2024 Recruits On The Rise: Part One
July 22, 2023 by Tony McNiff
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Recruits On The Rise: In this content series I'll be diving into a collection of 2024 prospects who have been garnering buzz on the recruiting trail. Make sure to check out our full list of rankings for the 2023-2026 classes here.
CJ Cox
2024 | 6’2” Guard | Milton Academy (MA) & Middlesex Magic (UAA)
The Massachusetts native put up some big numbers against a high level of competition during the July live periods. He’s added offers from Northeastern, Miami (OH), Yale, William & Mary, & Vermont in the past week. Expect to see more programs get involved throughout the rest of the summer.
He’s a skilled combo guard who is a potent pull-up scorer with extensive touch. Cox has truly blossomed into a confident, multilevel scorer in the past few months. Leverages a quick first step to beat closeouts & attack off the bounce, plus he possesses strong body control as a rim finisher. Willing playmaker who can create for others or himself off the dribble. A tough positional rebounder who is laterally quick & physical at the point of attack on the defensive end. The ball skills and shotmaking pop most at this stage for the Middlesex Magic product.
Josh Decady
2024 | 6’8” Forward | Kimball Union Academy (NH) & Crown Basketball
Decady has added offers from George Mason, Chattanooga, North Carolina A&T, Northeastern, Hofstra, Robert Morris, Binghamton, Iona, Northern Illinois, & more in the past few weeks. He was listed as a potential stockriser last month after we saw him perform at a high level during the NEPSAC Showcase. Keep an eye on the Kimball Union Academy (NH) product as he;ll play his senior season in the Northeast.
Physical & aggressive athlete who plays with a relentless motor on both ends of the floor. Demonstrates soft hands, functional touch & developing footwork as a post or drop-down finisher. Continues to flash his ability to take slower bigs to the rim off the dribble which makes him a potential mismatch nightmare. A highly productive rebounder who plays with a high activity level & plenty of physicality on the glass. Still improving his timing & instincts as a rim protector, although his size and aggression make him an effective shotblocker. The fast-rising frontcourt prospect is another stockriser to look out for in the coming months.
Ashton Simmons
2024 | 6’3” Guard | Westbrook (TX) & JL3 Elite (EYBL)
Simmons was a big riser throughout the summer & he was a heavy producer in North Augusta throughout Peach Jam. He’s added offers from New Mexico State, Grand Canyon, North Carolina A&T, and more during the July live periods. He debuted at #134 in our 2024 rankings latest update, although it’s possible his stock could rise even higher.
The Texas native is a well-built & quick-twitch athlete who consistently affects the game in numerous facets. Powerful handler with burst at the point of attack, plus he’s a fluid pull-up scorer with comfortability shooting off the bounce. Capable spot-up scorer with the range to hurt opponents on the perimeter, although his downhill playmaking & forceful slashing certainly leaves a lasting impression. Tenacious defender with quick hands & feet who showcases his strong instincts when guarding the ball.
Ryan Williams
2024 | 6’4” Guard | Malvern Prep (PA) & Philly Pride (UAA)
Williams has added offers from Stony Brook, Iona & Hofstra thus far during the July live periods. He’s garnered a notable reputation for being one of the stronger shooters out East in the 2024 class. Put together some big outings during the July live period and he’s beginning to see his recruitment ascend.
He’s a sharpshooting off-guard who has continued to expand upon his game while developing into more than a shooter. The polished mechanics & shotmaking ability pop most in William’s game, however he’s become glaringly more aggressive as a slasher. Possesses the speed, burst & tight crossovers to beat closeouts when opponents attempt to run him off the three-point line. Smooth pull-up scorer who is also comfortable settling into jumpers off the bounce inside the arc. Strong mirror defender who has the lateral quickness to guard in space and stay in front of ball handlers. The Pennsylvania native is a scholarship level shooter who could see more programs continue to get involved.
Lewis Walker
2024 | 6’6” Wing | Winston Salem Christian School (NC) & Team Loaded (3SSB)
Walker earned offers from Towson, Georgia State, Missouri, Arkansas State & Richmond during the July live periods. The North Carolina native is seeing his stock rise quickly while producing at a high level. He’s another prospect in the Carolinas who is seeing their stock rise as a result of their production.
He’s a well-built & physically mature wing who is a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses. Forceful ball handler at the point of attack who can bully smaller defenders, plus he possesses the foot speed to beat slower bigs off the bounce. A powerful finisher who is filled with aggression & toughness at the rim. Still sharpening his handle & expanding his touch, yet the physical tools are appealing at this stage. Has flashed some face-up ability when opponents heavily play the drive. Strong wall-off defender who can keep wings in front and hold his own physically against opposing forwards.
Malick Diallo
2024 | 6’10” Big | Wasatch Academy (UT) & Utah Prospects (3SSB)
Top-120 2024 big man Malick Diallo has added offers from San Jose State, TCU, Weber State & VCU during the July live periods. He was a huge part and big producer in Utah Prospects championship run in the 3SSB.
Diallo is a malleable and physical athlete who brings an energetic two-way presence on the floor. Physical low-post scorer with plenty of vertical pop & aggression as a rim finisher. Emphatic lob threat who leverages his quick verticality & adequate hands to secure passes above the rim. An assertive defensive anchor who is a prompt weak-side rotator that can put a lid on the rim with his length, instincts & positional size. Will be a vital piece to a retooled Wasatch Academy (UT) roster that brings in a collection of talent
Cole Kirouac
2024 | 6’11” Big | Brewster Academy (NH) & Atlanta Express (UAA)
Kirouac has earned offers from Indiana State, Georgia Tech & Wyoming during the July live periods. He popped onto my radar the NEPSAC Showcase and there’s some intriguing long-term promise in his game. Another one to keep an eye on as he prepares to play his senior season in the Northeast at Brewster Academy (NH).
He’s an intriguing prospect with legitimate upside due to his blend of size, skill, & expanding touch. A lengthy athlete who plays with a high activity level on the glass & around the rim. Capable post-scorer with a soft touch on jump hooks, plus he’s flashed some face-up touch as well this spring. As he continues to build out his frame & add muscle, there’s an appealing mix of tools and skill to develop.
Isaiah Johnson-Arigu
2024 | 6’7” Wing | Totino-Grace (MN) & D1 Minnesota (3SSB)
Top-150 2024 wing Isaiah Johnson-Arigu has added offers from Miami, Arizona State, Texas Tech, Iowa & Xavier during the July live periods. The Minnesota native has been a big stockriser the past few weeks after playing well in front of college coaches. A prominent riser to keep tabs on in the Midwest the next few weeks.
He’s a tough athlete who has plenty of upside to tap into with his mix of size, length, and athleticism. Showcases soft hands, vertical pop & physical/rugged rim finishing on the offensive end. Developing three-point shooter who is a fluid and reliable face-up scorer in the 12-15 foot area when given the space. Johnson-Arigu has flashed his switchability on the defensive end this year with strong instincts & lateral agility. There’s plenty to like long-term and his blend of production & upside has caught the eye of college programs. One to keep an eye on in the Midwest as he approaches his senior season.