Top 2024 Combo Guards from October Fall Ball

Check out my analysis on some of the top 2024 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!

Jared Harris 2024 6’4 Silsbee High School

Jared continues to impress me every time I have seen him compete, starting with his performances in the state semi finals and finals last season. I was very impressed by his versatility on the offensive end, scoring at will across all three levels and took very smart shots. He never seems to overly force the action, and calmly gets by most on ball defenders with ease, out-striding them and then allowing him to turn the corner on them after he has gotten a half step and keep his defender on his hip. His ability to consistently get to the rim is an elite weapon, and after a few quarters of that most defenders are already sitting back on his moves, allowing him to calmly get up shots from the perimeter. He is a high level scorer off the bounce, calmly getting to his spots from beyond the arc and knocking down nearly every open opportunity. I was very impressed with his consistency on his shot, even as he is going full speed, quickly slamming the breaks and leaping vertically into his jumper. Harris is one of the top guard prospects in this 2024 class, he can calmly get to the rim, score at will and is a BEAST in the open court. His length allowing him to consistency finish at the rim was very impressive, using either hand and on either side, even coming downhill on the baseline and attacking from the wings.

Jayden Gambrell 2024 6’4 James Madison High School

Jayden is a lanky guard who can easily create separation with his handle, knock down shots from the outside and slash and cut to the rim. He has true point guard instincts, but is an elite scorer across all three levels of the floor already. I was very impressed at how much his athleticism has increased over the off season, adding more inches to his vertical and seeming to be a bit more explosive as a ball handler getting to his spots. Gambrell’s elite level scoring and the calmness he plays the game with is mesmerizing to watch, calmly shifting his opponents with crossovers and getting to his spots all over the court. I got the pleasure of watching him workout recently, and the intensity he trains with and how consistent he is as an open shooter from the outside is already at a very high level. Expect his name to bring some attention from the next level this season, as he leads Madison as their focal scoring option. I fully expect him to come home with some district awards once this season is over, so do not be surprised when this name POPS!

Kayde Dotson 2024 6’4 Beaumount United High School

Kayde is a silky smooth scorer with the ability to fill it up from all three levels of the floor and scoring at will off the bounce. He pulled up in transition if his opposition did not stop the ball, instantly making them pay for a missed shot. He showed an ability to play on and off the ball, with Wesley Yates allowing him to drive and kick to set him up. As a set shooter, he calmly knocks down opportunities with incredible consistency. I was very impressed by how easily he made it all look in transition, speeding up the tempo did not affect his game- if anything it made him more dynamic. Dotson showed a tremendous ability to lock up defensively as well, taking on a talented guard in AJ Bates, and forcing him into very tough looks all game. Dotson moves his feet well to stop the ball, and uses his length as a real weapon as he takes on ball handlers 94 feet. Kayde plays the game at a very high level on both ends of the court, and has a determined and non-stop motor every time he steps onto the hardwood. Dotson played for John Lucas’ EYBL team this summer and is showing tremendous signs of improvement in all aspects of his game.

Ashton Simmons 2024 6’3 Beaumont West Brook High School

Ashton has the frame, ball skills and intensity to play at the next level already. He is the true leader of a group of intense players at West Brook, with the ability to jump out of the gym and flush nasty dunks or hang in the air to adjust his shot angle and finish through contact. Simmons is a BEAST in transition, where he gets easy looks by exploding to the rim where no one else can touch him. He has tremendous court awareness and ball skills, allowing him to pick apart defense’s and find open lanes on the fast break. He always has his head up, scanning the floor and looking to push the tempo and the ball up the court. Simmons athleticism is truly on another level and how he s able to attack small glimmers of space and get through them is already at an elite level. His ability to play both ways translates on the court too, sliding over at just the right time to reject shots and chasing down his opponents in transition and smacking their shot off the backboard. Simmons is an elite and effective weapon on both ends of the court, and his intensity and tenacity on the court is not ever matched.

Jerrell Barron Jr 2024 6’4 Atascocita High School

Jerrell is a promising young prospect who has showed off his high basketball IQ, ability to score from the perimeter and create at a very high level for his age. Barron was easily one of the top prospects in the gym through the way he calmly and smoothly scored from the outside off the bounce, and found his teammates with pinpoint passes right on time. I was very impressed with his shooting mechanics and ability to score from the perimeter, calmly shooting over the top of his opponents. He has a soft release, allowing him to put great touch on his shot from anywhere on the court. He is a deadly scorer in the mid-range, and knows how to get to his spots on limited dribbles where he is the most comfortable.Defensively, his long frame allows him to defend multiple positions, and can already lock up positions 1-3 with ease. He calmly slides his feet to stay with his opponents and pounces at the ball at just the right time to poke the ball free or force his opponent into a mistake. I was very impressed by his basketball IQ on this side of the floor at such a young age. I have had multiple coaches and former players rave about him and his development for his age.