Class of 2024 – Top 10 Breakdown
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The Class of 2024 includes multiple athletes committed to playing basketball at the next level, and a variety of talented athletes remaining unsigned. This group is loaded with elite talent and features multiple D1 athletes who will take their careers…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of 2024 includes multiple athletes committed to playing basketball at the next level, and a variety of talented athletes remaining unsigned. This group is loaded with elite talent and features multiple D1 athletes who will take their careers beyond the high school level. Let’s dive in and take a look at the Top 10 in this class.
Katie Vasecka Katie Vasecka 6'2" | CG Tea Area | 2024 State SD – Tea High School, Club Team – Sanford Sports Academy, Commitment – South Dakota State University, 6’2″ Guard/Forward
- Superb athleticism, impressive length, an IQ beyond her age, and a diverse skillset headline the traits of the number 1 prospect in the Class of 2024. When I say she can do it all, I mean it. She can knock down shots, create off the dribble, elevate over defenders, and facilitate for her teammates. She’s got great quickness and a high IQ allowing her to matchup with any position and does a great job creating turnovers and altering shots with her length. Her court vision is impressive and her height allows her to see the floor better than your average guard. She makes passes and sets up shots that no-one else in the gym can see. An intense competitor with all the physical attributes, Vasecka keeps her spot on the top of this class.
Mahli Abdouch Mahli Abdouch 5'7" | PG O'Gorman | 2024 State SD – SF O’Gorman High School, Club Team – Sanford Sports Academy, Commitment – South Dakota State University, 5’7″ Guard
- A close second, Mahli is an impressive athlete who plays with impressive intensity, a high IQ, and a complete scoring point guard game. She spaces the floor extremely well and understands moments when to attack the basket, setting up shots for both herself and her teammates. She gets after it on defense and makes opposing guards miserable for 4 quarters. Rebounding is a skill that escapes some point guards, but not this one. She understands the finer details of the game and brings it at all levels. A dynamic scorer she can use a variety of dribble and finishing moves to explode to the rim, create her own shot off the dribble or moving without the basketball, and knock down shots from virtually anywhere she can get the ball.
Emilee Fox Emilee Fox 5'8" | CG Mt.Vernon/Plankinton | 2024 State SD – Mt. Vernon/Plankinton High School, Club Team – Sanford Sports Academy, Commitment – South Dakota State University, 5’8″ Guard
- Emilee is a player with loads of physical tools, pure basketball smarts, and the mental toughness to get it done against elite talent. She’s got a smooth delivery on her jump shot and gets if off quickly, making her a near impossible shooter to stop. She isn’t afraid of the big moment and can put a team on her back and carry them to success. A double-double machine she is one of the best rebounding guards I have seen. She blocks out consistently, positions herself well on defense, and takes care of the little things to go along with the fact that she has one of the most consistent shots from deep as well as one of the most complete transition offense games in the state. Immense talent, understanding of the game, and pure competitive spirit checks all the boxes of an athlete primed to compete at the next level for SDSU.
Claire Sheppard Claire Sheppard 6'1" | SF Flandreau | 2024 State SD – Flandreau High School, Club Team – Sanford Sports Academy, Commitment – South Dakota State University, 6’1″ Forward
- DIVERSE athlete alert! Claire is a do-it-all guard in a 6’1″ forwards body. She’s a talented defender who can create turnovers by getting her hands on the basketball in the form of multiple steals and blocks per game. She never gives up on a play and makes opponents earn everything they might get. On offense she shows off a very complete game with great vision s a passer in transition as well as the ability to run the floor and get early offense points herself. Showing off one of the best mid-range scoring games she has a rare ability to elevate off the dribble and shoot over defenders with touch. Throw in the fact that she can knock it down from deep and you have an immensely talented player who will joint the top 3 after next season as another SDSU jackrabbit.
Caylin Kelly Caylin Kelly 6'0" | SF Florence/Henry | 2024 State SD – Florence/Henry High School, Club Team – Sanford Sports Academy, Commitment – N/A, 6’0″ Forward
- Caylin is a Top 5 prospect that remains unsigned! She has multiple colleges showing interest and will undoubtedly land at one between now and the conclusion of the 2023-24 basketball season. Her game has steadily evolved over the last few years and she has become more than just an unstoppable force driving to the basket as she has improved her outside shooting as well. If you need a bucket in the paint she can post up and go to work. If you need a bucket down the stretch, she isn’t afraid to go and get the ball and create off the dribble to get to the rack or hit the mid-range jumper. If you need an athlete who understands the game and uses spacing and smarts to score the basketball with a catch and shoot 3 or a drive through a gap to finish, she gets that done too. On defense she’s an intense competitor who can guard all positions with a great combination of speed and strength.
