Top 2024 Commits Part One

August 1, 2023 by Tony McNiff

Top 2024 Commits: In this series I’ll be breaking down a collection of our highest ranked prospects in the 2024 class who are already committed. There are 40+ prospects who have committed in our 2024 national rankings and I’ll be analyzing what these recruits could potentially bring to their new homes at the next level.

Ace Bailey (#3 in 2024)
6’9” Wing | McEachern (GA) & AOT 

Committed To: Rutgers

Top-5 2024 wing Ace Bailey became Rutgers highest ranked commit in the modern recruiting era after he committed to the Scarlet Knights back in January. He chose Rutgers over Auburn, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, Georgia, and multiple others. Bailey is also joined by Bryce Dortch (#128 in 2024) and Lathan Sommerville in the Scarlet Knights 2024 recruiting class. Rutgers is also targeting Dylan Harper and Naas Cunningham among others. 

Bailey is a rangy, long and explosive athlete who has continued to add polish to his offensive game. Leverages a quick first step to attack closeouts, plus he uses long strides to practically glide past defenders. He’s also flashed improving touch as a shotmaker this spring while showing off his expanding shot-creation versatility. Well-known for his emphatic and highlight-reel finishes above the rim, it’s easy to see that Bailey’s working on adding & showing there’s more to his game. He’s a lethal grab & go threat who is a force pushing the ball himself in the open floor. Switchable defender who has an exceptional ability to guard in space at 6’9” and play physical on the ball when needed. There’s room to improve his shooting consistency and tighten his handle, however he’s currently projecting as one of the top long-term prospects in the 2024 class. 

Drake Powell (#10 in 2024) 
6’5” Guard | Northwood (NC) & Team CP3 (EYBL) 

Committed To: North Carolina

Top-10 2024 wing guard Drake Powell saw his stock steadily rise throughout the spring & summer. Hubert Davis & staff were wise for making the in-state target a priority. The Tar Heels coaching staff have put together a highly ranked 2024 recruiting class that currently consists of Ian Jackson (#22 in 2024) & James Brown (#86 in 2024), however it’s still early. Powell recently averaged 16.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 3.6 APG on 55% from the field & 50% from 3PT range at Peach Jam.

Powell saw his stock rise largely thanks to his two-way production with Team CP3 (EYBL) this past spring & summer while showcasing the strides he’s made in his game. His productivity continued to get better & increase as the summer progressed. Quick-twitch and explosive athlete who has the burst to get downhill when attacking closeouts, plus he’s a bouncy two-foot finisher with strong body control. Consistent pull-up scorer inside the arc who is capable of scoring from three-point range as well. Displays strong mechanics and a smooth, fluid release point off the catch & in spot-up situations. Truly a game changer on the defensive end with his mix of lateral quickness, a relentless motor, and strong instincts. 

Isaiah Evans (#13 in 2024)
6’7” Wing | North Mecklenburg (NC) & Team CP3 (EYBL) 

Committed To: Duke

Top-15 2024 wing Isaiah Evans committed to Duke back in April over Kansas, Alabama, Texas, NC State, Auburn and more. He is set to join Darren Harris (#87 in 2024) in the Blue Devils 2024 recruiting class. This was a strong in-state pickup for Coach Scheyer & staff as they’ve been relentlessly working on the recruiting trail. Evans averaged 20.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 1.4 APG on 47% from the field & 42% from 3PT range at Peach Jam. The Blue Devils are also targeting Flory Bidunga, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe and more. 

Evans is a lengthy wing with an appealing blend of size and shotmaking ability at 6’7”. He’s a highly skilled offensive weapon who has the versatility to hurt defenses from multiple levels. Fluid spot-up scorer whose comfortable shooting off the catch, plus he’s more than capable of creating space for pull-up jumpers. Also has flashed a strong feel with some impressive passes & reads out of double teams or traffic this past AAU season. A potent pull-up scorer who is highly difficult to contain in isolation situations. His lengthy wingspan gives him the ability to jump passing lanes & disrupt ball handlers. The North Carolina native oozes with upside and we’ll have to wait & see just how good he can truly become. 

Carter Bryant (#16 in 2024)
6’8” Wing | Centennial (CA) & Paul George Elite (EYBL) 

Committed To: Arizona

Top-20 2024 wing Carter Bryant committed to Arizona back in April over Louisville. He joined his AAU teammate Jamari Phillips (#36 in 2024) in the Wildcats’ 2024 recruiting class. Tommy Lloyd & staff have been finding success on the recruiting trail as of late. Bryant averaged 9.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 2.1 APG on 44% from the field & 41% from 3PT range during the regular season of the Nike EYBL. Will be a player to keep an eye on during his senior season as he’ll be playing at Centennial (CA). 

