earlier this week on the website and lots of new players find themselves in the latest update. We’ve talked about the top new names but this article will focus solely on the big guys that…
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Continue ReadingWe updated our 2024 rankings earlier this week on the website and lots of new players find themselves in the latest update. We’ve talked about the top new names but this article will focus solely on the big guys that were added.
Deandre Jones Deandre Jones 6'8" | PF Garfield Heights | 2024 State #266 Nation OH , 6’7 PF Warrensville Heights 2024: Jones is a bit further away than some other players on this list, but his upside is higher than a lot of other bigs in this class. Jones is a very impressive athlete at 6’7 who can fly through the air and really competes on the interior trying to block shots and grab rebounds. Jones is going to take some time to develop on the offensive end and I’m very excited to continue to monitor his development on that end of the court. Jones is a relative unknown outside of northeast Ohio but I expect that to change either this summer or next winter. I liked seeing Jones stick to his role for the Ohio Rebels as he’s a key piece on the interior for a squad that’s had a lot of success this spring already.
Wendell Henry Wendell Henry 6'5" | PF St. Edward - Lakewood, OH | 2024 State OH , 6’5 PF Saint Edward 2024: Henry was a guy who came on strong during the tail end of his Sophomore season and would be a prime candidate to breakout as a Junior for Saint Edward. Henry has a good feel for the game with impressive passing skills from the post and a capable outside shot. After seeing Henry be productive both during the high school and grassroots seasons, there’s no doubt in my mind that Henry will be a scholarship prospect when it’s all said and done. I expect Henry to be a household name in northeast Ohio by the end of his Junior season, so if you don’t know about him now, we’re letting you know.
Ryan Soulis Ryan Soulis 6'10" | C Asheville School | 2024 NC , 6’9 C Western Reserve Academy 2024: Soulis played for Wildcats Select 16 U in Indy, which is where he came onto our radar. With legit size at 6’9, Soulis is a big body in the paint to grab rebounds and contest shots. Soulis didn’t get many chances to show off his offensive game on the 3SSB circuit, but I’m excited to watch him during the high school season where he’ll be more of a focal point of the offense. Right now Soulis looks like a clear scholarship level talent who should attract lots of college interest next spring and summer.
Derek Jackson Derek Jackson 6'6" | PF Lakota East | 2024 State OH , 6’6 PF Lakota East 2024: Jackson is a classic stretch-4 prospect, in a similar mold to Ian Ioppolo Ian Ioppolo 6'6" | PF Mentor | 2024 State OH who was featured in the top new names article linked above. Jackson can space the floor and make shots from the outside while standing at 6’6 and provide rebounding on the interior. Jackson was at Lakota West as a Sophomore but will be going across town to Lakota East next season. I’ll be interested to see if Jackson’s defensive impact improves under Head Coach Clint Adkins this winter. Jackson is a name to watch in the GMC next season.
Michael Johnson Michael Johnson 6'6" | SF Cincinnati Withrow | 2024 State OH , 6’5 PF Cincinnati Withrow 2024: Johnson is a prospect who quietly put up impressive numbers in the CMAC as a Sophomore, really closing the season off strong. Johnson took that momentum to the spring where he showed flashes of his talents for Bates Fundamentals. Johnson is a long athlete at 6’5 with a plus wingspan who looks to score around the paint. After watching Johnson during the grassroots season, I think seeing him with his high school team can give me a more clear evaluation of his talents. Regardless, this is a prospect to watch as Johnson should content for a first team all conference spot in the CMAC next season.