By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The 2024 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions gets underway on Thursday. Here are the teams and players to know heading into the event.
2024 BASS PRO TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS BRACKET – CLICK HERE
- Paul VI could make TOC History
Paul VI will look to win its third TOC championship, trailing only Christ the King (6), Memphis White Station (5) and Oak Hill (4) for most in tournament history. We’ve seen some loaded teams from Paul VI, including the group that upset Montverde in 2013, but this may be Glenn Farello’s best team headlined by a ridiculous senior class.
Patrick Ngongba and Darren Harris are both heading to Duke to play for Jon Scheyer and the why is evident as soon as you see them. Ngongba is a 6-foot-10 freak athlete with length and defensive instincts, but he’s rapidly improving on the offensive end, adding a faceup jumper with range. He’ll make Cooper Flagg’s life easier on the defensive end. Harris is one of the best shooters in the entire 2024 class. He’s a big guard with a great frame, but also an underrated athlete. TOC fans should expect him to be in range the second he clears the tunnel.
A big guard led UCONN to a national title last year, so naturally it makes sense that the Huskies prioritized and signed Isaiah Abraham. At 6-foot-7 with a diverse skillset and next level athleticism, he will be a fan favorite.
Garrett Sundra is exactly the kind of big that colleges and the NBA are valuing more and more. At 6-foot-10, he shouldn’t be able to shoot it the way that he does. In fact, his overall skillset at 6-foot-10 is impressive. He’s yet another top 100 prospect on this team that turned down several other Power 5 schools before choosing Notre Dame.
- Ace Bailey is Him
McEachern won it all in 2019 behind future draft picks Sharife Cooper and Isaac Okoro. Now they return to Springfield with one of the best high school players in the country in Ace Bailey. The Rutgers commit has an outside shot of taking over the No. 1 spot nationally and would’ve been the highest-rated player in each of the last three recruiting classes, earning a higher evaluation than guys like Amari Bailey, Brandon Miller, Isaiah Collier and Gradey Dick. His motor is elite, he’s a mismatch off the bounce and his athleticism is freakish at minimum. He had 40 points and 21 rebounds against Camden (NJ) and averaged 31 points and 15 rebounds in four games at the City of Palms. He’s your favorite for MVP honors and could join Aminu Mohammed as the only players to score 100 points and grab 50 rebounds in the event. The best part about Bailey is his approach. He didn’t feel the need to transfer to one of the basketball factories or shoe-circuit grassroots programs. He’s very much a home-grown talent.
Bailey will be your favorite player in the event.
Rutgers commit Ace Bailey went OFF last night with 41 POINTS AND 26 REBOUNDS 😳 pic.twitter.com/ENcky0Ky5r
— Overtime (@overtime) December 6, 2023
- Who is Mr. 2025 between Elzie Harrington and JD Palm?
They do it in different ways but both are highly effective at who they are. Harrington is a skilled, 6-foot-3 combo guard for St. John Bosco. He’s smooth and skilled with the ability to create for himself and others. He won’t wow you with athleticism but he’s another elite prospect and widely considered a top-30 prospect nationally with offers from UCLA, USC and Arizona State among others. Palm is a four-star prospect at McEachern and currently holds an Alabama offer and the 6-foot-9 junior is all energy and athleticism. He’s a presence in the paint on both ends.
There may be a sleeper for this title locally. Also keep an eye on Nyale Robinson, the son of former NBA player Nate Robinson. Great player for Rainier Beach.
- Brandon McCoy and Jordan Smith are the top 2026s
Not only are they the two top 2026 prospects in this event, but they’re two of the best you’ll see nationally. Both have earned five stars from ESPN with McCoy (St. John Bosco) currently holding offers from Kansas, Arizona and UCLA among others, while Smith (Paul VI) has Michigan, Villanova and Georgetown on his list. They’re both exactly what you’d expect from elite guards on opposite coasts. McCoy is an absolute bucket-getter that is highly skilled with an incredible feel in an extremely athletic frame. Smith is a HYPER competitive and extremely athletic player with a DMV feel to his game. When you see the high major polos sitting courtside, just know they’re coming to see these two.
Again… there may be a sleeper for this title locally.
