2024 Rankings: Primed to Rise
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The Prep Hoops SoCal team was able to get a more in-depth look at the class of 2024 over the spring and summer. From spring club events to Section 7 in June and closing out the summer in July with…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops SoCal team was able to get a more in-depth look at the class of 2024 over the spring and summer. From spring club events to Section 7 in June and closing out the summer in July with a number of high profile tournaments, we now have a clearer picture on how the rising junior class stacks up, and thus, the first drop of rankings for the class of 2024. In this piece we break down the prospects who have the potential to rise in our next update.
No. 12: Noah Williams Noah Williams 6'8" | SF Sierra Canyon | 2024 State CA-S , Village Christian
Williams landed just outside the top ten but that might not be for long. With a rumored move to powerhouse Sierra Canyon floating around the 6-foot-8 forward could step into a situation where he’s required to contribute to a nationally-ranked team. Williams has all the tools, size and athletic ability to make his way into that top ten, but we want to see him consistently contribute at the highest level of high school ball.
No. 19: Kendyl Sanders Kendyl Sanders 6'6" | PF St. Bernard | 2024 State CA-S , St. Bernard
With the departure of Darius Carr Darius Carr 6'3" | SG Fairfax | 2023 State #63 Nation CA-S to prep school, the importance of Sanders’ presence rose tenfold. The 6-foot-6 forward showed flashes of brilliance last season as the Vikings made a CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship run, but an increase of touches and responsibility could take Sanders’ game to the next level. Sanders is a good interior finisher and offensive and defensive rebounder who can step out and hit a face-up jumper to 15-17 feet.
No. 33: Aaron Powell Aaron Powell 6'0" | CG Campbell Hall | 2024 State CA-S , Campbell Hall
Powell is a dynamic scoring guard in the open court who mixes in plenty of shot creating for his teammates. The poised 6-footer has elite speed in transition, a quick first step to get by a defender, and can dribble into a stop and pop mid-range jumper with balance. Powell has a chance to take his game to yet another level with a big season at Campbell Hall.
No. 44: Jael Martin Jael Martin 6'9" | PF Carlsbad | 2024 State CA-S , Pacifica Christian/Santa Monica
Martin had himself a breakout club season after being relatively unknown last high school season playing for a small private school. The 6-foot-7 forward has a handful of tools that you can’t necessarily teach to big men in his soft hands, well-rounded footwork inside and on the perimeter and his instincts and timing as a shot blocker – both as the primary defender and help-side situations. Martin flashed the ability to knock down catch-and-shoot three’s, as well.
No. 50: Scotty Belnap Scotty Belnap 6'5" | SG Mater Dei | 2024 State CA-S , Mater Dei
This season will be one of the more interesting ones in recent memory at Mater Dei. Normally, we know the three or four or five guys who will be the “go-to” players for the Monarchs, but heading into the 22-23 season, Zack Davidson Zack Davidson 6'8" | PF Mater Dei | 2023 State CA-S is the one guy we can point to who we know will demand double teams. This leaves a major opportunity for another player to step into that role. Could it be Belnap? The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has all the size, shooting and athletic ability to be a consistent wing contributor for Mater Dei, and if he does that successfully, he could raise his stock.