Player Rankings: C/O 2024 Top Centers
The New Prep Hoops Player Rankings are out. It’s been a difficult season, one that included the cancelation of the high school season, tons of players coming and going, and an overall lack of playing opportunities. Despite that and thanks to yeomen…
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Continue ReadingThe New Prep Hoops Player Rankings are out. It’s been a difficult season, one that included the cancelation of the high school season, tons of players coming and going, and an overall lack of playing opportunities. Despite that and thanks to yeomen efforts from coaches, I’ve been fortunate to see a ton of players and learn some new names. The class of 2024 is one of the deepest in the state in terms of size and length. In this article, we take a look at the top Centers in the class.
Khaman Maker Khaman Maker 7'1" | C Trinity | 2024 State #127 Nation NV 7’1 Desert Valley Prep/Vegas Elite #2 – One of the top players overall in the class of 2024. His size and length are obvious. His best skill is his rim protection, Maker is an immediate deterrent, who makes it nearly impossible for opponents to finish around the rim. It’s not crazy to consider him a potential pro if he can continue to develop his offensive game.
Cole Ellena Cole Ellena 6'9" | C Liberty | 2024 State NV 6’9 Liberty/Westcoast Select #11 – Ellena has improved a lot over the last 6 months. His best skill is his rebounding. Ellena grabs most of them flat-footed, however, he is equally effective on both the offensive and defensive backboards. Interesting ceiling because he already has a decent offensive game, including touch out to about 15 feet. In a few years, I wouldn’t be shocked if he was a number 1 offensive option for his high school.
R’zha Whittle R’zha Whittle 6'8" | C Rancho | 2024 State NV 6’6 Faith Lutheran/Las Vegas Knicks #17 – Whittle is a big-bodied post. His best skill is his physicality. Whittle carves out space down low, in both the offensive and defensive paint. He’s still developing his offensive package, but I could see him becoming a volume rebounder that scores off putbacks.
Javares Reid Javares Reid 6'9" | C Rosemary Anderson Prep | 2024 State OR 6’5 Coronado/West Coast Select #19 – Reid is a young raw physical specimen. I’m always looking for length and Reid has that in spades. He has long arms which allow him to play bigger than his size. His best skill is his defensive versatility. Reid moves fluidly, headging and switching ball screens. His ceiling is tied to either a growth spurt or him eventually transitioning down to more of a wing.
Ryder Bryan Ryder Bryan 6'7" | C Liberty | 2024 State NV 6’5 Desert Valley Prep/LV Shooters #22 – Bryan is a banger post. He does a good job with his early post prep work, fighting for position against opponents. Offensively he is effective when he can turn over his left shoulder. His ceiling will be tied to his feet. If Bryan can become a more fluid and dedicated rim runner, he has a chance to be a guy that kills teams with early post-up opportunities in transition.
Alexander Ruggeroli Alexander Ruggeroli 6'6" | C Bishop Gorman | 2024 NV 6’6 Bishop Gorman/Chosen Few #25 – Ruggeroli has come a long way since the first time I saw him play. He’s a football player that doesn’t mind contact. His best skill right now is his low post-defense. The big man will tussle with the strongest of low post players. If he improves his offensive skill, there just may be a place for a guy with his size.
Noah Tomlin Noah Tomlin 6'8" | C Slam | 2024 State NV 6’5 Slam #38 – Tomlin is one of the more intriguing big guys. Like everyone on this list, he has size, but there is also a rawness about him that is intriguing. Tomlin competes well when on the floor, battling for rebounds on both ends. He moves well, showing the ability to hedge ball screens. Offensively he already has a right-hand jump hook and shows nice form on his shot out to about 15. He’s a potential sleeper to keep an eye on, as I can see him becoming one of the state’s top rebounders in the next couple of years.