Dylan Harper, Cooper Flagg and observations from McDonald’s All-American game

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Cooper Flagg #32 loses control of the ball ahead of Donavan Freeman #10 during the first half of the mens 2024 McDonald's All American Game at Toyota Center on April 02, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
By Tobias Bass
Apr 3, 2024

HOUSTON — For the second straight year, the top 24 high school basketball players gathered in Space City for the McDonald’s All-American Game, showcasing their skills in front of NBA scouts, personnel and media members.

While the Class of 2024 has faced criticism for its perceived lack of overall talent, I disagree. There are numerous hidden gems in this class, and organizations equipped to scout and develop players effectively will undoubtedly find their guy.

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I spoke to an NBA scout who agreed.

“Don’t see this class being bad whatsoever,” said the scout, who was granted anonymity because he is not authorized to talk publicly about high school prospects. “It offers a whole lot more potential and size compared to last year, first off, and has two-to-three guys that I could see NBA teams gearing up toward placing some chips in to draft a year from now. There are a couple of hidden, less talked about names like Liam McNeeley, Derrion Reid and Donnie Freeman, that boast a higher floor of sorts and a translatable game and skill set that could make them worthy of first-round looks, and, coinciding with Cooper Flagg /Ace Bailey/VJ Edgecombe, looks to me like one of the better groups in recent years.”

The scout ranked the prospects 1-24 based on upside as a prospect.

Tahaad Pettiford did not practice due to injury.

1. Ace Bailey
2. Cooper Flagg
3. VJ Edgecombe
4. Dylan Harper
5. Tre Johnson
6. Jalil Bethea
7. Jayden Quaintance
8. Ian Jackson
9. Drake Powell
10. Isaiah Evans
11. Derrion Reid
12. Liam McNeeley
13. Donnie Freeman
14. Bryson Tucker
15. Aiden Sherrell
16. Johnuel Fland
17. Carter Bryant
18. Karter Knox
19. Flory Bidunga
20. Tahaad Pettiford
21. John Bol
22. Zoom Diallo
23. Trent Perry
24. Derik Queen

Unlike last year, there wasn’t a clear-cut MVP of the practice sessions, but several players stood out.

The first prospect that comes to mind is Edgecombe, a Baylor commit. The 6-foot-5 guard has shades of Victor Oladipo, but if he continues to improve his jumper he could be Donovan Mitchell-like. Over the two practice sessions, he showcased his playmaking skills. His ability to read defenses in the pick-and-roll isn’t talked about enough, and he showed flashes of being a lead guard.

We know he’s typically the most athletic prospect in most gyms, but Edgecombe has started to become more of a complete basketball player. Over the past five years, Baylor has consistently churned out top-tier guards, with the last two years seeing them produce two Big 12 Rookies of the Year in Keyonte George and Ja’Kobe Walter. Edgecombe will complete the set.

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Notes on other players:

• Everyone wants to know where McNeeley, who decommitted from Indiana, is going to school, I have no update, but what I can tell you is he was laser-focused at the McDonald’s All-American practices and is looking forward to winning a Geico National Championship this week in Indianapolis. McNeeley can fit into most collegiate systems with his ability to adapt to whatever is thrown at him, whether it’s different teammates, opposing defenses or typical basketball adversity.

He made big shots consistently over the week, including a game-winner during the scrimmage. McNeeley is the glue to keep a team together and put them over the hump. Keep in mind, cerebral players are making a resurgence in college and the NBA, and McNeeley is next in line.

• To make it to the NBA you have to be consistently consistent, and that’s exactly what Rutgers commit Dylan Harper does every time I see him play. One NBA scout said, “He will be a top-5 pick a year from now,” and it’s easy to see why. His poise, leadership and feel for the game will immediately translate.

His father, Ron Harper Sr., played in the NBA for 15 years and won five championships with the Chicago Bulls and taught his son well. Dylan makes the game simple, he can score at will on limited dribbles and makes any team you put him on better. During the practices, he pushed his future Scarlet Knight teammate Ace Bailey, after a quick pep talk those two went on a five- to six-point scoring run. Harper was the McDonald’s All-American co-MVP with 22 points, five assists and six rebounds.

