Four Guards to Watch From the Kahari Beaufort Skills Academy

Ian Riaf

January 16, 2021 @ 06:05 PM

Last month, I had the opportunity to scout a live workout session at the Kahari Beaufort Skills Academy in Hartford on a snowy December 20th. The high quality of play and attention to detail was top notch as several top recruits were in attendance. The Academy serves as a place for high-level players from around the state to square off against each other. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Academy moved to an online format through Instagram Live. While many familiar faces from the first session were in attendance, several new prospects received an invite to the Kahari Beaufort Skills Academy. [player_tooltip player_id="1081731" first="Ethan" last="Okwuosa"] | 6’3” | Combo-Guard with the physicality to play as a Wing | Cheshire Academy | 2021 A physical lefty combo-guard, Ethan Okwousa can create his own shot with ease off a live dribble. In two-on-two action, he showed off his ability to hit one-footed jump shots off a spin move and absorb contact showcasing a plethora of up-fakes and high-quality makes in the midrange. An elite elevator, Okwousa made an impressive block recovering from a step back move. He also showed off some impressive one-handed passes out of the pick and roll setting as he has an excellent feel for the game and makes smart and controlled decisions with the ball in his hands. Efficient with his footwork on defense, Okwousa knows when to provide necessary help defense and plays with his body when making defensive slides, and did a great job of keeping his name in front of him at all times. [player_tooltip player_id="1081777" first="Matt" last="Houde"] | 6’0” | Point Guard | East Catholic | 2021 Another lefty guard with the capability to space the floor, [player_tooltip player_id="1081777" first="Matt" last="Houde"], brings both a command and consistency with the ball in his hands. A pass-first distributor, Houde can quickly get off one-handed passes in tight space off a live dribble. He picks apart zones with his vision, as I enjoy his ability to create for others and the excitement he gets off getting his teammates involved in the action. With convincing jab steps and willingness to play the game at his own pace, Houde is more than just a pass-first point-guard as he can also create his shot and spot-up if necessary. On the other side of the floor, Houde is a pesky defender and one willing to dive on the floor to save a possession. Henry White | 6’1” | Combo-Guard | Suffield Academy | 2022 As a do-it-all type of guard, Henry White gives you both on ball creation and off-ball spacing with his ability to quickly get his shot off in tight spaces. While his ability to generate impressive north-south speeds is apparent, the crafty lefty can also decelerate quickly and create his shot off a step-back, an essential and advanced tool to already have in the toolbox. Also in White’s toolbox is his ability to navigate the pick and roll and generate offense from a spin-move. White doesn’t seem phased by contact. In fact, he thrives with his ability to finish at the basket. His understanding of space and controlled confidence with the ball in his hands make him an intriguing class of 2022 prospect. Mekhi Toler | 5’10” | Guard | Middletown High School | 2022 Another guard with impressive downhill speeds and the ability to create off a live dribble is Mekhi Toler. With a high motor, Toler thrives in the open court setting with his ability to push the pace, both with and without the ball in his hands. The high-intensity guard can create off the dribble and has an impressive elevation on his jump shot. A high intensity and passionate player, Toler always seems ready to run the floor, leaking out for outlet opportunities. This same intensity translates to the other side of the floor as Toler has a knack for creating havoc with active hands and the ability to anticipate the next pass. Other players from the first Academy session who received another invite back included included: [player_tooltip player_id="1045718" first="Isaiah" last="Earl"], [player_tooltip player_id="1081793" first="Desmond" last="Claude"], [player_tooltip player_id="1081855" first="Gavin" last="Griffiths"], [player_tooltip player_id="1081802" first="Matt" last="Curtis"], [player_tooltip player_id="1106043" first="Jack" last="Nieradko"], [player_tooltip player_id="1081813" first="Elijah" last="Wilborn"], [player_tooltip player_id="1081825" first="Johnny" last="McCain"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1081758" first="Brody" last="Limric"]