Ten of the State’s Top 2024 Prospects
Ten of the State’s Top 2024 Prospects
By Michael Wholey 10/8/20 9:00 AM EST
The transition from middle school to high school is a big transition. Let’s take a look at ten of the states top 2024 Prospects who look to make an impact for their varsity team as a Freshman. Side note: Five of this classes top 10 players saw varsity minutes as an 8th grader.
Gianna Corbitt Gianna Corbitt 6'1" | SF Blanche Ely | 2024 State FL (Blanche Ely / Team Knight)
Despite Corbitt entering her Freshman year, she enters with one year of varsity basketball under belt getting consistent minutes for powerhouse Miami Country Day as an 8th grader (she has since transferred to Blanche Ely).
Corbitt is the state’s # 1 ranked player in the 2024 class for a reason as she is an extremely versatile wing player that can play 2-4. She is a strong, high IQ, young, talented player who has a huge ceiling and projects to be a major BCS college prospect. She missed the spring/summer travel season due to injury. We hope to see her healthy and 100% for this year’s high school season. It is early in the process for Corbitt but she has potential to join the long line of talented South Florida players that have gone on to play high level collegiately and in WNBA such as Sylvia Fowles, Erlana Larkins, Marie Ferdinand, Tocarra Williams, Beatrice Mompremier, Kiki Harrigan, and several others.
Kiara Williams Kiara Williams 6'1" | PF Palm Bay Magnet | 2024 State FL (Palm Bay Magnet / East Coast United)
Similar to Corbitt, Williams also got varsity minutes as an 8th grader for Florida Prep. Transferring over from Florida Prep to Palm Bay, Williams will look to compete for minutes on a loaded roster. She is a strong, active, athletic, forward who is a monster on the boards and has big time hops!
Janessa Kelley Janessa Kelley 5'9" | SG Blanche Ely | 2024 State FL (Blanche Ely HS / Team Knight)
Kelley is one of South Florida’s most talented players. She played several ages up all spring/summer playing 16U with Team Knight. Kelley joins an extremely talented roster at Blanche Ely and work her way into the rotation. She is dangerous with the ball in her hands in the open court getting to the rim in transition and finding the open player.
Kayla Nelms Kayla Nelms 6'1" | PF Miami Country Day | 2024 State FL (Miami Country Day / Miami Suns)
Nelms is another talented young player who saw major varsity minutes as an 8th grader. Nelms is a skilled, young, post her has solid footwork, strong build, and 15-foot range. Her combination of skill and size at a young age, give her major upside. Nelms is coming off a knee injury and we also hope to see her healthy and 100% for this year’s high school season.
Beckham Hockley Beckham Hockley 5'7" | PG Sickles | 2024 State FL (Clearwater HS / Florida United)
Hockley had a breakout spring/summer season with Tampa Thunder Phenoms 16U playing several age divisions up (she has since changed travel teams to Florida United 16U). She is a young, talented, scoring, combo guard. Her ability to knock down open shots catch and shoot and off the dribble are her biggest strengths. She plays with a ton of confidence and goes hard every possession. Combine those attributes with a big-time work ethic, and she has major upside.
Leah Bullard Leah Bullard 6'1" | PF Dr Phillips | 2024 State FL (Carrollwood Day / Hoop Dreams 2022)
The 6’1 wing was impressive this past season for Carrollwood Day School. She is an extremely talented, versatile player that will be great in a position less system. Her upside is endless and was fun to watch with Hoop Dreams this travel season. Her length and athleticism give her major upside. It will be interesting to watch as she grows into her body and her skill catches up with her length and athleticism.
Sofia Mendez Sofia Mendez 5'7" | CG Miami Country Day | 2024 State FL (Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart / Miami Suns Team Larkins 16U)
Mendez impressively was her team’s leading scorer averaging 15 PPG as an 8th grader for Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart leading them to an 18-9 record leading them to an appearance in the regional playoffs. She played several age divisions up with the Miami Suns 16U team Miami Suns Team Larkins and showcased spurts of greatness.
Ka’Zahria Johnson Ka’Zahria Johnson 6'2" | C St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State FL – (University School / Miami Suns Red)
Johnson is a legit 6’2 rising 9th grader who is an incredible shot blocker and a major interior force! Her overall game has made tremendous strides as her offensive skill continues to improve as she consistently is a force inside as a rebounder and a shot blocker and finishes well around the basket. Johnson has the most upside of anyone on the 2024 list and if she continues to improve and make strides to her game could become an elite level prospect potentially top 25 nationally.
Alise Evans Alise Evans 5'9" | SF Tampa Bay Tech | 2024 State FL (Tampa Bay Tech / Miami Suns)
Evans has major upside and was impressive to see her improvement just within this spring/summer travel season from the 1st game to the last. She has a huge wingspan, great length and athleticism for a wing player. She is the daughter of former NBA player Reggie Evans, and sister of 2022 Amiya Evans Amiya Evans 6'2" | PF DME Academy | 2022 State FL .
You can reach out by DM’ing us on twitter @PGHFlorida and @WholeyPrepHoops or email directly at WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com.
**This article has been updated as of November 9, 2020 to revise Gianna Corbitt Gianna Corbitt 6'1" | SF Blanche Ely | 2024 State FL now attending Blanche Ely.