GASO Duncanville Thursday Guard Standouts

Check out my analysis on some of the top guard prospects who really shined during their time on the court at the Great American Shootout July Live Period in Duncanville! There are plenty of college coaches in attendance, and some of these kids in attendance have a real chance to turn some attention their way. [player_tooltip player_id="1483630" first="Jaxson" last="Vandegarde"] 2024 6’1 Buda Johnson High School (ATX Force) Jaxson is a high level scorer off the bounce who does so effortlessly from all three levels of the court, and is begining to threaten that coveted fourth level. I was very impressed with the amount of attention he has put on the defensive end of the court, coming up with steals in the passing lanes as well as through his active hands stripping the ball from his opponent. He is a relentless attacker of the rim, who really stood out in his ability to not only finish through contact but also stop on a dime and score in the mid-range. He lived at the free throw line with his constant aggression and the ease in which he was able to get two feet into the paint. He took what the defense gave him every-time down the court, and had a masterful performance on the offensive end of the court. He controls the game like a true point guard who can facilitate an offense and also pass his teammates open in the full court. His ability to manipulate the speed of the game when the ball is in their hands. He routinely broke a full court press with his speed, getting the edge on his opponent or by making the right read and a picture perfect over head pass. I was very impressed with his ability to do whatever his team needed to be successful. He boxes out and can play on the glass like a wing. He frustrated his opponent so much through his hard work on the interior. His defender thought he would easily back him down every time, but Vandegarde held his ground and played very well. Every time I see him in action, he seems to be adding a new wrinkle in his game. Vandegarde is one prospect you need to start keeping tabs on with the ease in which he scored off the bounce. Braedon Bigott 2023 6’4 Lake Creek High School (Big Basketball Academy) Braedon has really come alive during his GASO play over the last few weeks, showing off his ability to consistently score in bunches from beyond the arc. Where his game has shown the most promise is in his ability to go coast to coast, but also finishing at the rim. I was very impressed with his consistency in the paint, even when taking on bigger opponents in the air. I loved watching him work on the interior on both ends of the court, showing a real work ethic to box out his opponents and then lead the fast break charge himself. Bigott routinely got up and down the court with his live dribble and preyed on the last defender, forcing them to foul him. His consistency in the paint forced defenders to use all of their fouls in hopes to contain him. Every time I seemed to look back over at his court he was back on the line. He showed an ability to distribute the ball as well, and has all the tools to potentially become a more combo guard type player over the next year. He loved manipulating the last defender within the half court set, constantly preying on his opponents and finding his big for an easy look down low, or finding his shooters in the corner. Davion Allen 2023 Hendrickson High School (ATX Future 17U) Davion is a confident combo guard who makes his mark on the defensive end of the court, and thrives at turning defense into offense. I loved watching him poke the ball free from his opponent and running the fast break and attacking the rim, or finishing with some emphasis (see below)! He routinely rose up for dunks on the fast break, showing off his explosive legs at the explosiveness he brings to the point guard position. His active hands made him a real weapon on the defensive end of the court, and made his opponents incredibly uncomfortable when trying to get past him. On the offensive end, he made timely passes to set up his teammates but is great at attacking the basket and drawing the attention of the defense and then making the right outlet pass after getting into the teeth of the defense. [player_tooltip player_id="1354638" first="Max" last="George"] 2023 6’3 Steele High School (CCYA Elite) Max is an intelligent player who thrives at knocking down shots at all three levels. I loved watching him work on getting to his shot at the midrange and spotting up along the wings and corners to knock down shots beyond the arc. He is great at flashing to the midrange at the high post when the defense is confused from his teammates attacking the rim. He got a plethora of open looks from his ability to find weak spots in the defense. He is a special defender as well, his size allows him to consistently defend positions 1-3 and some undersized forwards. He is great at moving his feet and staying in front of his opponent. I loved watching him work as a help defender, he knew when to come over and trap the ball, as well as his work hedging on the pick and roll and forcing the ball handler to make a different decision. Narit Chotikavanic 2024 6’1 McMillen High School, TX (F5 Elite 2024) Narit is an incredibly skilled combo guard who scored well at all three levels of the floor as well as created looks for his teammates. I was blown away at the ease in which he scored the basketball from every inch of the court. He operates incredibly well out of the corners where he is a threat to catch and shoot, but also put the ball on the floor and blow by his opposition. I loved his touch he displayed from range, and did so off the catch but more impressively off the bounce. He routinely made space beyond the arc and confidently rose above his competition. He puts just the right amount of touch on his 3/4 court passes, that always found his teammates in stride, sometimes even after a made basket. I loved his overall court vision and ability to pass the ball, he truly created a multitude of looks for his teammates. As the defense started to garner more attention to him, he calmly made all of the right reads and set his teammates for effortless buckets.