Who to watch: 2024 Prospects on the Rise

With the high school season in our rearview mirrors, the start of the AAU season is upon us with a handful of teams set to participate in the Suns Xplosion, and the Midwest Classic in early April. A lot of players are fired up to reunite with friends, coaches and the hustle and bustle that the AAU circuit brings. Nothing like a change of scenery to get those juices flowing again. I’m looking at a few 2024’s that are primed and ready to take their games up a notch and be key contributors this spring and summer for their respective AAU programs. <img class="alignnone wp-image-338596 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/214-Mariah-Pates-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="350094" first="Mariah" last="Pates"] <strong>- forward, MN Diamond Elite</strong> I’ve watched Pates over the last couple of years progress and improve her game from winter to winter and summer to summer. Her patience, ability to play angles and timing on the defensive end makes her very valuable . She’s listed at 6’1 and with her wing span, let’s call it well, long!! She makes her money of the defensive end and on the boards, but I also saw her step out and knock down mid-range jumpers this past high school season for her Champlin Park squad. This could be a big summer for Pates if she continues to work and adds a few tricks to her offensive bag. <img class="alignnone wp-image-407896 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/Helen-Ben-1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="302295" first="Helen" last="Ben"] <strong>- guard, MN P.R.E.P</strong> Ben is coming off of a very eventful high school season that forced her to grow up fast. With D1 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="302254" first="Vanessa" last="Saidu"] battling nagging injuries throughout the season, Ben was tasked with creating plays on both sides of the ball to keep her Park Center Pirates squad in games. Ben has moved over from the Crossfire program where she was a main cog in the wheel to MN P.R.EP where I’m sure her role with remain the same if not increase. Ben plays with great pace and once she adds a consistent outside shot to her game, she’ll be very hard to contain as she’s able to get into lane with regularity. <img class="alignnone wp-image-338452 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/52-Olivia-Wren-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="339197" first="Olivia" last="Wren"] <strong>- guard, MN Diamond Elite</strong> Playing in the Minneapolis City Conference and for Diamond Elite, Wren has flown under the radar, but she’s definitely a player to keep an eye on. She’s gritty, plays with a chip on her shoulder and just the right amount of attitude. Wren has good size at 5’8 and is wiry strong. She plays with pace and doesn’t mind mixing it up in the lane. On the defensive end she has quick feet and hands and great anticipation. Hopefully she’ll get the opportunity to battle against the top contemporaries in her class this AAU season to see where she truly stacks up. <img class="alignnone wp-image-338515 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/121-Evie-Kompelien-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="339188" first="Evie" last="Kompelien"] <strong>- guard, Minnesota Stars Zabel</strong> Kompelien is the type of player every team needs. She does whatever it is her team needs from game to game. She’s a big strong guard who moves well without the ball, crashes the offensive glass, communicates on the floor and plays defense. She came off the bench for a talented Orono squad and their was no drop off when she was on the floor. I’m guessing Kompeliens' role for her Stars squad with increase giving her the opportunity to showcase her well rounded skillset. <img class="alignnone wp-image-407900 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/ava-thompson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="304920" first="Ava" last="Thompson"] <strong>- guard, North Tartan Elite</strong> Thompson is coming off of a very successful high school campaign with her Rosemount Irish winning the 4A consolation bracket after finishing overall runner-up in 2021. Thompson is a pass-first guard but has range and does a great job of getting paint touches, forcing the help to come in order to hit her teammates with pinpoint precision passes for clean looks at the basket. She’ll look to take her high level of play into the spring and summer to lead her North Tartan Elite team into battle against some of the best competition around.