Prep Hoops Live: Standout Guards (Part 1)

<p>Over 120 17U teams were in Kansas for Prep Hoops Live competing in front of college coaches, families, and hoop fans. With talent from all over the country, there were a ton of exciting prospects to watch. I watched a lot of games but these guards stood out amongst the pack.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962569" first="Kyle" last="McNeal"] – 6’3 G – Ball4Lyfe</strong></p> <p>I love guards who can stop and change directions on a dime and Mcneal can do just that. There were times all game when he would sprint to a spot and stop to shoot a midrange jumper without any hesitation. When gaps opened up to get to the lane he would get into another gear and fly to the basket. Guards who love their spots but also never force shots are always fun to watch.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1210407" first="Donovan" last="Brown"] – 6’2 Guard – Chicago Demons</strong></p> <p>Brown was one of the quickest guys I saw this weekend. With an explosive first step, he was very scary when defenders were on an island. In the pick and roll, he played with pace and knew how to score out of the reads. Quick guards who can shoot the three when defenders go under the screen are always dangerous.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1215287" first="Jake" last="Fiegen"] – 6’4 G – Full Package Black</strong></p> <p>Fiegen may have been one of the best shooters in the gym. He showed that all he needed was a little bit of space to be efficient. If he had a clear view of the rim, whether off the dribble, or the catch, there was a good chance it was going in. He played off the ball a lot in the game I saw but he did show he could handle the ball against pressure and get his teammates opportunities as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1215311" first="Nikola" last="Abusara"] – 6’4 G – Full Package</strong></p> <p>Abusara was one of the more intriguing prospects this weekend. He played the point guard spot very well at 6’4. With a very nice handle, he ran the break seamlessly and without struggle. On offense, he displayed great decision-making and understanding of mismatches. On defense, he showed versatility and used his length well when switched on to bigger players.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991581" first="Jamod" last="Robinson"] – 6’0 G – Tru Select</strong></p> <p>Robinson is a real floor general who understands tempo and control. Every coach needs a point guard who can truly “run the show” and he did just that. He knew when to speed him up and when to slow it down. He made defenders pay who went under screens or gave him to much space to shoot. He exploited gaps when defenders came out too far. Robinson was hard to contain but everything he did was calm and collected.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1270691" first="Jalon" last="Blackwell"] – 5’10 G – BDH Elite (Pictured)</strong></p> <p>Blackwell was one of the best defenders in the gym. Guards who love to pick up 94 feet are always loved by coaches. On a loaded roster, he stood out because of his drive on the defensive end. But don’t be mistaken, Blackwell is much more than just a defender. The quick guard is explosive off the bounce, gets in the paint, and is crafty amongst the trees. In one game, Blackwell led an 8-0 run with two steals, four points, and an assist.</p>