The Stage: Kyler’s Standout 2023 Guards

<p>The first live period has wrapped up with the busiest AAU weekend of the year in Indianapolis which included the Prep Hoops Circuit and The Stage. Let’s take a look at some 2023 guards that stood out for me this past weekend. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ben Sylva</strong> - 6’1 PG Columbus East - GPP 2023 White: Was able to watch Sylva this past Sunday and he was one of the players that impressed me the most at The Stage. Although he is listed at 6’1, I would say that he looks to be a little bit taller than that. He is smooth operator with the ball and pernitrates so well. Did not see a whole lot of his outside game but he is very solid 15ft and in and showed that with a floater and step-back. Also real aggressive on defense and got out in transition a few times. Sylva is on my list of overlooked 2023’s.   </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1160678" first="Ki" last="Dyer"] - 6’3 SG Greensburg - GPP 2023 White: Sylva and his backcourt teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1160678" first="Ki" last="Dyer"] played very well off of each other. Dyer is a taller SG that has some natural athletic ability. He shot the lights out of the ball in the game I saw and was stepping up and knocking them down with confidence. Real crafty player that is hard to defend. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="868266" first="Connor" last="Hussong"] - 6’3 SG Tipton - Indiana Elite Swish 2023: First time I was able to see Hussong since the high school season and right away I was very impressed with his confidence. Shot the ball so well in the Friday night game and was working well off of screens. Off the ball he was making great, quick cuts to the basket. Also thought his defense was sneaky good here and he showed off some shot blocking ability. Hussong is one of the more underrated players we have in the 2023 class and is due for a big off season.  </p> <p><strong>Xavier Highbaugh</strong> (2024) - 5’9 PG Roncalli - Indiana Red Storm 2023: Highbaugh is a very short lead guard that plays scrappy. Real solid at getting to the basket. Excels on he drive and kick-out. If he can grow a little more then his game could be taken to that next level. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="868237" first="A.J." last="Lux"] - 6’5 SG Crown Point - Team GRIII Elite: You can make a very strong argument that Lux was the best player the entire weekend at The Stage. Was only able to watch one of his games fully but in the game I watched he made an incredible six 3’s in a row right in front of multiple college coaches. After that performance, I heard that college coaches made it a point to watch every Team GRIII Elite game moving forward this past weekend. Lux is going to start getting a good amount of DI offers sooner than later. Don’t let his small frame fool you, this guy can hoop with the best of them.   </p>