The initial rankings for the 2024 class are live, and Rivals.com has built the Rivals150 out to 40 players as a jumping off point. Prospects from coast to coast populate the list, but the collection of talent is topped by New Jersey-based forward Naasir Cunningham.

Below, our Rob Cassidy discusses the new top dog and introduces a handful of players ranked just below him.

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NEW RELEASE: Top 40 for 2024 revealed

2022 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position

2023 Rankings: Rivals150

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The No. 1 player in the class of 2024, Cunningham suits the modern game. He comes equipped with incredible ball skills for a player with a 6-foot-7 frame. Add in his athleticism, ability to play above the rim and the fact that he’s able to knock down 3-pointers with some consistency, and it’s no wonder he’s landed at the top of this list.

Cunningham has the size and dexterity to defend multiple positions and already impacts games on the glass despite being nowhere near his peak from a strength standpoint.

EARLY RECRUITMENT: Rutgers, TCU, LSU, Maryland, Creighton, St. John’s and others have already offered. Expect blueblood programs to get involved down the road should he continue to develop.

Tucker checks in at No. 3 in the rankings, but he was discussed at length for the top spot and will continue to be in the future. Our Jamie Shaw is as big a Tucker proponent as there is, and it’s easy to see why. Tucker stands 6-foot-6 as a sophomore and brings a high basketball IQ along with Division I bloodlines to the table.

A gifted passer in addition to being a scorer, Tucker impacts games in multiple ways. He possesses the tools to seize the No. 1 spot and will have every opportunity to do so in the years ahead.

EARLY RECRUITMENT: Tucker’s father played for NC State and George Mason, which seems like an important fact to know when you consider George Mason has already offered. That said, this recruitment will be crowded. While not impossible, it’s difficult to imagine the Patriots standing toe-to-toe with some of the heavy hitters that will be in pursuit. Georgetown, Maryland, LSU and Illinois are among those already in the mix.

The top-ranked point guard, Fland is already squarely on the radar of major programs, and he’s shown the reasons why each time we’ve seen him in action. Fland already stands 6-foot-2 and carries a wingspan that allows him to play even larger than that. He’s a gifted distributor and rebounds well positionally. Fland possesses the size and quickness to get by his man and break down defenses.

He’ll also be as battle-tested as prospects come, as he plays high school ball for New York-based powerhouse Archbishop Stepinac and runs with the famed PSA Cardinals on the Nike EYBL circuit in the summers.

EARLY RECRUITMENT: Word has long been out on Fland, who already holds offers from Maryland, Kansas State, Virginia Tech, UCLA and others. He can legitimately play either guard spot, which will make him attractive to a number of big-name programs down the road.

The title of “highest-ranked big man” belongs to newly minted five-star power forward Jayden Williams of Georgia’s Brookwood High School, but the 6-foot-9 bully is more than a bruiser. Williams runs the court incredibly well for his size and handles the ball relatively well to boot. He’s proven able to score from the inside and the perimeter at a decent clip despite still being a little raw from a post-move standpoint.

He has nearly every tool a coach wants and should develop into a hyper-versatile prospect capable of presenting matchup nightmares. Our Dan McDonald has compared his game with that of a young Jabari Smith.

EARLY RECRUITMENT: Georgia Tech, Xavier and Albany have already entered the fray. There’s plenty more in store, however, as Williams doesn't lack exposure while playing his summers with the Atlanta Celtics on the adidas 3SSB circuit.

At all of 6-foot-5, there’s nothing little about Karter Knox, but he is the younger brother of former Kentucky standout and first-round pick Kevin Knox. Karter spent the summer playing an age group up on an absolutely loaded E1T1 grassroots team and wasn’t the squad’s top scoring option.

That said, the long, athletic wing still managed to turn heads with his play above the rim, smooth ball-handling and ability to impact games as a shot-blocker. Knox isn’t the most polished prospect in the top 10 by any stretch, but he may be among those with the highest ceilings.

EARLY RECRUITMENT: Knox hasn’t begun to blow up from an offer standpoint yet, but that will come in time. He’s still awaiting his first offer but recently took an unofficial visit to Kentucky, which has signaled early interest in his services.