Shaw's Superlatives: The ten most explosive players in the 2024 class

Last week, On3 updated its 2024 On3 150. With that rankings update, we wanted to continue to go through the class in a more specific manner. Talk about players and their individual skill sets, and give more context surrounding the national class.

Last week and this, I go through Shaw’s Superlatives. The topics will include best rim protector, best rebounder, best playmaker, top perimeter defenders, most explosive, and best shooter. In this edition of the series, we take a look at the most explosive players.

Shaw’s Superlatives: Top rim protectors in the 2024 class | Top rebounders in the 2024 class | Top shooters in the 2024 class | To perimeter defender in the 2024 class

Intimidation

Dominique Wilkins famously told The Athletic, “I used dunking as a tool for intimidation.” A Hall of Famer and 9-time NBA All-Star who scored over 26,500 career points is mostly remembered for his dunks.

A player’s explosion can quickly change the momentum of a game. Rather it is a big dunk at the right time or a weak side shot block into the stands, raw and aggressive athleticism has always been a fan favorite. Even in high school basketball, you will find cameras on the baselines, trying to find the next play that will garner millions of clicks across all social media platforms.

Still, to this day, even after all the basketball I have watched, whenever a momentum-changing dunk happens, I feel it. So I want to hand out the superlative for the most explosive player in high school basketball.

Three-star SF Jahki Howard 

Height/Weight: 6-6/180
High School: Atlanta (GA) Overtime Elite
On3 NIL Valuation: NA
2024 On3 150: No. 117

The skinny: The highlights speak for themselves. Jahki Howard leaps with springs in his legs. Get him out in transition, and Howard is likely to walk away with a highlight. And not just any highlight, a highlight that will bring the entire crowd to its feet. This summer, playing with the New Heights Lightning program on Nike’s EYBL Circuit, Howard showed he could be more than simply a dunker. He averaged 16.9 points while shooting 37.1 percent from three. 

Other Most Explosive

*Alphabetical Order

Five-Star Plus+ SF Ace Bailey (Rutgers)

Height/Weight: 6-9/210
High School: Powder Springs (GA) McEachern High
On3 NIL Valuation: $539,000
2024 On3 150: No. 3

The skinny: The explosion is one of the things that makes Ace Bailey’s upside so captivating. Not only is he explosive, but he is also lengthy and quick-twitch. Bailey routinely gets his elbows at the rim when dunking the ball, but his explosive athleticism also plays a role in his defensive presence. He is capable in the passing lanes as well as a weak side shot blocker. He moves well, both laterally and vertically, but when he gets out on the break, watch your head.

Recruitment: Bailey has committed to Rutgers

Five-Star Plus+ C Flory Bidunga (Kansas)

Height/Weight: 6-9/215
High School: Kokomo (IN) High
On3 NIL Valuation: $531,000
2024 On3 150: No. 7

The skinny: Flory Bidunga, the newest Kansas commit, has built his reputation as one of the most ferocious forces around the basket. Even listed around 6-foot-9, Bidunga is able to get off the ground quickly and finish lobs around the top of the square. He also has excellent defensive timing as a feared shot blocker. Bidunga might be the best lob threat in his class, using his good hands and vertical pop. The Kokomo (IN) High center has basketball skill and IQ, but it is the explosion and the bounce that put his game to a different level.

Recruitment: Bidunga has committed to Kansas.

Four-star CG Trey Parker (NC State)

Height/Weight: 6-1/162
High School: Atlanta (GA) Overtime Elite
On3 NIL Valuation: $331,000
2024 On3 150: No. 84

The skinny: Just go on Youtube and type in Trey Parker Dunk Contest. You can click on any link that pops up, they will all be the same. He is an acrobat in the air, and he uses his long arms and springy bounce to get high above the rim. While Parker is most known for his dunking, he is more than just that. He is a smooth jump shooter with deep range, and he also has nice vision out of the pick-and-roll. That said, go on Youtube and watch a couple of highlights.

Recruitment: Parker is currently committed to NC State.

Four-star SG Rakease Passmore

Height/Weight: 6-5/185
High School: Lincolnton (NC) Combine Academy
On3 NIL Valuation: $65,000
2024 On3 150: No. 49

The skinny: When Rakease Passmore gets out in transition, fire your phone up, he is likely to have his head up around rim level on the finish. Passmore has a lot of straight-line lift, and he likes to show that off when he gets on the break. This summer, with Team Thad on Nike’s EYBL Circuit, he was able to show an expanded game and that he is more than just a dunker. Passmore averaged almost 14 points on just over nine shots per game. 

Recruitment: Passmore has taken official visits to Oregon and Indiana. He has future officials set with Wake Forest, Miami, Mississippi State, LSU, and Arkansas.

Next 5 Most Explosive

*Alphabetical order

Four-star PF Carter Bryant (Arizona)

Height/Weight: 6-8/225
High School: Corona (CA) Centennial
On3 NIL Valuation: $314,000
2024 On3 150: No. 16

Five-Star Plus+ SF Cooper Flagg

Height/Weight: 6-9/195
High School: Montverde (FL) Academy
On3 NIL Valuation: $828,000
2024 On3 150: No. 1

Five-Star Plus+ SF Karter Knox

Height/Weight: 6-6/205
High School: Atlanta (GA) Overtime Elite
On3 NIL Valuation: $422,000
2024 On3 150: No. 13

Five-Star Plus+ Asa Newell

Height/Weight: 6-9/205
High School: Montverde (FL) Academy
On3 NIL Valuation: $447,000
2024 On3 150: No. 8

Four-Star PG Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn)

Height/Weight: 6-0/160
High School: Jersey City (NJ) Hudson Catholic
On3 NIL Valuation: $246,000
2024 On3 150: No. 32