SWS: Session-2: 2024 Standouts: PG/CG’s

Gregg Rosenberg May 27, 2022 @ 01:21 PM

On May 21st-22nd I attended Ron Coleman’s Southwest Showcase Summer Championship (Session 2) at the Kroc Center in Phx, AZ. I focused on Varsity and JV Gold Boys divisions and I ended up watching 20+ teams.   Here were some of the 2024 point guard and combo guard standouts from the weekend: [player_tooltip player_id="992829" first="Gabe" last="Pickens"] Millennium (AZ Unity EYBL 16) An old school pure point guard with a very professional approach to the game. He is a step quicker then most and he can be a downhill bully. He will drive and kick it into a teammates shooting pocket and he is a terrific rebounder for his size and position. He hits the three and makes his free throws. [player_tooltip player_id="1297427" first="AJ" last="Thomas"] Eduprize (AZ Select Fauske) A shifty pure point guard has a high feel for the game. He has next level court vision and sees plays develop quickly. He has range on his three point shot and he can step back on his defenders. He bursts into the lane and will finish off tough shots in traffic. [player_tooltip player_id="996810" first="Preston" last="Lee"] Corona del Sol (AZ Unity EYBL 16) A physical on-ball defender always seems to make the right play. He is a neck up type of guard and is tough as they come. He is a natural downhill scorer and a more then capable three point catch shooter. His physicality, defense and IQ are his calling cards. [player_tooltip player_id="1172926" first="Marcus" last="Wilson"] Albuquerque Prep (AZ Unity EYBL 16) An athletic guard plays either spot. His pull-up is clean off the dribble from mid-range and he is a plus athlete on break to flush it down. He is a good passer to go along with his scoring package and his 3pt range sets him apart with some of the other guards. [player_tooltip player_id="1305181" first="Tommy" last="Randolph"] Phoenix Christian (Factory 16) (Pictured) A downhill guard had his way versus any team in front of him. He uses his body to his advantage and bounces off of his defenders and scores through contact. He has a nice looking mid-range pull-up and takes smart angles to the cup to score versus size. He is a physical on-ball defender and ran the point this weekend and was very comfortable versus pressure. [player_tooltip player_id="1177823" first="Steven" last="Tippit"] Phhoenix Prep (AZ Select Tom 17) A volume shooter had the deepest three point range in the tournament. He consistently made shots from the volleyball line and had multiple 30+ games. He has a tight handle and he can separate from his defender and launches his deep ball. When his motor is on, he can be a top on-ball defender. His speed allows him to get into the lane and score. He is a better passer then he gets credited with since he shoots a lot. [player_tooltip player_id="1135901" first="Aiden" last="Dunne"] Paradise Honors (AZ Select Tom 17) A crafty and skilled guard with range and feel. He hits the deep triple beyond the arc and he will score on pull-ups or from the catch. He gets confident with it and the basket seems to get bigger and bigger. He can get stronger but makes good reads to teammates and should have an expanded varsity role this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1464008" first="Jayson" last="Covington"] Corona del Sol (UH Elite 17) A newcomer impressed in my first viewing of him. He is a throwback pure point guard with good court vision, real speed with the ball and good size for position. He also had a jaw dropping dunk in traffic that caught everyone’s attention. He is somewhat of a late bloomer as he barely played freshman ball and played on JV but coach McDonald says he has a chance to contribute on varsity this season!