The Valley Jam: 2023 guards

<p>July 16-18 I attended the <em>HoopSeen</em> <strong>The Valley Jam </strong>at the beautiful nearly brand new Ottawa University in Surprise/AZ. </p> <p>43 teams from the 15 to 17U played four showcase games over the weekend. College coaches were on hand to take in the action for the second of the three July live periods.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Here were some 2023 guards that stood out:</p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="814517" first="Cohen" last="J Gonzales"] Mesquite (Team Arizona Black Elite 17) (Pictured) </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-The lone 2023 to make the 1st team in 17U. He is a walking bucket who does it efficiently. He isn’t taking bad shots and puts immense pressure on defenses. He has a strap from the 3pt line but he is more then just a great shooter. He has an incredible first step to get passed his defenders and then will either rise up and shoot it off the dribble or finish off tough shots in the lane on the norm. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="994130" first="Isaiah" last="Kai"] Campo Verde (Team Arizona Black Elite 17) </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-A second team in 17U also impressed. He has the lead guard role on this team and consistently dissects defenses with his passing, IQ and skill. He can score it from mid to the 3pt line and he also turned the other team over. He is very quick on the ball defensively and collected many steals in every game.   </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="814507" first="Davion" last="Butler"] McClintock (AZ Select Wilson 16)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-Butler guided his team to a 4-0 record. Which included an exciting game winning shot from deep. He has a tight handle and uses a floater. His court vision has improved over the years but his speed and skill are always involved in the results of the games he plays. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">     </span></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRdFZc8HxQF/">https://www.instagram.com/p/CRdFZc8HxQF/</a></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="996741" first="Deven" last="Johnson"] AZ Compass Prep (PAL Elite 2023)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-A skilled guard is stretching out and he may not be done growing. His growth plates are still open and the game is easier for him. He has a nice floater and the catch-3 with range. He is quick on the ball defensively and his upside is shining through at the last couple events.  </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1030973" first="Vincent" last="Parise"] Desert Mountain (Firestorm White 16)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-A sharp shooting PG who can drive and find teammates. He sliced up the defense from deep with a pure stroke with range. He has a huge IQ and gets the ball out of his hands quickly.   </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1032530" first="Vincent" last="Tedeschi"] Moon Valley (Firestorm Black 16)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-He had a couple good games and understands how to get his team involved. He can score with pull-ups off the dribble but it is his passing and court vision that sets him apart of some others. He has a nice burst and then will drop it off to a cutter. He uses his tight handle to go in and out to burst by and go into the lane to usually make a play.  </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1240598" first="Kaylan" last="Norman"] Ironwood (Firestorm White 16)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-A thicker wing can score it through contact and shoot it off the catch-3. He uses his stronger body to get downhill with the best of them. He brings good physicality to the game and plays hard on both ends of the court. </span></p>