 Dylan Harper was the co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game. (Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)

• One of the biggest stock risers this week was Syracuse commit Donnie Freeman. On Day 1 of the practices, it felt like he didn’t miss a shot from behind the arc. Several scouts would look at the roster and make slight comments like “Who is that kid” or “Has he missed yet?” He has a chance to be an elite pick-and-pop guy at the next level with his 6-foot-9 frame. Every year there’s always one guy who comes out of this event and helps himself going into their freshman campaign; this year it was Freeman. He is one to look out for going into the 2024-25 college basketball season.

• It’s no surprise to see No. 1 prospect Cooper Flagg on the standouts list; you could talk about him for hours and find very few complaints. His jumper used to be a concern, but he’s made significant mechanical improvements and now seems much more confident as a shooter. Many times this week he made 3s in different actions via pin-downs, curling off screens or pull-up jumpers over defenders. He is a spitting image of former Utah Jazz star Andrei Kirilenko with his ability to defend multiple positions relentlessly and all-around game.

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There was a moment when his coach challenged him in practice and then boom, the splash plays came into play. It started with a block that turned into a dunk on the opposite end, he came back down on defense got a steal for an easy finish then capped it off with a 3 and a dime to Maryland commit and Montverde Academy teammate Derik Queen, who was also co-MVP.

• The last time North Carolina had a lottery pick was in 2019, when Cameron Johnson went No. 11 Minnesota before being rerouted to Phoenix on draft night. The next Tar Heel to do so could be Drake Powell. He continues to be one of the better perimeter defenders and shot-blockers in the class while knocking down jumpers all week long, impressing scouts. Powell has excellent instincts, length and athleticism to be a high-end 3-and-D guy.

• Tre Johnson, a Texas commit, is one of the most proficient scorers I’ve seen at this age in a long time. His exceptional footwork enables him to score in numerous ways, whether through pull-up jumpers, fadeaways from either shoulder, step-backs, or finishing around the rim. He consistently finds his spots, creates space, and gets clean looks in the halfcourt. He went 5-of-7 from 3 to finish with 17 points, as he was a major catalyst for his team’s comeback.

Scoring comes easy to Johnson, but he was one of the better defenders over the week. He took each defensive assignment personally and was able to force turnovers or get stops when needed. As the Longhorns move to the SEC, that defensive tenacity will need to carry over.

• No. 2 prospect Ace Bailey is the most talented kid in this class, the natural gifts he has and the things he can do with the ball in his hands at 6-foot-9 have scouts raving about what he could be long-term. Best of all he’s young, Bailey is still only 17, making him one of the younger prospects in the class of 2024. The Scarlet Knights have only made the NCAA Tournament twice in 2021 and 2022, and haven’t had a player drafted since 2010.

In Rutgers’ history, the program has only had 21 players drafted and just three in the first round. They have a chance to add two to that number, as Steve Pikiell and staff have done a wonderful job on the recruiting trail and will likely have two top-5 picks a year from now in Bailey and Harper.

• Like most years, the Wildcats will have to reload, and all three of their players in the game — Karter Knox, Boogie Fland and Jayden Quaintance — played well. Fland is the ultimate leader, and I consistently saw him cheering teammates and being a coach on the floor. His energy is infectious and makes others better.

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Fortunately, Fland and Quaintance were on the same team during practices and they worked well in the pick-and-roll. Fland constantly set up the 6-foot-9, 230-pound center for easy dunks or finishes around the rim.

As for Knox, he’s a big-time shotmaker and was one of the better overall performers of the week. One triple could quickly lead to a run of them in a blink of an eye.

• The Miami Hurricanes have lost a lot of guys to the transfer portal coming off a disappointing 15-17 season, but help is on the way. Jalil Bethea, a 6-foot-5 guard,  can score in bunches, but this week he played on-ball and made reads and plays out of the pick-and-roll.

As this part of his game develops along with adding muscle he could be a star at the next level. The Pennsylvania-based guard is dynamic with the ball in his hands and put on a show Monday night by winning the slam dunk contest. Bethea is the highest-ranked recruit in program history and will be a nightmare for the opposing defense trying to contain the three-point line.

(Top photo of Cooper Flagg losing the ball ahead of Donavan Freeman: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)

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