Rising Guards & Wings from the Grind SZN Kickoff
There were plenty of 2023 guards and wings that were impressive during the Grind SZN Kickoff. Derrick Lawrence (Team Buddy Buckets 2023) and Zander Baker (RSE Basketball 22) were two who stood out as players that are already standouts in…
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Continue ReadingThere were plenty of 2023 guards and wings that were impressive during the Grind SZN Kickoff. Derrick Lawrence (Team Buddy Buckets 2023) and Zander Baker (RSE Basketball 22) were two who stood out as players that are already standouts in their respective states. However, there were some players who I think will be ones to watch this summer and into the next season from the 2023 class. In this fifth installment about the Gring SZN Kickoff, I will take a look at a bevy of players who should be rising guards and wings going forward.
Chris Harris (6’6″ / TBB KS 2023 Gold / 2023)
Harris will probably play out of position with his high school team due to his height. With his grassroots team, however, he will probably get to show more glimpses of what I saw during the Grind SZN. Harris ran the floor well and was able to push the ball on his own after rebounds. He also displayed a soft touch from the baseline and the ability to make the wide open three. If Harris gets to develop more of this play during the grassroots season, he may find himself playing more wing when he makes it to the next level.
Rodney Gray (6’2″ / Team Buddy Buckets 2023 / 2023)
Gray was that tough, penetrating point guard that is beloved in today’s prep game. He keeps the basketball on a string and manipulates use of his dribble well. If Gray gets his shoulders by the defender, it is over. He likes to feel the defender and spin off for the short jumper. Gray powers through the contact of defenders as well. With his frame and size at 6’2″, Gray should be a guard that gives players problem the rest of the grassroots season. He is a hard matchup for defending guards.
Moses Horne (6’0″ / Team Buddy Buckets 2023 / 2023)
Horne is another guard who is similar to his teammate Rodney Gray. While Horne likes to drive right a little bit more, he is another guard who takes the contact from defenders and powers through to complete layups. Horne is good at handling pressure from guards attempting to pester him up the floor. He keeps his dribble alive until he makes his decision. Horne has good guard instincts and should be another one to watch as the months go.
Cole Feuerbacher (6’2″ / Sho-Me Assault / 2023)
Guards and wings who can read screens and turn corners on defenders are hard to keep out of the paint. Feuerbacher appears to be a player in that vain. When playing over the weekend, he displayed the ability to curl tightly off of screens and hand-offs. This gave him the abiliity to get downhill quicker and put his defender at a disadvantage. Couple that lost art with his frame and ability to finish with either hand, Feuerbacher is a guard/wing that will cause issues for a defense. If he shoots jumpers well, he will be a dangerous offensive threat.
Jake Wilson (6’3″ / AAO Flight 2023 / 2023)
The AAO Flight guard/wing from Arkansas displayed some intangibles that may help him be a breakout player in his state. Wilson likes to crash the boards unlike some wings his age. He will come flying into the paint from the wing for a rebound if he gets the opportunity. Wilson also knows how to come off screens and set his feet quickly for jumpers. He does not waste motion when setting his feet and has a fluid stroke. If he couples that with an adequate ability to handle, the sky may be the limit for this rising junior.
Jayden Turner (6’2″ / Team United Texas 2023 Black / 2023)
Turner is another guard that is hard to stop when he is going downhill. It seems that he lights up when there is an opportunity to penetrate and gets to the rim swiftly. Turner can also change ends in transition as quick as a hiccup. He is a player who uses his speed to an advantage. While he is more of a slashing guard right now, his use of speed, agility, and quickness will help him more times than it will hurt him on the hardwood.
Xander Collins (6’0″ / AAO Flight 2023 / 2023)
Collins is another guard who is great at penetration. He is a ballhandler who is very good at creating an advantage with the dribble when he penetrates. Collins has a quick, tight crossover that gets him past his defender and allows him to finish or get fouled. He is also strong in transition and pushes the ball quickly. He appears to be very good at making the correct transition play which is supremely beneficial when teams have the advantage in the open floor. Collins should turn some heads on the Arkansas grassroots scene going forward.
Korey Davis (6’3″ / Tarrant Elite 2023 / 2024)
This 2024 wing was a impressive on the 16U circuit during the Grind SZN Kickoff. Davis was good on the perimeter in his movements and handles. He showed the ability to take care of the ball and get into his shots without a lot of extra effort. He has good size so attempting shots over smaller guards was not a problem. Going forward, if Davis continues to improve other facets of his game, he will be a hard player to deal with on the grassroots and high school scene.
The Grind SZN Kickoff was a great event to showcase guard and wing talent. Small guards like Corian Taylor-Wiley (5’9″ – Tarrant Elte 2023) and Myles Smith (5’11” – Team United Texas 2023 Black) were some high octane defenders who disrupted players while making an impact on the offensive end as well. Look for other guards and wings from the Grind SZN to make a mark as the Prep Hoops Circuit and grassroots season heads into summer.