Brawl For The Ball: Top 2022 guards

Gregg Rosenberg July 12, 2021 @ 01:31 PM

On July 3rd-4th I attended the Brawl for the Ball Prep Hoops Circuit at Inspire Courts in Gilbert. AZ. The event featured 40 teams from the 15U-17U divisions. Players shine at different times during these events and we can only comment on what we saw when they played in front of us.   Here were some of top 2022 guards from the Brawl for the Ball: [player_tooltip player_id="701265" first="Ahamed" last="Mohamed"] Apollo (Factory 2022) -Without Lifgren, Mohamed was the guy controlling the ball most of the games on Saturday. He made every read he needed to cutters as he threaded the needle impressively. He bursts by his defenders and it creates havoc as he can score or make plays. His pull-up is crisp and has range on his perimeter jumpers. His floater is tough to defend and finishes with either hand in traffic. [player_tooltip player_id="827004" first="Blessing" last="Nwotite"] Paradise Honors (Factory 2022) -The two-way guard shot the ball better then usual. He hit multiple 3’s in every game I viewed and seemed more confident. He still can keep adding percentages to his total from deep but I like the progress he is making. He uses his speed and lateral quickness to defend multiple positions and is an active rebounder. [player_tooltip player_id="701269" first="Raydon" last="Thorson"] Queen Creek (AZ Junior Ballers 2022) (Pictured) -One of the top AIA true point guards in the state is a fun watch. He slings the ball all over the yard making it look effortless. His handle it tight as can be and handles pressure with ease. He throws lobs, drives/kicks, blow-by then drop off dime and makes the easy extra passes. Scoring wise he can shoot it from mid to the 3 and he knows how to change speeds, as he freezes his defenders and bursts to the lane. [player_tooltip player_id="701263" first="Orlando" last="Gonzales"] PHH Prep (AZ Select Showtime 2022) -A cerebral scoring lead guard with volleyball line range and quickness. He handles the ball more then usual now and still gets his points plus sets up his team. He advance passes it well, throws the lob and handles pressure fairly well. He is trying to, for the most part, put points on the board. From a nice pull-up off the dribble from mid-range, to the high arcing tear drop, and of course the deep-3. [player_tooltip player_id="827049" first="Pascal" last="Volz"] McCllintock (The Legion of Hoops 2022) -Another event and another good showing for PJ. His pull-up was on this weekend from mid to the 3pt line. He showed some point skills driving and kicking plus dumping it off to a post player and controlling the tempo. He also defended well on the ball which lead to steals and eventual dimes to teammates. William Benjamin Jr CG 6’0 Las Cruces (ABC NM 2022 Black) -A fast and athletic combo guard flies in the open court. He has a somewhat streaky deep jumper but can get rolling quickly. His pull-up looked more polished and he always has his supreme burst into the lane to score. His on-ball D is just as good as anyone and his speed will translate to the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="1076675" first="Jakwon" last="Hill"] Volcano Vista (ABC NM 2022 Black) -Another two-way guard is a dog. He is a disruptor as a defender using his quick hands and speed laterally. He loves attacking the basket with his tight handle using his upper body strength and creativity along with use of floaters. He can pull-up plus hit the 3 but makes most of his baskets in the painted area.