6’5 Kon Knueppel - Phenom University/Wisconsin Lutheran HS 

Analysis: Kon Knueppel is an elite shooter with efficient shot mechanics, is lethal in catch and shoot situations, and has a nice midrange pull up game off the dribble. Knueppel had a huge grassroots season for Phenom University in the EYBL, capped off by averaging 21/6/4 at Peach Jam. At 6’5, he has ideal size as a 2-guard and has continued to progress as an initiator playing in ball screens and creating for teammates. Knueppel has some of the best hands I have seen at the HS level - loose balls, deflections, rebounds in traffic, etc - he seems to come up with every 50/50 ball. While not an explosive athlete, Knueppel has great instincts and feel for the game, is polished in his  footwork and driving angles to be efficient in his movements and is deceptively quick for his size. Knueppel’s combination of positional size, high skill level, and consistent production all factored into his ranking as the top 2024 prospect in Wisconsin. Knueppel will take official visits this fall to Stanford and Notre Dame and looks primed for a big Junior season for Wisconsin Lutheran. 

Recruitment: Offers from Stanford, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Miami, Minnesota, Illinois, Texas A&M, USC, Wisconsin, Iowa. 

6’8 Sekou Konneh - Team Haliburton/St Thomas More HS 

Analysis: Sekou Konneh is an athletic combo forward with a budding perimeter skillset and a high motor. Checking in at #2 in Wisconsin’s 2024 class - just ahead of Nick Janowski, who I am very high on - speaks to Konneh’s consistent progression in his skillset, his elite physical tools and his high ceiling. Konneh is a 4/3 but had some really impressive showings this summer with Team Haliburton as a face up big, playing up at the 17U level. He has added a midrange game to his scoring package and has the fluidity and quickness to play on the perimeter at 6’8. Konneh is a monster in transition, plays above the rim finishing dunks, blocking shots and impacting games on the glass, and has good footwork in the post with a variety of scoring moves. Defensively he has the versatility to guard multiple positions, uses his length to effect shots at the rim and get in passing lanes, and moves well laterally at his size. Each time I have watched him play over the last 2-3 years he just keeps getting better, and Konneh is a prospect I wouldn’t be surprised to see finish out in the top 50 in his class nationally. 

Recruitment: Picked up first D1 offer from Milwaukee in July. Recently took an unofficial visit to Iowa State. 

6’4 Nick Janowski - Phenom University/Pewaukee HS 

Analysis: Nick Janowski is one of the most competitive players I have watched covering HS basketball, and is a big time scoring guard who can fill it up in a hurry. The lefty combo guard is a knock down shooter, and can create space off the dribble using stepbacks and side steps to get his shot off on the perimeter. While he is not a natural PG, Janowski can be a primary ball handler and had a very impressive assist to turnover ratio in EYBL play with Phenom University. Janowski is not an elite athlete above the rim athlete but is crafty in his ability to get to the rim and takes on defensive challenges. His shooting ability and competitive mentality separate him within Wisconsin’s 2024 class and he has the size to play either guard spot in the backcourt. Already holding a handful of high major offers, Janowski took an unofficial visit to Iowa State in August and should be a top 100 recruit nationally. Simply put, the kid is a winner and will look to win his 3rd state championship in as many years this winter for Pewaukee HS.  

Recruitment: Offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Marquette, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, USC and Wisconsin. 

6’5 Amari McCottry - Power 5/St Thomas More HS 

Analysis: A 6’5 wing with length and wiggle, Amari McCottry may be the most gifted player in Wisconsin’s 2024 class. He can create his own offense off the dribble, break defenders down and get to the rim, shoot on the move and is great in the open floor. McCottry has shown the ability to take games over offensively and when jumpers are falling he is as tough of a guard as there is in Wisconsin with his size and skill. He does need to be more consistent as a shooter and sometimes settles for contested jumpers, but when he is on there is not much you can do defensively to stop him. He has the quickness to guard smaller players on the perimeter and the length to bother taller wings and get deflections and steals. As McCottry continues to fine tune his shot selection and become more consistent in his production, he could very well land some high major offers within the next 6 months. His upside and talent make him one of the best long term prospects in the state regardless of class. McCottry will team up with Sekou Konneh at St Thomas More where they should be contenders in the state title hunt this winter. 

Recruitment: Milwaukee, Louisiana Tech, Grambling State

6’8 Will Hornseth - Wisconsin Blizzard/Depere HS 

Analysis: Will Hornseth is a skilled big man who has seen his recruitment explode over the grassroots season with Wisconsin Blizzard - picking up 4 D1 offers since April. At 6’8 Hornseth can run the floor, is more fluid than explosive but does a good job of using his frame and footwork to create scoring angles. He is one of the top passing bigs in the Midwest in the class of 2024 - able to work out of high low actions, make good outlet passes after grabbing defensive boards, and find cutters and open shooters when doubled in the post or drawing help on his attacks. Hornseth is a capable shooter but will need to continue to become more consistent and extend his range. Defensively is not a big time vertical leaper but has good timing as a shot blocker and help defender, and has flashed the ability to push on the break off the dribble. Hornseth will be a key piece for a very talented DePere team that will be one of the top teams in Wisconsin. 

Recruitment: Offers from St Thomas (MN), Illinois State, Toledo, Green Bay.