City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2022 Guards
Jacksonville has a lot to proud of when it comes to basketball talent. The 2022 class is filled with impact scorers at the guard spot. Here is a look at the Top 10 guards in the Jacksonville 2022 class. Check…
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Continue ReadingJacksonville has a lot to proud of when it comes to basketball talent.
The 2022 class is filled with impact scorers at the guard spot.
Here is a look at the Top 10 guards in the Jacksonville 2022 class. Check back later this week to see the rest of the positional groups in the class from Jacksonville with 2023 names to know to follow.
ICYMI:
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Point Guards
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Shooting Guards
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Wings
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Bigs
Guards
#1 – Jalen Gilmore Jalen Gilmore 6'3" | CG Bishop Snyder | 2022 State FL | 6-3 | Bishop Snyder
The ceiling for Jalen Gilmore Jalen Gilmore 6'3" | CG Bishop Snyder | 2022 State FL is through the roof. He gets better every time I see him and his mature point guard skills help everyone around him. Gilmore can flat out shoot (13.0 PPG, 4.0 APG and 36 percent from deep), handles the ball with ease and plays with endless IQ. He’s next up at Bishop Snyder following the graduation of 2020 guard Gyasi Powell Gyasi Powell 6'2" | CG Bishop Snyder | 2020 State FL . Elon and Belmont are expressing strong interest. Expect to Gilmore have a huge junior campaign on a deep Bishop Snyder group. AAU Highlights via Hudl.
#2- Ben McGraw Ben McGraw 6'3" | CG Bolles | 2022 State FL | 6-3 | Bolles
One of the best shooters in the entire state right now is Ben McGraw Ben McGraw 6'3" | CG Bolles | 2022 State FL . He averaged 16.2 PPG, shooting 46 percent from 3-point land and 92 percent from the free throw line. When he gets to the basket as a driver, he often uses his body well to take on contact and finish down low. McGraw is an impressive offensive weapon who is not done growing yet. He’s drawn interest from Princeton and Jacksonville. Highlights via Hudl.
#3- Mark Flakus | 6-1 | Episcopal
Episcopal has a true competitor in Mark Flakus. The lead guard is a superb shooter from deep and the mid-range and his attacking skills are reliable. He averaged 15 PPG, 5.0 RPG as a sophomore for his squad, often hitting key shots (41 percent from deep and 78 percent from the free throw line) and generating a lot of energy for his side. UNF offered during its team camp last June and I know that is a school that keeps close tabs on him. Flakus is a shifty ballhanadler and a true two-way player. Highlights via Hudl.
#4 – Josiah Sabino Josiah Sabino 6'5" | SG Orange Park | 2022 State FL | 6-4 | Orange Park
An inside slasher, Josiah Sabino Josiah Sabino 6'5" | SG Orange Park | 2022 State FL averaged 12.8 PPG and 7.5 RPG at Orange Park as a sophomore. His selection at No. 4 overall in this list over the guys below him is based on upside. Sabino is a big bodied guard who can shoot it well (42 percent from deep/averaged just over three 3’s per game). He is a strong attacker and someone who can finish strong as a dunker and lay-up artist. Sabino netted double digits in all but five games, adding 21 and 22 points to end the season. He is going to breakout. Highlights via Hudl.
#5- Kenneth Young Kenneth Young 6'0" | CG Ed White | 2022 State FL | 6-0 | Ed White
Perhaps the speediest guard out there, Kenneth Young Kenneth Young 6'0" | CG Ed White | 2022 State FL shined for Ed White last season. The two-year starter averaged 16.0 PPG and 9.0 RPG serving as a leader, leaper and a high-end finisher. He also shot 45 percent from long range. Young pops off the tape as a reliable jump shooter and a lightning bolt in transition. Becoming even more aggressive will boost his value this fall.
#6- Ross Candelino Ross Candelino 6'5" | SG Ponte Vedra | 2022 State FL | 6-4 | Bishop Kenny
A true sharpshooter for Bishop Kenny, Ross Candelino Ross Candelino 6'5" | SG Ponte Vedra | 2022 State FL averaged 14.1 PPG and 3.2 APG as he shot 36 percent from long range. He takes smart takes to the rack and his jumper selection is very good. Candelino can knock down jumpers in your face and his handle opens up a lot of room for himself. He should only boost those numbers this season.
