2023 Rankings Update: Newcomer Guards (Part II)

<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1367405" first="Alex" last="Mota"] | SG | Marion (118)</strong></p> <p>Mota's future is on the gridiron, where he already holds a handful of Power 5 offers, but the 6-1 off-ball guard is also a solid contributor for the Red Wolves on the hardwood. He uses his fantastic athleticism to impact the game on the defensive end, has developed into a reliable ball-handler and decision-maker, and an excellent rebounder from his spot on the perimeter. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1367409" first="Brice" last="Lange"] | SG | Urbandale (128)</strong></p> <p>A 5-10 off-ball guard, Lange is one of the top scoring options for the J-Hawks. He has the ability to score from all three levels, moves well without the ball in his hands, and is a capable secondary ball-handler. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1367410" first="Cooper" last="Hardersen"] | PG | Urbandale (129)</strong></p> <p>Lange's teammate, Hardersen is a 6-1 lead guard who is one of two primary ball-handling options for the J-Hawks. He sees the floor well and is a pass-first guard who likes to get others involved. </p> [caption id="attachment_1166730" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Easton-Tupa.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1166730 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Easton-Tupa-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1367434" first="Easton" last="Tupa"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1367434" first="Easton" last="Tupa"] | PG | Center Point-Urbana (143)</strong></p> <p>A lead guard with some great size at 6-3/6-4, Tupa is able to use his length effectively on both ends of the floor. He's a heady lead guard who limits turnovers and can score from all three levels. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1367436" first="Sam" last="Skinner"] | SG | Heelan (145)</strong></p> <p>Skinner is small, but he's fearless, routinely getting to the rim for finishes or to get to the free-throw line. He's a quick guard who can break down a defense and get to the bucket.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/3-Mason-King.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1290373" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/3-Mason-King-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1288871" first="Mason" last="King"] | PG | West Harrison (148)</strong></p> <p>The third piece in a trio of very talented junior pieces for the Hawkeyes, King is a 5-9 guard who leads the team in scoring (14.1 points a game) and dishes out 4.2 assists a night. He does a great job protecting the ball and is a really good 3-point shooter who is capable of torching teams both off the dribble and the catch. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1367437" first="Connor" last="Borbeck"] | SG | Pleasant Valley (149)</strong></p> <p>A solid 6-2 defender who can guard either perimeter spot, Borbeck has become a strong contributor on both ends of the Spartans, averaging 11.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists a game. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1367438" first="Keishaun" last="Pendleton"] | SG | Waterloo West (150)</strong></p> <p>A 6-1 guard who gets to the rim routinely, Pendleton leads the Wahawks in free-throw attempts and uses his athleticism and length effectively on the defensive end, averaging 2.4 steals a game. He's a good athlete who flies around the floor, and if he can develop his jumper a bit, he could see himself rise up the rankings in the next update. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1367440" first="Kooper" last="Ebel"] | SG | Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn (155)</strong></p> <p>A 6-2 off-ball guard who has emerged as a solid secondary ball-handling option for the Hawks, Ebel is having a big-time scoring year, averaging 18.7 points a game. He's at his best playing downhill and getting to the rim, but he's a capable 3-point shooter and distributor. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1367441" first="Max" last="Hough"] | PG | GTRA (158)</strong></p> <p>A talented do-it-all 5-10 point guard, Hough leads the Titans in rebounding (6.2), assists (6.5), and steals (4.5) while also contributing 12.8 points a game. His size is a bit of a detriment when it comes to finishing around the rim, but he finds other ways to impact the game.</p>