The Top 5 Shooting Guards In the 2024 Class
1- JA’KOBE WALTER
Position: SG/SF
Age: 19
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 180 lbs
From: Baylor
16.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG (Per 36)
Pro Comparison: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
On offense, he moves quite quickly. He seems to never slow down. His primary strengths are his shooting and shot creativity. He has a very smooth release and outstanding percentages. He has good off-the-catch and pull-up midrange shooting abilities. He achieves his goal by attacking closeouts and isolating. He has good finishing ability. At the moment, he is a finisher underneath the rim, but he climbs up and finishes over opponents. He also has the ability to perform floaters and acrobatic finishes.
2- JUSTIN EDWARDS
Position: SG/SF
Age: 19
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 180 lbs
From: Kentucky
14.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG (Per 36)
Pro Comparison: Brandon Miller
The more I watch him, the more I am conflicted about him as a prospect. He lacks burst, and his finishing is a little overblown. Expected larger shooting splits, but his stroke remains excellent. He possesses a high release point, and while he is usually streaky, when the shot falls he appears unstoppable out there— scoring at all three levels with ease.
While his disappointing freshman year may put off scouts, it would be stupid to pass on a player with Edwards’ ceiling in such a weak class. Based only on his physical tools and the abilities he demonstrated in high school, he could very well end his career as the best player in his class, and that upside to some teams is too good to pass on.
3- ZACCHARIE RISACHER
Position: SG/SF
Age: 18
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 204 lbs
From: JL Bourg (France)
17.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG (Per 36)
Pro Comparison: Franz Wagner
Risacher has a wingspan of 6’10”, but he is more than that. He’s a nimble forward with incredible foot speed, and his potential is limitless. His jump shot is already technically sound. The areas for improvement include increasing his passing read speed and gaining strength in his frame so that he can eventually defend larger 4s or even 5s and finish through contact.
4- TERRENCE SHANNON JR.
Position: SG
Age: 23
Height: 6’6.5”
Weight: 225 lbs
From: Illinois
24.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.2 BPG (Per 36)
Pro Comparison: Hamidou Diallo
He comes and goes too often and the shooting hasn’t been consistent for a player with a label around shooting. He still has to refine his right hand and learn to play more consistently under control. He’s a good risk to end up as a backup, but for a guy with a moderate ceiling, his floor doesn’t feel higher than the average senior.
5- KEVIN MCCULLAR
Position: SG
Age: 23
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 210 lbs
From: Kansas
19.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG (Per 36)
Pro Comparison: Kenrich Williams
He gets to where he needs to be, scores through contact and sets up his teammates with both stationary and live dribble passes. He seems to have more control over every possession. He’s had a triple-double in his last five games. He has also been very good on the defensive end, playing a variety of archetypes and stopping ball handlers.