The Top Storylines to Follow at the 2016 Under Armour Elite 24 All-Star Game

Under Armour's Elite 24 has become one of the major high school basketball showcase events. The televised All-Star game features a lot of the best players in the country.

Besides the amount of talent taking the floor, the Elite 24 is unique because it is played outdoors. The game has been played at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier for the last few years.

With a scenic setting and one of the only national basketball events that happens after a hectic July live evaluation period, it makes for some interesting storylines. Whether it's recruiting news, who plays well or which players will even show up because of the re-ignited shoe wars, the Elite 24 will surely be a major draw for basketball fans looking for a late-August fix.

Here's a look at some of the main storylines to follow at the event over the next few days.

Who Wins the Dunk Contest?

Associated Press

Hamidou Diallo

There are plenty of dunk contests that happen throughout the high school level, but the Elite 24—with its unique location and televised presence—is one of the most important.

It's been a big-time atmosphere with a good crowd in the past.

Some great dunkers like Josh Jackson and Terrance Ferguson competed in year's contest, and this year's rosters have plenty of capable dunkers who can put on a show. 

Shooting guard Hamidou Diallo is a 5-star freak who is one of the best leapers in the class, while others like 5-star guards Trevon Duval and M.J. Walker are also great athletes.

The key to victory could be incorporating the crowd or other components like dunking over multiple people. Sometimes the most creative dunker can win, and it'll be interesting to see if anyone steps up. 

Can Trevon Duval Capture MVP Honors?

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

As a veteran of the Elite 24, 5-star point guard Trevon Duval is one of the main candidates to win the game's MVP honors. When you also factor in that Duval is the highest ranked player in this game and led his grassroots team WE R1 to the title at the Under Armour Association Finals, he's got a good chance for success here.

With an ability to attack opposing defenders off the dribble, the run-and-gun, exhibition style of this game should suit Duval's style perfectly.

There should be plenty of opportunities for Duval to accelerate past the defense and soar towards the rim for a finish. If Duval can also mix in assists to teammates and maybe hit a few jumpers, he could have a monster game here.

Which 2017 Center Will Stand Out?

Kelly Kline/Under Armour

Austin Wiley

There aren't a lot of 5-star big men from the Class of 2017 in this year's Elite 24, but two really good ones are scheduled to be there.

Auburn commit Austin Wiley was one of the best big men in the country this summer, as he played with the USA Basketball U17 world championship team that won gold. He also played well in the UAA Finals with Team Thad.

He'll go against 5-star big man Nick Richards, who is also coming off of a very good summer with Expressions Elite. Richards had some big-time performances, both at Peach Jam and Las Vegas.

There are other Class of 2018 big men to keep an eye on too, but with Wiley and Richards both being right next to each other in the rankings, this was an interesting matchup to track during the week.

Do Any 2017 Prospects Push 5-Star Status?

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Jalek Felton

A few 4-star prospects in the Class of 2017 are competing in the Elite 24 this weekend. This event gives them a good chance to shine around a lot of talented 5-star prospects.

North Carolina-commit Jalek Felton is a former 5-star prospect who has since fallen just outside of there, but he had some glimmers of very strong play this summer that made it look like he was a possible 5-star point guard.

Shooting guards Nickeil Anderson-Walker, a Virginia Tech commit, and Josh Anderson are right next to each other in the rankings and both just outside the top 50. With a strong showing here, it could catapult them into a discussion that would put them higher in the national rankings. 

Which Class of 2018 Prospect Will Stand Above the Rest?

Kelly Kline/Under Armour

Nazreon Reid

Watching the abundance of Class of 2018 prospects will be one of the best parts of the Elite 24, as the event is loaded with 5-star prospects.

Silvio De Sousa, Zion Williamson, Gerald Liddell, Nazreon Reid and Khavon Moore are all top 10 prospects in the game while others like Javonte Smart, Bol Bol and Louis King are right outside of it. It should be great to see some of the top players battle to see who comes out on top at the end of the weekend.

There are also plenty of great point guards outside of Smart as Devon Dotson and Jahvon Quinerly are two very talented floor generals who are trying to make a push in the national rankings.

Will Anyone Eventually Turn Pro After High School from This Game?

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Terrance Ferguson in 2014

The Elite 24 has had an interesting pattern for a summer high school All-Star game. The last three games have featured players that eventually went pro out of high school.

Emmanuel Mudiay played in the 2013 game before going to China for a year. He was drafted seventh overall in 2015 by the Nuggets. Thon Maker (Milwaukee Bucks) and Terrance Ferguson (Australia) both turned pro out of high school this year, after they both played in the last two Elite 24 games. 

So, naturally, it would seem like we have to keep an eye on someone potentially turning pro out of high school after playing in this game. It's not good to speculate on individual players right now with so much time left in the recruiting process, but this could be a trend to monitor. 

Recruiting ratings via 247Sports.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.