Top 2023 Point Guards from October Fall Ball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out my analysis on some of the top 2023 point guards who have really been making noise through their stellar play this fall! I have been traveling all over Texas all October, and here is my list of some of the top performers since we wrapped up Summer Ball! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='787367' first='Wesley' last='Yates'] </strong>2023 6'3 Beaumount United High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wesley was dominant across all three levels again, and after recently committing to the University of Washington this month! He is a fearless scorer with a tremendous frame who bullies his opponents down low with his strength and how well he can get to the rim. Yates has been a dominant scorer his entire high school career, and it is not hard to figure out why he is widely considered one of the top prospects in the country, (ESPN Top 40). He has a nasty step back he can get to, and always creates space with his crossovers due to how much of a threat he is as a freight train downhill. Wesley's versatility from the guard position is at an elite level, calmly creating, scoring and slashing with the best of them. It is a joy to watch him compete, constantly wreaking havoc with and without the ball. His calmness with a live dribble and how he is able to control the tempo of the game is at an elite point guard type level, and it allows him to run the show for Beaumount United and keep his teammates involved. He has some high level shooters all around him who will punish you for helping on him in the paint too often, expect United to make some noise this year as they step into 6A competition! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='787349' first='Jaland' last='Lowe'] </strong>2023 6'2 Fort Bend Marshall High School </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaland recently announced his commitment to the University of Pittsburgh! He gave new Pitt fans and Houston basketball fans a real treat this fall with how easily he controlled the tempo of any game he stepped foot on, and how effortless he made scoring at will from all three levels look. He calmly picked apart defenders with his crossovers, creating separation and stepping back on them, or getting them to bite on a head-fake and simply blow by them to finish at the rack. The free flowing nature he plays this game with is intoxicating to watch, both as a defender and a fan! He lulls you to sleep with his tight handle and then quickly rises up in your face to hit timely shots to push the lead out of reach. Lowe has easily been one of the most entertaining prospects I have covered over the last two years specifically. This summer, he put on a SHOW in the EYBL, finding teammates with pinpoint lob passes and created a plethora of highlights for himself and his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TJ Ford Jr </strong>2023 5'11 Ridgepoint High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TJ is the definition of a true point guard, who takes pride in setting up his teammates within the half court. He easily creates a connection with his teammates on the court, even the young players who have just been brought up to Varsity. He makes crisp passes right into their shooting pockets, allowing them to get even better looks on the fast break and within a half court set. He routinely created looks out of the pick and roll, making the right pass on the back side but also finding his big man when he made the right pop or roll decision. I was very impressed with his pose and how naturally he carried himself with the ball in his hands, he got downhill to put pressure on the defense, constantly attacking the rim and using his speed and vertical ability to get downhill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ford Jr has really improved his shot making ability off the catch since I last saw him, becoming a more consistent spot up shooter while still wreaking havoc off the bounce. He routinely got to his spots across all three levels of the floor to affect the game. He has explosive leaping ability at the guard position which allows him to hang in the air and finish around defender's outstretched arms. He has the ability to contort his body to get away from contact while also adjusting his shot angle to avoid defenders. He made every finish in the book look routine with the ease in which he scores the basketball. One of the best aspects of his game has to be how well he is able to create space with his handle. He used a series of head fakes and crossovers to consistently create separation. His shiftiness is an elite weapon already, and is sure to make a college coach at the next level absolutely ecstatic for bringing him into their gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason Walker </strong>2023 San Antonio- Churchill High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mason is a high level and intense scorer who takes pride in hitting shots in the mid-range and beyond the arc, but also defending to the best of his ability. He stood out by how effortlessly he was able to hit shots off the bounce, scoring at one of the highest levels by the kids in attendance at the event. However his shot making is not my favorite aspect to his game, it has to be his intensity and willingness to pick up on ball defenders. He loves getting low and moving his feet to cut off driving angles on his opponents, and was willing to get underneath his opponent's skin by his positioning and ability to get his hands involved in on the play. Walker has been a constant producer for Churchill High School, and has another skilled scorer in the back court with him Jarek Schmittou, and a skilled 3/4 in Mikhali Roberts. If you are in the San Antonio are be sure to get out and see Churchill this year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ty Beston </strong>2023 6'3 St Thomas High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ty is an aggressive slasher and finisher in the paint, who has an array of craft moves to get around the last defender at the rim. I was very impressed by how easily he was able to finish at the rim, and how naturally he was able to create space in the paint. He spun off defenders, used head fakes and went up strong to finish on either side of the rim. Beston is an special guard who can play on and off the ball and dominate his match-up anyway possible. He made good passes up the court to beat the defense on the fast break, and then quickly moved to the corners or dives to the rim if the opening is there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryce Smith </strong>2023 6'1 Barbers Hill High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryce is a do-it-all guard who can not only effect the game with the ball in his hands, but his versatility defensively, how well he rebounds the ball and affects the game on the interior defensively. Bryce was maestro during his time on the court, calmly orchestrating his team's offense, setting up shooters and dominating at the rim. Every time I see him, I am blown away by his willingness to do the dirty work on the court, scrapping for loose balls and long rebounds, sliding over to protect the rim, tying up ball handlers as a help defender, and just wreaking havoc with how hard he plays the game. His non stop engine allows him to fly up and down the court, pushing the tempo on the fast break, or racing the other way to chase you down. He is the most athletic player on his team, but that is not what makes him special. It is his energy, aggressiveness and how well he affects the game defensively. He moves his feet to stay in front of his opponent but also comes over as a help side defender or chase them down and meeting them at the rim. There were multiple instances in which he made elite level plays, both offensively and defensively. He can detonate on his opponent's with explosive dunks or calmly rise up from the mid-range or beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a complete point guard prospect with how well he sees the floor, but more importantly his willingness to clean up his teammates mistakes defensively, and how well he knows where everyone should be. He is a creative passer, who can set up his teammates on the short roll or fire accurate passes to his shooters on the back side. He seems to have eyes on the sides of his head with his incredible awareness with the ball. He is already an elite half court creator, who can get to his spots or get his teammates involved. Smith is easily a division one prospect, and will make a coach at the next level extremely happy with his versatility, energy and willingness to do WHATEVER is necessary to help his team succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a fearless finisher, who is willing to leap and throw down on anyone in front of him, including a 6'10 forward! Watching Bryce Smith compete is always a treat with how hard he plays, never taking a possession off and really leading his team. His natural point guard instincts are always evident in his passes, but more importantly his on and off court leadership, and his lead by example nature to his character and game. Whoever takes a shot on Bryce Smith at the next level is sure to get their money's worth…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->