Summer Stock Risers: 2023 Shooting Guards (2/3)
Check out my analysis on the kids who have really popped this summer off of their downright dominant performances at tournaments all across the state of Texas. I got a chance to travel all around Texas in search of the…
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Continue ReadingCheck out my analysis on the kids who have really popped this summer off of their downright dominant performances at tournaments all across the state of Texas. I got a chance to travel all around Texas in search of the next great prospects all summer, and I am excited for you guys to follow along and check out my analysis.
Ethan Wyatt 2023 6’3 Klein Collins High School, TX (Welcome to 4 Vegas Hot Shots 2023)
Ethan is an athletic monster, not surprising to anyone a dual sport athlete who is already boasting division one offers in football. Wyatt has explosiveness that is off the charts with the ability to hammer home monstrous dunks on the fast break, as well as rising up and finishing over the top of anyone. He has some incredibly impressive tomahawk dunks in his arsenal, many of which sucked the air out of the gym when he finished it. He has the ability to play on both ends of the court, using his active hands to poke the ball free and his basketball IQ to play in the passing lanes. He is not just a slasher however, he calmly knocks down shots off the bounce from 3 point range, and is more than comfortable at taking the pull up 15 footer. I was very impressed with the ease in which the game seemed to come to him, paired with his explosiveness and athleticism, some coach is going to be very lucky to have this young man at the next level, no matter which sport he picks!
Herb Washington 2023 6’2 Benjamin O. Davis High School, TX (Hoop Lovers Inc 2023)
Herb is a creative finisher in the paint with a real ability to adjust his shot angle to maneuver around his opponent’s outstretched arms. I was very impressed with the ease in which he finished at the rim. He is an aware player who is constantly moving without the basketball, in search of a weak point in the defense. His constant off ball cutting allows him to receive easy passes from his teammates right in the lane. He is great at keeping his opponent on his hip and turning the corner, allowing him to operate and force a second defender to come pick him up. He showed an ability to constantly make the right reads in this situation, and fire passes out to his shooter in the corners or a dump off pass to his bigs down low. Where he thrived after getting his defender on his hip or his back was simply exploding to the rim for an easy look. Washington has all of the offensive tools to become a dynamic high scoring weapon and facilitator at the guard spot.
Idalius Coleman 2023 6’3 Chapin High School, TX (EP Starz 2023)
Idalius is a high level player who thrives off of his ability to do it all in both the half court and the full court. He has all of the tools to become a dominant combo guard at the next level. He scored at will from all three levels of the floor, and has the confidence to shoot over the top of any defender. I loved how he hunted for his own shot from everywhere on the floor, he really took what the defense gave him every time down the court. He even showed an ability to play with his back to the basket at the high post and make good decisions or take a bigger and slower defender off the bounce. He has a fluid handle and makes great one handed passes up the court to his streaking teammates. He facilitates the game at an incredibly high level and can pass his teammates open.
Noel Duplechain 2023 6’0 Westbury Christian, TX (Just Play Elite 2023)
Noel is a high level rebounder at the guard position who is great at using his athleticism to sky over his opponents and finish with ease in the paint. I was very impressed with his constant energy and aggressiveness on the glass, he got put-backs and sealed off his opponents well to box them out. He is an aggressive player and knows how to get into the paint, and finished well after turning the corner on his opponent. On defense, he moved his feet well and worked hard to angle his opponent to the sidelines. I would like to see him work with his shot off the bounce from beyond the arc.
Levi Rutledge Levi Rutledge 6'6" | SG IMG Academy Post Grad (2024) | 2023 State TX 2023 6’5 Brentwood Christian School (ATX Lockdown 17U)
Levi is a huge guard with a great feel for the game and high basketball IQ. He is a smooth scorer off the bounce and can do damage in the mid-range or beyond the arc. I was very impressed with how well he is making shots off the bounce, confidently rising up every time no matter the outcome of the possession the time before. His confidence in his shot from all areas around the arc was very impressive, however he is not just a stand up shooter. He is a great decision maker with the ball and has a real ability to create open looks for his teammates. Rutledge operates well out of the triple threat where he is explosive in turning the corner on his opponent. I was very impressed with the ease of which the scoring came from him in this area. He is great at finishing at the rim off the bounce, a skill that generates him a ton of easy and efficient offense. His ability to euro step around defenders and find space when there is none was very impressive. He is good at moving around contact at the rim and contorting his body to get a better look for himself.