Maggie Taylor Maggie Taylor 6'3" | C Hill City | 2024 State SD – Hill City High School, Club Team – SD Network, Commitment – N/A, 6’3″ Center
- Maggie Taylor Maggie Taylor 6'3" | C Hill City | 2024 State SD might be the most intriguing prospect on this list who has loads of untapped potential. Any college who scoops her up will certainly look to develop her skills as an outside shooter and overall ability to guard multiple spots on the floor, and my prediction is that their investment will pay off! I trust this because of the raw talent and gifts when it comes to physical attributes. Standing in at 6’3″ and with unmatched length, Maggie is a scoring machine. She has a nice jump hook, uses her body well to finish with a variety of other moves inside, and can get her shot off at anytime because of her height and high release point over the defense. On the other end of the floor she’s a hard-working rebounder and has great shot-blocking instincts. When she is guarding a non-shooter it is nearly impossible for opposing teams to score at the rim as she is always ready to block shots. An exciting prospect Hill has all the tools deserving of continuing to live in the Top 10 of this talented group of kids.
Jaidyn Dunn Jaidyn Dunn 6'1" | PF Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 State SD – Sioux Falls Jefferson High School, Club Team – SD Network, Commitment – South Dakota State University, 6’1″ Forward/Center
- South Dakota State is keeping high school girls basketball talent at home! Yet another commit and another player who will look to excel at the next level. Jaidyn is an elite shot-blocker at 6’1″ and the ability to accelerate in recovery defense or from the help side. No shot is safe with Dunn roaming the paint as she contests every attempt she possibly can. Cleaning up the boards, Jaidyn understands the importance of positioning herself to get put-back chances on offense, as well as cleaning the glass on defense to limit her opponent to one shot. She is a 10-15 PPG, 10-12 RPG, and 3-5 BPG type of player who consistently stuffs the stat sheet and shows up to help her team get the W. She moves extremely well and is a true plus six-foot athlete who can get it done on all levels.
Sawyer Stoebner Sawyer Stoebner 5'10" | CG Mitchell | 2024 State SD – Mitchell High School, Club Team – Sanford Sports Academy, Commitment – N/A, 5’9″ Guard/Forward
- Sawyer is as explosive as they come from the perimeter and is a matchup nightmare for opponents. She works her tail off and plays with a relentless motor when it comes to scoring, defending, and rebounding. On offense she shows off a great first step and can catch and score from beyond the 3, in the mid-range, and around the block. Transition offense and the ability to hit the outside shot round out a very complete overall offensive game. If you try and put speed on her she can post you up and make you pay with strength and physicality, and if you try and guard her with size she will take advantage of the matchup and beat you off the dribble or move without the ball to get an open shot. On defense she plays with a low base, moves laterally well, and contests shots while keeping the opponent in front of her body. She’s a stat stuffer who can go off for 20+ points, consistently grabs 10+ rebounds, and throws in a few assists, steals, and a couple of blocked shots per contest.
Skyler Volmer Skyler Volmer 5'9" | CG Lyman | 2024 State SD – Lyman High School, Club Team – SD Network, Commitment – N/A, 5’9″ Guard/Forward
- Skyler is an intriguing prospect who has impressive length, blessed athleticism, and a competitive spirit. A small-town South Dakota girl with a big heart, and a desire to excel make this young lady a fun player to watch. She’s got a smooth rhythmic dip of the basketball and gets her shot off over defenders with ease. She can knock it down from three as well as pull up and hit in the mid-range. Point guard IQ in a small forwards’ body she has great vision, secure ball-handling skills, and the ability to create her own shot or set up her teammates. On defense she can guard a variety of skillsets and shows off great ability to block shots as well as create turnovers with quick hands on the ball. Keep your eye on this talented young prospect who cracks our Top 10 list heading into her senior season!
Lily Klein Lily Klein 5'9" | SG Flandreau | 2024 State SD – Flandreau High School, Club Team – N/A, Commitment – Northern State University, 5’9″ Guard
- Lily joins and rounds out the Top 10 of the Class of 2024, and deservedly so! She demonstrates one of the highest IQ’s on the list and flat out gets it done in all areas of the game. She has pure point guard abilities with a fundamentally sound game that allows her to create for others as well as score her own. She has a nice shot form outside with a consistent set-point and great shooting confidence. In transition she moves well and gets to her spots quickly to score without the ball in her hands, and with the ball she does an excellent job of facilitating shots for her team. A physical body with a guard skillset makes Lily a college-ready prospect who will take her game to another level!