Rocky Top Invitational: 5 productive guards
Tennessee doesn’t have an aura of big men, the Volunteer State definitely has the guards. In the final day of the Rocky Top Invitational on Sunday, guards from the state came to play at a high level. There was also…
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Continue ReadingTennessee doesn’t have an aura of big men, the Volunteer State definitely has the guards.
In the final day of the Rocky Top Invitational on Sunday, guards from the state came to play at a high level.
There was also an out-of-state prospect that surprised many.
Here are the top guards from Sunday’s action at the Rocky Top Invitational.
Micah Simpson Micah Simpson 6'0" | PG Morristown East | 2022 State TN , Tennessee Bobcats 17U: The 6-foot-0 point guard didn’t get off to a great start against Team AJ Bouye, but he had a strong second half and had his team in position to win the game. Simpson was showing off his explosiveness, making getting by his defender look effortless. He made a handful of shots from 3. Simpson showed off his ability to be a facilitator. He was making full-court passes and making bounce passes in transition. Simpson finished the game with 17 points.
Grant Strong Grant Strong 6'4" | SG Clay County | 2022 State TN , Tennessee Bobcats 17U: The 6-4 shooting guard had his way with Team AJ Bouye in the first half. Strong was able to get to his spots. He was knocking down elbow jumpers and dropping in free throw jump shots, elevating high enough to avoid his shots being contested. Strong had eight points early in the first half. He was cooking.
Colin Porter Colin Porter 5'11" | PG Ashland | 2022 State KY , EAB Tennessee 17U: The 5-10 point guard out of Ashland, Kentucky surprised the bigger Team Curry 17U squad. Porter wasn’t expected to be as smart, crafty and efficient as he was on Sunday. He has everything a floor general is supposed to have. Porter’s a great passer, reads the defense very well and takes a lot of smart shots. He’s very unselfish. Porter, who’s a 2023 prospect, had 15 points in the 75-63 loss to Team Curry.
Eddie Ricks, PSB UA Rise 16U: Big guards are starting to become a norm. Ricks is a 6-7 point guard with upside. He can put the ball on the floor, make a high percentage of shots from 3 and can get to the rim. Ricks was impressive by how well he plays defense. Against the River Region Raptors, the 2024 prospect was contesting a lot of shots at the rim. Some of them were blocks. Ricks has a chance of being a special player.
Camden Andrews, PSB UA Rise 16U: The 6-0 point guard showed flashes of being a solid floor general in the 2023 class. Andrews can push the basketball up the floor. He has the ability to make touchdown passes as soon as he gets the rebound. Andrews can make shots from the perimeter. I witnessed all of these things against the River Region Raptors.