NHSBCA Southeast Regional: Standout Guards

<p>More than 140 of the best high school programs across the southeast came together outside of Atlanta this weekend for the NHSBCA Southeast Regional. Lots of talent was on display and college coaches gathered in numbers for the last live period of June. Here are a couple of guards that stood out to me this weekend and will likely see a jump in their recruiting.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG_3673-rotated-crop-1980x1301-1656211694.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1494508 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG_3673-rotated-crop-1980x1301-1656211694-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><strong>2023 6’3 G [player_tooltip player_id="1131530" first="Amon" last="McDowell"] - McDonough (GA)</strong></p> <p>McDowell had a great weekend scoring the ball, averaging over 12 PPG and proving that he can be another versatile scoring threat in the backcourt alongside [player_tooltip player_id="1336191" first="Da’Avion" last="Thomas"]. When McDowell is on, McDonough is extremely tough to beat. He’s a crafty finisher at the hoop and can score at all 3 levels. McDowell’s a confident shooter and connected on a handful of triples. McDowell’s recruitment should pick up after an impressive weekend in front of several college programs.</p> <p><strong>2023 6’5 G/F [player_tooltip player_id="1231780" first="Samarion" last="Bond"] - Norcross (GA)</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1231780" first="Samarion" last="Bond"] is a very intriguing prospect for Norcross that could rise up a lot of boards come winter time. Bond is one of the most physically imposing guards in his class, wearing down defenders with his combination of athleticism and brute strength. He was aggressive attacking the basket this weekend and showed the ability to finish through contact time and time again. Given space, Bond will make defenders pay with his outside shot. Simply put, there’s not many things on the basketball court that [player_tooltip player_id="1231780" first="Samarion" last="Bond"] can’t do.</p> <p><strong>2026 6’3 PG Kota Suttle - Wheeler (GA)</strong></p> <p>Kota Suttle will certainly be a player to keep an eye on for years to come. Suttle is only a freshman but plays with confidence and maturity years beyond his age. He played the point this weekend in the absence of [player_tooltip player_id="820278" first="Isaiah" last="Collier"] and did some good things for Wheeler. Suttle’s a smooth ball-handler and has a nice outside shot as well. A year to learn from one of the country’s best guards in Collier will benefit Suttle in the long run and I think he’ll be one of the premier players of his class.</p> <p><strong>2023 6’4 G [player_tooltip player_id="1201503" first="RJ" last="Johnson"] - Grissom (AL)</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1201503" first="RJ" last="Johnson"] was dominant this weekend, going for 18 against Milton and 21 against Jonesboro the next day. Together, he and Izzy Miles were one the the most impressive backcourt duos I watched. Johnson is physically gifted and uses his strong frame to shield off defenders and create his own looks. He showed the ability to score at all 3 levels, hitting jumpers from all over the court and finishing above the rim. He’s already picked up offers from FAU, Wichita State, and Tennessee Tech this weekend.</p> <p><strong>2023 5’9 G [player_tooltip player_id="820279" first="Austen" last="Colton"] - East Coweta (GA)</strong></p> <p>Colton has been East Coweta’s floor general and offensive catalyst throughout the month of June and could be on the verge of a huge senior season. Colton is smart with the ball and knows when to be aggressive. He sees the floor extremely well when penetrating and proved to be a high level passer delivering a multitude of dimes to backdoor cutters and outside shooters. As far as I know, Colton has yet to receive his first offer which seems like a crime. [player_tooltip player_id="820279" first="Austen" last="Colton"] is a point guard that coaches can certainly trust with their offense.</p>