Official 2024 Watchlist
Now that we’ve posted our first 2023 rankings, we take a look at a handful of 2024 players who are already on the radar for a ranking when we have those rankings next year. There are only 12 players on…
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Continue ReadingNow that we’ve posted our first 2023 rankings, we take a look at a handful of 2024 players who are already on the radar for a ranking when we have those rankings next year. There are only 12 players on the list right now because so few players are making an impact on varsity at this time. This is just a starting point for the class rankings that will eventually be created. These are in no particular order.
Travis Perry, Lyon County – Perry is the most well known of any player in the class. He’s one of the top scorers in the state as an 8th grader and well over 1,000 career points already. Travis has averaged 26.9 points with very solid shooting splits of 49/37/78. He’s going to be playing AAU with 15u All Ohio in the EYBL so he’ll have a chance to become a national name early on in his career.
Rydge Beverly, Hazard – The younger brother of NC State point guard Braxton Beverly, Rydge has been playing up against older competition for years now, much like his brother did before him. Limited to only 3 games this season, Beverly had an underwhelming 8th grade year but is likely to stay a known name in the class for the foreseeable future.
Will Bishop, Rockcastle County – Bishop started all season for the Rockets and led the team in rebounding at almost 8 per game while being second on the team in scoring at 12 per contest. Will is long at 6’4 and will be a nice college prospect down the line if he continues growing.
Junius Burrell, Great Crossing – Burrell ended up not playing varsity basketball this season but was impressive all last summer when he was the starting point guard for Great Crossing. Expect him to get the keys to the offense next season for the Warhawks.
Gavin Grubbs, Trigg County – Grubbs is a unique player on this list because he actually is repeating 8th grade this season in order to reclassify from 2023 to 2024. As an 8th grader (the first time) last year, Grubbs averaged 6 points per game for a young Trigg team and it will be interesting to see how he plays at the varsity level next season as somewhat of a redshirt freshman.
Kenyatta Hardge, Madison Central – Hardge is a 3 spot star for the Indians and basketball is likely his worst of the three but he still makes an impact on varsity. Seeing the floor in 23 games this season, Kenyatta made a difference just this week against Madison Southern in the district tournament.
Jordan Mabe, South Laurel – If you’re looking for the prospect with the highest ceiling, Mabe could be it. He’s 6’2 and still growing and capable of playing either guard spot for the Cardinals. With the graduation of several good guards at South Laurel, expect that Jordan will be the starting point guard next season at some point, if not right away.
Trent Noah, Harlan County – Noah already has a season of varsity starts under his belt and looks like the best prospect in the mountains for the foreseeable future. His freshman season has been a good one as Trent is averaging 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for the Black Bears and is going to be a top prospect in the 13th region for the next 4 years.
Blake Reed, Bracken County – Another 8th grader who is already over 1,000 career points, Reed started his career at Augusta before moving to Bracken County when his dad got the head coach position with the Polar Bears. Blake is going to play with the ball in his hands a lot for the next few years. The only thing that may slow down his scoring numbers is when his younger brother Cayden gets a bigger role on the varsity.
Skylar Ritchie, Wolfe County – The lone post player on this list, Ritchie is 6’6 and still growing and getting more coordinated after growth spurts caused him to lose some of his coordination. Averaging 8 points and 6 rebounds this season, Skylar’s numbers should keep rising as he becomes a more skilled low post player.
Kade Unseld, Warren Central – Another player who hasn’t seen the varsity floor yet, Unseld is the son of Warren Central coach Will Unseld. Kade is a good shooter with the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim. His dad chose to leave him at the middle school level this basketball season but he will get a chance to make an impact for the Dragons next season.
Kayden Custard, Harrison County – To be transparent, I’ve yet to see Custard play but he was named MVP of the 8th grade state tournament and I was told by someone I trust that Custard would start for half of the 10th region right now. Don’t be surprised to see Kayden making a big impact as soon as next season.