Prep Hoops Louisiana Top 250 Expo: 2022 Point Guards (2/2)

<p>Check out my analysis from some of the standout point guards of the 2022 class that were on full display during the 2021 Prep Hoops Louisiana Top 250 Expo. I got a hands-on look at all of these high-level athletes. Look for their stock to continue to rise after some very impressive performances!</p> <p><strong>Patrick “PD” McCraney 2022- Neville High School</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Mccraney-Patrick-3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1269731" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Mccraney-Patrick-3-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>PD is a hardworking and intelligent combo guard who is not afraid to put his body on the line for his team. His consistent energy and willingness to draw charges created multiple opportunities for his team. He is aggressive with the ball and gets downhill very well on the break. He is a patient scorer in the paint, he can manipulate defenders with shot fakes and hang and adjust his shot angle.  He is a good floor spacer; he is comfortable spotting up in the corner and along the wings. I would like to see him work on his ability to get to more spots in the midrange and beyond the arc off the bounce.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="781841" first="Dakota" last="Gasca"] 2022- West Monroe High School</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Gasca-DaKota-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1269695" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Gasca-DaKota-2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>DaKota is a hard-working guard who attacks the rim very well. He is a creative finisher on either side of the rim. He is a high-level rebounder for the point guard position as well. He is great at jumpstarting fast-break opportunities with his passing ahead and reading of the floor. He is a confident shooter from all around the arc, he struggled to find his shot early but really settled into his game late and began knocking down shots all around the floor from the midrange and three-point line.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="781853" first="John-Paul" last="Ricks"] 2022- Jehovah Jireh High School</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Ricks-John-Paul-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1269751" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Ricks-John-Paul-2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>John-Paul is an incredibly polished point guard, he can create space out of the triple threat and his handles. He has a dynamic ball-handling ability that many guards were unable to keep up with. He is an incredible playmaker who made a plethora of easy looks for his teammates, especially in the full court. He is a smooth shooter off the catch and dribble as well, he has all the tools to become a high-level scorer. I would like to see him work on his ability to finish and attack the rim with more consistency.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1270104" first="Deion" last="Gipson"] 2022 Union Parish High School</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Gipson-Deion-4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1269697" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Gipson-Deion-4-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>Deion is a highly skilled point guard who is great at utilizing the space around him. He is an impressive finisher on either side of the rim. He is a great decision-maker with the basketball and can pass his teammates open. He is a good help defender who plays the passing lanes well and brought smart double teams that forced bad looks. I would like to see him work on his ability to hit his shot off the bounce beyond the arc and space the floor.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1051637" first="Elijah" last="Belton"] 2022- Hamilton Christian High School</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Belton-Elijah-1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1269669" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Belton-Elijah-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>Elijah is a quick and aware point guard. He is great at shooting off the catch but thrives at getting downhill. His ability to beat defenders off the dribble is at a high level already. He thrives on the fast break and makes the right reads on passes ahead. I would like to see him work on his ability to create for his teammates in the half-court.</p>