NBA scouts, general managers, and other personnel have been all over this loaded 2024 class over the last couple of years, looking for their next to join their NBA team in the near future. The 2024 class has finally come to an end with their high school basketball careers. Below we can take a look at just a few high level prospects that could be considered potential one-and-dones in college basketball at their respective schools next season.
Cooper Flagg (Duke) – The Maine phenom, Cooper Flagg, is finally headed off to play college basketball next season after reclassifying up to the 2024 class. The elite dual 6-foot-8 forward is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, or at least be mixed in the lottery. Flagg is headed to play for Duke and will be one of the most watched college prospect come 2024-2025. He has an eye-opening style of play for his size, an elite impactful shot-blocker, a prospect you trust with the ball in his hands to make plays, and has shown he can knockdown more consistent jumpers from all levels of the floor. NBA scouts, personnel are looking forward to his development in college.
Ace Bailey (Rutgers) – NBA scouts are drooling over Rutgers bound Airious “Ace” Bailey and why? The 6-foot-9 forward is as skilled as they come and should develop even more next season throughout college basketball. Some NBA scouts have said they will take Ace over Cooper Flagg, but we will determine that just about a year from now. Bailey is extremely skilled, a freak athlete, holds incredible length, and has the ability to create his own offensively in multiple ways. He has an elite combination of size, length, and skill that can take him to the next level. Bailey will certainly have to learn what shots are easier for him in the long run but the potential is noticeable, and again, he is a prospect that could see himself as the number one pick come 2025.
Tre Johnson (Texas) – Tre Johnson has been on NBA scouts radar for a couple of years now and as he should. The 6-foot-5 guard holds an elite package in terms of skill, length, and athleticism. Outside of his unique ability to score the ball, Johnson loves to compete on the defensive end and can also make plays offensively with the ball in his hands. His long arms certainly play a factor on his defensive skills, getting steals, deflections, disrupting the passing lanes. He will bring instant offense and impact on both ends of the floor, that competitive edge, and checks all the boxes physically right now.
Dylan Harper (Rutgers) – Dylan Harper, son of NBA veteran Ron Harper, should be apart of the success come next season at Rutgers, where his older brother Ron Harper Jr., also played college basketball before playing in the NBA. The 6-foot-4 point guard has had NBA scouts, personnel following him for a couple of years now. He has excellent size at the point guard position with a next level body frame, a crafty lefty who will be able to convert on jumpers, and helps his team with whatever they need. Harper can defend, moves well without the ball, and plays with an all around toughness NBA scouts will notice at the next level.
Liam McNeeley (Undecided) – One of the nations most put together prospect, Liam McNeeley should continue to open the eyes of NBA personnel as he heads off to the college level. The 6-foot-7 forward is an elite glue guy and has such a nice skilled package. McNeeley has the capability to spread defenses with his perimeter shooting, a versatile defender, rebounds consistently, and can make right reads for a prospect his size. Liam is one hell of a teammate, he will bring major impact to a team and can adapt to different situations on the court. With the right fit and opportunity, Liam can be an elite pickup for an NBA team.
V.J. Edgecombe (Baylor) – The Bahamas native, V.J. Edgecombe has had one of the biggest stock boost over the last several months and should fit right in at Baylor with Scott Drew and company. The 6-foot-5 guard is an explosive, gifted athlete that plays with an incredibly high motor. Edgecombe consistently brings the energy for his team, able to make plays defensively, and has the ability to be a threat offensively as well whether he is making shots or finishing acrobatic plays at the rim. He is an acrobatic finisher and will be a two-way threat in the long run.
Ian Jackson (North Carolina) – Ian Jackson is a name to continue to remember as he should be the next big time prospect out of New York. The Bronx native is a 6-foot-5 guard who should bring his talented skills down to Chapel Hill next season for North Carolina. Jackson is an electric scoring prospect that has other tools in his package that NBA scouts should notice in college next year. He has the ability to score from all over the floor, elite athleticism, and plays a very unselfish game of basketball. Jackson is a blur with the ball, plays at his own pace, and just shows good production when he is on the floor. Should be fun to watch next season in Carolina blue.
Darren Harris (Duke) – Duke will be deep again next season with their loaded incoming freshmen class and Darren Harris should play a big part in the rotation. Harris, a 6-foot-5 prospect out of powerhouse Paul VI (VA), has shown some shades over the last few months that he can fit in on an NBA court with an NBA team. He is an elite shot-making guard with an already next level body frame, shows great shot preparation, moves well without the ball, has a quick trigger release, and consistent in his production. Darren also has shown he is more than just a jump shooter, finishing through contact and making plays at the basket when attacking off the bounce.
Asa Newell (Georgia) – Asa Newell is a real intriguing prospect out of the state of Florida. At 6-foot-9, Asa shows great activity on the floor at a consistent rate. He is an elite versatile prospect that impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Newell has the ability to knock down shots from outside the paint, an elite glue guy, and honestly does whatever it takes for his team to win. He plays with a terrific motor, has next length, and has the versatility on both ends of the floor that I believe NBA scouts, personnel will notice as he develops in college. Could be a sleeper prospect in the NBA Draft.
The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines 