2024 & 2025 Hidden Gems 6’1″ & Under (Pt I)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We already took a look at some guards with size in the<a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/09/2024-2025-sleeper-guards-62-over/"> 6'2" and over article</a>, now we need to pay some respects to the smaller guards getting it done. They use quickness, IQ, craftiness, and much more to find ways to succeed at the high school level. Here is part one of the <em>Hidden Gems 6'1" and Under</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631a321b71752","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1450579"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Dorsett is a prime example of how to succeed as an undersized guard. He combines toughness with IQ and skill, rather than forcing shots and relying on athleticism to get the job done. He's a strong finisher at the hoop and uses his court vision and footwork to knife through the defense. He brings that same toughness and anticipation to the defensive end where he plays hard on the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1450619"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The Sunnyside guard is an excellent example of someone who plays under control. He uses good hesitations and a quick first step to keep defenders off balance and get to the hoop. He takes contact well at the rim, showing great focus finishing the play even when he knows contact is coming. He likes to get to the rim but can also hit the open shots. McNair pairs with u003cstrongu003eBrent Maldonado u003c/strongu003eto make an intriguing backcourt in the Big 9 Conference.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1450937"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"I love Carlson as a breakout player this season. He was featured predominantly in an off-ball, secondary scoring role last season, but also spelled [player_tooltip player_id='1217797' first='Parker' last='Gerrits'] at the point from time to time. He's not as big a name as some teammates like Gerrits and [player_tooltip player_id='1270674' first='Andreas' last='Engholm'], but with u003cstrongu003eCaden Roth u003c/strongu003eno longer on the team Carlson should get more touches and a chance to become a name to know in 4A.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1547314"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Etheridge provides great value at the guard spot as a super agile and tough defender that sells out when on the floor. I watched him specifically in a match-up against [player_tooltip player_id='1450933' first='Xavier' last='Santana'] this summer, one of the hardest 2024s to guard, and Etheridge held his own. Etheridge is pesky, knows where he can make an impact on the game and can chip in a handful of buckets every game too.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Isaiah Brown","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Peninsula","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"Tacoma Swish","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"If you're looking for an underrated guard to get some early stock in, this is your guy. Peninsula finished in the middle of the SSC 3A at 8-9 last season, blending in with the rest of the pack. However, the lefty guard earned honorable mention all-league and is a pretty solid all-around player. He has a quick handle, creative finishing in the paint, and can stroke it from outside. It will be his team to lead this coming winter and Brown could emerge as an all-league player when all is said and done.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1450987"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Esquivel is the shortest player on this list, he is the youngest player on the list, and yet neither has seemed to hold him back. He started all season for the East Valley Red Devils and showed he's got the confidence and skill to lead a team even as a freshman. He didn't jump out as a big-time scorer last season but was excellent in running the offense, taking care of the ball, and providing a nice outlet as a shooter from distance. Esquivel is supremely quick and is already a prepared leader on offense.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494dd7b05a80"} /-->