Recap: WCE Summer Kick Off – Best Guards
IRVINE, Ca. — Nothing signals the arrival of the July viewing period quite like a hot, humid and muggy warehouse filled with basketball courts, players, college coaches and media.
Thursday evening at Momentous Sports Center in Irvine had all those traits on the second day of action at the West Coast Elite Summer Kick Off and the following guards were the prospects who didn’t let the heat stand in their way.
5. Tyree Winborn (Van Nuys/Earl Watson Elite 2018 Silver)
The 5-foot-9 point guard used his impressive combination of strength and speed to overwhelm defenders in both transition and half court settings. The rising senior got to the basket at-will and used his physicality to nullify contesting big men and finish at the rim.
4. Josh Vazquez (Bishop Montgomery/California Stars 16 Elite)
Vazquez is one of the highest IQ point guards in Southern California regardless of class. He understands when there’s an opportunity in transition and pushes the pace, but also recognizes when there’s no advantage for his team and pulls the ball out to run offense. The 2019 prospect has improved his catch and shoot ability from 3-point range, as well.
3. Alex Garcia (Rolling Hills Prep/California Stars 17 Elite)
Garcia may not look the part of an athletic two guard, but given the opportunity, he can rise up and finish around the basket as good as anyone. The class of 2018 prospect is more known for his shooting prowess – both from mid-range and 3-point range – and rightfully so. Garcia is a knockdown shooter from both of those levels either off the catch or off the bounce.
2. Ryan Turell (Valley Torah/Earl Watson Elite 2018 Silver)
Turell is one of the highest motor guys you’ll find. He works his tail off on both ends of the floor, talks constantly on defense and provides his teammates with encouragement throughout the game. Intangibles aside, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard is superb scorer. He strokes it consistently from deep, but also showed the ability to lose a defender with a shot fake and knock in a 15-footer with touch off the glass.
1. Taj Regans (Crespi/California Stars 17 Elite)
Regans is one of the fastest guards with the ball in his hands you’ll find in So-Cal. He’s a blur on the break, but that doesn’t take away from his ability to see the floor and make good decisions. The rising senior was on fire from 3-point range Thursday, hitting shots from every spot and every range imaginable. Another aspect of Regans’ game that set him apart was his toughness. The 5-foot-8 guard competed on every possession on both sides of the ball.