6A Watch List: Point Guards
The 6A classification has a number of top tier guards who will be playing this game at the college level soon. Below is our watch list of guards for 6A. These guards are ready to have break out seasons and aid their team in making it to the state tournament and beyond. This group is notably young and will be creating havoc for opposing teams for multiple years.
6A Watch List: Point Guards
Nico Mannion 6’1 PG 2020 Pinnacle
Nico Mannion is not just the best point guard in the class of 2020. He is the best point guard in the entire state regardless of classification. He has improved his athleticism which has enabled him to score the basketball in even more ways. He is sneaky athletic and has a special feel for the game. Further, Mannion’s ability to shoot the basketball from deep is second to no one in the state. He is not lightening quick but he has a good understanding of how to shift from one speed to the next while utilizing freeze moves that will create a shot for himself.
Trent Brown 6’1 PG 2019 Pinnacle
Pinnacle has to be ecstatic about the backcourt that they have returning. Trent Brown has gained a lot of noteriety during his 3 years with the program. As a freshman, he was able to have a lot of success despite being undersized. With that said, Brown’s size and athleticism has improved. He is more than the highlight reel knockdown shooter that he was initially known for. Brown’s improvements mixed with Mannion will make Pinnacle one of the top teams in the state.
Aidyn Albright 6’1 PG 2019 Horizon
Albright is a more than capable shooter. However, he is a good athlete as well. His athleticism has led to a couple of dunks that caught the crowd off guard. Further, he uses this athleticism to get into the paint and create for himself as well as for others. If Horizon is going to have success this season, Albright is going to need to be the center cog.
Isaiah Marin 6’2 PG 2019 Copper Canyon
Despite a really solid Sophomore season in which Copper Canyon had a lot of success, Marin managed to go somewhat unnoticed. Marin is quick and has good size. He awed college coaches while at the Prep Hoops event in Utah due to his change of pace and ability to get into the paint. Marin an extremely skilled guard who should get more of an opportunity to make a name for himself now that Treyvon McCray has graduated.
D’Maurian Williams 6’4 PG 2019 Westview
Williams has been nursing an injury for a good portion of this off-season. With that said, I would predict that he won’t miss a beat this upcoming season. One of the only concerns for Williams is his willingness to play defense on ball and in help side. However, there is not a guard in this state who combines length with quickness and strength in the same manner as Williams. His ability to attack off of the dribble and out of triple threat is truly special.
Mark Hatch 6’1 PG 2018 Mesa
The lefty from Mesa will need to play a huge role for the group if Mesa is going to make their way back to a deep run in the state tournament. Although he will have assistance in the backcourt, Hatch will be primarily responsible for running the show. His ability to shoot it from deep and to create for his teammates makes him tough to guard. Hatch makes his teammates better and should be ready for a big season.
Jalen Williams 6’0 PG 2019 Perry
Williams had a really strong showing this off-season and looks poised to be one of the most surprising guards in 6A. He has all of the potential to be one of the best guards in the entire state. Williams has a quick release and can shoot it from anywhere on the floor. Further, he has great speed, but is able to stop on a dime and connect.
CJ Jamerson 5’8 PG 2018 Perry
Jamerson adds another shifty and quick dynamic to the Perry backcourt. Although he is undersized in comparison to Williams, he makes this backcourt one of the most elusive and aggressive in the state. Between Jamerson and Williams, opponents will be beside themselves with how to slow down the attack of Perry. This will be without a doubt one of the most explosive backcourts in the state.
Eric Blackwell Eric Blackwell 6'0" | CG Corona del Sol | 2020 State AZ 6’1 PG 2020 Corona Del Sol
Blackwell has an extremely high ceiling which was demonstrated at times on the varsity level last year as well as in his play with Team Harden this summer. Blackwell is going to have high expectations on his plate with former Corona Del Sol guards Alex Barcello and Saban Lee now moving to the next level. While Blackwell might not be able to replace them right away, he is extremely talented and will assist Corona in keeping their recent success intact.
Dalen Terry Dalen Terry 6'7" | PG Hillcrest Prep | 2020 State #32 Nation AZ 6’4 PG 2020 Corona Del Sol
Terry has caught the attention of a number of college coaches this off-season. He has good length, a solid handle, and can shoot the basketball at an extremely high level. Although he is quite skilled right now, his ceiling is what has college coaches drooling over him. He is far from his peak and has a lot of untapped upside that could make him one of the best guards in the state as well as in the nation.
Derek Williams 6’0 PG 2018 Tucson
Williams has caught a number of coaches off guard due to his high skill set and next level abilities. In addition to having a solid shot and handle, Williams possesses next level strength and speed. He can get to wherever he wants to get to on the floor. His athleticism mixed with his skill set will be a big reason why he continues to turn heads and has a monster senior season for Tucson. He is not only one of the best point guards in 6A, but one of the best in the state.