#7 – Logan Ryan Logan Ryan 6'1" | CG Nease | 2022 State FL | 6-1 | Nease
Posting five games with 20 or more points, Logan Ryan Logan Ryan 6'1" | CG Nease | 2022 State FL averaged just over 21 PPG across the first five games of last season for Nease. He averaged 13.4 PPG, shooting 43 percent from deep (over three 3-pointers a game) and 82 percent from the free throw line. Ryan will be tasked with more deep ball shooting for Nease.
#8 – Nick Lowery Nick Lowery 6'2" | SG Bishop Snyder | 2022 State FL | 6-2 | Bishop Snyder
This past week, Nick Lowery Nick Lowery 6'2" | SG Bishop Snyder | 2022 State FL transferred from Oakleaf to Bishop Snyder. The shooting guard averaged 12.7 PPG and 2.3 RPG this past season. He shot 41 percent from 3-point land and really made a difference game in and game out for his previous squad. Expect Lowery to serve as a bonafide 3-point specialist for Bishop Snyder this fall. Highlights via Hudl.
#9 – Jaden Brill Jaden Brill 6'2" | CG Andrew Jackson | 2022 State FL | 6-2 | University Christian
Jaden Brill Jaden Brill 6'2" | CG Andrew Jackson | 2022 State FL is a hard nosed finisher at University Christian. He averaged 10.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 2.6 APG. He put up two 20 point games with 22 against Temple Christian (10-for-10 from the field) and 21 against Ribault (6-of-10 from the field). Brill is always looking to push the cause in transition and it is a joy to watch. Highlights via Hudl.
#10 – Bryant Foster | 6-0 | Beaches Chapel
As for Bryant Foster, he is a 6’0″ guard from Baldwin who led his former team with 11.1 PPG and 4.1 RPG. He had nine games in double digits which included two 22-point affairs against Bradford and Keystone Heights. Foster is a smooth guard who can succeed with or without the ball as a shooter, floor pusher and finisher at the rack. Highlights via Hudl.
Other names to know
Caleb Lyles Caleb Lyles 6'2" | CG Creekside | 2022 State FL | 6-2 | Creekside
At Creekside, Caleb Lyles Caleb Lyles 6'2" | CG Creekside | 2022 State FL is a pure point man who had a nice sophomore campaign as he averaged 8.8 PPG and 4.2 RPG. With a savvy jumper, he shot 43 percent from long range and put his head down to go to the rack often. Lyles dropped a season-best 24 points against Ribault in early January. He is going to be asked to do a lot this fall as he runs the show.
Xavier Fearon | 6-3 | North Florida Educational
At North Florida Educational, Toronto native Xavier Fearon is a strong point guard who is going to really be good in due time. He is confident, dishes it out with ease and plays hard downhill.
Trent Walker | 6-4 | Bishop Snyder
The younger brother of former Bishop Snyder standout and Tennessee freshman Corey Walker, Trent Walker is making his presence felt in Jacksonville. He is a big bodied guard who averaged 7.0 PPG and 5.0 RPG. He is part of a deep and versatile group at Bishop Snyder.
Jimmy Williams | 5-9 | Beaches Chapel
Jimmy Williams is a 5’9″ guard who is one of the best athletes in the area. He transferred to Beaches Chapel from Palatka where he was Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore. I expect Williams to be steady as can be for his new school this fall due to his pure speed and strong leadership.
Matt Guzie Matt Guzie 5'11" | CG Nease | 2022 State FL | 5-10 | Nease
Matt Guzie Matt Guzie 5'11" | CG Nease | 2022 State FL is a lead point guard at Nease. He averaged 8.0 PPG as he totaled seven games in double digits with a season-best 20 points against Menendez. Guzie is a player to keep a close eye on.
Anthony Ross Anthony Ross 6'0" | SG Atlantic Coast | 2022 State FL | 6-0 | Atlantic Coast
Anthony Ross Anthony Ross 6'0" | SG Atlantic Coast | 2022 State FL has a quick trigger on his jumper and defensively, he is an active player who is always looking to block shots. I can see him really shining brightly for Atlantic Coast this season. Highlights via Hudl.
Joshua Higdon Joshua Higdon 6'3" | PG Parsons Christian | 2022 State FL | 6-0 | Parsons Christian
Joshua Higdon Joshua Higdon 6'3" | PG Parsons Christian | 2022 State FL has the green light at small school Parsons Christian and it showed this season with him averaging 15.8 PPG. He had a 30-point game against Temple Christian, shooting a perfect 13-of-13 from the field in that outing.