Brandon McCoy is the No.1 Ranked PG in the Class of 2026. He finished with 26Pts & 11 Rebs pic.twitter.com/HmoYUQpJZF
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 9, 2023
Jordan Smith Jr, a 6'3 sophomore, impressed me against IMG Thursday night, particularly with athleticism and jump shooting. Constant above the rim finisher at his height and age is rare. High upside guard at Paul VI pic.twitter.com/SZ4zzZ7p25
— Rich Stayman (@MavsDraft) December 23, 2023
- Dylan Warlick is a Bucket
The Wyoming commit is just solid and doesn’t really have any holes in his game. The 6-foot-6 wing has an advanced skill set with a ton of craftiness to how he gets to spots and scores. He broke Edmond North’s scoring record last week and is closing in on 1,500 points. Edmond North won’t wow you with big names, but this is a program that has won back-to-back 6A state championships in Oklahoma with a great chance to add another this year while also being ranked in the top 10 nationally.
24 6’5 Dylan Warlick is a player who has elite versatility on offense and defense. He is energetic,rebounds,competes, fights through screens, rotates to help, makes great passes, finishes strong, handles the ball,and pulls up to make contested jumpers.
@WarlickDylan pic.twitter.com/NOL3Jdfv35— HOOP DAWGS (@dawg_hoop) December 31, 2023
- Central is Legit
The Baby Bulldogs have had a youth movement for the last several years and head coach Jordan Epps is seeing the fruits of that labor now. A loaded junior class led by Keion Epps and Bryce Walker have Central in position to make program history. But it’s not just them, Rue Wells, Devin Sanford and Jordan Pittman would be stars at nearly every other program in the Ozarks. Instead, they’ve all put their pride aside to do something special together in a national basketball culture that is transfer heavy. These guys are in the middle of a two-year run that could be special.
- Speaking of special… Tyrique Brooks and Keion Epps are different.
We’ve had several great guards and backcourts in the Ozarks recently, but these two might be the most dynamic we’ve seen in some time. Brooks is a 6-foot-4 freak of nature that is an elite three-level scorer. Whoever claimed he can’t shoot needs to eat some carrots because that couldn’t be further from the truth. His physical tools are truly elite which is why more and more D1s are getting involved.
Epps is making a strong case for being the best 2025 PG in the state. That’s a bold statement but he’s gone head-to-head with just about every other top-notch guard in Missouri either during the summer or during this season and the gap is minimal at best. He’s a floor general that’s a better athlete than he receives credit for.
Brooks and Epps vs. Harrington and McCoy will be a much better matchup than folks nationally realize.
- Amare Witham has ELITE Potential
Over the next two years you’re going to see an abundance of colleges (and unfortunately national high schools) making the trek to Springfield to recruit Witham and I can’t blame them. We knew he was a big-time scorer last year and that has only continued with more athleticism. And he’s only getting better. He had 37 points in his Blue & Gold opener following Christmas. He’s an elite shooter with many of the same tools the other nationally-acclaimed guards in his class in this event have. He’s arrived locally, this could be his coming out party nationally. Ta’Veaion Washington put up 44 against Rolla last week showcasing the scoring depth the Falcons have.
- Vashon is the Sleeper 2002
We are familiar with Vashon and they’re a NIKE Elite Program with 17 state championships. Don’t be surprised to see this group make a run in the TOC. In terms of raw talent, they have plenty of it. Trey Williams and Nick Randall both hold multiple Power 5 offers, including Mizzou and Ole Miss. They aren’t just good, they are elite players in the 2025 class. Nasir Binion is a blooming 6-foot-5 wing that is seeking his D1 recruitment pick up. Binion and Andre Aaron are the only rotational seniors for Vashon, which is their only “weakness”. Youth. Toss in Christian Williams and Dehrio McCaskill, as well as legacy freshmen Jimmy McKinney and Leon Powell and it’s easy to see why this Vashon team is sneaky good now and could be one of the favorites if (when) they’re invited back next January.
That McEachern vs. Vashon game has all the makings to be a classic. Two extremely well-coached, physical and competitive teams that have zero fear. If you can only make it to one game, this is the one you’ll want to see.
- Dunk Contest Favorites… Maceo Rivers and Dehrio McCaskill
If these two elect to hop in the dunk contest, fans will be in for a treat. Both have serious bounce and aren’t just in game dunkers, they also have all the tricks. Let’s hope we get this show. In addition to Tyrique Brooks returning.
Dehrio McCaskill (@vashon_bball) is one of the most explosive athletes in Missouri! pic.twitter.com/JHHA9I2j5O
— Sean West (@_seanwest_) January 7, 2024
