Standout Guards from Week 12

<p>This weeks edition of standout guards features some of the elite scorers in the state in addition to some pure-point guards that can run the offense and distribute at a high level. Here are some guards who can definitely be impact players at the next level. </p> <p><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="815585" first="Efrem" last="Johnson"] 6’4 SG Grissom 2022 </span></u></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Despite his 27 point effort resulting in a loss to Sparkman, Johnson continues to prove he’s the best pure scorer in the state and is the most college-ready player available in the 2022 class. As a complete 3 level scorer, Johnson has few flaws offensively and can generate offense at an elite level in iso situations. He can shoot from deep off the dribble with pull-ups, hang dribbles, and stepbacks. He also can get off-ball, use screens, and find open space while being a knockdown shooter off the catch. He’s developed a range on his floater that extends to the free-throw line making him virtually unstoppable in the midrange. In addition to that, his fadeaway is another move in his toolbox that’s simply unguardable. As a finisher, he’s tenacious and embraces contact at the rim. He also has the agility and shiftiness to avoid charges and traffic when attacking the paint. </span></p> <p>https://twitter.com/StrowShow_/status/1481136500607791105?s=20</p> <p><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Corey Stephenson 6’4 SG Hueytown 2022</span></u></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Stephen is an athletic scorer who can dominate the game. Over the course of the week, Stephenson has shown elite vertical explosion and dominance when attacking the rim. If he isn’t finishing over the top, he’s taking contact and powering through for a strong finish. With solid speed, he can push the pace, put pressure on the rim, and be a one-person fastbreak whenever he gets an outlet pass. In the halfcourt, he’s seemed to gain more confidence in his jumper, routinely knocking down pull-ups with range and working within the mid-range game. </span></p> <p>https://twitter.com/BamaPrepHoops/status/1479889681831575554?s=20</p> <p><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Benny Malin 6’0 PG Good Hope 2022 </span></u></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Malin is a pure point guard who understands the flow of the game and distributes shots effectively for his teammates. A pass-first guard Malin generated the majority of 3 point looks from dribble penetration, finding the right guy in transition, and making the extra pass. His awareness stood out as he consistently fed whoever had the hot hand, allowing them to gain more rhythm and optimize their hot streak. Defensively Malin is a significant threat as an interceptor. Manlin’s basketball IQ extends to this end of the court with his ability to anticipate and know when his guy will cut or when the big man will turn his back and open an opportunity for a swipe at the ball. </span></p> <p><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="725182" first="Josh" last="Price"] 6’1 SG/PG Sparkman 2022 </span></u></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Price seems to finally be hitting his stride and finding his role in the Sparkman offense. As a do-it-all combo guard, his versatile skill set allows him to play off ball-dominant guards or initiate offense and distribute shots as a primary ball-handler. Price can score at all three levels proficiently. His touch around the rim allows him to attack the paint without challenging bigs; he can knock down the two dribble pull-ups and be a solid stationary shooter from deep. As a playmaker, he knows how to drive and kick and always makes accurate passes in transition- resulting in easy opportunities for his teammates. </span></p> <p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuW8g-5g5gg</p> <p><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Dexter Smith Lee 6’2 SG Lee (Huntsville) 2022 </span></u></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Smith is a slithery finisher who’s playing his best ball at the right time as the postseason approaches. Smith has played as the No.2 option behind [player_tooltip player_id="725171" first="Jacari" last="Lane"] throughout the season and played it well; however, this week, Smith showed flashes of brilliance and an ability to generate offense as the head honcho. He utilized his quickness to create off the space of the dribble and worked the mid-range effectively. He also hit difficult shots when the offense broke down, and Lee needed a bucket. Smith played with incredible pace off the pick and roll and constantly put pressure on the rim and bigs who got caught on the switch. </span></p> <p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ij4y7cJEQ4&amp;t=344s</p>