With the high school season in full swing, I have attended dozens of live games and watched even more on stream as the season begins to heat up.
Teams are now rounding into midseason form, so it's the perfect time to take a deep dive into some of the most exciting senior prospects in the 2024 class.
Many of these stars -- along with others yet to emerge -- will play at one of the nation's most prestigious events at the 50th City of Palms Classic from Monday-Friday in Fort Myers, Florida. ESPNU will air the semifinals (Friday, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.) and final (Saturday, 9 p.m.).
Let's take a look at the standout names to know by awarding some superlatives ahead of 2024.
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Most potential
Cooper Flagg, Duke
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 1
Flagg has dominated some games for Montverde Academy this season and been impactful in most. He plays with perseverance, passion and competitiveness while locking in on both ends of the floor with size, skill and game instincts that continue to improve. Flagg is a potential choice for several superlatives because of his overall consistent play, which has helped undefeated Montverde claim the No. 1 spot in our team rankings week after week. There is still plenty more room for growth for Flagg, however, and that's what makes him so gifted. He separates himself from others by not simply relying on his talent -- he embraces challenges and that gives him the most potential in the class. As one NBA scout told us recently, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft "is Flagg's to lose."
Most productive
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 2
Harper, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, plays a mature game and is reliable because he brings a consistent approach and hardcore demeanor to practice and games. He certainly can dominate games with his scoring, which consists of a consistent 3-point shot and the ability to make layups in traffic at the rim. Harper's fundamentals are strong and he delivers the correct pass in a split-second with the vision and mental makeup to find open teammates. Harper's numbers may not immediately stand out, but his court IQ and leadership does, as he found a role to create for others while playing two years up in age at the U19 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. His current NBA comp is the New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson.
Most versatile
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 3
Bailey plays with natural versatility and IQ on both ends of the floor. He's a gifted athlete who displays an effective scoring skill set that allows him to shoot, drive, post up or pass with effectiveness. His offensive put-back dunks are done with authority while his 3-point shot has rhythm and fluidness, and he drives the ball from the perimeter with success. Bailey's quick lateral movements allow him to switch and stay in front of the ball. His height, footwork and mobility give him the ability to guard the low post and his wingspan and timing make him a shot-blocking threat on and off the ball. Bailey can be special at Rutgers playing while producing most anywhere on the floor. His ceiling could be limitless.
Best NBA scoring package
Tre Johnson, Texas
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 4
Johnson, who has always been a deep threat, has been on fire from behind the arc of late for Link Academy. He is currently shooting 50% on all his pull-up shots, 57% on 2-pt field goals and 44% on pull-up 3-point jumpers. A fair percentage of those shots were contested, which shows a clear sign of NBA ability. He recently outscored two other players on this list (Cooper Flagg and Robert Wright III) when his Link Academy lost to Montverde in the 2023 EYBL Scholastic Showcase.
Best three-level scorer
V.J. Edgecombe, Uncommitted
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 5
It's early, but Edgecombe is off to a fast start, averaging 17 points per game this season. His résumé includes driving ability, shot-making and an aggressive mindset to attack the rim. Edgecombe understands when to pull up and when to launch from deep and his shot selection has quality -- he scores 72% of the time at the rim. Edgecombe's rise-and-fire mid-range jumper following one or two hard dribbles is on balance and natural while his 3-point shot is a threat and his defensive prowess stands out at times. He has a similar scoring package and size to Baylor star freshman Ja'Kobe Walter.
Best rebounder and shot-blocker
Flory Bidunga, Kansas
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 6
When combining superlatives, it makes it even harder to choose just one player, but Bidunga is a great fit. In six games at the Sportradar Showdown in Las Vegas with Indiana Elite, Bidunga averaged 18.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks. He's at his best when finishing plays at the rim, rebounding and blocking shots, which has led to an average of 14 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game this season. He excels at rejecting shots and has a knack for blocking shots both on the ball and as the help-side defender. His natural timing is special and he can sprint into making a chase down block with the potential to go up onto the square if necessary. He regularly hunts down offensive rebounds and is a committed defensive rebound. The future Jayhawk also runs hard, posts up with intensity and can score inside.
Best 3-point shooter
Liam McNeeley, Indiana
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 13
There are plenty to choose from in this category but McNeeley is the most efficient and proficient shooter so far this fall, shooting 52% behind the arc. His specialty is the catch-and-shoot with those types of shots make up 83% of his overall attempts. He plays with effort and creates good opportunities -- 50% of his shots were open looks, per Synergy Sports. His average distance made is 22 feet and he takes a third of his 3s from the corner.
Best low-post threat
Derik Queen, Uncommitted
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 15
There is very little debate on this one, when Queen decides to make and maintain contact with his defender in a post-up area, there are few who can stop him one-on-one. In fact, most teams send a secondary defender. Queen operates with patience and pace and can score either using angles he establishes through deep and leveraged post position, or by executing a move based on reading the defense. His hands, touch and footwork work in harmony. He adds to his game with a high basketball IQ player who is an excellent passer from anywhere on the floor.
Hardest playing recruit
Annor Boateng, Missouri
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 30
Boateng gives maximum effort all the time with a Dwyane Wade type of game -- he tries to punish his defenders and the rim. His explosive, strong body and IQ blend together on each play and he has a gift of showing up every day ready for battle. Missouri assistant coach C.Y. Young was sold on him after an early morning game near the end of the July evaluation period: "Most prospects are on cruise control, but not Annor," Young said. "His motor was like (that) the first day of the July period. He's a gym rat."
Best decision-maker
Robert Wright III, Baylor
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 37
Wright handles the ball a vast majority of the time as the point guard for Montverde Academy. He has a great feel for who he is and who is covering him while running the high-powered offense. Wright has a solid understanding of the type of talent around him and how defenses try to stop them, which results in a high-assist, low-turnover player. Wright is even more valuable because he's terrific at running the fast break and makes finding his teammates a priority. He's a tough on-ball defender who can also score, which will make him a trusted point guard at Baylor.
Most improved
Donavan Freeman, Syracuse
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 38
Freeman is 6-foot-9 with a long frame, solid footwork and a skill set that has evolved from the end of the summer to the Wooten Camp in October to now. He plays with a focus and willingness to help his team and his early numbers across the board are even more impressive. It's easy to see the incremental progress in his performances this season as he's averaging 24.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, 7.6 free throw attempts and 3.5 steals per 40 minutes according to Synergy Sports. The profile and production are starting to blend, and his potential is rising.
Most physically ready
Somto Cyril, Kentucky
2024 ESPN 100 ranking: 55
Cyril stands 6-10 without shoes, weighs 246 pounds and has a 7-7 wingspan to go along with a 41-inch vertical leap. He is a physically imposing paint presence, averaging 20.4 rebounds and 6.3 blocks per 40 minutes, according to Synergy Sports. He is an active shot blocker and a barrier to the rim with his body as he moves guys off their spot. Offensively, he looks to dunk everything close to the rim and will post up with strength and balance. He knows who he is and embraces staying in the paint and dominating on the boards. He can also run the floor and change direction when needed.