The West Coast product has emerged into one of the higher-upside prospects in the class with his mix of size, skill and an underrated passing acumen. He’s a mismatch nightmare who can take slower defenders off the bounce, plus he’s capable of stretching the floor. Fluid floorspacer who has the versatility to be utilized in the pick & pop. Well-built athlete who has also shown glimpses of his ability to take bumps & finish through contact. Have also came away impressed with the passing & playmaking flashes as a mid to high post hub. Prominent grab & go threat who has the foot speed and functional handle to push the ball himself after securing rebounds. Moves well laterally for his size and he’s shown glimpses of his ability to defend in space against wings at 6’8”. 

Donavan Freeman (#18 in 2024)
6’8” Forward | St. John's (DC) & Team Takeover (EYBL) 

Committed To: Syracuse 

Top-20 2024 frontcourt prospect Donavan Freeman committed to Syracuse back in May over Alabama, Texas, Iowa, and Georgia Tech. He joins New York native & Cardinal Hayes (NY) product Elijah Moore in the Orange 2024 recruiting class. Adrian Autry has gotten off to a strong start in the transfer portal & securing a Top-20 prospect in the 2024 class is a big win as well. Freeman recently averaged 12.9 PPG. 5.4 RPG and 1.4 APG at Peach Jam on 46% from the field  & 40% from 3PT range. 

Freeman is another prospect on this list who oozes with long-term upside due to his abundance of physical tools. He possesses strong positional size, exceptional mobility, advanced movement skills and soft hands on the interior. Versatile scoring threat with a fluid shooting stroke off the catch which is certainly intriguing at 6’8”. A bouncy & springy rim finisher who can convert putbacks, lobs or dunks above the rim. Smooth face-up scorer with a high release point & comfortability inside the arc. Also has flashed some impressive grab & go ability while showcasing his advanced ball skills. Moves exceptionally well laterally for his size and he has the length to disrupt or mirror ball handlers. The St. John's (DC) product is one to keep an eye on down the road in the ACC.

Kanon Catchings (#19 in 2024)
6’8” Wing | Overtime Elite & Indy Heat (EYBL) 

Committed To: Purdue

Top-20 2024 wing Kanon Catchings committed to Purdue back in September of 2022 over Xavier. The Indiana native also recently announced that he’ll be playing his senior season for Overtime Elite. He joins Raleigh Burgess (#119 in 2024) and Jack Benter in the Boilermakers 2024 recruiting class. Catchings averaged 13.7 PPG and 6.0 RPG on 45% from the field & 27% from 3PT range during the regular season of the Nike EYBL. Toolsy long-term prospect who could end up molding well into Purdue’s system. 

Catchings, now headed to Overtime Elite for his final high school season before West Lafayette, oozes with upside as a 6-8 shot-maker with improving feel off the ball. Still polishing his game and growing more consistent, but with both Indy Heat and Brownsburg (IN) he’s shown blossoming comfort with the ball in his hands and generating offense on his own. Moving forward, he’ll have to continue to simplify the game and find consistency in his approach, but the upside of 6-8 smooth-shooting with basketball bloodlines warrants a Top-20 ranking heading into his senior season. He’s steadily risen up the ranks throughout his high school career and were set to keep monitoring him. 

Ian Jackson (#22 in 2024)
2024 | 6’5” Wing | Cardinal Hayes (NY) & Wiz Kids (3SSB) 

Committed To: North Carolina 

Top-25 2024 wing guard Ian Jackson committed to North Carolina back in January over Kentucky, Oregon, Arkansas, LSU and more. He joins Drake Powell (#10 in 2024) and James Brown (#86 in 2024) in the Tar Heels 2024 recruiting class. While Jackson has evident physical tools and plenty to work with, he’ll need to develop his game further in order to reach his full potential. He was selected to the Team USA Men's U19 National Team back in June which was a notable honor. 

