Names to Know: Underrated 2021 Guards (Part 1)

<p>High school basketball coverage has become extremely comprehensive, but there will always be talented prospects that slip through the cracks. There are so many players to observe, especially in a big state like Texas. Some guys just don’t get the same amount of attention that others are afforded. It may not be fair, but it’s reality.</p> <p>With that in mind, I’d like to highlight some guards from the class of 2021 who have flown under the radar. Here are six names you need to know:</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/70-Johua_Beall-2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1072228" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/70-Johua_Beall-2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Joshua Beall | 2021 | 6’2” Shooting Guard | Texas Swish 17U | Cedar Hill HS</strong> - Beall can score from all three levels. He shoots the ball well from both mid-range and behind the three-point line. The senior guard has also shown the ability to finish above the rim, as evidenced by some highlight-reel dunks at the PH Texas Top 250 Expo in October. He is an active defender at the opposite end as well. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jahvante O’Connor | 2021 | 6’3” Point Guard | THP Elite White 17U | Austin HS</strong> - O’Connor is a playmaking lead guard. He plays fast but under control and has a quick first step. He has a knack for finding shooters on the perimeter and is incredibly effective in drive-and-kick scenarios. His burst benefits him as a scorer too, allowing him to blow past defenders on his way to the basket, and forcing defenders to respect him as both a facilitator and a scoring option. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/133-Vojin_Mastelovic_2.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-1071657 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/133-Vojin_Mastelovic_2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1072606" first="James" last="Hussey"] | 2021 | 6’5’’ Combo Guard | Team F.O.E. 17U White | Frisco Liberty HS</strong> - I got to see a lot of Hussey at the Southwest Slam and the Top 250 Expo. He impressed me at both events. The Frisco Liberty senior is a tall guard who is constantly looking to score. He shoots the three ball at a solid clip, but I think he is at his best when he gets downhill and attacks the basket. In Addition, Hussey’s height enables him to be an extremely productive defensive rebounder. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kerrington Hughes | 2021 | 6’4’’ Shooting Guard | DC Kings Denton 17U | Denton Ryan HS</strong> - Hughes is a terrific three-point shooter with NBA range. His release is quick, and his jumper is pure. The 6-foot-4-inch two-guard is a marksman when shooting from the catch. That said, Hughes is more than just a catch-and-shoot specialist. He is an acrobatic finisher at the hoop and a sneaky good perimeter defender. His athleticism and leaping ability are also noteworthy. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/THP-Elite-Blue-17U_Eain-Mowat.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1012127" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/THP-Elite-Blue-17U_Eain-Mowat-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="887098" first="Eain" last="Mowat"] | 2021 | 6’0’’ Point Guard | THP Elite Blue 17U | Austin Westlake HS</strong> - Mowat was one of the best pick-and-roll ball handlers I saw this past summer. His feel and timing are outstanding in those situations. He is a smart decision maker and an accurate distributor. The Austin Westlake point guard also plays with good pace. Beyond that, Mowat is great at knocking down shots when getting open off of screens and almost exclusively takes high-percentage shots from the field.    </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Landon Condiff | 2021 | 6’3’’ Combo Guard | DC Kings Denton 17U | Callisburg HS</strong> - Condiff is a dynamic combo guard who can comfortably operate at either guard spot. He is an elite finisher near the basket, possessing excellent body control and craftiness when he gets into the teeth of the defense. The Southeastern Oklahoma State commit is also a good three-point shooter who can hit from the catch or off the dribble. He is a brilliant playmaker too. Defensively, Condiff understands how to play the passing lanes and defends multiple positions.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>