Sleeper Guards from Week 12

Josh White

January 21, 2022 @ 02:13 PM

This edition of sleeper guards features some solid shooting, guard play, defensive stoppers that can contribute to winning and transition well to the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="1044912" first="Drew" last="Blackston"] 5’11 PG Madison Academy 2022 Blackston is a scoring first point guard who can score within a structured offense. His ability to move off the ball and find easy baskets off his movement is a transferable skill to any level of basketball. As a shooter, he’s able to knock down shots off movement consistently. His use of pin downs, screens, and flares helps offensive flow and continuity. As a stationary shooter Blackston commands contests, further optimizing space on the floor. He has a sufficient handle and acceleration to blow past defenders that overplay him on the perimeter, making his game well-rounded and adaptable for different situations and lineups. Keyondrick Cobb 6’1 SG/PG R.A. Hubbard 2022 Cobb is an offensive-minded guard who scores with a three or key mentality. His quick release, polished mechanics, and overall shooting motion makes him a threat from the perimeter. He can space the floor while shooting it off the catch and knock down threes when creating off the dribble. In transition, he’s a solid athlete who can finish with both hands. In addition, he consistently is able to be a one-man fast break and dictate the pace for his team to create efficient looks on fastbreaks. Colin Swindle 5’11 PG Oneonta 2022 Swindle is a shoot-first point that can space the floor. Though he primarily operates as a stationary shooter, Swindle has tremendous range on his jumper. His quick release seems to always leave the defense a step behind on contests and allows him to get quality looks consistently. This ability to stretch the floor on spot-ups and catches forces defenses to get out of zones. As a playmaker, he’s opportunistic and can make the correct read on the dribble drive if the defense overplays. Derrick Mccall 6’4 SG/SF Central 2022 Mcall is a defensive-minded guard whose natural ability, instinct, and competitiveness can translate to the next level. Mccall displayed an uncanny ability to time dribbles and pickpockets without fouling, which is rare. He also plays the passing lane aggressively to disrupt offenses’ flow and continuity. Mccall has quick feet and stays in front of the ball at a high level while also using his wingspan to bother shots and passes. Offensively Mccall is a slasher who can elevate and play above the rim. He does an excellent job of taking shots within his skillset and capitalizing on opportunities created in transition or the half-court. Gavin Blankensip 5’10 PG/SG Helena 2024 Blankenship is a solid shooter who moves off-ball and always finds open shots. He does an excellent job of using screens to free himself of the defense. He consistently squares himself to the basket when shooting with movement and has a quick release. Blankensip shoots off the catch well and can hit shots after the pump fake if the defense leaves their feet or overplays. He seems to have good balance on his side step move to create space and avoid contests from defenders.