2024 & 2025 Sleeper Guards 6’2″ & Over

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bigger guards are great because they can wear down smaller defenders, provide more versatility on defense, and generally see the floor better in the half-court. These five guards are the next crop of bigger guards with many of them only entering their sophomore seasons. they have plenty of time to grow into their bodies, expand their games, and become prominent names across the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631a3e3d609b0","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1463084"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1179849,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Sonntag made second-team all-league in the SPSL North last season as a sophomore. It was a struggle for his team to get going, finishing 4-15, but Sonntag showed immense promise as a guard that uses his strength and patience to get buckets. He has a quick first step and once he has defenders on his hip he does a good job keeping them there as he navigates his way to the rim. He's really good at gaining position off the dribble and using stop-and-go bursts to win matchups. Sonntag will pair with fellow 2024 u003cstrongu003eCarsen Lovettu003c/strongu003e to give Puyallup a more competitive look next season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1485589"],"_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 North Thurston product plays well beyond his years and his talent is readily apparent. He's tall, long, and quick with the ball, and makes smart, snapshot decisions. He has no trouble scoring from any spot on the floor but is first concerned with playing floor general and distributing the ball. North Thurston is a team that could make a big leap in the SSC 3A, which had a lot of parity last season below the top two teams.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1450996"],"_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":"Over in Yakima County, [player_tooltip player_id='1450996' first='Landen' last='Birley'] is a player you should get to know. He was part of a very tenured team last season, made up of juniors, seniors, and Birley. Even so, he played significant minutes, even starting for the 12-7 Rams. Birley is lanky and a bit heavy-footed at this point, but he looks to have much more growing to do. He's got an attacking mindset, wanting to make plays and is not scared of failing. Equipped with a good handle and jump shot, once Birley matures physically he should skyrocket in terms of production.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1450997"],"_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":"It's going to be tough for Vargas to break through this season for the Wildcats, but with his good stroke from behind the arc, he could sneak his way on the floor. Mt Spokane returns a deep roster and has plenty more coming up the pipeline. Vargas will make his mark by providing consistent shooting but also a big body on the outside that can come in right away and match up with a variety of guards.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1450572"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1450941"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":1557035,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"I'm going to put these two guys together, not just because they're on the same team, but because they are both extremely skilled and strong finishers. Sullivan has a bit more athleticism, is a bit stronger, and is sprouting up to 6'4 this offseason. Gardea has more of a point guard attitude and leads with great poise and an easy outside stroke. Both players have smooth handles, finish at the hoop with either hand, and have great length defensively. With a ton of seniors graduating from last year's squad, Gardea and Sullivan should team up to make a formidable backcourt in the 3A MCC next season.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->