Top 2023 Shooting Guards from October Fall Ball
Check out my analysis on some of the top 2023 shooting 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…
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Continue ReadingCheck out my analysis on some of the top 2023 shooting 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!
Almany Diaby 2023 6’2 Hutto High School
Almany is an aggressive guard who thrives at getting downhill, getting two feetin the paint and finishing strong with either hand. I was very impressed by his natural ability to slash and cut with and without the basketball. He always goes up strong to finish over his defenders, and uses his frame to absorb contact on his way up. He showed an ability to play out of the high post, making good decisions to find cutting teammates, but also with a live dribble, attacking closeouts with pace and slipping past his opponents. He is confident in his shot from the mid-range, and loves getting to his spots. He has a high release point, and really leaps on his jumpers allowing him to shoot over more defenders.An aspect that I loved was how hard he competed on both ends of the floor, really left it all on the hardwood as he hustled to loose balls and was eager to defend other guards and wings. Diaby plays with enough intensity and tenacity to defend positions 1-3 at the next level, and is likely willing to compete against stronger 3s and 4s! I was very impressed with how well he played defensively, showing off his awareness and intensity every time the ball was rolled out.
Dylan Gonzales 2023 5’11 San Antonio- Wagner High School
Dylan is a seriously gifted scorer who really stood out through his high energy performances this fall, making high level reads and knocking down shots at a very consistent clip. He took good shots only when he was open and had time to step into his shot, and always makes the right decision and found his teammates with the right pass at just the right time. I was very impressed with how well he played even when he was fatigued, his shot still had the same mechanics and result, even when his legs were dead at the end of the five hour camp. Wagner High School just lost two senior guards, so Gonzales will have a chance to step in and produce for his team right away.
Kris Jones 2023 6’3 Port Aransas High School
Kris is a high level shooter sniper who can score with ease across all three levels of the floor who has won district MVP the last two years running, averaging over eighteen points and nearly five rebounds out of the two guard spot. He knows how to get a bucket across any level of the floor, and calmly does so off the bounce, mid post or off the catch. He has already unlocked that coveted fourth level of the floor, fearlessly scoring from anywhere on the floor. He is an absolutely deadly shooter, especially with his feet set. He confidently takes jumpers two to three steps beyond the arc, and knocks them down with impressive consistency. A complete sniper off the catch, Jones makes defenses pay for playing relaxed coverage for even a split second. The term hand down man down, definitely applies to this kid! He is not just a shooter however, he can create offense for himself or his teammates with his handle. He confidently gets coast to coast with a live dribble and fearlessly attacks the rim. I was very impressed by his on court awareness as he attacks a defense, smartly attacking defenders and forcing a second or third defender to step up and make a decision. He has an improving passing ability. He does so with incredible success on the fast break, firing crisp bounce passes that hit his streaking teammates in stride. Jones is an ideal combo guard who really thrives at getting his own shot, and scoring at a very high level.
Sean Dansby 2023 6’2 Pasadena Memorial High School (Pasadena Lockdown 2023)
Sean is the kind of kid that you can plug and fit into most programs with his ability to lock up defensively and play out of the corners and wings. His energy on the court was impressive, wreaking havoc by playing the passing lanes and clamping up opponents on ball. His defensive awareness and intensity are already at a very high level, allowing him to dominate on this side of the court. Dansby is a truly willing rebounder as well, boxing out opponents and fighting on the glass. He sees the floor like a guard after a rebound, keeping his head up to make the right outlet pass, or find a streaking teammate up the court. His awareness is not limited to the defensive side of things, he put the ball on the floor and attacked hard closeouts, or quickly got shots up in the corners. He has tremendous potential to become a high level 3 and D type shooting guard at the next level that would easily fit alongside a ball dominant wing or point guard. Pasadena Memorial has some real talent in this next year with a dominant forward prospect, a skilled point guard and Dansby as the glue guy ready to do all of the little things to help the team win. If you are in the Houston area, you need to check this team out! I would like to see Dansby focus on his consistency from the outside, as well as being a more consistent scoring option for his team.
Jaylen Reedus Jaylen Reedus 6'4" | CG Fort Bend Marshall | 2023 TX 2023 6’4 Fort Bend Marshall High School
Jaylen’s aggressive nature to his game is a big reason he has sucess as a two way threat, who can lock you up and then race the other way to finish on your head on the other end. I loved his determination to get to the rim when he had the ball in his hands in the open court, putting pressure on the defense with his tenacity and willingness to run the fast break. Where he really made a difference was his ability to turn defense into offense and how well he played the passing lanes. He constantly baited his opponents into bad passes, using his athleticism to quickly explode to the ball and close gaps. Reedus is a willing defender and rebounder, and already has a motor made for the next level.Within the half court setting, he showed an ability to spot up in the corners or cut back door for easy opportunities. He was aware in picking his spots to slash and pull up, taking what the defense gave him. He showed an ability to put the ball on the floor and drive and kick as well. He was smart for attacking the rim and establishing his dominance on the interior first, before picking the defense apart with his passes. I would like to see him get more comfortable with his handle and ability to pull up in the mid-range and get to his spots off the bounce from beyond the arc.
Dylan Gonzales 2023 5’11 San Antonio- Wagner High School
Dylan is a highly skilled and complete scorer who really stood out this fall, making high level reads and knocking down shots at a very consistent clip. He took good shots only when he was open and had time to step into his shot, and always makes the right decision and found his teammates with the right pass at just the right time. I was very impressed with how well he played even when he was fatigued, his shot still had the same mechanics and result, even when his legs were dead at the end of the five hour camp. Wagner High School just lost two senior guards, so Gonzales will have a chance to step in and produce for his team right away.