2024 Rankings Risers

April 7, 2023 by Max Feldman

The breakout of the 2022-2023 high school season, Edgecombe has quickly broken into rankings and eclipses the top seven in 2024 for us. The Bahamian transplant hit the ground running with LuHi and has been scorching all season, stunting high level upside as a fluid wing athlete with a smooth shooting stroke and playmaking chops. High majors offers have begun to file in as of late, but as far as his recruitment and standing in rankings at this stage, things still aren’t where they could be given what he’s shown this season. In a class that has plenty of shaking out to do over the summer, Edgecombe appears among the very elite.

Catchings originally caught my eye last summer on an impressive Indy Heat group, and since has sprouted both physically and developmentally. Now standing closer to 6-9 and with more bend to his movement skills, Catchings, the nephew of WNBA great Tamika Catchings, has kicked things up a notch as a creator and second-side scorer on the offensive end. Elite touch, pull-up shot-making, advanced feel off the ball and a mature approach on both ends of the floor. Already committed to Purdue, another fantastic early evaluation by Matt Painter and company, Catchings has emerged as a five-star, top twelve prospect in 2024. 

Currently touted around the 50-mark by consensus, Bethea garners a spot within the top 30 for us given his progression on-ball, versatility to play off, better-than-advertised athletic ability and high level shooting profile. From EYBL to the Philly Catholic League, wherever Bethea has gone, perimeter efficiency has come along with. A deadeye with deep range, the 6-4 guard showed well in both our Northeast Preview and the Jordan Holiday Classic against national competition. While his efficiency was on the lower end by his averages at both events, we came away impressed by his fluid athleticism and apparent edge to him. It appears there’s more to be tapped into on the ball, but given what he’s shown already, we’re happy to be early to the party.

The state of Arkansas has become a hotbed over the last few years and Annor Boateng is the next elite talent from the Little Rock area. Built like a linebacker but moves like a receiver, Boateng’s functional strength and athleticism escorts high level downhill productivity. The 6-5 guard measures in with a 6-10 wingspan and massive hands to go with a chiseled 200 pound frame and a motor that stays hot. Boateng displayed growth as a shooter towards the back-end of the summer – a key swing skill to monitor moving forward. There's a ton to like given his improving feel on either end of the floor, especially when accounting for his wildly advanced frame and movement skills.

The rise began last summer at the FIBA U17 World Cup, and since it’s been a steady climb. As far as consistent production and impacting winning, Nitu isn’t yet on par with many who surround him in the rankings, but there’s few throughout who’ve flashed near what he has. Oozing with versatility at  6-11, the Canadian wing has shown comfortable handling, shooting off the catch and orchestrating offense along with subtle aggression at the rim. Whether it’s in international play or with Canada Elite, finding more consistency will be key coming up, but there’s very few in 2024 who’ve demonstrated similar skill as a pass, dribble and shoot threat at 6-11. 

Long-limbed lefty that has gone a bit too under the radar out West in terms of national awareness. A mature approach, inherent toughness and Riley’s ample physical upside popped this summer with West Coast Elite. The Cali native displayed enticing intangibles, strong measurables and a scalable skillset to the next level and beyond. USC, TCU and Texas A&M among others appear entrenched in his recruitment.

Still just 16 years old heading down the final stretch of his junior year, Sensely’s upside is rather clear-cut. A lively athlete at 6-8 with some twitch to him, the young wing has shown the ability to space the floor at a high level and flashed creation with the ball in his hands. Between injuries and general inconsistencies, it’s near the time where he’ll have to take another step forward, but the outlines of a shifty wing with secondary creation ability and a quick-trigger from deep at 6-8 with more to tap into physically garner more than enough intrigue to garner a top 40 spot.

There’s less of a sample size with Dunkley-Distant than the vast majority of the ranked prospects, but the Canadian guard is a threat to continue to surge over the next 12 months. A hyper-athlete at 6-7 with rangy movement skills and an inherent playmaking feel. A dynamic transition presence with physicality, flexibility and manipulation at the rim. Decision-making and shooting have to improve this year, but Dunkley-Distant has the tools to be the next big-time prospect from Up North given his athletic profile and playmaking flair. Syracuse and Pittsburgh are a few of the latest to offer.

 The appeal on Evans has been clear-cut for sometime, a fast-twitch, long athlete with physical upside and defensive instincts. Moving into the season, Evans continues to take steps forward and grow in polish on the offensive end. A long-striped slasher a big, loopy handle that stuns defenders in open space to go with an elevated release point on his jumper that makes for a tough contest. Not necessarily newer onto the radar like some others, it more so appears time to reframe the lens on Evans. The 6-7 wing debuts in the top 10 of our 2024 rankings.