Shaw's Superlatives: Top Perimeter Defenders 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 best perimeter defenders.

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

Aggression

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green said, “To play great defense, you have to be an intensely focused and aggressive player…”

As you go through talking about perimeter defense, there are different types. You have point-of-attack defenders, guys who guard the ball on an island. And you have off-the-ball defenders, team defenders who get in the passing lanes and understand rotations. Both of them are valuable in their own right, but I grouped them together for the purposes of this writing.

Many times defense is a reactionary part of basketball, but some players are naturally able to be the aggressors. Here are the best perimeter defenders that I’ve seen for the 2024 class.

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

The skinny: Cooper Flagg is not only the top perimeter defender in this class, he is one of the best I have scouted in a decade-plus in the industry. It starts with his instincts, length, and competitiveness. The 6-foot-9 wing is excellent in the passing lanes and in protecting the rim. He has a burst and timing that allow him to be a menace off-ball. He has good hips and is able to slide his feet on the perimeter; in fact, he is very good footwork where his length and recovery allow him to play a step off his man and still be a factor. 

Last summer, Flagg led USA Basketball U17 in rebounds, blocks, and steals; he was 15 at the time. This high school season, he led the nationally-ranked Montverde (FL) Academy in blocks and steals. This summer, Flagg led all of Nike’s EYBL Circuit, across all age groups, with 125 total blocks (5.2 per game). In his run to the Peach Jam Finals, Flagg had three games with double-figure block totals in seven games.

Recruitment: Flagg has been on a single visit, an unofficial to Duke, at the beginning of August.

Other Top Perimeter Defenders

*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: When the motor is running, Ace Bailey can put his stamp on a game on the defensive end of the floor. Even at 16 years old, he has good length with a great frame and quick twitch that allows him to turn, flip his hips, and move. His recovery radius is large on the defensive end, getting in the passing lanes and blocking jump shots. Bailey has excellent positional size, and that helps. However, when he is locked in, his defense can be an intimidating factor. 

Recruitment: Bailey is committed to Rutgers.

Five-star SG VJ Edgecombe

Height/Weight: 6-4/180
High School: Long Island (NY) Long Island Lutheran
On3 NIL Valuation: $312,000
2024 On3 150: No. 4

The Skinny: VJ Edgecombe has excellent instincts, which pair well with his natural tools; length, burst, fluidity, and competitiveness. He is an effective scorer, but he is also the guy who can shut down the opposing team’s top perimeter threat. Edgecombe was the New York Gatorade Player of the Year this season, as well as the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC) Player of the Year. 

Recruitment: Edgecombe has no recorded visits taken or set.

Four-star SF Drake Powell (UNC)

Height/Weight: 6-6/185
High School: Pittsboro (NC) Northwood High
On3 NIL Valuation: $204,000
2024 On3 150: No. 25

The Skinny: Had it not been for Cooper Flagg reclassifying into the 2024 class, Drake Powell would have claimed the top spot in this category. Quite simply, Powell is that dude on the defensive end. While his counting numbers might not be that of Flagg’s, Powell’s ability to hold each of his opponents well below their averages is a testament to what he is capable of. 

Recruitment: Powell committed to North Carolina.

Four-star SF Khani Rooths

Height/Weight: 6-8/195
High School: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
On3 NIL Valuation: $109,000
2024 On3 150: No. 22

The Skinny: Khani Rooths has all the tools. His length, the positional size, the athletic fluidity. As he continues to fine-tune the finer nuances of guarding on the perimeter. The switchability factor is big here, as is the upside of what he continues to become. Always talented, Rooths has taken substantial steps over the past six months. 

Recruitment: Rooths has taken official visits to Georgia and Mississippi State so far. He has talked about setting up future visits with Virignia Tech and Michigan. As well as going back to Georgia.

Next 5 Perimeter Defenders

*alphabetical order

Four-star SF Marcus Allen (Missouri)

Height/Weight: 6-6/190
High School: Miami (FL) Norland
On3 NIL Valuation: NA
2024 On3 150: No. 39

Four-star SF Carter Bryant (Arizona)

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

Four-star SG Ahmad Nowell (UConn)

Height/Weight: 6-0/185
High School: Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep Charter
On3 NIL Valuation: NA
2024 On3 150: No. 67

Four-star SF Derrion Reid

Height/Weight: 6-7/200
High School: Napa (CA) Prolific Prep
On3 NIL Valuation: $112,000
2024 On3 150: No. 18

Four-star SF Billy Richmond

Height/Weight: 6-6/200
High School: Camden (NJ) High
On3 NIL Valuation: NA
2024 On3 150: No. 37