2023 Rankings: New Guard Additions

The junior class is loaded at the guard position across the entire state of Kansas. Each direction you go to look for talent in this class you find stand out guards making big time plays and loading up the stat line for highly successful programs. Today we are looking at the new guards who were added to the 2023 Rankings.

#27 Te’Jon McDaniel Te’Jon McDaniel 6'4" | SF Salina South | 2023 KS , 6’3 G, Salina South: Has kept South very dangerous night in and night out after the departure of a great 2021 class of guards last season. McDaniel gets it done on both the football field and on the basketball court at a high level. Very shifty with the ball in his hands, explosive to the rack, and has a really nice pull up jump shot game. A great defender and rebounder from the guard spot as well. Averaging 17.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists per game. Shooting 45% from three as well on the year.

#32 Grant Stubblefield Grant Stubblefield 6'2" | PG Blue Valley Northwest | 2023 State KS , 6’2 PG, Blue Valley Northwest: An absolute bulldog on the basketball court. Runs the show in the back court for BVNW and is at his best in big time matchups. Very strong with and without the ball in his hands, can get guys on his hip with ease, and get downhill and make plays in the paint. Very sound on both ends of the floor, plays with poise, and extremely talented. Averaging 14.4 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals a game for 8-1 BNVW. 

#50 Nakari Morrical-Palmer Nakari Morrical-Palmer 6'3" | CG Southeast Of Saline | 2023 State KS , 6’3 PG, Southeast of Saline (Pictured): A perfect back court player to compliment the talented Sawyers, Morrical-Palmer has blown up on the scene this with an impactful stat sheet stuffing performance this year. Has good size, athleticism, and basketball IQ to go along with his skill with the basketball. Has become a big time shot maker as well as the season has gone on. Averaging 12.7 points, 4.3 assists, 9 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game.

#85 Matthew Garber Matthew Garber 6'1" | CG Sabetha | 2023 State KS , 6’1 G, Sabetha: Lights it up for a really good and young Sabetha program who has made some noise this year in the Big 7. He is a microwave on the basketball floor as he can heat up fast especially from behind the three point line. Has a good understanding of the game and what is and is not a good shot. Has really long arms so can score over a variety of defenders and as a defender himself can interrupt shots and passing lanes. Has a quick release from distance and shoots it at a high clip.

#86 Leyton Haxton Leyton Haxton 6'1" | CG Hoisington | 2023 State KS , 6’1 G, Hoisington: Averaging 9.1 points, 5 rebounds, and nearly 4 assists per game, Haxton has been a solid guard all season contributing for his team in a variety of ways. Has made 27 threes on the season and a lot of timely shots as well. Very physical guard who will mix it up, rebounds it, plays with a motor, and can heat up teams on the defense end of the floor. 

#87 Michael Bailey Michael Bailey 5'10" | SG Wichita North | 2023 KS Jr, 5’10 G, Wichita North: North has not had the season they had been hoping for struggling a little bit, but Bailey Jr has been a bright spot for them as they look to finish the season on a high note. Bailey is a compact guard with great change of speed and handle ability to create for himself and others. He is their lone double digit per game guy at 10.5 points per game and is also grabbing 3.5 rebounds per game.

#89 Caleb Carr Caleb Carr 5'11" | PG Baldwin | 2023 State KS , 5’10 Guard, Baldwin: Loading up the stat sheet this season has been Carr. He is averaging 17.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game. Has not shot it from 3 well this season but he has more than made up for that with his ability to get to the rim and get to the foul line, shooting over 100 free throws already on the season at a 75% clip. Averages over a point per possession and shooting 42% from the field overall. Carr carries a big load for Baldwin and has been producing for them all year.