2024 Rankings Update: SEPA New Names to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Wednesday 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 prospects at the top of our rankings: shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1189096' first='Jalil' last='Bethea'] (Kentucky commit); combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1281786' first='Ahmad' last='Nowell'] (UConn commit) and power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1213553' first='Thomas' last='Sorber'] (Georgetown commit).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we will dig deeper into the Pennsylvania Class of 2024 rankings and review five players who used the November's fall ball action as well as the first month and a half of the 2023-24 high school season to impress us and break into our 2024 rankings for the first time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of five <em>“new”</em> southeastern Pennsylvania prospects who made their 2024 rankings debut in our latest update.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#197…</em></strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2322845' first='Jaydon' last='Smith'] </strong><strong>– 6'5” / Carlisle / Team PA / Wing: </strong>To say that this athletic, hybrid guard-forward has been filling it up this season is a drastic understatement. In the last month and a half Smith has posted games of 42 points, 33 points and 29 points. He also registered a double-double of 26 points and 14 Rebounds (8 assists too). In addition to scoring, Smith owns enough dribbling skills to operate as a secondary ball handler. His length and quick second jump make him an outstanding rebounder. Earlier this week Smith committed to Shippensburg University (D3).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#214…</em>[player_tooltip player_id='2322843' first='Aldonis' last='Martin'] – 6'4” / Abraham Lincoln / Wing:</strong> Martin (13 ppg.) is an athletic and fast perimeter prospect with a muscular frame who can score at all three levels. He proved that when he poured in a season high 23 points against Sankofa Freedom Academy<em>. </em>Still, what college coaches will really love about Martin is his creative distribution skills. As a “big guard” he can pass over the top of most defenders. On dribble drives, Martin is typically looking to facilitate for teammates, and he will deliver precise passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#235…</em>[player_tooltip player_id='2322844' first='Rashon' last='Giddens'] – 6'1” / Norristown / [program_tooltip program_id='2078682' first='K-Low' last='Elite'] / Wing:</strong> This extraordinary athlete (two-way player for the Norristown football team) is a wing scoring machine. With his quickness, bounce and finishing skills, Giddens excels in transition. In the half court Giddens can lace jumpers or get to the rim off the dribble. His noteworthy performances from early on in 2023-24 include 20 points and 7 rebounds vs. Pottsgrove; 18 points and 15 rebounds in win over OJR; and 19 points and 9 boards vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#281…</em>[player_tooltip player_id='2322846' first='Sean' last='Murphy'] – 6'10” / Upper Moreland / Penn Warriors / Power Forward: </strong>Murphy is a stretch-4 prospect who is just scratching the surface of his potential. So far in 2023-23 he is averaging 11 points (50% on FGAs) to go along with 7 rebounds per contest. Highlights from this season include 23 points (2 threes) and 9 rebounds against William Tennent as well as 16 points (2 threes) vs. Wissahickon. Murphy can score via quick post-ups, the offensive glass and in pick-n-roll sets. He can also pop threes. As a bonus, Murphy runs the floor well. So he is an option on the secondary break. With his enormous wingspan and instincts Murphy is an excellent shot blocker and rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#298…</em>[player_tooltip player_id='2322847' first='Alex' last='Zakheim'] – 6'1” / Perkiomen School / NJ Force / Combo Guard:</strong> Zakheim is an athletic and high IQ prospect who stuffs the stat book. His accurate 3-point shooting must be respected. Zakheim also owns the ability to get to the rim off the dribble. HE posted as season high 19 points in a win over national power Phelps School. With his tight handles and poise, Zakheim can run as a point guard too. At the other end, he is a tenacious on-ball defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->