Top Ranked Uncommitted 2024s Part 5: Small Forwards

This is the final entry in my series focusing on top ranked uncommitted 2024s. As I have mentioned previously dozens of prospects have already committed or signed to play college basketball in the fall. Some schools, like Butler Community College, have signed several Kansas prospects. Many more will be looking to fill rosters even into July. The first four parts in the series have covered <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/top-ranked-uncommitted-2024s-part-1-bigs/">bigs</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/top-ranked-uncommitted-2024s-part-2-point-guards/">point guards</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/top-ranked-uncommitted-2024s-part-3-shooting-guards/">shooting guards</a>, and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/top-ranked-uncommitted-2024s-part-4-combo-guards/">combo guards</a>. Now enjoy a look at the top five unsigned small forwards.   [player_tooltip player_id='532208' first='Ma'Khiyah' last='Jones'], 5'8", Wichita Southeast - Jones is a prospect who plays a lot of roles for the Buffaloes. After a strong 2023 season that propelled the team to a state tournament appearance Jones earned Greater Wichita Area League first team, Varsity Kansas 6A third team, and KBCA 6A honorable mention selections. This season she is averaging a more than 16 points on 43% shooting and 10 rebounds per game. She has the handles to play on the wing but especially thrives at the power forward position due to her strength, high game IQ, and around the rim scoring ability. At the next level I project her to fill a small forward role due to her height. Her perimeter shooting would need to improve to work primarily at guard spots even though she has the ball skills to create in those capacities. Defensively, she is among the best interior defenders. Crafty and strong she uses contact and release tactics that cause opponents to lose balance and positioning when trying to post up.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/05/DSC_0089-1.jpg?w=640" alt="" class="wp-image-433676" style="width:106px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Independent School 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='453760' first='Stephie-Safi' last='Salumu']. Photo: Prep Girls Hoops.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='453760' first='Stephie-Safi' last='Salumu'], 6'0", The Independent School - 2023 Transfers from Sunrise Christian Academy Salumu and point guard SaMiya Ellis, now at Wichita Heights, put the Panthers on the Kansas girls basketball map last season by marching through the Central Prairie League and reaching the program's first ever 2A state tournament appearance. This season, with losses only a pair of Tulsa schools and Life Prep Academy, Salumu and company have generally buried all but three opponents this season. Salumu was tough last year but with even more talent around her in 2024 and teams less able to double she has thrived. She is a terrific combination of size, strength, and speed. As my PGH colleague Simmie Colson has said, she is a strong "hands and footwork" combo. She will go end-to-end, sees who will be open off the bounce well before making the dime drop, and score through contact. She uses solid leverage and positioning to defend bigger posts, has good timing to alter and block shots, and has the quickness to defend on the perimeter. All the tools are there and she is a big reason why I have believed the Panthers are the team to beat for the 2A crown this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='231286' first='Pirsten' last='Leslie'], 5'9", Bonner Springs - The two-time Frontier League honorable mention selection has diverse offensive skills that should bring her substantial success at the next level. Having legitimate '27 range opens up space for her to get to the rim, finish with speed and athleticism, and score with creativity. She has a rangy frame to work with, dime dropping vision, and decent and quick hops on her jumpers.   [player_tooltip player_id='347865' first='Scarlett' last='Swinford'], 5'10", Olathe West - Swinford has benefitted from her years as a shorter guard. Ball skills developed then have made enabled her to show off better ball skills and quickness then most to score at speed, shoot with range, and effectively use her length on both ends of the floor. She shoots well off the catch and with range. A key cog for the three-loss Owls who have an inside track to the 6A state tournament with a legitimate shot to win it.   [player_tooltip player_id='743327' first='Violet' last='Conley'], 5'10", De Soto - For some reason Conley has not received a great deal of statewide attention. A 2023 United Kansas Conference second teamer Conley also was selected 5A honorable mention by Varsity Kansas. She is quick, athletic, and a good perimeter shooter with a quick release. The kind of combination colleges love when looking for players with stretch four capabilities. One other thing of note. She is creative and sneaky defensively. If readers remember Baldwin stud Abby Ogle who had a great career at Hutchinson Community College and is finishing up at Kent State University, Conley reminds me a bit of her in that department.

This is the final entry in my series focusing on top ranked uncommitted 2024s. As I have mentioned previously dozens of prospects have already committed or signed to play college basketball in the fall. Some schools, like Butler Community College, have signed several Kansas prospects. Many more will be looking to fill rosters even into July. The first four parts in the series have covered bigs, point guards, shooting guards, and combo guards. Now enjoy a look at the top five unsigned small forwards.