Gateway All-American: Class of 2023 Point Guards

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the top Class of 2023 point/combo guards from the Gateway All-American Tournament in St. Louis.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/75CB8E76-BCCB-49B0-B28F-334DE5A82163.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1448872" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/75CB8E76-BCCB-49B0-B28F-334DE5A82163-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1440457" first="Charles" last="Nelson"] (St. Louis Warriors): The smooth shooting 6’0" guard from Miller Career Academy was one of the better scoring guards that I watched during the weekend. In the game I watched, he calmed dribbled down and swished a 20-footer in transition the first time he touched the ball. He was off and running from there. He has the quickness and burst to get to the basket to go along with his perimeter shooting.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/CJ-Lang.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1430030" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/CJ-Lang-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1269936" first="CJ" last="Lang"] (Gateway-Knights): The 6’1" guard from Webster Groves showcased his all-purpose skills once again in helping his team to the 17U championship. He can set the table at both ends with his ball distribution on offense and ball-hawking pressure on defense. He’s constantly moving and his high basketball IQ keeps him in the right position to make plays, plus he has the ability to create a bucket when he has to. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Missouri-Elite-Blue-15U_Brady-Bowers.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1012274" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Missouri-Elite-Blue-15U_Brady-Bowers-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1070118" first="Brady" last="Bowers"] (Missouri Elite): The 6’1" guard from Rock Bridge was one of the most impressive perimeter shooters at the event. If he gets a clean look, he’s going to knock it down, but he also has a solid all-around offensive game. He moves without the ball well and can utilize screens to get open and he operates the pick-and-roll effectively.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/C50DD7D3-8C91-4D46-B6E3-4ACBA6E96C4F.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1443763" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/C50DD7D3-8C91-4D46-B6E3-4ACBA6E96C4F-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1440687" first="Brady" last="Wolf"] (MO Thunder): The 6’0" combo guard from Orchard Farm can really make things happen as a scorer and playmaker. I was impressed with his court vision as his head was on a swivel in finding teammates. His 3-point shot was pure and his floor game was very solid.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/BCF46D17-680C-4F7D-B6A8-4BEA8C5160B2.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1455277" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/BCF46D17-680C-4F7D-B6A8-4BEA8C5160B2-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1315447" first="Ricky" last="Hunter"] (Semo Select): It was my first time watching this 5’11" guard from Ste. Genevieve in action and I was impressed with his shooting ability and overall court savvy.  He had a nice sequence in a game that I watched where he hit three or four 3-pointers in a short span. He’s quick and he moves well to get himself open for his shots.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/696B42D1-A7CD-4C5F-9B9E-723F70D1E45D.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1443768" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/696B42D1-A7CD-4C5F-9B9E-723F70D1E45D-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1443779" first="Kyle" last="Harris"] (St. Louis Tigers): The 5’9" point guard from Fort Zumwalt West is jet quick in the open court, but he can also change speeds to keep defenders off balance. He does a nice job of staying under control. He has an effective pull up jumper in the lane to go along with 3-point shooting range.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Kellen Rhimes (Gateway-Knights): The 5’10" point guard from Kirkwood is a pass-first floor general who distributes the ball very well. He can find teammates and get them the ball in their comfort area, but he is capable of getting a bucket when he needs to. He is also a solid defender who applies good on-ball pressure.</p>