San Diego’s best available guards

<p>With San Diego teams headed into league play, there are still a number of senior guards who are looking for their next stop in their careers. </p> <p>Who are the best? Here’s a 12-pack of names.</p> <h2>San Diego’s Best Available Guards </h2> <h3>Isaiah Brickner, 6-5 G, St. Augustine</h3> <p>Brickner is an elite athlete who plays above the rim in the halfcourt and transition, but it’s the improvement in other areas - handle vs pressure, shooting off the catch and game management - that make him one of the most intriguing prospects out west. Receiving D2 interest, Brickner could also reclassify and do a prep year, which could give him another year to be firmly established on D1 radars. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="680215" first="Derrien" last="Carter-Hollinger"], 6-5 G/W, Foothills Christian</h3> <p>Carter-Hollinger is more of a "point forward" than a guard, but the lefty’s ability to get into the paint and locate shooters with pinpoint passers makes him one of the region’s most underrated passers. Carter-Hollinger’s perimeter shooting is improving to the point where it’s playable, and defensively, he is as versatile as they come. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="956471" first="Mickey" last="Chew"], 5-10 G, Orange Glen</h3> <p>A super underrated floor general, Chew has been lighting teams up from deep and is a very good passer in drive-and-kick, which helps set up the shooters on Orange Glen’s prolific offense. Also, a very good defender both on the ball and in help side. </p> <h3>Alton Dubois, 6-3 G, Balboa School</h3> <p>Very strong on-ball defender and vastly improved scorer, Dubois is a knockdown spot-up shooter and a strong slasher, and did it on the Grind Session Circuit, one of the toughest in the country. </p> <h3>Christian Gamboa, 6-4 G, La Jolla</h3> <p>Gamboa is a bona fide three-level scorer who can knock down shots from three, attack closeouts to set up a potent midrange game, or use his spin move to get into the lane and finish at the rim. An underrated athlete too, Gamboa is a threat to finish above the rim in transition. D2 schools have shown interest. </p> <h3>Wayne Hampton, 6-2 G, Hoover</h3> <p>Hampton is a stocky guard who understands how to dictate pace on the floor. Not a burner, Hampton uses change of speed and his body to probe the paint and score with an array of floaters, runners and a solid midrange pull-up jumper. He also has an excellent IQ and elevates his teammates with his passing. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="951238" first="Nick" last="Herrmann"], 6-3 G, Torrey Pines</h3> <p>Herrmann is having a breakout year, averaging nearly 20 points per game for the undefeated Falcons. Two years removed from beating cancer, Herrmann appears fully back and can score it effectively from three and midrange, and is improving as a passer and playmaker. D2+ prospect. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="747092" first="Keavie" last="Love"], 6-3 G, El Camino</h3> <p>Love is an elite on-ball defender who impacts the game by neutralizing the other team’s best offensive option. A downhill scoring guard, Love has made big strides with his spot-up shooting. While not quite a point guard, his defense on both guard positions makes him a very valuable piece for a college team. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="956463" first="Jeric" last="Lovgren"], 6-1 PG, San Marcos</h3> <p>One of the most underrated floor generals in San Diego, Lovgren’s game isn’t flashy, but it’s effective. He is a patient playmaker out of ball screen action, and can knock down spot-up threes. Defensively, he is a lockdown perimeter defender who can also play in the passing lanes. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="747109" first="Tyson" last="Robinson"], 6-0 G, El Camino</h3> <p>A prolific scorer, Robinson gets buckets from all three levels, and has developed into a knockdown shooter from three. While not having tremendous burst in the half court, Robinson uses his knowledge of angles and craftiness to get into the paint and score with floaters or finishing through contact (underrated strength). One of the better on-ball defenders in the county at his position.</p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="680242" first="Melo" last="Sanchez"], 6-5 G, Mater Dei Catholic </h3> <p>A polarizing prospect of sorts, some classify Sanchez as a wing. I think he is best with the ball in his hands, where his elite vision and IQ are on full display. Offensively, he creates mismatches by overpowering smaller guards and leaving bigger defenders behind off the bounce. Above all, his productivity -- in HS, club and on the Grind Session -- are undeniable. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="951247" first="DJ" last="Sanders"], 6-0 G, Bonita Vista</h3> <p>Blessed with underrated athleticism, freakish length and a quiet, steely demeanor, Sanders has been carving up opposing guards for years now. The lefty has evolved into a very potent outside scorer to complement his slashing and advanced scoring package around the basket. Cal State East Bay offered over the summer. His ceiling is still quite high.</p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="747104" first="Keatten" last="Smith"], 6-3 G, Santa Fe Christian</h3> <p>Arguably the best shooter in San Diego’s 2021 class, Smith has come a long way scoring off the dribble (improved finisher through contact) and defensively, to the point is is more than capable of guarding both back court positions. Hawaii Pacific offered this spring. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>