Dynamic Guards: Prep Hoops Live
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This past weekend at Prep Hoops Live there was a ton of talent in the gyms. There was also a big amount of college coaches checking out the players. Prep Hoops Live was played in Kansas City and Lawrence and…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend at Prep Hoops Live there was a ton of talent in the gyms. There was also a big amount of college coaches checking out the players. Prep Hoops Live was played in Kansas City and Lawrence and it was over the “Live Period”. It was a monster weekend for AAU programs, players, and college coaches because of the limited amount of times that they can watch these guys live. Read below for the top guards that I was able to watch at Prep Hoops Live!
Dynamic Guards
Carmello Mcneal Carmello Mcneal 6'3" | PG Tca | 2022 State MN & Carrington Mcneal Carrington Mcneal 6'3" | PG Tca | 2022 State MN |6’3 G’s| MN Chill Elite 2023
They were a huge reason why MN Chill finished the weekend with a 4-0 record. On defense, Carmello and Carrington applied the perfect amount of ball pressure to keep opposing guards out of sync. They are playmakers that finish at the rim. The brothers hit big shots this weekend to help close out games. They are both special athletes that can really score the rock and makes plays for their teammates.
Matt Eng Matt Eng 6'0" | PG O’gorman | 2023 State SD |6’2 PG| Pentagon Schoolers 2023 Walker
He showed off his special 3-point shooting this weekend. Eng is one of the top shooters that I have watched this year. I like the calm sense that he plays with. The moment never seems too big for Matt. On Saturday night, Eng hit some huge shots when his team needed them. He finished that game with 24 points and 6 made 3-pointers. He is also a stud PG with refined ball skills. His stock continues to shoot up.
Tate VanOtterloo Tate VanOtterloo 6'5" | SF Beresford | 2023 SD |6’4 SG| Pentagon Schoolers 2023 Walker
He played very well all weekend and he helped the team go 4-0. Tate gets better every time I see him play. With his height, strength, mobility, and skill college coaches will want to see VanOtterloo soon! He truly is a 3-level scorer that will take what you give him. His outside shot is smooth, his mid-range J is true to the mark, and he is a dynamic finisher. He can also get the job done on defense and on the glass. I am looking forward to watching VanOtterloo and the Schoolers play in a few weeks in Nebraska.
Ethan Determan Ethan Determan 6'2" | SG Harrisburg | 2023 State SD |6’2 SG| Pentagon Schoolers 2023 Maschino
He shot 38% from 3FG’s. Determan averaged 17 ppg and he helped get the Schoolers to a 4-0 record. He is one of the top offensive players in his class from SD. Ethan is clever and punctual about getting open for good looks. Determan is known as a shooter but he can do more than that. His skills are polished, he moves the ball, and he can get into the paint to make plays.
Brayden Pankonen Brayden Pankonen 5'11" | PG Dell Rapids | 2023 State SD |5’11 G| Pentagon Schoolers 2023 Maschino
He shot 38% from 3FG’s and he hit 13 triples over the weekend. Brayden is a high-profile shooter. He and the Schoolers went 4-0 and they had a great showing at PH LIVE. The lefty is a quick player with handles and advanced playmaking ability. He is not the tallest player on the court but Pankonen makes up for it with speed and the heart of a lion. I expect him to continue with his high-level play throughout the AAU season.
Rico Lee Rico Lee 5'11" | CG Belleville East | 2023 IL |5-11 G| Midwest All-Stars 2023
He and the Midwest All-Stars had an impressive weekend while going 3-1. In a nice win (62-61) over a talented NY team, Rice put up quality numbers with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. He is as quick as a flash and he changes speeds like a fancy sports car. I like how he pushes the ball up the court, and I saw him drop a beautiful bounce pass dime for an easy layup. Lee has great court vision and he dishes out assists on the regular. This lefty is strong with the ball and his hesitation move is killer. Lee’s between-the-legs move is explosive. He can take the ball coast-to-coast and finish with a pretty finger-roll. Rico is a true dynamic combo-guard.
Kai Penney Kai Penney 6'4" | SG Buffalo | 2024 State MN |6-4 SG| Minnesota Select 2024 Altenhofen
He stood out on Saturday morning as a smooth catch-n-shoot wing. Penney has a sweet stroke and his length allows him to shoot over smaller defenders. His mechanics are unblemished and he has a smooth high release point. Penney moves well without the ball and he always seems ready to shoot. Kai is also a knockdown shooter from the charity stripe. I like his game and I think he has loads of potential.
Anthony Doppler Anthony Doppler 6'4" | SG Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND |6-4 SG| North Dakota Phenom 2023
He is easily one of the best 3-point and mid-range pull-up shooters that I have watched so far this AAU season. What amazes me is how calm Doppler looks on the court. He is a timely shooter and he always seems to come up with a bucket when his team is in need. Anthony’s shooting range is deep! I have seen him hit triples from college depth and multiple from NBA range. He is a strong shooter that does not need to change his mechanics for a deep shot. I also liked his execution and cutting. I watched him execute sets for buckets and he is a smart player. Doppler has big interest from D1 and D2 college coaches. His stock is continuing to rise like many others on this list. Doppler currently has a D1 offer from UND.
Darik Dissette Darik Dissette 6'4" | SG Minot | 2023 State #300 Nation ND |6-4 SG| North Dakota Phenom 2023
Every scout that watched Dissette this weekend was impressed. I have already seen his name in many other articles. He has grabbed the attention of many college coaches as well. Darik has the interest of D1 and D2 coaches from across the Midwest. He is a winner, a gamer, a closer, and a cold-blooded playmaker. You want the ball in this kid’s hands. Sure, he is athletic and he makes splashy plays on the offense. What I really like is that Dissette is as tough as a bulldog and he is a stout defender! Dissette currently has D1 offers from UND and NDSU.
Drew Kempel Drew Kempel 6'4" | PG Bismarck Century | 2025 State ND |6-3 G| North Dakota Phenom 2025
He is strong and physically advanced compared to other players his age. You do not see many freshmen that are as physical as Kempel. He had multiple AND1 finishes over the weekend because of his tenacity, concentration, and strong coordination. Drew has top-notch handles and serious ball skills. I watched him throw multiple left-handed passes off the dribble. Drew is dynamic off the bounce. He slices through the defense like a hot knife going through butter. Bismarck Century has another stud guard in Kempel.