2024 Stock Risers: Guards

<p style="text-align: center;">As we inch toward the state playoffs, I wanted to take a look back at some of the 2024’s who made an impression and will feature prominently both in the coming playoffs as well as the grassroots season to come.</p> <p><em><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1131772" first="CJ" last="Hyland"], 5-11, PG, Lanier</strong></span></em></p> <p>Sees a lot of minutes both alongside and spelling outstanding 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="754293" first="Andrew" last="McConnell"], can seamlessly slide between the point and the off-guard but appears to be the PG of the future, smooth handle, poised, can shoot it from range as well, like the upside and high IQ at such an early stage.</p> <p><em><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Dmitri Angelakos, 6-2, SG, Etowah</strong></span></em></p> <p>Grabbed rotational minutes by the horns with his combo of sneaky athleticism and really advanced long-range shooting ability, already has a solid frame that he’s also willing to take to the rim off the bounce, lots of upside.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1131773" first="Gicarri" last="Harris"], 6-2, CG, Grayson</strong></em></span></p> <p>Sees the floor but in yet another deep and talented guard pool for the Rams has found it tough, but what I saw both in the fall league as well as this winter is a skilled ball handler and attacker with a scorer’s acumen who will see his role increase next year for sure.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1059568" first="Chase" last="James-Robinson"], 5-7, PG, New Manchester</strong></em></span></p> <p>Don’t be fooled by the height as there is a ton of fight and skill in his arsenal, can really launch it from long range and not afraid to pull it, great speed with the ball on the break and a true PG’s eyes for the floor, the confidence level alone makes him intriguing as he moves along.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1131777" first="Jeremiah" last="Wilkinson"], 6-0, SG, Campbell (pictured above) </strong></em></span></p> <p>Among the most impressive 2024’s I’ve seen all year from both a skill and confidence standpoint, has a ton of all-around game combining a great handle with an advanced understanding of how to attack defenses combined with a deadly long-range and polished stroke, with a great frame already has the potential to be a big-time prospect.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1131770" first="Christian" last="Anderson"], 5-7, PG, Lovett</strong></em></span></p> <p>Like James-Robinson doesn’t let diminutive size at this stage take away from his willingness to attack and make plays, terrific at slicing into the teeth of the defense, can also shoot it from range and guards on an exceptional level, one of watch at the 2A Level.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1131778" first="Tyrek" last="Woods"], 5-10, PG, Washington</strong></em></span></p> <p>Saw him opening week of the season and loved the moxie and poise, took some big shots and assumed a leadership role in a tight game scenario, solid handle and shooting ability and is a clever finisher near the basket, really good defensive instincts.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1131830" first="Luke" last="Flynn"], 5-10, SG, Walton</strong></em></span></p> <p>Certainly among the best pure shooters in the class, always ready to shoot and not afraid on a veteran team to be the guy, plays with a confidence that gives him the look of a 20 ppg scorer down the road.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>