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We’re a few weeks into 2024 which means the boys basketball season is in full swing.
District play began the first week of the year and before we know it, postseason play will be here. Even with that in mind, there’s still plenty of season left to play.
Once again the Nashville area is loaded with talent on the boys side. The 615 Preps coverage area has plenty of talented players throughout so are the best?
After asking coaches, pulling stats and watching some film, we feel like that we have just that answer. Here are 55 players you need to go see play at some point this season.
*Note: All stats were submitted by coaches and reflect stats entering the week of January 8. Teams were limited to two selections each.
Jaiden Claybrook, Antioch, Jr.: Claybrook is a double-double machine for the up-and-coming Bears averaging 19 points and 11.3 rebounds.
Maddux Bodenhamer, Antioch, Sr.: Bodenhamer’s a reliable scoring source for the Bears averaging 16.8 points to go along with 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Odell Bradley, Beech, Sr.: Bradley is the Bucs top scorer averaging 18 points along with four assists, four rebounds and two steals per game.
Jailen Shelton, Beech, Sr.: Shelton is second on the team in scoring for the Bucs averaging 13 points along with four rebounds and three assists.
Arnett Hayes, BGA, Jr.: A standout on the football field as well, Hayes is also a do-it-all player for the Wildcats averaging 16 points, three assists and three rebounds per game.
Kavien Jones, BGA, Sr.: Jones averages close to a double-double for the Wildcats with a team-high 19 points per game to go along with nine rebounds per game.
Daniel Cochran, Brentwood, Sr.: Cochran does it all for the Bruins. He’s averaging a team-high 24.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and is solid at the rim defensively averaging two blocks per game.
Tyler Tanner, Brentwood Academy, Sr.: It could be argued that Tanner is the best player in the MidState as the Vanderbilt signee is averaging 26 points, five rebounds, four steals, three assists and shooting 38% from beyond-the-arc.
Demariuan Locke, Cannon County, Sr.: Locke’s been a consistent scoring threat for the Lions averaging 13.1 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Dominic Reed, Centennial, Sr.: Not only is Reed one of the best football players in the state, he’s also one of the best on the court. He leads the Cougars with 18 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Kellen Howard, Clarksville, Sr.: Howard’s developed into the Wildcats’ go-to scorer averaging 16.2 points per game.
Cam Phillips, Clarksville Academy, Sr.: Phillips holds a slight scoring edge over his teammate and at 19.6 points per game while hitting 44.5% of his 3-point attempts.
Trae Riedau, Clarksville Academy, Jr.: Riedau is second on the team in scoring at 19.5 points per game but also average 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
Cortez Murphy, East Nashville, So.: The Eagles had to replace quite a bit from last year’s team and Murphy’s taken charge averaging a team-high 14 points per game.
Elijah Groves, East Robertson, Sr.: Football’s kept Groves off the court for much of the early part of the season but when he returns full-time, there’s no denying that he’s one of the best players in Class 1A.
Blake Dean, Ezell-Harding, Sr.: A 4-year starter and 1,000-point scorer, Dean leads the Eagles with 20 points per game and hits on 37% of his 3-point attempts.
Mays McCoy, Fairview, Sr.: McCoy is one part of the Yellowjackets’ 1-2 punch averaging 14.4 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Nathan Dillingham, Fairview, Sr.: Dillingham’s been a top scorer for the Yellowjackets for awhile now and is averaging 21.4 points along with 5.9 rebounds this season.
Christian Brown, Franklin, Jr.: Brown’s been a double-double machine this season for the Admirals with 11 already. He averages a team-high 16.6 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks.
Davis Long, Franklin, Sr.: Davis’ numbers may not be gaudy like others but he runs the show for the Admirals. This season he’s averaging 15.8 points, 5.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds.
Colby Jones, Friendship Christian, Sr.: Jones is a walking bucket for the Commanders averaging 17.8 points and connecting on 42.1% of his 3-point attempts.
Noah Major, Friendship Christian, Jr.: Jones adds to the Commanders’ attack averaging 14.8 points and making 37.5% of his 3-point attempts.
De’Costa Ricks, Gallatin, Sr.: Ricks leads the Green Wave in scoring (18.1), rebounds (5.9) and assists (5.0) so far this season.
Ford DeShazo, GCA, So.: A 6-foot-4 forward for the Lions, DeShazo’s been on a tear averaging 17.4 points and 7.1 rebounds so far this season.
Jayden Jones, Goodpasture, Jr.: If Jones isn’t a Mr. Basketball finalist at the end of the year, something’s wrong. A standout since he was a freshman, Jones is enjoying his best season so far averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Joshua Huggins, Goodpasture, 8th: Huggins has a bright future ahead of him. A 6-foot-5 eighth-grader, he’s already averaging 13.3 points while shooting 70% from the field and hauling in seven rebounds per game on one of the top DII-A teams in the state.
