Texas Top 250 Expo- 2024 Shooting Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out my analysis on some of the top performers from a LOADED Texas Top 250 Expo! There were some real standout players at this event, and I cannot wait for you to read all of my analysis on some of the top dogs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1487549' first='Hayes' last='Pounds'] </strong>2024 6'1 St. Michael's Catholic Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1487481"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayes is a squirmy guard who knows how to find space even through two defenders, and pop out and make the right play on the other side. I watched him do it multiple times, including one after a head-fake that got a big to jump and he calmly stepped through for an easy look. He has very skilled footwork and an ability to not only put the ball on the floor and get to his spots but find and use glimmers of space. I was very impressed by how well he was able to get to the rim, changing speeds and directions to keep his defender off balance. Pounds was torching his opponents through his constant aggression and tight handle that allowed him to get up and down the court whenever he wanted. He made aware plays on the fast break, pushing the ball ahead and maintaining the tempo of the game. He showed an ability to knock down shots from the perimeter, which forced the defense to be honest on his head-fakes and close him out hard. I would like to see him continue to develop his pull up jumper in the mid-range, and work on keeping his head up at all times to find cutting teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598913' first='Leland' last='Jackson'] </strong>2024 5'11 Uplift Heights Prep School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1598913"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leland is a guard with some good size who knows how to use his handle to get right into the teeth of the defense, successfully scoring in the paint with soft floaters and pulling up in the mid-range if the defense sags off. He is a crafty finisher with an array of up and under's that allow him to finish over most of his opponents. He is a sight to see as he gets downhill, with broad shoulders and a middle line backer type build. He successfully bounces off of contact and absorbs hits all the time on his way to the rim. I would like to see him work on increasing his agility and foot speed, as well as his creation ability for his teammates. He relentlessly gets to the rim all the time, and draws multiple defenders, it will be a matter of picking apart the defense and seeing the help come to really unlock his game to the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1532958' first='Anthony' last='Overstreet Jr'] (AJ) </strong>2024 6'1 Wylie East High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1532958"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anthony is an intense guard prospect with a willingness to defend at the highest level, and could easily defend both guard positions at the next level even with his smaller frame. I loved the energy and intense motor he displayed every time he stepped on the court. His willingness to compete no matter who he was matched up against was really a treat to watch. Overstreet loves getting into the teeth of the defense with his handle. He was especially effective at turning defense into offense, and running the fast break after poking the ball free and causing havoc. I would like to see him hunt for his own shots from the mid-range and perimeter with more consistency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1354703' first='Jensen' last='Knowles']</strong> 2024 6'3 Richardson High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1354703"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jensen is a special prospect with his ability to do it all on both ends of the floor. The elite defensive presence he brought to his team forced his teammates to defend at a higher level. Knowles' defensive awareness and intensity is already at an elite level, showing off all the tools to become a necessary on and off ball defender in college. He scored at a very high clip from all three levels, and really punished teams from the perimeter with his shot off the catch. He is not just a set shooter, he showed an ability to put the ball on the floor and score off the dribble as well! I was very impressed with his ability to create space off the dribble, as well as his consistent off ball movement. He worked the baseline for open shots in the corners and flashed to the front of the rim for easy looks in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->