Hard Work Live: Top Point Guards (SEA Verona)

Many of the top 17U and, especially, 16U teams at Hard Work Live played at the Sports Enhancement Academy Verona complex. I, too, was there all weekend!

Here are the point guards who made the most plays and/or impacted the game defensively:

Antoine Blaxton (2020) | 6-3 | The Work Foundation 17U / Bogan (IL)

We'll do our best to describe what Blaxton brings to the game, but it can be also be described in just one word: hooper. 

A prolific athlete and transition weapon who used his speed and handle to disregard defenders in the open floor. Very unselfish player with great passing instincts who demands attention when he's flying into the lane. Split the defense coming off a ball screen several times. Explosive off the floor. Blaxton will add size to his frame in due time, which will unlock his ability to score through contact. Likes to take tough 3-pointers after a side-step separation move. Takes chances on defense. Lot of upside.

Steve Ndumbe (2020) | 6-0 | Minnesota Laceup 17U / John Marshall (MN)

Ultimate team guy. 

Ndumbe brought an edge to the game by playing hard and physical, yet displayed great body language when it came to interacting with teammates and officials. Beyond intangibles, Ndumbe is an athletic guard who can defend the 1 and 2. Showed ability to score it from all three levels and got to his spots with changes of speed. Good shooting stroke. He's a score-minded player who created space when he needed it. 

Jamari Ward (2021) | 5-9 | RWA 16U / Plainfield East (IL)

Ward proved effective as the point or playing off the ball. In both situations, he prioritized keeping others involved. Ward has very good vision and delivered passes all over the floor when he was working in the pick-and-roll. Simply knows how to play. Ward, again, drives to pass and the lack of scoring threat does make it hard to draw a second defender, though. Caused steals with speed and quick hands. 

Linden Holder (2021) | 6-0 | Michigan Goonies 16U / De La Salle (MI)

Holder dominated a game against D1 Prospects with his scoring ability and point-of-attack defense. Spun the ball off the glass in traffic and was remarkably creative as a scorer. Able to create separation for mid-range jumpers or ambidextrously score against shot-blockers at the rim. Keeps dribble alive when he's crowded, opening up his chance to deliver assists late. Holder also pressures opposing ball-handlers and has quick hands.

Holder — currently no. 86 in Michigan's 2021 class — is certainly athletic enough to play at the next level, and I believe that he may do so on scholarship. 

Jack Fisher (2020) | 6-1 | Minnesota Laceup 17U / Century (MN)

Fisher is simply a very fundamentally-sound player who makes good decisions and has the necessary athleticism to play at the next level. Possesses some length and speed. Fisher can finish in traffic and has a very pretty shooting stroke, but doesn't force it. Makes the simple play and showed elite vision when confronted with a second defender.