Guards to Watch from the Mayhem and the Collision

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><p>No matter if they are big or small, guards often make a big difference in the outcome of any game. This sentiment was true at both Prep Hoops events in Fort Worth and Houston. There were guards, whether it was with their offense or defense, who stood out as difference makers by the way their team performed on the floor.&nbsp; The Space City Collision and the Mayhem in the Plex had a plethora of guards who fit that description.&nbsp; In this review of both weekends, we will take a look at some of the guards from 2023 through 2025 who should be guards to watch during this grassroots season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1347180" first="Xavier" last="Ferguson"] (LA Broncos '24 | 6'1" | Zachary)</strong></p> <p>Ferguson is a player who is very good at playing pressure defense and converting steals into points.&nbsp; Whether it is making an open treys after a teammate garners a turnover or finishing at the rim, his ability to convert defense into instant offense was a key for the Broncos.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Adam Herod (B.O.L.D. '23 | 6'3" | Wylie East)</strong></p> <p>Herod is not the fastest guard but he is very aggressive when he has the ball.&nbsp; He understands positioning and uses fakes well to get players off balance.&nbsp; Herod is good at setting up straight line drives or spot up opportunities with those fakes.&nbsp; He is a high IQ player.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Joshua Hollins (Just Play Elite '23 | 5'11" | Good Vision Academy)</strong></p> <p>Hollins may look like he belongs in someone's backfield but he is very good at creating for others with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; Hollins use of the dribble gets him in the lane almost at will.&nbsp; His style is good at absorbing contact to shoot free throws or to punish players who defend him.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1275273" first="Taj" last="Jackson"] (HP Ballers '24 | 6'1" | Liberty High</strong><strong>)</strong></p> <p>Jackson can play either guard position and play it at a high level and has done a lot of his damage in the paint with floaters and attacks to the rim.&nbsp; He can also finish above the rim on direct attacks or on breakaways.&nbsp; Jackson is hard to rattle and he is a very tough cover for the opposition.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1471640' first='Noah' last='Jones'] (Showtime Elite '23 | 6'3" | Broadmoor)</strong></p> <p>Jones showed some three and D elements to his game in Houston.&nbsp; He sets his feet quickly and has a high, quick release from deep.&nbsp; His long frame and reach allow him to defend smaller guards and wings with success.&nbsp; Jones two-way talent will certify him looks going forward.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1105544" first="Jamadrion" last="Lillard"] (WBBP Rush '23 | 6'2" | Ruston)</strong></p> <p>Lillard is an aggressive man-to-man defender who gets his offense going from his defense.&nbsp; Causing turnovers sparks his aggression and he makes more plays towards the rim conversely.&nbsp; While he is a capable perimeter shooter, the 2024 guard is better at causing turnovers and getting to the rim.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1213750" first="James" last="Nathan"] (On Geaux '23 | 6'2" | Frederick Douglass)</strong></p> <p>Nathan was a bright spot for an On Geaux team that struggled because of his aggressiveness.&nbsp; He is a guard who can shoot from the perimeter but is almost electric when he gets downhill.&nbsp; Nathan can get to the paint quickly and is not coming to lay it up when he is at the rim.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Max Ndiaye (Texas United '23 Yellow | 6'3" | Spring Creek Academy)</strong></p> <p>The lefty guard is not a finesse player.&nbsp; Ndiaye is a guard who likes to mix it up and little bit in that he likes to get into the paint.&nbsp; He will create contact to get a shot off and he will stick his nose in and rebound.&nbsp; His court vision is also good and he will pass to teammates who are open.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1509243' first='Jaylen' last='Reedus'] (Just Play Elite '23 | 6'3" | Fort Bend)</strong></p> <p>Reedus is a bigger guard who can score at three levels.&nbsp; He can get to the rim driving through contact and is a good decision-maker on the break either with the correct pass or finishing himself.&nbsp; Reedus can hurt teams from the corner three also.&nbsp; He is as versatile as a guard can be.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jordan Reece (Texas Footwork Bengals '23 | 5'9" | Grand Oaks)</strong></p> <p>Reece is one of the fastest and strongest guards I have seen with the ball.&nbsp; He can change gears quickly when there is a turnover and is masterful at splitting guards either in transition or on drives to the cup.&nbsp; Reece puts pressure on defenses constantly with his quickness and handles.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>These Prep Hoop events have shown that there is plenty of basketball talent outside of the shoe circuit.&nbsp; There is a wealth of talent in the classes of 2023 though 2025 and these guards named above are players readers and scouts should know going forward.&nbsp; Very good players who can be difference makers in the right situation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->