MSU Denver Teams Camp: Top Guards

<p>Jayden Kelsey - Overland High School - 25’</p> <p>Kelsey is an incoming freshman combo guard who at his age, is bigger than the far majority of his peers. He is a lefty who can heat up from downtown, being able to get the rock off very quick. He has a lower release, but his height mitigates this potential weakness. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Kelsey-crop-2480x1628-1622414993.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1203946 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Kelsey-crop-2480x1628-1622414993-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>He is still adjusting in half court settings, where he can be a bit too cautious on attacking driving lanes. When he is aggressive, his long strides allow him to get by the defense with ease. He is also gifted with a longer than average wingspan, allowing him to finish above others on drives. As a member of the incoming class of 2025, be on the watch for Kelsey to shoot up our state rankings.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="918936" first="Zach" last="Akin"] - Ralston Valley - 22’</p> <p>Taking the lead ballhandling role for Ralston Valley, Akin posed a consistent offensive threat throughout the whole game. He has the ball on a string, being able to drive through contact going either left or right. His jump-shot is incredibly quick, even nailing multiple difficult pull-ups against a tall Overland team. Akin proved to be the most confident player this weekend, hitting transition pull up threes and even blocking one of Overland’s forwards. He plays a jittery style, initiating offense through quick jab steps, thus forcing the defense to overreact due to his shooting gravity. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921101" first="TaRea" last="Fulcher"] - Regis Jesuit - 23’ </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Fulcher1-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1203937 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Fulcher1-1-300x264.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="264" /></a>At only about 5’9, Fulcher plays bigger than advertised. He finds ways to the rim that seem impossible whether he is turning the corner on drives or going for a double clutch layup. Fulcher is an acrobatic athlete who has elite core strength, considering his ability to readjust midair. He is a gritty player, finding ways to impact winning even if that means putting his body on the line. Make sure to box out on defense, if you don’t Fulcher will get the put back. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1194780" first="Alex" last="Rodriguez"] - Dakota Ridge - 23’</p> <p>New addition at Dakota Ridge point guard was [player_tooltip player_id="1194780" first="Alex" last="Rodriguez"], who showed flashes as a lead ball handler. Throughout the game, he became more comfortable running pick and roll possessions. Rodriguez plays with a chip on his shoulder, competing on loose balls and fighting for rebounds. This time around the jumper was not falling, but as his gravity increases so should his ability to create opportunities for himself and teammates. Ultimately, it was encouraging to see the coach’s trust in Rodriguez as he adjusts from an off-ball scorer last season to an on-ball role this upcoming year.<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Lopez1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1203931 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Lopez1-300x201.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="201" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="618874" first="Josh" last="Lopez"] - Mullen - 22’</p> <p> Lopez lead Mullen to a decisive victory over Dakota Ridge on Saturday. The 6-foot senior guard did not do anything flashy, but he did what every coach would want from their lead guard. He played fundamental defense through positioning himself in the passing lanes and communicating matchups to teammates. He was a major part of his team’s rebounding, notably the offensive end. Throughout this game he had at least three offensive rebounds in the second half alone. He also helped space the floor, knocking down a couple threes off the catch. Lopez is simply a dependable guard, whatever you need from him you will receive. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>