Top 2022 Backcourt players

Prep Hoops West Virginia released its inaugural 2022 class rankings this week and the updated list features 49 players. Here Prep Hoops takes a look at the top two point guards, combo guards and shooting guards in the class of 2022 in WV.   PG’s: [player_tooltip player_id="977578" first="Jaidyn" last="West"]- Notre Dame 2022 Jaidyn, brother of Jarrod West (Marshall guard), is the top ranked point guard in West Virginia in the class of 2022. He is a crafty guard with a lot of confidence and can score in many ways. He is able to make shots from the mid range and from 3 both off the catch and off the dribble. He is a decent finisher but does a great job creating contact, getting himself to the free throw line where he knocks down a high percentage of his foul shots. He has solid court vision and is a good passer who makes good reads of when to shoot, pass, pull up, get all the way to the rim etc. On defense, Jaidyn is a great on ball defender who gets a lot of steals and does a great job at moving his feet. In just his sophomore year, he earned 1st team all state. He currently holds an offer from Youngstown State University but I believe he will have plenty more at this time next year.   [player_tooltip player_id="977590" first="Kaden" last="Smallwood"]- Greater Beckley Christian 2022 Kaden, a 6’0” point guard, was the only non-senior to start this year at GBC. GBC played by far the hardest schedule of all Class A teams in the state, and Smallwood took on these challenges head on. Kaden is very quick, allowing him to blow by defenders for straight line drives to the basket. He has a solid mid range jump shot and is developing a 3 point jumper. Smallwood has an extremely high motor and is willing to go at whoever he matches up with. Defensively, he bothers ball handlers with his length and with the way he pressures the ball. This year, Kaden averaged 10.1 points, look for this number to go way up next year.       CG’s: [player_tooltip player_id="977577" first="Chandler" last="Schmidt"]- Cabell Midland 2022 Chandler, a scoring guard from Cabell Midland is the top ranked combo guard in West Virginia in the class of 2022. Although he’s only 6’0”, I still consider him a “big guard” because he’s stocky (around 200 lbs) and he really knows how to use his body. Schmidt scores from all 3 levels. He is a good mid range shooter, both off the catch or off the dribble and he’s a solid 3 point shooter. Schmidt is a good finisher and is crafty around the rim. His handle is extremely tight and shifty. Chandler is a solid passer. Defensively, Chandler is able to defend either guard spot. Schmidt is a big time scorer and I expect him to blow up. Mid major Division I’s, this is a guy you need to take a look at.   [player_tooltip player_id="977580" first="Kaden" last="Warner"]- Huntington St. Joseph Central 2022 Kaden, a scoring guard from Huntington St. Joseph is the second ranked combo guard and the #7 overall ranked player in West Virginia in the class of 2022. Warner scores from all 3 levels. He is a great mid range shooter, both off the catch or off the dribble and he’s a good 3 point shooter off the catch or off the dribble. Kaden is a solid finisher and is crafty and can show off his athleticism around the rim. He has a great handle, it is very tight and he does a great job of changing speed. Kaden is a decent passer who’s best used as a scorer off the ball and a secondary distributor. Defensively, Kaden can defend 1-2 because of his lateral foot speed and his ability to pressure the ball handler. Warner is a big time scorer and low and mid major Division I schools need to take notice.       SG’s: [player_tooltip player_id="977574" first="Isaac" last="McKneely"] Isaac, a scoring guard from Poca is the top ranked shooting guard and the #1 overall ranked player in West Virginia in the class of 2022. McKneely scores from all 3 levels. He is a great mid range shooter, both off the catch or off the dribble and he’s a great 3 point shooter off the catch or off the dribble. McKneely is a good finisher and is crafty and can show off his athleticism around the rim. He has a good handle and does a great job of changing speed and direction. Isaac is a good passer who’s a good secondary distributor. Defensively, Isaac can defend 1-3 because of his lateral foot speed and length. McKneely is a big time scorer/shooter and high majors have already taken notice to this. Virginia Tech and Louisville both offered this week.   [player_tooltip player_id="977582" first="Rye" last="Gadd"] Rye, a scoring guard from Webster County is the second ranked shooting guard in West Virginia in the class of 2022. Gadd scores from all 3 levels. He is a good mid range shooter, both off the catch or off the dribble and he’s a great 3 point shooter off the catch. Gadd is a solid finisher and does a good job absorbing contact. He has a solid handle and is a decent passer. Defensively, Rye is able to defend either guard spot. Gadd is a big time shooter, Division II’s need to reach out.