Updated 2024 Rankings: Bigs Rankings (5-1)
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A few weeks ago we updated the class of 2024 rankings in VA, and due to all of the content from the live periods we haven’t had a chance to break down the new rankings. We’ll take a look at…
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Continue ReadingA few weeks ago we updated the class of 2024 rankings in VA, and due to all of the content from the live periods we haven’t had a chance to break down the new rankings.
We’ll take a look at positional rankings, ranking the guards, wings and bigs.
Here’s a look at part three of the bigs rankings, ranking the top 5 power forwards and centers in the class of 2024.
5) Owen Gray Owen Gray 6'10" | C Steward | 2024 State VA | 6’9” C | Steward School (#11 Overall)
Gray chose to reclassify to the 2024 class at Steward School and he’s already starting to see his recruitment pick up with a number of division one offers this summer. The 6’9” big has tremendous potential as he has a nice frame and he moves very well for his size, running the floor in transition and being able to come help side to challenge shots and protect the rim. He’s a very good athlete for his size as he can play above the rim and finish in traffic, he has good touch out to the three-point line and has become more consistent from deep and he continues to show improvement every time I see him play.
4) Shanon Simango Shanon Simango 6'6" | PF Blue Ridge | 2024 State #301 Nation VA | 6’6” PF | Blue Ridge (#9 Overall)
Simango may be a little undersized for his position as far as his height goes, but he is still able to dominate in the paint and is very productive every time he’s on the floor due to his strength and very high motor he plays with. He’s one of the top rebounders you’ll come across as he attacks the glass hard on the offensive end for extra possessions and rebounds well out of his area on the defensive end, he runs the floor hard and has good hands to catch in transition and he is very strong in the paint to bully defenders and finish through contact. He still has a lot of room to improve as he’s still relatively new to the game, and he’s at a school that has developed big men very well over the past five years or so.
3) Garrett Sundra Garrett Sundra 6'11" | C Paul VI | 2024 State #148 Nation VA | 6’9” PF | Paul VI (#7 Overall)
Sundra is perhaps the most improved player in the entire class from last year to this year, as he has turned from a high motor boney forward who showed some potential to a skilled and athletic big who is starting to turn the corner and coaches are taking notice. He’s a versatile big man as he can step out and knock down three’s consistently, he runs the floor hard and is able to finish above the rim both off regular passes and on lobs and he brings a gritty style of play as a wins 50-50 balls and fights for rebounds as well. He is starting to fill out nicely and if he can work on his handle and learn to create off the bounce he’ll be one of the most versatile players in the state at his size.
2) Eli DeLaurier Eli DeLaurier 6'8" | C Miller School | 2024 #173 Nation VA | 6’8” PF | Miller School (#5 Overall)
DeLaurier, like all of these players, is another guy who has really turned the corner and continued to improve throughout the past few years and his versatility as a big with mobility and an inside-out game is what makes him so intriguing to high major coaches already. At 6’8” he plays with a good motor and is an excellent rebounder who fights in traffic and is able to wall up defensively and challenge shots, he can run the floor and catch and finish above the rim, he can post up and finish over the shoulder and he can step out and knock down shots from deep consistently. He really stands out as well with his ability to switch and guard multiple positions defensively and he is a good passer both on the perimeter and out of double teams too.
1) Patrick Ngongba Jr. Patrick Ngongba Jr. 6'10" | C Paul VI | 2024 State #25 Nation VA | 6’10” C | Paul VI (#4 Overall)
Ngongba had a breakout sophomore season at Highland School before transferring to PVI this summer and showing they not only have one of the top front lines but overall rosters you’ll come across in the country, and if he can continue to develop nicely he’ll be a big time recruit that continues to see a lot of coaches come his way. He has a good post game with good feet and good hands and he can bury defenders deep and finish with either hand in the paint, he has good footwork and go-to post moves that get defenders off their feet and he can finish through contact and he’s a good passer with patience as well. He’s starting to show the ability to step out and knock down shots from deep as well which will only make him more recruitable, and he may still be growing as he shot up about 3 inches over the past few years.