Nolan Carson, Greenbrier, Sr.: Carson’s missed some games due to injury but is still one of the nation’s top rebounders averaging 14.8 per game. He’s recorded 10 double-doubles in 12 games while also averaging a team-high 19.1 points.
Kenny Ellis, Green Hill, Sr.: The Hawks are one of the best 4A teams in the area with Ellis leading the way. He averages a team-high 17.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.1 steals.
Cortez Graham, Hillsboro, Jr.: Graham’s been a staple of the Burros recent success continuing that this year. He’s averaging 13.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.3 blocks a game.
Michael Nwoye, Hume-Fogg, Jr.: Nwoye is a walking double-double for the Blue Knights averaging 17.4 points and 10.5 rebounds.
Michael Small, Hunters Lane, Sr.: Small averages close to a double-double for the Warriors with 16.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
Jett Montgomery, Independence, Sr.: Montgomery’s a long-time starter for the Eagles and playing the best ball of his high school career. This season he’s averaging 23.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
Tylan Lewis, Independence, Jr.: Lewis adds to the Eagles’ one-two punch averaging 13.1 points and consistently providing highlight plays.
Armani Smith, Kirkwood, Fr.: The Cobras are enjoying a great start to their first year as a program and a lot of that success is because of Smith. He’s averaging a team-high 17 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Landon Bryant, LaVergne, Jr.: The Wolverines are off to a great start this season and Bryant a large reason why. He’s averaging 16.7 points along with five rebounds per game.
Anthony Petway, LEAD Academy, Jr.: Petway does it all for the Panthers averaging 17.8 points, 6.1 assists, 3.8 steals and 2.1 rebounds.
Cam Blivens, Lipscomb Academy, So.: Blivens has experienced a breakout sophomore year averaging 20.3 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Brady Driver, Macon County: Driver shoots 42% from three and averages a team-high 14.4 points per game.
Brandon Smith, Nashville Christian, Sr.: Smith runs the Eagles’ offense averaging 14.5 points, 7.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds.
Jaden Clark, Nolensville, Sr.: The Knights are one of the top teams in a loaded Class 4A Williamson district with Clark leading the way. He averages a team-high 15 points, seven rebounds and shoots 50% from beyond-the-arc.
Jayden Young, Northeast, Sr.: Young leads the Eagles with a team-high 15.3 points per game.
Will Carter Overton, Sr.: Carter’s been on a tear for the Bobcats averaging a team-high 19.6 points per game.
Hunter Moss, Page, Jr.: Moss shoots over 53% from the field leading the Patriots with a team-high 13.3 points per game.
Judson Bjornstad, PCA, Sr.: Bjornstad is arguably the Lions’ best players averaging a team-high 16 points along with nine rebounds per game.
Preston Wade, PCA, Jr.: If you want monster dunks, Wade is your guy. The Lions’ forward is also a double-double machine averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds to go along with four blocks per game.
Fred Bailey, Pope Prep, Sr.: Bailey’s proven that he’s one of the best DII-AA players this season averaging 18.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.4 steals.
Trey Pearson, Pope Prep, So.: A rising star for the Knights, Pearson’s averaging 14 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 55.4% from the field.
Evan Gainer, Ravenwood, Sr.: The quarterback of the Raptors’ offense, Gainer averages 13 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and two steals.
Rocco Lamuno, Ravenwood, Sr. A highlight waiting to happen, Lamuno does it all for the Raptors averaging a team-high 19.9 points along with 4.3 rebounds.
Jacob Edwards, Rossview, Sr.: Edwards is one of the best players in Clarksville this season. He averages 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and connects on 45% of his 3-point attempts.
Landon Hankemeier, Rossview, Sr.: Hankemeier adds to the Hawks’ high-powered attack averaging 14.8 points and 6.1 rebounds.
Carter Webb, Siegel, Jr.: The Stars have been one of the best teams in the MidState this season and a lot of that success is because of Webb. He’s averaging 21 points per game along with 5.3 rebounds.
Clay Payne, USN, Jr.: Payne’s been a bright spot for the Tigers this season averaging 16 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 rebounds.
Cooper Abner, Westmoreland, Sr.: Abner’s a matchup nightmare averaging 16.9 points while shooting 57% from the field and also averaging 8.3 rebounds per game.
Ryan Worrell, White House, Sr.: Worrell surpassed 1,000 career points this season averaging 18.5 points for the Blue Devils.
Avery Coles, White House Heritage, So.: The 6-foot-10 center for the Patriots has a bright future ahead as he’s already averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds.
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