Jackson is a prospect with an undeniably high ceiling and we’re patiently waiting to see if he can tap into that upside. He’s a high-level athlete who possesses plenty of vertical pop & explosiveness. A bouncy rim finisher who is a threat to throw down emphatic finishes above the rim when he’s given a runway. Dynamic threat in the open floor with his blend of speed, changes of pace & counter moves getting to the cup. Capable scorer who can knock down open jumpers when he’s given the space, although there’s room to improve his consistency. Productive defensive playmaker who leverages his quick reflexes & strong instincts to jump passing lanes often. Potential fast break igniter who loves to push the pace and play at a fast tempo in the open floor.

Thomas Sorber (#24 in 2024)
2024 | 6’9” Big | Archbishop Ryan (PA) & Team Final (EYBL) 

Committed To: Georgetown 

Top-25 2024 big man Thomas Sorber committed to Georgetown back in May over Miami, Providence and Villanova. He joins Caleb Williams (#79 in 2024) and Kayvaun Mulready (#102 in 2024) in the Hoyas 2024 recruiting class. Coach Cooley & staff haven’t been at the helm in DC for long, however they’ve made a quick impact with their recruiting in the transfer portal and on the high-school scene. Sorber has improved at a rapid rate in the past year or so and he’s seen his ranking rise in the process. He averaged 11.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 1.8 BPG during the regular season of the Nike EYBL. 

Sorber is a physical and well-built athlete with a reliable two-way impact on the interior. Tough back to the basket scorer who consistently demonstrates soft hands, advanced footwork and expanding weak hand touch. He’s become increasingly mobile and well-conditioned throughout the last few years, as he’s made evident strides as a rim-runner. Flashed some notable growth as a floorspacer and spot-up shooter this spring & summer as well. Possesses the physical build to keep opponents out of the paint on the defensive end with his sturdy build. Leverages his strength, motor and aggression to generate strong positioning on both ends of the floor when rebounding the ball. He’s also shown glimpses of improving instincts and timing as a shotblocker. As he continues to expand his range and athleticism there’s plenty to like with the Top-25 prospect headed to DC. 

Paul McNeil Jr (#26 in 2024)
2024 | 6’6” Wing | Richmond County (NC) & Garner Road (3SSB) 

Committed To: NC State 

Top-30 2024 wing Paul McNeil Jr committed to NC State back in February over Indiana, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, and others. He joins Trey Parker (#139 in 2024) in the Wolfpacks’ 2024 recruiting class. The North Carolina native has been one of the stronger wing prospects on the East Coast. Coach Keatts & staff did a strong job prioritizing McNeil Jr by making the in-state recruit a primary target. The Wolfpack have two solid pieces early on in the cycle and it’ll be interesting to see who else they can add. 

McNeil Jr possesses a strong combination of size and shotmaking at 6’6”. He’s a fluid and wiry athlete who has proven to be a reliable shotmaker throughout his high-school career. Truly a dynamic offensive prospect with his blend of flair, shotmaking & counter moves off the dribble. Smooth pull-up scorer with range that extends out to the arc, plus he’s shown plenty of comfortability as a catch & shoot scorer. He’s made evident growth as a playmaker throughout the years, primarily when it comes to his feel & decision-making with the ball in his hands. There’s plenty of intrigue on the defensive end with his mix of size, length and athleticism. Another prospect on this list to keep an eye on down the road in the ACC.

Morez Johnson Jr (#34 in 2024)
2024 | 6’9” Big | Thornton Township (IL) & Meanstreets (EYBL) 

Committed To: Illinois 

Top-35 2024 big man Morez Johnson Jr committed to Illinois early on back in November of 2021. Coach Underwood & staff smartly made the in-state recruit a priority from the jump after they initially offered. He joins Jason Jakstys in their 2024 recruiting class thus far. Johnson recently averaged 17.0 PPG, 13.2 RPG, and 1.5 BPG on 60% from the field at Peach Jam en route to a deep Meanstreets run. They’ve offered multiple other 2024 prospects and we’ll have to wait to see who joins this class down the road. 

Johnson Jr is a well-built and physical athlete who has proven to be a double-double machine at the high school level. He’s still putting the pieces together and expanding his versatility, although he still tends to be highly productive on the offensive end. Leverages his positional size, motor and physicality to be a prominent putback threat on the offensive glass. Aggressive rim finisher who has the build to take bumps & play through contact. Still expanding his range & touch, although he’s flashed some face-up touch inside the arc. Energetic rim-runner who has the mobility and foot speed to beat opposing bigs down the floor quite often. Reliable rim protector who also has the size, length, and growing instincts to block or contest opponents shots in the lane. He’s also shown some impressive glimpses of his lateral agility for a 6’9” prospect when defending in space out of switches.