Crafty 2023 Guard Playmakers – Preseason Outlook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='965779' first='Armon' last='Baker'] - Thomas Jefferson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker is one of my dark horse candidates to make yet another leap this season, jumping from box splits of 7.8 P/2.3 R/2.2 A in 2020-21 to 13 P/3.7 R/4.7 A in 2021-22. Standing roughly 6'3, Baker is a quick driver who has the height to see above the defense in conjunction with the confident handle allowing him to be aware of his surroundings. Given the combo guard's long strides, he is able to generate plenty of space with fundamental moves like pound dribbles and crossovers. Baker should also be one of the better defenders in his class, generating three steals per game last season. The senior guard's biggest x-factors reside in his shooting efficiency both from the line and beyond arc. Baker currently sits as the 47th overall and 12th combo guard in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='921096' first='Alan' last='Acevedo'] - Colorado Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1450661,"width":291,"height":194,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Alan-Acevedo8.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Alan-Acevedo8-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1450661" width="291" height="194"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An especially hard working prospect, the 6'1 combo guard brings versatile defensive upside along with a complementary skillset that molds into many lineups. Acevedo is a consistent shooter off the catch, most notably from the corners. With his robust frame, Acevedo is capable taking bumps when getting downhill, allowing him to draw fouls at a higher rate than most guards. Continuing to leverage his frame on drives will be a key to Acevedo's overall offensive upside. The senior ranks 15th overall and 5th among combo guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1284455' first='Aliou' last='Diallo'] - Colorado Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1521485,"width":340,"height":226,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Aliou-Diallo1-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Aliou-Diallo1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1521485" width="340" height="226"/></a><figcaption>Prephoops Tournament July 16, 2022</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diallo will be a high upside perimeter creator while standing right around 5'11. The senior point guard solidified his scoring upside with the Titans this summer through off the dribble shooting and downhill driving efficiency. The first key with Diallo comes from his ballhandling, where his low center of gravity and quick reaction speeds get him downhill with ease. Once around the rim, he more than capable slithering to the basket and using finger rolls to finish around traffic. Should help defense meet him at the rim, Diallo is effective hitting baseline cutters, dunker spot dump offs, and one handed kick outs. Big keys for the point guard will be maximizing his one on one defense versus similar sized playmakers and continuing to emphasize his shooting potential. Diallo ranks 25th in the class and 6th among point guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1420178' first='Peyton' last='Torres'] - Eagle Ridge Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1281607,"width":308,"height":205,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/56-Peyton-Torres.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/56-Peyton-Torres-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1281607" width="308" height="205"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At roughly 6'2, the wiry point guard will play a key role for an Eagle Ridge group largely retaining their key players. Coming off a very encouraging season, Torres put up 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.6 steals per game while contributing 33% of his three point attempts. One unique aspect for the point guard stems from his bounciness off either foot, where he is more than capable throwing down dunks in traffic. Some areas to look for with Torres reside in his pace within the halfcourt and further efficiency improvements as a shooter. Torres currently lands as the 38th player in the class and 8th among point guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->