2024 Basketball Rankings Class Superlatives: Crowing 'The Top Dog', 'The Bucket' and more (2024)

Rank:No. 1 Overall

The Top Dog superlative goes out to the most competitive player in the class. But in this case, it was also awarded to the best player in the class, Cooper Flagg.

Whether it's been with winning gold with USA Basketball, leading his team into the Peach Jam Final or going undefeated in high school, Flagg has been dominant and consistent in every situation.

Flaggnever takes a possession off he he has a willingness to operate in any role in order to get the win. He can get a bucket when needed, will do the dirty work and will get a stop when it's needed. As a result, Cooper Flagg is the 2024 Top Dog.

Ranking:No. 17 overall

"The Bucket"superlative is given to the top scorer of the senior class.

With Bailey and Harper already receiving superlatives, this was by far the most difficult decision. However, when looking at what was done between the AAU and high school seasons, we have to hand it out to Kon Knueppel.

The 6-foot-5 wing led the EYBL regular season in scoring with Phenom United. Then, he followed it up by pouring in 26 points per game while also snagging nearly nine-rebounds and dishing out more than five assists a game.

Knueppel does his damage scoring the ball in a variety of ways and is among the most polished players in the entire class. He is a lethal shot-maker. And while he isn't the most athletic player, he has an elite feel for how to get to his spots, using his body and scoring from all three levels.

Knueppel is both extremely efficient and extremely productive and it's hard to call anyone else the top scorer when Knueppel was in fact the top scorer on the EYBL during the regular season.

Rank:No. 2 Overall

'The Prototype' goes out to the player that checks every box you look for in a long-term prospect, fitting exactly what NBA organizations covet. From a size, length, athleticism and scoring perspective, Ace Bailey has it all.

He stands 6-foot-9 and is as explosive and athletic as they come with a potent shot-making ability. From a long-term prospect perspective, Bailey has the most upside of anyone in the class and he certainly made a case for being ranked No. 1 in the class.

As Bailey learns to play in structure and mold his habits, he could make a massive leap in his game.

Ranking:No. 43 overall

"The Sniper" goes out to the top shooter in the class. While there is a handful of great options, Juni Mobley takes the cake. The baby-faced assassin has an effortless stroke with seemingly limitless range from three.

He drills jumpers off catch and pull. And if you give him any space within 25-feet of the rim, he's letting it fly. On the EYBL last summer, Mobley hit 56-135 (41.5%) shots from 3 in 23 games played, averaging 2.4 makes on 5.9 attempts a game.

Ranking:No. 3 overall

"The Gamer" superlative goes to the guy that always seems to ball out, no matter the setting. For this year, this was a fairly easy award to give out.

Dylan Harper is a do-it-all guard capable of playing both on and off the ball with an elite mixture of skill, size and instincts on the court.

Harper always seems to make the right play with the ball in his hands whether it be getting a bucket or making the right pass. He has proven to be a highly productive player all throughout high school while simultaneously continuing to get better with each passing season.

Whether it's the Nike EYBL, playing in his home state of New Jersey, playing internationally with USA Basketball or in All-Star games, Harper always hoops.

Ranking:No. 11 overall

"The Clamps" superlative goes out to the top defender in the class. If you're looking for a stopper in the 2024 class, look no further than Drake Powell.

The 6-foot-5 wing is a premier athlete with elite lateral quickness, long arms, a high motor and the conditioning of a guy that never gets tired.

He takes no possessions off on defense, will pick up full court and will make his opponent work hard for every bucket they get. Powell is disruptive and impactful with his blend of size, length, athleticism and IQ. As he gets stronger, he should only continue to improve on the defensive end of the floor.

Ranking:No. 5 overall

"The Highlight" awards is given to the class' top athlete. And in 2024, "The Highlight" is Baylor's premier athlete, VJ Edgecombe.

There are many athletes that come through each class with explosiveness and the ability to light up the cameras in the open court. While Edgecombe does that, his athleticism is also highly functional and allows him to make a significant impact on both ends of the court.

Edgecombe is lightning quick laterally on defense and has an explosive and devastating first step on offense. He's strong and bouncy on his attacks where he will finish high above the rim.

Fans in Waco will get their fair share of highlights out of Edgecombe next season and it won't just come in transition.

Ranking:No. 10 overall

"The Swiss Army Knife" award goes to the player that has shown to be the most versatile prospect. Due toLiam McNeeley's skillset, he was a shoo-in for this distinction.

McNeeley is a perfect pairing for Dan Hurley thanks to his tremendous IQ and skillset at 6-foot-7. Hehas shown the ability to handle the ball, initiate an offense, distribute, drills shots and also score off the bounce. McNeeley will be able to operate in roles as a shooter by flying off screens and drilling3s.

McNeeley can shoot at an extremely high level, but he can also impact a game in every other areas while remaining a scoring threat.

Ranking: No. 14 overall

"The Swatter" superlative goes to the class' top rim protector. This year it's Flory Bidunga. He may be undersized standing at roughly 6-foot-8, but he plays bigger than he is due to his athleticism and motor.

Bidunga is extremely mobile and bouncy for a big man who is always on the prowl in the paint. The five-star recruit will contest and impact any shot within his vicinity.

Ranking: No. 9 overall

"The Enigma" goes out to the most intriguing and curious prospect in the country. There is no player with as much upside and in as much of a unique situation as Jayden Quaintance.

The top-10 recruit is a truly elite prospect, standing at 6-foot-9, 230-pounds with a blend of power, athleticism and foundational skill all while not having ever touched a weight.

He's got all the physical tools from the size, frame, length and athleticism perspective. Has has also show flashes of dominance in high school, but consistency hasn't been a staple of his game. However, when you're just 16-years-old, how consistent should you realistically expect to be?

On top of all of this, Quaintance made a peculiar decision to de-commit from John Calipari and pave his own path by heading to play for Arizona State.

When you blend his combination of talent, age, inconsistency and his destination, there are so many variables and questions that leave youwondering about his future.

Ranking:No. 12 overall

"The Multi-Year Star" superlative is exactly what the name describes. This honor isfor the guy who we believe will be a star in college basketball for multiple years. In this class, this superlative goes to long-time, heralded five-star big man, Derilk Queen.

Queen lacks NBA prototypical tools, standing at roughly 6-foot-9 as a center and lacking length and elite athleticism. But, he will undoubtedly be a problem in the Big Ten and around the country.

Queen is a skilled of a low-post scorer. He has gifted hands and elite footwork on the block. He's not just a low-post bucket-getter, though. He also hasa quietly good face-up game.

Over the course of his high school years, Queen has shown he is very comfortable putting the ball on the ground and making shots from mid-range. He's also a very talented passer for a big man.

Queen has been a dominant force in high school and is on track to be a dominating force in college basketball for the years to come.

Ranking: No. 21 overall

"The Floor General" is the superlative for the nation's top point guard and decision-maker. And after helping guide his team to an undefeated season and leading the EYBL Scholastic League in assists, Rob Wright the the runaway winner of this honor.

Wright may lack size, but his feel, passing and decision making are the best in high school basketball.In an era marked by score-first guards, Wright tends to pass-first but also knows when and how to effectively get his buckets. He averaged a remarkable 7.1 assists a game with Montverde but the more impressive stat is his 4:3 assist to turnoverratio.