2024 Under The Radar Guards Set To Lead

Alex Fydryszewski

October 9, 2022 @ 10:03 PM

The Class of 2024 is going to step into expanded roles this year as juniors and a host of players who had impressive sophomore campaigns will now be expected to shoulder the load as the primary scorers and facilitators on their teams. Most of the guards here play for smaller schools and haven't received as much attention as of yet but their junior seasons should land them on the map for college coaches.     Junior Hans | 5'11” | G | Wildwood High 2024   Hans had a break out sophomore year. He showed himself primarily as a scorer but he's got the ability to move the ball and handle it as well. He's an active player on defense who creates turnovers, runs the floor with purpose and can finish at the rim with either hand. He had 34 vs Pitman, 28 vs Ocean City and also 25 vs Woodstown. Hans should be one of the top players in deep South Jersey this coming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1406996' first='Karson' last='Culuko']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/karson-culuko/"></a><a></a> | 6'2” | G | Pequannock 2024   Culuko came in as a freshman with promise, delivered and then took a step forward as a sophomore. He's a solid shooter with a variety of finishing skills around the rim. He's got the ability to shoot from well beyond the three point line and can also put the ball on the floor. He's going to be asked to carry Pequannock the next two years. He went over 20 five times, including 22 vs Whippany Park, 21 vs Boonton and Hanover Park and 20 vs Montville and Parsippany. He's also a solid rebounder for a guard, grabbing 14 vs Whippany Park and 10 vs West Milford. With two years to go, he'll be a sought after college prospect.   Charlie Hurd | 6'2” | G |Boonton 2024   Hurd is a college coaches dream on defense—He was one of the “charges taken” leaders in the state as a sophomore. He's a versatile offensive player who can hit it from deep and also can finish at the rim.  He showed an ability to crash the boards on both ends as well. He's at his best as a shooter on the wings. He went off for over 350 pts as a sophomore, setting the stage for a big junior year. Barring a major injury, he's going to have a very good shot at 1,000 pts. He had an eye popping 37 in an 84-81 loss to Hackettstown, 29 vs Passaic Charter, hit Pequannock for 20 both times and also poured in 20 on Lodi.  College coaches should be paying attention to him the next two years.   [player_tooltip player_id='1406995' first='Eugene' last='Byass']| 6'0” | G | East Orange   A stereotypical physical Essex County guard with a solid physical build which should allow him to be a top player for EOC this coming season. He's got the ability to get to the rim with his strong frame but can keep defenders honest by stepping back and shooting from deep. His top games as a sophomore were vs Franklin(17) and Paramus Catholic(25)   [player_tooltip player_id='1273929' first='Alex' last='George'] | 6'2” | G | Shore Regional   George emerged as a facilitator and a scorer in the backcourt who can hit shots from deep and also attack the basket. He took on a leadership role last year and will be poised for a breakout junior year alongside senior [player_tooltip player_id='1019862' first='Liam' last='Gajewski']. He's got a solid basketball IQ and can move the ball. He had 24 vs Beach, 21 vs Freehold Boro and 18 vs Holmdel last year. He should make a good run at 1,000 pts.

The Class of 2024 is going to step into expanded roles this year as juniors and a host of players who had impressive sophomore campaigns will now be expected to shoulder the load as the primary scorers and facilitators on their teams. Most of the guards here play for smaller schools and haven't received as much attention as of yet but their junior seasons should land them on the map for college coaches.