2024 Rankings: 5-10 Breakdown
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The Prep Hoops SoCal team was able to get a more in-depth look at the class of 2024 over the spring and summer. From spring club events to Section 7 in June and closing out the summer in July with…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops SoCal team was able to get a more in-depth look at the class of 2024 over the spring and summer. From spring club events to Section 7 in June and closing out the summer in July with a number of high profile tournaments, we now have a clearer picture on how the rising junior class stacks up, and thus, the first drop of rankings for the class of 2024. In this piece we break down the five players who round out the top ten and why they ended up in these positions.
No. 6: James Evans James Evans 6'6" | SF West Ranch | 2024 State CA-S , West Ranch
Evans is one of the more explosive wing athletes in the 2024 class and he uses that to his advantage when slashing his way to the basket in both transition and half-court settings. The 6-foot-6 wing/forward has a strong frame to go along with his pop off the floor which makes him a guy who can rise up and finish through or over rim protectors. Evans isn’t just an interior scorer, however, as he has the catch and shoot perimeter jumper in his arsenal.
No. 7: Tyrone Riley Tyrone Riley 6'5" | SF St. Pius X St. Matthias | 2024 State #152 Nation CA-S , St. Pius X-St. Matthias
Riley is smooth and crafty left-hander whose ability to consistently hit the three-point shot opens up driving lanes for him to shoot and create off the dribble. Riley’s offensive package is versatile: perimeter jumpers, dribble-drive finishes, transition slashing and scoring, but it’s his defensive prowess that makes him such an intriguing prospect. The rangy 6-foot-5 wing has shown the ability to guard multiple positions and has great instincts when jumping passing lanes for steals.
No. 8: Deshawn Gory Deshawn Gory 6'8" | SF Red Rock Academy | 2024 NV , Oak Hills
Gory has some very interesting long-term potential. At 6-feet-6 with a long and wiry frame, the high desert product is as versatile as they come at the high school level. Gory’s offensive prowess is predicated by his three-point jumper, with deep range, both off the catch and off the bounce and his ability to fill the lane in transition and glide his way to finishes at the rim. Gory has impressive body control when attacking at full speed and understands that his long strides, combined with his balance on change of directions, makes him a guy who is difficult for the defense to keep in front.
No. 9: Eric Freeny Eric Freeny 6'5" | SG Corona Centennial | 2024 State #73 Nation CA-S , Corona Centennial
Freeny has a chance to be a major breakout player in the state this season as his role likely goes from sixth man to starter on one of the best teams in the state. The 6-foot-4 guard/wing is a jack-of-all-trades type of prospect who impacts the game in a variety of ways. Freeny is a multi-positional defender, great rebounder for his size and position, high IQ playmaker, and a guy who creates mismatches against smaller guards. Freeny uses his size, strength, ball skills and soft touch around the basket to be an efficient interior scorer.
No. 10: Channing Cade Channing Cade 6'7" | SF Rosemary Anderson Prep | 2024 State OR , Etiwanda
Cade is probably the least known name among the top ten – on a regional and national level – but this junior wing/forward has immense upside. At 6-feet-7 with elite length and super fluid athleticism, his calling card could be as a two-way hybrid forward at the next level. Cade showed this spring and summer that he has made strides with his ball skills, allowing him to become a player who can use the dribble to attack the basket off the wing, adding to his rim-running finishing ability. Cade plays for one of the top defensive programs in the state so it will be interesting to see how effective he is on that end of the floor this season.